A Personal Summer Reunion

I first discovered “Riot” [ライオット] on a sandy stretch of France in the late 90s, my hands begrimed with sunscreen and my mind electrified by those razor-sharp panels. Rediscovering it decades later felt like shaking hands with an old friend.

Through connections in Tokyo, I secured a pristine first print from 1997—paper still crisp, cover colors unwavering. Holding that volume now, I’m not just revisiting a favorite story; I’m marking a personal milestone and cementing Riot as an important gem of my manga collection.

Plot

“Riot” thrusts readers into a wild West where outlaws and dark magic collide. After the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid attempts to steal Riot, the mystical grimoire of the Western Church, he is slain by its guardian, a girl named Axel.

When his blood awakens Riot’s power, the book bargains his resurrection in exchange for Billy’s promise to protect both Riot and Axel. Meanwhile, the Eastern Church’s forces, led by the sinister Cain, seek to seize Riot and its counterpart Phantom to resurrect Abel, Axel’s long-lost brother.

Characters

• Billy the Kid: A legendary gunslinger reborn by dark magic and torn between his outlaw instincts and a newfound pledge.
• Axel: Guardian of Riot, fierce and enigmatic, whose loyalty to the grimoire drives the story’s emotional core.
• Riot: More than a book, an entity with its own will that bargains lives for its protection.

Their intertwined motivations propel Riot beyond simple shoot-outs into a layered tale of trust, vengeance, and the burdens of resurrection.

Publication History

Originally serialized by Kadokawa Shoten from November 1993 through 1994 under the title “Riot”, the series went on hiatus as Satoshi Shiki [士貴 智志] shifted focus to “Kami Kaze”.

In 1998, Satoshi revived the saga in Ultra Jump as “Riot of the World,” adding fresh chapters through 2000. The combined works were collected into three volumes, offering both the vintage charm of the 90s and a more polished sequel arc under Shueisha’s banner.

Shiki Satoshi’s Dynamic Artistry

Japanese Wikipedia notes that Shiki Satoshi debuted in 1991 with the one-shot Genki and hails from Kasugai, Aichi prefecture, grounding his career in a blend of traditional training and early exposure to genre experimentation.

His early work in the hentai genre informs the bold contrast and dynamic shading seen in Riot’s action sequences, lending those panels an almost tactile intensity.

What truly sets “Riot” apart is Satoshi’s kinetic line work. His panels crackle with energy: gunsmoke curls, torn denim flaps in the breeze, and every bullet’s trajectory feels consequential. Beyond hyper-detailed mechanical flourishes such as gears, bullets, and clockwork contraptions, Satoshi excels at facial expressions, distorting features mid-battle to convey pain, fury, and fleeting moments of humanity. His storytelling balances explosive action with moments of eerie calm, making each volume as much a visual thrill ride as a narrative one.

You can follow Shiki Satoshi on X (formerly Twitter) for sketches, updates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses: @shikisatoshi

Select Works by Shiki Satoshi

Based on Satoshi profile at Wikipedia, here are some of his notable manga and art credits:

• Akuma Kōjo – Story & Art
• Attack on Titan: Before the Fall – Art
• Betsuani! – Story & Art
• Daphne in the Brilliant Blue – Story & Art (manga); Character Conceptual Design & Ending Illustrations (TV)
• Genjūza – Story & Art
• Kami-Kaze – Story & Art
• The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru – Story & Art
• Min Min Mint – Story & Art
• Persona×Detective NAOTO – Art
• XBlade – Art
• XBlade Cross – Art

An Enduring Legacy of Intensity

Whether you’re a die-hard collector or a newcomer drawn by the promise of adrenaline-fueled panels, “Riot” remains an electrifying testament to 90s manga innovation and Satoshi Shiki’s indelible mark on the medium.