Levius Review
by Haruhisa Nakata
Read the first volume. If it doesn't hook you, put it down. It'll hook you.
Buy Levius on Amazon →*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Take
- Steampunk boxing where fighters augment their bodies with mechanical limbs
- Gorgeous detailed art, brutal combat, surprisingly emotional story
- Short but complete — an overlooked gem of the sports/sci-fi genre
Who Is This Manga For?
- Fans of steampunk aesthetics and sci-fi sports
- Boxing manga readers who want something darker
- Art enthusiasts — the manga is visually extraordinary
- Readers who want a short, complete experience in an unusual setting
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: M (Mature) Content Warnings: graphic violence, war imagery, body modification
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★☆☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★★☆ |
Story Overview
In a post-war steampunk world where people can augment their bodies with mechanical limbs, Machine Martial Arts (MMA) is the dominant sport — fighters with augmented arms competing in boxing-style combat. Levius Cromwell is a boy who lost his arm in the war and enters this violent world. His mechanical boxing arm carries memories of loss, and the battles he enters reveal backstories of trauma, ambition, and survival in the ruins of a devastated civilization.
Characters
Levius is quiet and haunted — the loss of his arm and the war that caused it are always present. His trainer and mentor provides the grounded support character. The antagonists are given genuine motivation rather than simple villainy. The world they inhabit has its own damaged beauty.
Art Style
Nakata's art is exceptional — the steampunk machinery is rendered with extraordinary detail, the mechanical boxing sequences are visually distinctive, and the war-damaged world has atmospheric texture. One of the most visually impressive sports manga in recent years.
Cultural Context
Levius draws from early 20th century industrial aesthetics — a post-war world with Victorian/Edwardian technology and the scars of large-scale conflict. The mechanical body augmentation reflects real anxieties about the relationship between human bodies and industrial machinery.
What I Love About It
The first page of Levius stopped me. The detail in the mechanical arm, the visual world it implies, the weight of what it represents — all of that in a single image. Nakata is an extraordinary visual artist, and the steampunk sports setting is worthy of his skill. Four volumes doesn't feel like enough, but what exists is complete and beautiful.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Levius has a devoted but small international fanbase. The Netflix anime adaptation introduced wider audiences. Readers consistently cite the art as exceptional. The short length is both praised (accessible) and mourned (could have been more).
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Spoiler Warning: The climactic fight that reveals the full emotional stakes of the combat — what each fighter is actually fighting for, not just who wins — makes the violence meaningful rather than spectacle.
Similar Manga
- Drifters — Historical figures in alternate world action
- Battle Angel Alita — Sci-fi fighting with prosthetic body themes
- Tekkonkinkreet — Another visually distinctive manga about a damaged world
Reading Order / Where to Start
Start from Volume 1. Complete at 4 volumes — read in one sitting.
Official English Translation Status
Status: Complete Publisher: VIZ Media Volumes Available in English: 4 of 4
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional art
- Complete in 4 volumes
- Steampunk setting is unique
- Emotional depth beneath the violence
Cons:
- Very short — story could have been longer
- Graphic violence
- Steampunk setting may not appeal to all
Format Comparison
| Format | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | Amazon | VIZ edition — all 4 volumes |
Where to Buy
Read the first volume. If it doesn't hook you, put it down. It'll hook you.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.