A fun read, but not a good fit for our current collection. Have recommended to others' whose collections it would better fit with.

I have been reading manga since I was in middle school, but this manga story was just not for me. The art style was very pleasing to the eye and I think that it was stronger than the actual storyline/plot. There was more fan service in the beginning that I was comfortable reading - which is the only reason why I really stopped.

Great art but barely any plot and too long. the guy on the front is hot . I hated how sleazy women are portrayed in and i could not buy the premise

For some reason a martial arts master is hiding out as a substitute teacher and begrudgingly befriends a loser kid who is severely beaten up several times by a group of classmates.

While the art was very good, the writing was really weak. This was almost 400 pages long and none of the questions raised in this book have been answered. Very little happens at all other than one big fight scene at the very end and the main character getting picked on by bullies constantly.

The constant objectifying of women in this made me feel sleazy reading this. Women in this Korean manga seem to serve little purpose other than to strike sexy poses.

I'm not sure if I enjoyed the story as much as I think I did or I've just been dazzled by some of the best-drawn action scenes I've seen in years.
Poor "Shioon" Yi suffers as the punching bag to a horrid group of bullies that the entire school seems to be terrified of and thus does nothing to help. It's after things are getting particularly savage that he meets a new substitute teacher who just happens to be capable of reality-defying martial arts. Thus begins an emotional and exciting journey full of questions.
I'm a little annoyed that I'm still not entirely sure what the deal is with Chunwoo Han even after 400 pages of story, but it's also part of why I devoured this massive tome. Slowly revealing little tidbits is what keeps you turning the pages.
The pacing pulls you in and keeps things going from light and silly to dark and terrifying within a few panels at an impressive rate. It's all done in gorgeously detailed black-and-white art that perfectly renders emotions and movement.
Overall, I finally get why it seems like this is a series that everyone is talking about. It definitely is one I'm following.

Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Ablaze/Diamond Book Distributors for the early read!

At turns silly, action packed, and heartrending, this Korean martial arts comic does a good job of playing to fun tropes and clichés and then occasionally transcending them. For some reason a martial arts master on the run goes to ground in a high school (that's secretly controlled by the martial arts mafia he is on the run from?) and befriends a sad sack student who demands to be trained. In 400 pages we actually don't get a ton of training or fights, but the writing style is light, the characters are interesting and sympathetic, the story is well paced, and although it ends on a cliff hanger it wasn't a frustrating cliff hanger. Looking forward to reading more.

I have always seen the Breaker on the top of Manhwa lists and now I think I see why. Things start out lighthearted if a little typical in martial arts series, kid gets picked on finds a teacher to show him how to fight. But the teacher is very reluctant because he prefers the simpler things and life and has a checkered past. Add this to a bigger world of martial artists who have cultures surrounding power and the politics to uphold them.

It's a fascinating look at how something can change a person's life. The characters have layers to them when it comes to wanting to improve themselves. The conflicts of course come from how everyone involved has cut themselves off from mundane life. The institutions that are supposed to help people instead become exploited by the worst of people's fellows for a seat of power. So whenever someone shows up to disrupt it, conflicts of pride are ready to happen.

But in the end, it's a battle of survival against the worst of bullies who wish to dominate others by any means necessary.

DNF
400 pages is rarely to much for me, but I found the contents of this to be overall "too much" for me, and I found little reward in trying to push forward.
I was definitely not the demographic for this Manga. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

It doesnt support or open after I download the protected pdf version of it.

It's also not opening in netgalley app and I cant open it to read.
it keeps on showing a prompt "too big to open on the app"

Please look into the issue and if you can send me the pdf in my mail ID- taniagungunsarkar@gmail.com

I cant read the book from here. Please look into the issue and deliver me the book to review properly moreover i was pretty excited about this book

This epic tale starts with the story of Shiwoon "Shioon" Yi's experinces as a timid high school student who is being bullied. Shioon's substitute teacher, Chunwoo Han has lead a colorful past prior to his employment within the educations system. despite his initial reluctance "Mr. Han" eventually agrees to mentor Shioon in martial arts. This first Omnibus is filled with gratuitous violence, blood and several life lessons, kind of reminiscent of how the Karate Kid would have been if Mr. Miyagi was only looking out for his own best interest.

I've read my fair share of manhwa and I decided to try Korean comics again, since The Breaker seemed quite interesting. Shiwoon "Shioon" Yi is bullied at school and wants a change of pace. His new teacher at school is a notorious fighter Chunwoo Han and the boy wants the guy to be his master. Of course not many people know the guy's talent, since he's hunted for his powers and past. This first omnibus follows Shioon's need to become stronger and at the same time sneaks a peek in the master's life. In a sense the comic is full of fighting or Chunwoo Han being stupid, since like in many manhwa, the humor is added where it just doesn't fit so well and making "the hard boiled master" a common pervert just isn't the best option.

The art is OK, but on the heavy side and fast-paced. The Breaker looks tougher than it is and that contradiction can be either good or bad. Considering the number of pages, this was actually quite a fast read. The Breaker proves that Korean manhwa still use the cliches from the 1990s Japanese manga world, which is odd or perhaps those are the most loved characteristics? The chibi humor faces aren't really my thing, but overall this manhwa is OK if nothing else.

