Bad Company Manga Summary | |
Shonan Junai Gumi: Bad Company | |
Eikichi, Ryuji, Sakura, Isami & Fukitoshi Part 1: "Chapter 1"On the morning of transferring to a new school, Danma Ryuji sneaks onto the rooftop to avoid being with his parents. Something happened on that very day that changed the rest of his life. Hearing fighting noises, he peers over the ledge and spots a lone boy beating an entire group. It was Ryuji’s first encounter with the “Oni” (devil), who stands over his opponents, hair dripping in blood. Sometime later, Ryuji’s parents introduce him to one of the teachers, Aikawa, who tells Ryuji to be a good student unlike his behaviour from his previous school. However, Ryuji ignores their expectations, telling himself that every school is the same and boring. Despite getting challenging stares from several groups, Ryuji is preoccupied with the “Oni” kid he saw earlier. After seeing the kid’s eyes, Ryuji vows to have a fight to the death with him someday. Two boys getting excited over an adult magazine accidentally bump into Ryuji, who shouts at the two boys and they are interrupted by the “Oni” kid, to Ryuji’s surprise. The “Oni” kid leaves with his two friends and a girl accompanying them introduces herself to Ryuji as Yamato Sakura, a fellow classmate in 2-4. Sakura starts talking about herself and Ryuji interrupts her, asking if the “Oni” kid is in the same class. Sakura reveals his name to be Onizuka Eikichi and asks if Ryuji wants to fight him. Sakura warns Ryuji that Eikichi is a good fighter and the school has an unwritten rule to not mess with the devil. They are interrupted by shouts from Eikichi and the other two boys caught in a perverted act and Sakura sighs, declaring that she would gladly show them hers if they wanted. Ryuji swears that he will definitely beat this so called devil. Later, the homeroom teacher introduces Ryuji to the class but is ignored by Eikichi, who loudly explains to Sakura about the misunderstanding earlier. Ryuji walks to his seat and stomps hard on the leg of a nearby student, Matsumara, who tries to trip him. Eikichi ignores the entire incident (he is busy picking his nose) and an enraged Ryuji is determined to make Eikichi pay for ignoring him. Later, Eikichi hangs out in the playground with his adult magazine reading buddies, Isami and Fukitoshi who point out that it looked like Ryuji was trying to get Eikichi’s attention. Fukitoshi points out that Eikichi doesn’t need to show off, who agrees. They are interrupted by Sakura, who asks to let her join in their fun. Eikichi points out that her panties are showing and she declares that she will show them everything if they let her in on the fun. They spot a motorcycle pass by and decide to head off to the junkyard to find their very own motorcycle. At school, bullies graffiti Ryuji’s desk knocks down the whole group. He holds the remaining bully out the window, forcing him to apologise and the bully wets his pants. Ryuji demands respect and states that he won’t be merciful the next time. Eikichi walks in and Ryuji points him out, declaring that he will submit as well. A clueless Eikichi ignores Ryuji, who grabs Ryuji and demand a one on one fight. He beckons Eikichi to reveal his true nature and takes a swing at Eikichi. However, they are interrupted by Isami, who reveals that he found a broken down motorcycle in the junkyard. Eikichi leaves with Isami, much to Ryuji’s rage. At the junkyard, Eikichi, Isami and Fukitoshi huddle around a damaged Kawasaki Z400GP and make plans for its repair. They are interrupted by an angry Sakura, who wants in on the fun for showing them her panties. Later, Eikichi walks into class with Isami and Fukitoshi and is attacked without warning by Ryuji. Ryuji narrowly misses his punch and stops a punch retaliated by Eikichi. Ryuji asks him if he is ready to fight and Eikichi states that Ryuji is asking for it. We cut back to the junkyard, where a group of older men are looking for the Kawasaki Z400GP they had their eyes set on earlier. The leader asks one of his men, Kashiwagi, where the motorcycle went, who reveals that it was taken by a group of junior high students. The leader declares that no one steals from the Skull Gang and tells Kashiwagi to round up his men and make the thieves suffer. |
