Episode 11 - The Absolute Scholar

In this episode of Manga With Josh, I talk about a lesser-known series called The Absolute Scholar.

At the time of recording, it’s a short read with around twenty chapters, which makes it easy to overlook — but that’s exactly why it stood out to me. The story centers on a scholar who isn’t defined by weakness or passivity, but by strength, discipline, and intelligence. It flips expectations in a quiet way, blending intellect and power without turning into noise or spectacle.

This episode is less about hype and more about discovery — the kind of manga you stumble across when you’re digging beyond the usual recommendations. If you enjoy finding hidden gems, short series with strong concepts, or stories that take a different approach to familiar tropes, this one might be worth your time.

As always, this is Manga With Josh — where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.

Episode 10 - Even The Almighty’s New To Fatherhood

   In this episode of Manga With Josh, I wanted to bring you something you probably haven’t heard of yet. After covering more well-known series lately, this one felt like a good reminder of why I enjoy digging into newer, under-the-radar manga that quietly do something different.

   Even Though I’m an Almighty, I’m a New Father is a Korean manhwa that blends absurd power fantasy with surprisingly wholesome comedy. The story follows an all-powerful being who ruled another world for centuries, only to return to modern Korea and discover he has a young daughter he never knew about. What follows isn’t just dungeon raids and gate incidents, but the awkward, often hilarious reality of learning how to be a parent when you’re used to being feared as a god.

   In this episode, I talk through the premise, the humor, and why the father–daughter dynamic is what really makes the series stand out. From necromancers and demon lords to convenience store playsets and bedtime stories, the contrast is what gives the story its charm.

   This episode includes spoiler discussion and personal reactions. If you’re looking for a fast, funny read that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still being oddly heartfelt, give this one a shot — then come back and let me know what you thought. And if you enjoy discovering manga you wouldn’t normally stumble across, consider subscribing so you don’t miss the next recommendation.

Episode 9 - Rave Master, The Shonen Hit Time Forgot

Before Fairy Tail became a global hit, its creator Hiro Mashima had already written a full shonen epic that most fans never talk about.

In this episode of Manga With Josh, we dive into Rave Master, Mashima’s first major series—and the shonen hit time forgot.

Originally serialized from 1999 to 2005, Rave Master ran for 35 volumes and 296 chapters, selling over 23.5 million copies worldwide. Yet its anime adaptation only lasted 51 episodes and stopped around volume 12, never reaching the story’s strongest arcs or true ending.

I break down:

  • Why the anime ended early

  • How running alongside the manga hurt its legacy

  • The Dark Bring vs. Rave Stone premise

  • Why characters like Haru Glory and Plue laid the foundation for Mashima’s later works

  • And why Rave Master is still worth reading today—even if the anime hasn’t aged perfectly

If you’re a fan of early 2000s shonen, forgotten manga gems, or want to see where Fairy Tail really started, this episode is for you.

Manga With Josh is all about spotlighting series you’ve probably never read—but should.

Episode 8 - What Makes GTO a Timeless Classic?

In this episode of Manga with Josh, I dive into Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), the legendary delinquent-turned-teacher series created by Tohru Fujisawa. Running from 1997 to 2002 with 25 volumes and selling over 50 million copies, GTO blends outrageous comedy, heartfelt character moments, unexpected darkness, and pure ’90s chaos in a way that still hits hard decades later.

I break down the premise—from Eikichi Onizuka’s wild past as the toughest kid in Shonan, to his unlikely path into teaching, to the unconventional (and often insane) methods he uses to reach a class of students who’ve burned through every educator before him. We get into the serious themes too: bullying, depression, redemption, and the lengths Onizuka is willing to go to protect his kids, even if it means breaking bones or breaking school rules.

We also explore the massive GTO universe: the prequels like Shonan Junai Gumi and Bad Company, the sequels including 14 Days in Shonan and Paradise Lost, the 43-episode anime, and the long list of live-action adaptations and reboots that prove just how far this franchise has reached over the last 30+ years.

If you’re into classic shonen, character-driven stories, delinquent manga, or just want a series that mixes heart, humor, and absolute insanity, this episode will show you exactly why GTO remains a timeless classic.

Stick around at the end for where to find me—whether it’s The Books By Josh Audio Immersion, Tech With Josh, or my fiction, poetry, and finance books available wherever books are sold by searching Joshua A. Rodriguez.

Episode 7 - Sun-Ken Rock

In this episode of Manga with Josh, I shine a spotlight on Sun-Ken Rock, an underrated and gritty seinen series created by Boichi—the same artist behind Dr. Stone. Running from 2006 to 2016 with 25 volumes, Sun-Ken Rock blends intense action, crime, comedy, and raw emotion in a way few modern manga do.

I break down the premise, from Ken’s wild journey from Japanese delinquent to South Korean gang leader, to the surprising twists involving the Yakuza, romance, betrayal, and the rise of his mafia-style crew. We also dive into Boichi’s signature art style, the over-the-top battles, the dark humor, and why this series stands out in a manga landscape filled with isekai clones and system-based power fantasies.

If you’re into seinen manga, battle series, mafia stories, or you just love discovering hidden gems that deserve an anime adaptation, this episode is a must-listen. I also share why Sun-Ken Rock became one of my favorite reads during the late 2000s and why it still holds up today.

Stick around at the end for where to find me—whether it’s The Books By Josh Audio Immersion, Tech With Josh, or my fiction, poetry, and finance books available wherever books are sold by searching Joshua A. Rodriguez.