There are six volumes of the original comic book version of Kurokami out in America, with a seventh coming out soon. The series is currently 11 volumes long, so we're in for the long haul. I wanted to wait until I had the chance to read all six volumes first before telling you about Kurokami.
First of all, keep in mind, this is authored by Korean authors, not Japanese authors. True, Kurokami is set in Japan, and reads right-to-left instead of left-to-right, but technically, it is a Korean creation. Also, the book version of Kurokami is not for kids. And is not for younger teens either. Kids would probably be disturbed by the violence, and teens would have a LOLocaust at all the boob shots, for there is a lot more violence, swearing, and nudity than in the anime. In fact, Kurokami has more swearing than any Japanese comic book I've ever read. Are there more swear words in the Korean language than in the Japanese language? Or is Yen Press comprised of fansubbers? [Rorschach] Must investigate. [/Rorschach]
Anyways, the comic/manga/manwha/mangua (Ha! I know Chinese words too!) of Kurokami; it's not exactly like the anime. For one thing, Keita is a 19-year old video game programmer, not a high school boy. Also, his first encounter with Kuro plays out differently. Akane is still a doting young woman, but unlike in the anime, she does have her limits in the manga. Kuro starts off knowing boxing punches; she doesn't start off knowing a bunch of different martial-arts moves. (Note I said "starts off"; she learns more fighting techniques as the series progresses.) Most of the characters are morally ambiguous. This series is marketed as seinen, and as such, few characters are straight up good and straight up evil, unlike in the anime. There's no sign of Yakumo, Riona, and Daichi anywhere in the manga; for all I know, they probably don't exist. And lastly, despite the increased number of shots of nekkid chicks, there are no nude transformation sequences in the manga. In short, no stock footage! Hurray!
Now the good stuff: Many of the characters are more fleshed-out in the manga than in the anime. Akane is more believable; she doesn't have the patience of a saint, yet still helps out however she can. I like the manga version of Mikami more. She's more anarchic than in the anime, and yet is still better than the villainous Tera Guardians in the series. Keita's grandfather is more fleshed-out, and is a total badass. I like his manga portrayal more too. The artwork, much like in the anime, is gorgeous. Despite the lack of color for the most part, I think the character designs look better than in the anime. Keita looks more mature, the characters' hair is drawn better, and . . . some of the female characters have really nice legs in the manga don't look at me like that! Also, the action sequences are really well done. Unlike some manga, *coughtrigunmangacough* you can actually follow the fight scenes well. And of course, there are scenes of Kuro-chan being cute that aren't in the anime, as well as scenes of her being awesome that aren't in the anime.
There's another change that's good . . . and bad. The plot moves more slowly in the manga. This is good, because it gives more time for character development, and there's usually time for a breather after a fight sequence. You won't ever have to worry about the plot moving too fast to keep up. On the other hand, things don't happen as quickly as in the anime. In the anime, shit was happening so fast, you were likely to be hooked after the first episode. In the Kurokami manga, however? Things don't really start getting fascinating until the start of the 3rd volume. You have to be patient for this one.
And now, the big problem with the manga; the manga's portrayal of Keita. In the anime, he was basically a Squall wannabe; he avoided contact with everyone he knew, for he feared they would die and he would be heartbroken for knowing them. This aspect is true in the manga too. However, here's the difference: Keita really plays up his jerkass facade in the manga. Picture Squall again. Now picture Squall from the beginning of Final Fantasy 8. (anytime before he met Rinoa.) Now, imagine Squall from then, only much more vulgar, arrogant, condescending, cocky, and self-absorbed. That's what Keita's like in the manga, in short, the main male protagonist is a complete fucking asshole! If you've only seen the anime, prepared to be surprised. In the beginning, you will hate Keita with all of your being.
"So!? Weren't Edward from Fullmetal Alchemist, Holland from Eureka Seven, and Luke from Tales of the Abyss also complete pricks!? And aren't they characters you genuinely like!?"
Yes, but they all had redeeming qualities. Keita's only redeeming quality (at first, anyways) is he doesn't treat Akane and his game programming co-workers like shit. Now, to be positive, Keita is certainly livelier in the manga than in the anime. (He likes to playfully smack Kuro on the head anytime she says something stupid, which, to be honest, is pretty funny.) And his arrogance does create conflict between him and his friends. (Remember when I said Akane has her limits? Guess who tests those limits; on a regular basis?) And, his attitude does slowly improve over time, much like in the anime, but if you find yourself wishing someone would just smack him upside the head and tell him to knock it the fuck off and pull your head out of your ass already, well, don't be surprised.
Volume six ends on a cliffhanger, and volume seven is coming out sometime in the near future. I will definitely check this one out more though. Funny though, how the two main protagonists are like the yin and the yang. One is Zell Dincht levels of annoying. (Dude, what's with all the FF8 references? That's not even one of my favorite games in the series.) The other is one of my favorite female characters of all time. Only time will tell how this plays out.
Special omake section!: In the Kurokami manga, sometimes, there will be chapters that take place in the past, chapters that detail events that never happened in the anime. Some of these chapters are really good. Also, there are omake sections, where one of the authors talks about the series, and stuff about Japan and Korea. Also, every book ends with a promo pic done entirely in pencil. Some of these illustrations are really beautiful. Oh, lastly, Kurokami means Black God. That's what the manga is entitled, so if you wanna seek it out, remember, look for Black God.