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Eikichi, Ryuji, Sakura, Isami & Fukitoshi Part 1: “Chapter 2”At school, students gather around behind building B to watch the much anticipated fight between Ryuji and Eikichi. Ryuji sports a wooden stick as the rest of the school cheer them on. He asks if Eikichi is ready and all of a sudden Eikichi’s face starts straining, surprising Ryuji. However, Eikichi is simply releasing gas and an enraged Ryuji tells him to get serious. He is taken by surprise by a quick elbow from Eikichi, who declares that he can handle Ryuji with just his elbows. Ryuji jumps in with a flying kick and knocks Eikichi to the ground, taunting Eikichi, who retaliates with an upward kick. Things start getting ugly within the crowd as multiple students start attacking each other not keeping quiet. Elsewhere, news of the fight reaches Sakura, who rushes out to find a mass fight between all students present. Sakura spots Ryuji and Eikichi exchanging blows and begs them to stop. Suddenly, cold water falls from above, ceasing the brawl. Sakura, who is holding a large hose, tells everyone to stop. Sometime later in the infirmary, the nurse question Ryuji and Eikichi on how their faces got so beat up. Eikichi declares that Ryuji started it, who vows to beat Eikichi next time. The nurse asks why Ryuji insist on fighting Eikichi and Ryuji replies that he wants to see the real Eikichi, the one fighting with his full potential the very first day they met. Later, Sakura asks Ryuji to walk home with her and offers that she can show Ryuji Eikichi’s real side. Intrigued, Ryuji follows Sakura to Isami’s garage where Eikichi, Isami and Fukitoshi are repairing the Kawasaki Z400GP. Sakura reveals to Ryuji that this is who Eikichi really is, someone who doesn’t care about being the strongest and just wanting to have fun with his friends. Eikichi spots them and asks Sakura why she brought Ryuji. An indifferent Ryuji kicks down the motorcycle and walks away, stating that he doesn’t care about friends. He tells himself that a man should stand on his own. He goes around the school beating different people until they acknowledge that he is stronger than Eikichi. He reminds them that he is now their boss, not Eikichi. Later, Ryuji walks the hallways with his underlings and smirks at Eikichi who passes by. Eikichi ignores him and continues with Isami and Fukitosho. Later, one of Ryuji’s underlings shows Ryuji their new jacket for the group and Ryuji announces that he quits. He approaches Fukitoshi attempting to intimidate him but Fukitoshi calmly offers to share his magazine. Fukitoshi talks about the motorcycle and upon realising Ryuji’s passion for motorcycles as well, invites him to come help with the repairs. Ryuji takes his leave, telling Fukitoshi to inform Eikichi that Ryuji will beat him. Sometime later, Eikichi meets up with Sakura, Fukitoshi and Isami and is surprised to find Ryuji present. Ryuji states that he still intends to beat Eikichi after they fix the motorcycle. Despite their differences, over time the motorcycle is fully repaired and Eikichi, Ryuji and Sakura go to buy food to celebrate. Upon returning to the garage, they find Isami and Fukitoshi beaten and bruised, with the motorcycle missing. Isami reveals that the Skull Gang has taken the motorcycle, despite working so hard on the bike. Isami blames himself for not being stronger to stop the Skull Gang and yells in despair as Eikichi comforts his friend. |
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Eikichi & Usami Ryo Part 1: “Chapter 3”The Skull Gang test out the Kawasaki Z400GP and marvel how the students fixed it up. The leader states that in this world, the strong prey on the weak. They are interrupted by Eikichi, who arrives on a bicycle. The leader approaches Eikichi and ask if he was one of the kids who repaired the motorcycle for him and thanks him for doing so. Eikichi demands for the motorcycle back and the leader argues that they saw it first in the junkyard. He offers to give Eikichi their gang sticker and Eikichi insults them, causing the leader to strike Eikichi. He grabs Eikichi and tells him to leave if he wants to live and stamps his gang sticker across Eikichi’s face. Eikichi lifts his bicycle and slams it into the leader’s back, telling him to get up and return the motorcycle. The leader, named Usami Ryo, gets up and starts punching Eikichi, enraged at him for causing him trouble. A bloody Eikichi taunts Ryo, stating that he can never become top in Shonan with such a weak punch and knocks Ryo back with his own punch. Eikichi delivers three final blows, each one for Isami, Fukitoshi and their motorcycle before Ryo falls to the ground, unable to move. The other Skull Gang members attempt to jump in to help their leader but are