NOTE: I received a free preliminary, and likely unedited copy of this book from Netgalley for the purposes of providing an honest, unbiased review of the material. Thank you to all involved.

I wasn’t really familiar with The Breaker going into this, I understand it’s fairly popular outside of the US, and has been a hit in Europe. I’ve read a bit of Manhwa (Korean comics), but I will confess that I haven’t read nearly enough. At first glance, I was really afraid that this was a Korean knock-off of Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) by Tohru Fujisawa, coincidentally one of my favorite Japanese comics. We have a sloppy teacher joining a school as a total fish out of water, he has a shady past, and knows martial arts. He has a lecherous personality and buts heads with a strict Vice Principal that seems to think he shouldn’t be there. Sound familiar?

The only issue, is that Mr. Han is VERY unlikable at first (unlike Onizuka), it worried me that getting through this book would be a chore, as it seemed he lacked any sort of human compassion in any way. We later get hints as to why this is, and he finally shows a brief glimpse of being an actual protagonist when it really matters. Thankfully, this GTO similarity ends pretty quick as The Breaker becomes it’s own at around 1/3 of the way into the book.

“The story of The Breaker follows Shiwoon “Shioon” Yi, a timid high school student who becomes the disciple to Chunwoo Han, a martial artist who is an enemy to the secret martial arts society known as the Murim. However, Shioon is naive and unaware of his master’s shady past and the unseen underbelly of the society. How will Chun Woo manage to teach Shioon and help him survive in the world of Murim?”

Being a martial arts manhwa seeped in seedy underground mafia-styled intrigue, this is definitely not what I was initially expecting out of this; and once that starts to fall into place the book became pretty awesome. It almost seems like the writer was going for more of a comedy book at first, and switched gears for the better. Volume one ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, so I will definitely want to read more as I feel the story was just getting good when it ended. I’m very interested to see where the characters end up, and am hoping the main character, Shioon, finally destroys the school bully that plagues him for about half of the book.

Solid first volume (although I assume this is a merged version of 2 or 3 tankobans), would buy again if I saw this for sale – definitely recommended.

I have never been more amazed by a martial arts manga. It is interesting at every turn, and you especially can't wait for the growth of the main character who is being bullied horribly and you can't help but root for him each time he tries to stand up for himself.

The art style is also very unique, took me a bit to get used to as it is usually not the style of manga that I read on the daily basis, but it is enjoyable. So far I am also enjoying the story and how the characters interact with one another in their environment. Can't wait for the next volumes!

"A courageous man fights even when he has no chance to win."

Trigger & Content Warnings for bullying, attempted suicide, death, violence

The Breaker follows several characters, but we mainly focus on a student down on his luck and a teacher that might be able to help him. Si-Woon is facing bullying at school and does not want to involve other people. He wants to leave Sae-Hee out of it, so she is not involved. Then Mr. Han, who is an English teacher, appears and might be his way out. Si-Woon looks to Mr. Han on numerous occasions to save him and eventually to help him fight back. Meanwhile, Mr. Han is undercover and hiding his true identity from those around him. With clans on the look for him, he tries to blend in by being a teacher at a school.

Overall, the story was definitely different from what I assumed it would be before reading it. There were certain things that I felt could have been explained more in detail. The story does have a good build-up as it nears the end of the volume, it makes you want to read the next installment when it drops.

Thank you to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for providing me with an ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Bracket is a classic and releasing it as a omnibus is a fantastic idea. It's fun and funny and well worth the time of fans of martial arts movies and comics.

Not what I was expecting. Unfortunately, not much to appreciate here. The characters are so unlikeable and unbelievable that it takes you out of the story. I rolled my eyes every few pages and didn't like a single character.
Was it really necessary to start with Shi-woon looking up the skirts of teenage girls and spying on them changing clothes? Gross. I hated him right off the bat. Then the nurse is constantly taking off her clothes and flirting with every man, including students.

Thanks to a friend from Korea, I read The Breaker years ago. I am so happy to see it will finally come to America for everyone. When I first saw the new hit God of High School, it reminded me of The Breaker but with less of a plot. The Breaker has it all : interesting characters, great plot, betrayal and intrigue, and a young and hungry disciple with a heart of gold.

I was a bit confused they are calling the Murim a union of martial arts clans in this translation. I like to have some terms left in the original language but that is such a small thing. The artwork is amazing and some pages are in color. Chun-Woo Han is at times sexy as sin, scary as hell, goofy as a loon, and at times nice like the Opie from Mayberry. He is the whole package.

This manhwa will hit number one on the charts. I am just so excited to be reading this series again. Bring on volume 2!!!!!

Very cool loved the artwork and the story. Can't wait to read others in the series. Would tell my friends and family to look out for this book and this author. Loved the world building, The style of magic.

