Shàngbān Zújīn Tàiláng #3

Shàngbān Zújīn Tàiláng, known internationally as Salaryman Kintaro, was created by Hiroshi Motomiya and began serialization in Weekly Young Jump in 1994. The series follows Kintaro Yajima, a former bosozoku gang leader who transitions into the corporate world, using his unconventional past and street-smart instincts to navigate the rigid structures of Japanese business culture. The third issue continues the series' exploration of the clash between traditional office hierarchy and the grit of the working class.

Motomiya’s art style is characterized by bold, masculine lines and dramatic staging, which effectively conveyed the intensity of corporate politics as if it were a high-stakes combat manga. The series resonated deeply with the economic anxieties of 1990s Japan, capturing the frustration of employees during a period of corporate stagnation. It received significant praise for its refreshing, albeit idealized, take on the 'salaryman' archetype, eventually spawning a long-running franchise that includes television dramas and live-action films.