stopped by Ryuji, who knocks them all down. He tells Eikichi to stop acting tough and going off on his own and Eikichi tells him to mind his own business. Ryuji declares that he is still stronger as five more Skull Gang members arrive as backup. Eikichi tells Ryuji to flee if he is afraid and the two friends stand back to back, challenging the Skull Gang to attack. Ryo gets back up and tells the Skull Gang to stop, claiming Eikichi for himself and produces two knives. He slices Eikichi across the arm, stating that he won’t show mercy as more motorcycles arrive from the distance. However, the newcomers turn out not to be Skull Gang members but the legendary Midnight Angels. Their leader, with his face hidden in the bright light, steps off his motorcycle and declares that this is their territory. |
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Part 1: “Chapter 4”The Midnight Angels leader asks the stammering Skull Gang why they are messing about in their territory and Ryuji is surprised to see how scared the Skull Gang is. Sakura greets Eikichi, revealed to be the one responsible for bringing the Midnight Angels. The Midnight Angels leader reveals that Sakura interrupted their gathering and bravely stood in front of their motorcycles asking for help. The leader chides Ryo for stealing from kids and tells him to return the motorcycle. To his surprise, Eikichi declares that he doesn’t need help and will take on the Skull Gang with his own strength. An angry Ryo lunges forward and stabs Eikichi in the arm. Eikichi grabs Ryo and breaks his arm, stating that victory wasn’t certain just because he got stabbed. Eikichi warns Ryo not to mess with his friends, stating that he won’t be lenient the next time and delivers the final blow, knocking Ryo to the ground. Eikichi declares to a relieved Sakura that he got the motorcycle back and Sakura chides him for being stupid. Midouji Manabu, the leader’s right hand man, tells Ryo that they will deal with them personally next time they invade their territory. The Midnight Angels leader tells Sakura that she has some good friends and tells them to look after each other. He tells them to bring the Kawasaki Z400GP along next time and he will show them how to ride. He introduces himself as Masaki Kyosuke and tells them that they gather on the second and fourth Saturday every month. Masaki bids them farwell and rides off on his Kawasaki ZII. Eikichi marvels at what a cool guy Masaki is and surmises that their encounter with Masaki would change their lives forever. Sometime later, Isama, Fukitoshi and Sakura ride the Kawasaki Z400GP along the beach as Eikichi and Ryuji watch, occasionally glaring at each other. Eikichi states that they aren’t friends and Ryuji retorts that the Skull Gang would’ve beaten Eikichi if he didn’t arrive. As the two argue about whether Masaki invited Ryuji as well, Sakura interrupts them and shows them her panties. As the two blushes, she declares that she will show them what’s inside the panties as well if they behave, before stating that she is joking. The five friends continued hanging around together throughout their two and a half years, having no secrets between them and despite walking different paths after graduation; they will talk about their good memories once reunited because of their true friendship. It is during this time that the nickname Oni-baku was suggested (Eikichi’s Oni Devil and Danma’s Baku Bomb).They are “Bad Company” from now until forever. |
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Part 2: “Chapter 1”At school, in eighth grade, Eikichi and Ryuji are confronted by a ninth grader, Yokokawa Takashi, who reminds them that despite their fame, he is part of the Iron Mask gang, strongest in Hachinaka. He tells them that they have his permission to join if they beg but the Oni-baku rejects the offer, telling Yokokawa to look elsewhere. Eikichi states that he will take on the entire ninth grade any time if they have the guts. Ryuji declares that as Hachinaka’s strongest, he will also take them on and gets into an argument with Eikichi. An angry Yokokawa lunges at Eikichi for ignoring him and is punched in the face by accident when Eikichi is interrupted by Isama and Fukitoshi, who tells him that they found it. Ryuji and Eikichi head off as an enraged Tokokawa vows to get revenge on Eikichi for disrespecting his senpai. Rumours of the Oni-baku’s strength and feats spread around the school as well as their membership in a biker gang. The thing that Isami and Fukitoshi found turns out to be a