This was ok. It was funny in places, but a bit slow. Shiwoon is a timid high school student who attracts the attention of some school bullies. After being beaten up several times he asks his teacher to train him in martial arts. He has seen his teacher beat a gang of attackers and thinks this is the answer. The teacher, Chun Woo is not a very nice person and sees Shiwoon as a pest but after seeing Shiwoon's determination begins to think about training him. What Shiwoon doesn't realise is that Chun Woo is hiding from a secret martial arts society because he killed someone.

The artwork is good and the story is interesting. It does remind me of the film - the Karate Kid, except Chun Woo is not benevolent at all. In fact he is really selfish and actually encourages Shiwoon to do dangerous things like jumping off a bridge. Not the kind of person I would want near my child, let alone teaching them. He is also a rubbish teacher, hiding in a school community but not fitting in.

I think this gives the story a dark and interesting edge. I thought it was a bit slow in places but I suppose the slow start is building up the tension and action to come, especially as Chun Woo's dark past is revealed.

It ws certainly interesting, definitely for adults and despite the humour it was actually quite dark.

Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Si-Woon is a high school kid being picked on by bullies. If only he had a martial arts master who could mentor him in how to fight back. Oh wait, he totally does: his new substitute English teacher, Chun-Woo Han! But what’s a martial arts master doing moonlighting as a teacher…?

The Breaker is my first Korean manga (or “manhwa”) and it wasn’t bad! The best thing about this book, besides moments of fun and entertainment, was how writer Jeon Geuk-Jin and artist Park Jin-Hwan managed to produce a realistic story of high school bullying without it getting too heavy or depressing, ingeniously balancing it out with light-hearted martial arts fantasy and comedy.

Like in Japanese manga, Park utilises exaggerated cartoon expressions to sell the comedy effectively and some of the scenes were genuinely amusing, like how Si-Woon unintentionally keeps cock-blocking Han’s efforts to get into the hot teacher’s pants. Comedy and martial arts do mix well, as seen in the world-famous Dragon Ball series, and the creators pull off both successfully here too.

Where this book fell short for me was how underwritten the premise was. We get an idea of why Han is in hiding but why make him a teacher instead of putting him in a safe house somewhere? Why did he do what he did to need to go into hiding? Who are the people he’s connected with? What’s going on between the various factions - why did they create the situation that led to that final battle? I get that he’s a martial arts master but how is he able to literally leap an entire building in one jump - being a martial arts master doesn’t make him Superman! Or does he have superpowers?

The underwriting hurts the story at key moments. Like we don’t understand the importance of what Han did to the guy he battles at the end, so the conflict has less dramatic significance - we’re told, not shown, why it’s a big deal and it rings hollow. Concepts like “qi” should’ve been explained - here it’s used to dismiss why Si-Woon isn’t athletic and why Han is vulnerable. But without understanding what “qi” is then it’s essentially a contrived stand-in that means “because plot”.

I’m not saying the creators need to tip their hand completely right from the start but some information to the reader would’ve made this a much better book. I mean, shouldn’t we at least know what the title of this series means - who or what is “The Breaker”?? This omnibus collects the first two books and, at nearly 400 pages, there shouldn’t be this many basic questions like this hanging about.

Some parts of the story go from underwriting to plain bad writing. Like the new school nurse Si-Ho Lee - who is this character?! She just shows up, clearly knows Han well, and is sorta involved in whatever he’s involved in, but we don’t know anything about her. Her characterisation is so bad as to be porn-level: she’s a babe who likes to get naked for no reason!

Then there are Si-Woon’s bullies who literally fight in class and talk shit to the teacher - does that really happen in South Korea? Are there no teachers who exercise authority over students and would suspend/expel students who behave this insanely? I understand eastern culture is different from western but I can’t believe we’re that different in this regard.

Park’s art style is excellent with a fine range - he can equally draw comedy and intense fight scenes adeptly - though there’s a bit too much gratuitous objectifying of girls that made me feel creepy while reading this. The Breaker is so clearly a boy’s manga but still that doesn’t mean it has to lean into the worst aspects of that genre.

I had a lot of issues with the story - I haven’t gone into specifics in order to avoid spoilers but there is too much narrative convenience here for my blood - but I still enjoyed this omnibus of the first two books in the series enough to want to stick with it. Both main characters are likeable in different ways: Si-Woon for being a good kid faced with hardship, who does the right thing even at great personal suffering, and Han for being quite similar to his sci-fi namesake, Han Solo: a shameless ladies’ man who’s selfish but, deep down, has a heart of gold. And I found the scenes to be more interesting than not - they could be more substantial but, as they are, they’re engaging enough.

Most impressive is how the creators deal with the real issue of bullying. Sure, Han could easily take out Si-Woon’s bullies but he doesn’t and I really liked that Si-Woon has to stand up to them himself - it’s a fine lesson for anyone to see, but especially younger readers who may be experiencing similar problems. The creators may take the easy way out in other scenes but in this part of the story, arguably the most important part of it, they don’t and that’s definitely laudable.

A surprisingly pleasant mix of comedy, intense fantasy martial arts and harsh slice-of-life, The Breaker Omnibus Volume 1 is a decent start to this series - hopefully we’ll have at least one or two answers to some of the questions posed above instead of rushing into the next big storyline in upcoming volumes.