サンクチュアリ [Sankuchuari / Sanctuary]

In the gritty corridors of Japan's political underworld, Sanctuary (1990–1995, Shogakukan) follows two childhood friends—one a yakuza enforcer, the other a rising politician—who forge a ruthless pact to reshape the nation from within, using crime and power as their tools. This taut, 12-issue crime saga, closely associated with writer Sho Fumimura and artist Ryoichi Ikegami, stands as a landmark of mature, politically charged storytelling in manga, exploring the blurred lines between idealism and corruption. Its unflinching look at the mechanics of influence and loyalty remains a compelling, era-defining work for fans of hard-boiled drama.