vending machine that sells adult magazines and Isami vows to succeed in buying a magazine tonight as the group crouches in the bushes. He nominates a flustered Eikichi to go for the purchase as everyone else already had failed attempts. Eikichi nervously walks up to the vending machine and shifts to the drinks machine adjacent to it as people walk by. He brings the drinks back to the disappointed group and Ryuji calls him a coward. Ryuji steps up and walks to the vending machine but backs out and shifts to the drinks machine, same as Eikichi. He is interrupted by Sakura, who taunts Ryuji for being a pervert and realises why the boys didn’t let her join. As a stammering Ryuji tries to explain his intent to buy just drinks, a young pretty girl walks up to the vending machine casually and buys an adult magazine after smiling at Ryuji. She walks away as the group stares at her in shock. The girl returns in her car and tries to run them down. As the group scatters, the girl steps out and states that the most embarrassing thing for a girl is to get caught buying adult magazines. She points a gun at the group and declares that she wants them all dead. The gun is revealed to be a trick gun and the girl starts to laugh. Apologising, she states that they look happy being around each other and Sakura asks her for her age. She reveals that she is eighteen and introduces herself as Natsuki. Ryuji is instantly attracted to her and Natsuki invites them to go for a ride in her car, stating that the city looks pretty at night. Natsuki catches Ryuji staring at her and asks him what he’s looking at. |
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Part 2: “Chapter 2”The group urge Natsuki to drive faster as they speed through the city. Elsewhere, Yokokawa reveals to the Iron Mask gang that he has a plan to beat up the Oni-baku. He is hit across the chest by an oblivious Eikichi as Natsuki drives past them. As he falls to the ground, Eikichi calls out for him to be careful as it’s dangerous at night. Natsuki catches Ryuji staring once again and calls him a pervert. She asks him if he’s ever kissed before and a blushing Ryuji stays silent. She states that he has a strong name and declares that she likes strong people. Ryuji’s heart beats harder and he is interrupted by Eikichi, who asks Natsuki to teach them how to drift. Natsuki performs a perfect drifting technique as the group marvels at her skills. She reveals that it brings back memories to the night she drove a car for the first time, stealing her father’s car and eventually getting caught by the police. Smiling, she offers to teach Ryuji how to drive. Later, Ryuji sits in the driver’s seat as Natsuki starts giving him instructions and Eikichi laughs at Ryuji’s edginess. A provoked Ryuji accidentally jerks the car forward and crashes into a post. Ryuji apologises and offers to ask his father to pay for the damages, but Natsuki states that she’s not angry and reassures Sakura that she will still hang out with them. Everyone leaves except for Ryuji, who asks Natsuki to punish him. She drops Ryuji at his house, where he finds the door to be locked. Stating that he is use to this sort of treatment, Ryuji proceeds to spend the night in his garage and Natsuki throws a rock through the window, screaming what kind of parents lock their kid out at night. She hands Ryuji a rock and tells him to give it a try. Sometime later, Ryuji reveals that this is the first time he spent the night this way as Natsuki drives them through the city. Natsuki states that she hates those kinds of parents, revealing that her parents are the same and invites Ryuji to crash at her place. A nervous Ryuji realises that this is his first time in a single woman’s apartment and takes in the unique smell, unlike any the normal sweet scent of a woman. His heart beats faster as Natsuki starts changing in the darkness. |
