Sports manga are always popular because they depict the bonds between friends and coaches, breathtaking game developments, and the excitement of the entire game. There are numerous sports manga, not only about popular sports such as soccer and basketball, but also about minor sports. I will introduce here 3 manga that I particularly recommend.
1. Ping Pong
Title : Ping Pong
Written by : Taiyo Matsumoto
Published by : Shogakukan
Magazine : Big Comic Spirits
Original run : 1996 – 1997
Volumes : 5
This is a sports manga about table tennis. What makes this work unique is that, unlike most manga, it does not feature a single good-looking character, nor is it a royal story of a weak man working hard to become strong. It is also extremely pure and exciting by concentrating it in only five volumes.
2. Yowamushi Pedal
Title : Beasters
Written by : Wataru Watanabe
Published by : Akita Shoten
Magazine : Weekly Shōnen Champion
Original run : 2008 – present
Volumes : 75
It is a sports manga about road racing. The story is genuinely enjoyable for everyone, even if they do not know anything about road racing, due to the drawing and settings that emphasize entertainment rather than reality.
3. Slam Dunk
Title : Slam Dunk
Written by : Takehiko Inoue
Published by : Shueisha
Magazine : Weekly Shōnen Jump
Original run : 1990 – 1996
Volumes : 31
This is a legendary sports manga about basketball. Its popularity can be seen from the fact that the number of people playing basketball in Japan increased by 24% in the six years between the start and end of the serialization. If you are interested in sports manga, this is a work that you should definitely read.
