MANGA REVIEW | "Dogsred" - Volume Two
Bostonians know how important it is to keep a legacy alive. Whether it was the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick dynasty of the New England Patriots or watching Bobby Orr rewrite the hockey game for defensemen, we know how much it means to keep these sports history moments alive for the sake of the fandom. But like all legacies, they don’t last forever, as an undefeated team will one day know what it’s like to taste the agony of defeat. The second volume of Dogsred showcases this well, as one team is on the cusp of its twentieth straight championship.
That team is the Oinokami High School hockey squad. For these high schoolers, all they’ve known is how to win. With their championship game on the horizon, Rou decides to watch, skipping out on his former figure skating rival’s big moment in the spotlight. At the packed arena, Rou witnesses just how intense a real hockey game can get, with Oinokami going up against Hachinohe High School. Standing as close as he can get, Rou pays attention to what makes hockey one of the most brutal and fast-paced sports in the world!
You may be thinking that Rou learned everything from his first game in the premiere volume. Oh, how naive you must be, dear reader. Not only did Rou have to learn while playing that match, but what he did manage to figure out also barely scratched the surface. Thus, the former figure skater must keep a keen eye on the ice, as the championship commences. From there, Rou witnesses everything that makes hockey great.
The elegance of the skating, the brutality of the puck shots, and even the roughness of dealing with penalties. That last one is the most important to take out of this game, as it’s the only thing that keeps Oinokami from going full throttle in its last couple of minutes. In this moment, Dogsred shows that all dynasties come to an end, even if some may argue that a big asterisk needs to be placed next to the game results.
It’s also after these events where readers learn two things. Perhaps the most important story-wise is why Rou left figure skating behind. With his mother no longer amongst the living, Rou found a good reason to quit, and do so in a way that was both memorable and infamous. While his sister may not forgive him for leaving figure skating behind, what’s most important is one’s happiness. And as Rou reveals, there was no joy to be found whenever he figure skated.
Then, there’s the aftermath with Hachinohe. They’re on top of the world, to the point where nothing could hinder their spirits. Suddenly, all the phones go off, and one look at the date listed — March 11, 2011 — will make many realize what’s about to happen. It’s a scary situation, with one player risking his life to save his granny. As soon as the horrors end, one wonders whether or not hockey even matters anymore.
Thankfully, it’s the grandmother who reminds the teen of his youth. There’s plenty of time left for him to enjoy what he’s passionate about. Worry about the fate of the world some other time. This is when you should hit the ice with all you’ve got, and truly thrive in the adrenaline it gives you. Even when a truly scary moment occurs, one must never forget the reason why they live and breathe. To many, that reason is to play.
Things return to a lighter tone in Dogsred when Rou arrives on the first day of hockey practice. It’s here where he meets Coach Nihei, a man who is the definition of “hard-ass”! His training techniques are not for the faint of heart, as many players will go without water until they deliver the results Coach Nihei desires. That’s when it takes some big brain thinking for Rou and the other first years to give the Coach what he’s asking for.
Closure, victories, and earth-shattering dangers are what’s on the menu for the second volume of Dogsred. Satoru Noda showcases his hockey know-how with both the beauty and the brutality that this sport delivers. However, the question is whether or not Rou can help Oinokami High reclaim its glory. Considering what happens in training, some may say that he may be on the cusp of restarting a new legacy for his school. That is, if he can survive Coach Nihei’s training…
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