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Part 2: “Chapter 3”The next day, Ryuji wakes up to find Natsuki cooking, who tells him that it is already noon and suggests that he skip school. She tells him to eat the breakfast she cooked for him. Later, she shows Ryuji a Honda CBX and asks him to take it, much to his surprise. She only has one condition, for Ryuji to be strong, not in a fighting sense but to be determined and strong willed. An ecstatic Ryuji promises Natsuki and takes the motorcycle for a ride. Sometime later, he meets up with Eikichi, Isami and Fukitoshi, who blame him for their lost in the soccer match at school due to his absence. He tries to stifle back a laugh when they remind him of the gathering later that night and Eikichi wonders about his strange behaviour. That night, Eikichi, Isami, Fukitoshi and Sakura meet with Masaki at a Midnight Angels rally donning ludicrous outfits Sakura hand-made and Midouji expresses his disdain. Masaki tells him to calm down, stating that they are still in junior high and Midouji states that he is too lenient with the new members. The group ponder on Ryuji’s absence and Ryuji arrives on the Honda CBX. Natsuki arrives in her car and reveals that she gave Ryuji the motorcycle. She greets Masaki, who recognises the CBX as hers. Stating that it has been a while, she asks Masaki if she can join in. Masaki asks if it’s okay, regarding the Honda CBX and Natsuki reassures him that it’s fine. The engines roar and the bikers ride through the city. Ryuji exclaims how cool the motorcycle is as a jealous Eikichi watches on. A police car starts chasing them and Sakura tells them to leave, throwing bottles at them. Ryuji states that they are prepared and instructs Fukitoshi to light up firecrackers and throw it into the police car. The police car crashes and an angry Midouji complain about the newcomer’s antics to Masaki. The next day, Ryuji shows off his new motorcycle at school and a sulky Eikichi calls him a show off. Later, Ryuji stops by Natsuki’s apartment and invites her to ride with him. He finds a crying and bruised Natsuki and a young man standing over Natsuki asks Ryuji if he was the one who rode his Honda CBX. |
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Part 2: “Chapter 4”The young man asks Ryuji what he is doing at Natsuki’s apartment and Ryuji states that she gave him the Honda CBX. The man looks at Natsuki, who confirms she did indeed give it to Ryuji and the man kicks Natsuki in the stomach. He asks her how can she give away something that doesn’t belong to her and a protesting Natsuki argues that she can give it away since she paid for it with her own money. The man grabs Natsuki by the neck and reminds her that she belongs to him. Ryuji tells the man to stop and Natsuki tells him to back down. Ryuji tries to throw a punch at the man, who grabs Ryuji’s fingers and snaps it backwards. As Ryuji screams in pain, the man stuffs Ryuji’s mouth with a nearby slipper and knees him in the stomach, explaining that the slipper prevents Ryuji from screaming or biting his tongue. He continues kneeing Ryuji’s stomach as Natsuki begs him to stop. The man declares that he will teach Ryuji to respect his seniors and orders Ryuji to lick his feet, who spits into the man’s face. Noting that Ryuji has guts, the man grabs a nearby bottle and knocks Ryuji over the head, rendering him unconscious. He tells Ryuji to pay him 200,000 yen as well as return the Honda CBX by tomorrow or else he will burn Natsuki’s house down. A crying Natsuki asks him how he could do such things to a kid in junior high. At school, Eikichi and the gang are shocked to see a bandaged and bloody Ryuji sitting quietly at his desk holding a golf club. A worried Eikichi asks Ryuji if he needs help, who tells Eikichi to shut up. They are interrupted by engine noises outside, revealed to be Natsuki and the young man. Ryuji steps outside as the teachers try to stop the man, who threatens to burn the school. The man states that one of their students stole his motorcycle and Ryuji lunges forward with the golf club but is restrained by Eikichi and Isami. Eikichi states that he doesn’t know who the man is but reassures that Ryuji isn’t the type to steal other people’s motorcycles. The man states that the Oni-baku’s friendship makes him want to vomit and Natsuki tells the man, Nezu Akira, to stop, promising to take responsibility for the bike. Akira hit her across the face, asking if some brat is more important than him. An angry Ryuji pushes Isami off and punches Nezu across the face. Disregarding the Honda CBX, Nezu now demands 500,000 yen for his injuries and vows not to rest until every bit is paid. He reveals that he is a former Midnight Angel leader and leaves with Natsuki. Later, the Oni-baku, Isami and Fukitoshi consult with Sato Masami, another senior Midnight Angel, who reveal to them about Nezu’s brutality and was kicked out of the gang striking Midouji with a katana for punishing him. He empathises with Natsuki’s position and promises to discuss the issue with Masaki. They suddenly realise Ryuji’s absence and Fukitoshi points out that he saw Ryuji running off. Sato notices that one of his Kawasaki Zephyr’s frame bars is missing. Eikichi realises that Ryuji must be out for revenge and a worried Sato states that someone could get killed. |
