I read Eagle right after reading a book for graduate school entitled, The System: American Politics at the Breaking Point. This epistle (it was 600 plus pages) chronicled the failed attempt at national health care under the Clinton Administration, and how American politicians, in particular the Republicans, created so much angst just to prove their ideologies. I remember feeling particularly depressed after reading the book. I had this very uneasy feeling that I was a part of a very fake system that relied more on marketing tactics than the reality of human angst to push forward individual careers and empty policies aimed at regressing society unconsciously.

      So I felt even more embarrassment and apathy as I read Kaiji Kawaguchi's Eagle. It was as if the man read the book with me! For a foreign national, Kawaguchi caught the complete essence of the modern American political system in his work. Right down to the Hollywood types prepping for Press Conferences, speeches, and the dreaded mud slinging commercials (Read about the real Presidential mess in this month's Commentary). Kawaguchi modeled the presidential hopeful on many of Al Gore's issues, but yet pits him against an Al Gore like candidate.

      Eagle, is the story of Kenneth Yamaoka, a Democratic Senator from New York, who seeks to become the 43rd President of the United States, if he can win the Democratic Party's nomination. Yamaoka is a shrewd politician, and is ready to pull every trick that is quasi-legal to obtain this nomination. Yamaoko, is an interesting character; good looks, married to his college sweet heart, and even has an adopted Cuban daughter. He even aims to remember his Japanese heritage by giving a Japanese reporter the opportunity to cover his campaign from start to finish.

      Takashi Jo is a young reporter from The News Daily Maicho Shimbun. Jo is the lucky reporter who is given this assignment. Jo does not know why or how he was chosen for such a large assignment, but after the loss of his mother, he decides to come to America and follow Yamaoko's campaign. For Jo, America is a special place because his father was from America. But family ties are the least of Jo's problems as he finds himself in a world of wealth, lies, scandal, honor, and being privy to information that could possibly destroy Yamaoko.

      I have only read the first five books of the series, and I look forward to reading the rest of it. This is not a series for those into violence and action. Eagle is smart and mature, and rivals many of the books I have read. I like manga that deals with real life, and this one is a good example. Kawaguchi perfectly depicts American political life and the thin line between what is good and evil. I would like to thank him for such a realistic portrait of America's Presidential Process its power and weaknesses are exposed bad and good.

      I would also like to thank Viz for the poignant covers of the manga, which feature an Eagle, and all the individuals who ran for the 2000 Presidential Election, it is a powerful piece that really sold me on buying this manga.

      Comments and or questions about this review can be sent to Cosmic Nerd Girl at Cosmicnerd@ybfree.com.