I can't believe how good the prison food in Japan seems! Why didn't Kaiji just go to trial and take a sentence for his debts?! Autobiographical mangas are a pretty rare breed. Since the editors have a clear understanding of what sells very few authors have the chance to just rant about things that happened in their lives. This manga isn't exiting or tear jerking or funny. It's just a reflection of life in a very specific circumstance and it's great at it. You get to read about their routine, work environment, how other minor offenders see life during and after prison and how it affectsthe main character.

It's a comfy retelling of probably the best jail experience anyone could ever have with an art style that serves more than well its purpose. If you like to read about people and how other parts of the world deal with a very specific but common aspect of civil life you'll love this kind of story that would never come from a Jump magazine.