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Part 2: “Chapter 5”Sato, Eikichi, Fukitoshi and Isami rush off to find Ryuji. Elsewhere, a naked Natsuki lies in bed as Nezu gets dressed. She reminisces that Nezu wasn’t always like this and asks him where the spirited, hot blooded man she once knew has gone and he hits her across the face, telling her to shut up and do as he says. Ryuji creeps up from behind and raises the suspension bar above Nezu’s head. Ryuji swings too wide and misses, destroying the apartment. A second swing connects and hits Nezu in the stomach. Ryuji knees Nezu in the face, stating that someone who treats women like toys shouldn’t be allowed to live. Nezu praises Ryuji’s guts and retaliates with a bottle over Ryuji’s head. Ryuji reassures Natsuki that he is fine and vows to take out Nezu, reminding her that he’s never lost a fight. Natsuki begs for them to stop and as she watches the two men fight, she realises that Ryuji reminds her of the man Nezu use to be: fearless yet gentle and full of determination. Ryuji is knocked down and Nezu takes out a knife. As Nezu raises the blade to kill Ryuji, Ryuji protrudes a pencil hidden in his bandaged hand and blood splatters everywhere. Nezu is shocked to find that the blood is his own and sees a sad Natsuki holding a large knife. He falls to the floor as Natsuki’s neighbour screams. Natsuki chides Nezu for being stupid, stating that his present self is ugly for using his madness and stubbornness to hide his weaknesses. She apologises to a shocked Ryuji and asks him to call the ambulance as well as the police. Ryuji refuses and asks her to run away with him, who responds that they will be no different to Nezu if they run. She tells him to grow up a strong gentleman worthy of riding the Honda CBX. She tells him to return here and start an adult relationship with her once she pays her debt to society. When the time comes, they will ride together once again. The police arrive and arrest Natsuki as Eikichi, Sato, Isami and Fukitoshi appear to witness the aftermath. As she is taken away, she reveals to a teary Ryuji that she is very happy and thinks that she is beginning to like him. As the police car drives away, Ryuji yells out that he will wait for her no matter how many years it takes and he promises to keep the Honda CBX like new until her return. |
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Part 2: “Chapter 6”News of Ryuji’s suspension reaches Yokokawa, who surmises that this is a good opportunity to take out Eikichi and the eighth graders. He commands his men to bring weapons and meet at the gym, At the gym, Eikichi and Fukitoshi struggle in the basketball game against Class 2-2 without Ryuji as Yokokawa watches on. Despite Ryuji’s absence, only five of Yokokawa’s men shows up as the rest are still scared of Eikichi. He tells his men to wait and attack them during softball next period. Yokokawa spots an opportune moment and rushes out onto the court, just in time to see Ryuji get substituted in, who throws the ball at Yokokawa and breaks his weapon. As Yokokawa slinks off, Ryuji passes the ball to Eikichi and tells him that they will turn the match around. Sometime later, Sakura recalls the match and the look on Class 2-2’s faces upon defeat, despite having five members in the basketball team. She tells Ryuji that he looked happy and Fukitoshi asks him where he has been the past few days. Ryuji informs them that they will find out later that night, stating that he promised Natsuki to take care of the Honda CBX. Later that night at the Midnight Angels rally, Ryuji surprises the group with the modified Honda CBX (with Sato’s help) and Masaki comments on the new look and states that it feels just right, becoming more and more like Ryuji’s own motorcycle. He informs Ryuji that the Honda CBX has already become part of Ryuji and asks Ryuji to lead the rally. As Ryuji rides through the summer night, he tells himself that one day when his blood is on the motorcycle and the scent of its grease lingering on his body, they’ll become true companions. His preoccupation causes him to crash. A few weeks later, Natsuki sends Ryuji a postcard informing of her early release due to Nezu’s wound being non-fatal and moved to Kichijoji in Tokyo where she works in a friend’s pub. She invites the group to visit her when they have time and Ryuji suggests that they ride to Tokyo. |