I Invested in an International Conglomerate & Went from an MMA Champion to Becoming the First-Ever American Yakuza

Yes, that’s the real name, and honestly, it perfectly sums up the ride you’re in for.
The story kicks off with Xavier Watanabe, a retired two-weight-class MMA champion who now works as a manager, trainer, and part-time commentator for the Worldwide Fight Championship. When he learns his best friend Tenshin Tsukomo has been murdered, Xavier travels to Japan for the memorial at the request of Tenshin’s cousin, Masashi. From there, the journey begins to uncover the truth behind the death.

Simple enough, right?  Wrong.

One of the true tests of good storytelling is taking a familiar setup and making it exciting, engaging, and unpredictable and this team doesn’t pull any punches. From the name alone, it’s clear the creators aren’t taking themselves too seriously, and with an over-the-top title comes an over-the-top story.

The Art

The artwork fits the tone of the book perfectly. Panel layouts are clean and easy to follow, and the artist even pulls off some complex seven-panel pages without feeling crowded. There’s a lot packed into this first issue, and the pacing keeps things moving quickly so much so that you won’t miss the lack of splash pages.
The pencils and inks have a loose, free-flowing style, especially effective in the action scenes, giving them a real sense of motion. That said, facial features can sometimes lack consistency from page to page. Fortunately, the main cast has strong and unique designs, so it’s never hard to tell who’s who.
The colors really add to the atmosphere, blending a palette that feels like 1980s Miami with a hint of Japanese cyberpunk. While the book is firmly set in the modern day, the vibrant hues keep things feeling fresh, stylish, and never muddy.

The Characters

Xavier is a fish out of water, an American Black man navigating the seedy underbelly of Japan. He enters the story with a well-established skill set and a past that gives him some emotional depth. He’s experienced enough to jump right into the action without us questioning his abilities, and since Japan is new territory for him, we discover this world through his eyes.

Kyomi, the Japanese woman sent to pick him up at the airport, is introduced next. She’s sharp, has great comedic timing, and holds her own throughout the book. No tired tropes here—she feels natural in the world and adds depth without being overplayed.

And then there’s Masashi, a gang boss, comic relief, and total scene-stealer. His introduction had me cracking up and simultaneously sold me on the kind of ride this story would be. Masashi is zany, upbeat, unpredictable, and pivotal to keeping the plot rolling forward.

The Story

At first glance, this looks like a revenge-mystery setup, but the execution elevates it beyond the plot. A good comic understands how to blend narrative, art, and dialogue—and this one does it well. The action set pieces are fun and kinetic, the dialogue has bite, and the tone shifts from high-energy fights to quieter, emotional beats without feeling jarring.

This is an action-packed story with a mix of dark (and I mean dark) humor, well-written characters, and moments that genuinely land. You won’t be bored for a second.
The vibe of the comic is very early Grand Theft Auto—wild, funny, and full of chaos.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a comic with style, grit, action, violence, a touch of nudity, and dark humor—this one’s got you covered. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of the charm. If this sounds like your kind of wild ride, grab a copy at: shop.xionstudios.com

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