I was inspired to search for the Old Boy manga after watching the 2003 film. Briefly, the story is as follows (taken from the blurb): He doesn't know who. for ten years he was confined in a private prison. He doesn't know why. For ten years his only contact with the outside world was a television set and the voices of his jailers. In time, he lost himself... changed... transformed himself into something else... something hard... something lethal. Now, suddenly and without explanation, his incarceration ends. He is sedated, stuffed inside a trunk, and dumped in a park. When he wakes, he will try to reclaim what's left of his life.. and what's left is revenge.

Having just read the first volume in the republished series (originally written in 1996 I believe) I have to say it was an exceptional manga read. Definitely a dark and intriguing story, and the fact that I have seen the film does not detract from the experience. I am interested to see the difference between original manga and the film adaptation. Naturally the film will have left out plenty of details from the manga and already I can appreciate this from the first volume. This, for me, has been a promising start to what may potentially become one of my favourite manga series. I look forward to receiving the second volume which I have just ordered. For those familiar with the GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) manga, Old Boy has something of a similar tone and mood (at least to the serious side of GTO!). Another aspect that has attracted me is the fact that, unlike many manga on the market which are aimed at a younger audience, Old Boy strikes me as very much 'adult-oriented' (not in any perverted respects).

Anyway, I shall wait for the second volume and then continue sharing my thoughts as the series develops. Also note that at this point volume 4 is yet to be released (February 2007), so there is no need to rush the reading! I believe it covers 6 volumes in total with the last being released in June 2007. Ok, enjoy!