Every time I get to read new manga titles, I’m surprised at how many cool titles are out there. While I try not to gush at every solid volume 1, I have to say Trillion Game is one of the best debuts this year. With a pair of likeable protagonists and an irresistible premise, this is a series for the discerning reader.
Gaku and Haru have been buddies since middle school. The former is a computer genius while the latter is a master communicator Haru’s goal is to start a company that will net him and his best friend a cool 100 trillion yen, which seems like a strange goal. Haru quits his first day from his job at the lucrative Dragon Bank, to the shock of Gaku. After getting on board director Kirika Kokuryū’s radar, this trillion-maker idea might not seem as far-fetched after all…
The strongest aspect of Trillion Game is perhaps the natural chemistry of the protagonists. Gaku and Haru are perfect foils for each other, and both complement themselves in terms of personality and flaws. Gaku grounds the lofty Haru while Haru forces Gaku to get out of his comfort zone. This is apparent from the first couple chapters when Haru creates a killer strategy to entice investors to assist their fledging startup.
The psychological mind games in the whole volume kept me hooked from start to finish, and I felt like the story went by at a perfect pace. Kirika Kokuryū, nicknamed Kirihime by Haru, is an interesting antagonist for the current arc, as she lights a fire on the duo. The art is excellent as well, and while it’s not an action manga, feels well-suited to be a fast-paced drama.

"Trillion Game" follows a pair of childhood friends as they embark to become rich through unconventional means/ Haru is the communicator between the two, always knowing what to say and making just about anything believable through his charismatic conversations. On the other hand, Gaku is introverted and awkward, but has a way with computers that showcases nothing but brilliance. The pair might seem unlikely, but by seeing their shenanigans as they make their way to the top of the money ladder, there's just about nothing that can stop their steamroll to success, and I'm having so much fun watching everything play out!

I'm sure there is an audience for this, I just wasn't it. Wonderful art though, eye catching cover. Might revisit if it gets an anime.

When a story with naked women on page two, you can rest assured that the rest of the story will be just as misogynistic and vapid.

This would be a good title for adult libraries. There is some nudity and cussing, but it is hilarious and cerebral. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and it feels pertinent to this moment of get-rich-quick schemes with crypto-bros and other scams. These were my personal connections though, so it won't be dated quickly and fall out of circulation.

VIZ Media provided an early galley for review.

Once again, an interesting cover design with complimentary covers easily caught my attention. Behind that look of content contemplation by Haru, we are presented with the first seven chapters of this story.

The artwork inside is outstanding. The use of shading, textures and gray tones make the black and white artwork jump off of the page. The attention to details in the backgrounds and the objects with which the characters interact is top notch. The visuals move the story along effortlessly.

As for the story itself, the unlikely pairing of the two lead characters who were brought together by circumstance works well. The flashbacks show how Haru and Gaku balance one another on various levels. And thrown into the mix is Kirika, the daughter of the president of Dragon Bank, who is willing to invest in the guys when no one else will. But she has reasons of her own.

The story ends, as expected, on a cliffhanger moment to entice readers to come back to learn more of how the two guys became the huge business successes. I know I am eager to read more of this tale in the future.

I really enjoyed this book. The pacing kept me engaged because there is something always happening in this book. The characters are interesting and all so different from one another, which was fun to read and explore.