Manga: Cross Game

[Munsu]

I know few of you here read sports manga, but I can't be the only Mitsuru Adachi fan here. Cross Game is his latest work, and still ongoing. I wonder if anyone here is reading this series so that we can discuss it. And if you're a sports manga fan, then you better start reading this. From all his mangas, this reminds me most of Touch. Of course this is a baseball manga, but some of the story elements are very similar (which I won't discuss at this moment as to not spoil).

Chapter 67 was recently released, and the series is being done by Manga Downloads. Don't be put-off by the young characters in the first volume, there's a time jump in the second volume.


Cross Game is one of the newest manga series by Mitsuru Adachi. It tells the story of Koh and the Tsukishima family's 4 sisters in a very Mitsuru Adachi kind of way. The comic starts off as a comedy and shows the relationship between Koh and the 4 sisters. As with all Mitsuru Adachi's main characters, Koh's character is slowly built up with amusing and unforgettable scenarios with most of the character building scenes showing off Koh's talent as a baseball player. The manga is still running in Japan at its 7th volume.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/489/crossgamec01p020zp1.th.png (http://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=crossgamec01p020zp1.png) http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1786/crossgamec05p083ssjcharuu5.th.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=crossgamec05p083ssjcharuu5.jpg) http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2941/crossgamec07p133jk5.th.png (http://img233.imageshack.us/my.php?image=crossgamec07p133jk5.png) http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8453/crossgamev02c03p060op6.th.png (http://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=crossgamev02c03p060op6.png)

[animus]

I've been reading it. The pacing's quite slow, and the themes quite soft so it feels boring sometimes. But it's a good read overall, but as of yet no romance has bloomed yet, so we'll just have to wait longer I guess. And this is my first Adachi manga, so it takes a bit to get used to his art. It's quite outdated and bland, but it's decent.

[Munsu]

His mangas are very mellow, not much happens... chapters are usually "Just another day in the characters' life, let's see what happened today". I like how there's always a coincidence of some sort, like the two main characters remembering the same part of a boring movie etc. The romance possibility will be dragged out throughout the whole story, so don't expect much from it, just that there'll be plenty of love triangles with the main characters oblivious to their love between each other, often causing a rift and hatred between them, yet doing uncharacteristic things for one an other (usually when no one is looking).

It's just a nice read, and the games are usually well done, especially towards the end. But yeah, your complaints are valid, the themes are soft, but there's always that one incident that comes from out of nowhere, like a character's death, and it has that much impact because you didn't see it coming.

And yeah, even with the improvement of the art, the characters still look old. The details in the buildings etc. are well done though. He uses the same character designs in all his mangas, the main characters often looking just the same, probably why his characters look outdated.

[Dark Dragon]

yeah and Adachi himself made jokes about how all of his character looks the same many times. I'm reading this but i'm disappointed because the chapter release are way too slow, if i remember correct i'm on chapter 63 so i will probably wait for a nice chunk of them to come out before i start reading again.

[Munsu]

04/01/07 Cross Game 67 Manga Downloads
03/24/07 Cross Game 65-66 Manga Downloads
03/01/07 Cross Game 64 Manga Downloads
02/25/07 Cross Game 63 Manga Downloads
02/16/07 Cross Game 62 Manga Downloads
02/09/07 Cross Game 61 Manga Downloads
02/04/07 Cross Game 60 Manga Downloads
01/25/07 Cross Game 58 Manga Downloads
01/25/07 Cross Game 59 Manga Downloads

That's not that bad of a pace if you ask me... it's like 1.5 weeks per release. But, this type of manga is best read in batches, especially since there's usually lack of events in each chapters... I would do the same, but when I'm bored with nothing else to read, I just say fuck it and read the newest chapter.

I think that's simply a problem with manga in general, there's usually so little content in one chapter that it's frustrating, and this is no exception...

[Dark Dragon]

yeah, that why i go back to read old manga sometime. Being able to read all 34 volume of Urusei Yatsura or all 38 of ranma without having to stop is pure bliss.

Oh and if you like sport manga i would recommend captain Tsubasa, it's a super old sport manga from the 80's. Shinji started scanlating chapter since november of 06 and i believe it is up to volume 13 now so if you have nothing better to do, it's worth a shot.

[Munsu]

Ah nice, I was waiting for someone to do the original series, guess I missed that... Will check it out soon, will see me creating a thread once I do :p

[Munsu]

Just read up to the latest scanlation, chapter 76.


They finally started the tournament, and it has been pretty good thus far. I liked how all the weaknesses were "leaked" to the opposing team, and were used against them. Yet, they prevailed with a pitcher you see once every 10 years.

[Munsu]

yeah and Adachi himself made jokes about how all of his character looks the same many times. I'm reading this but i'm disappointed because the chapter release are way too slow, if i remember correct i'm on chapter 63 so i will probably wait for a nice chunk of them to come out before i start reading again.


So, you still waiting for a nice chunk to start reading again?

Anyways, I just read up to chapter 84... it has been a great game so far, I'm not sure who's going to win. I have a feeling they're going to lose this round, as it always happen, since they still have one (or two) years together to reach the Koshien, so I don't think they'll make it on their first try.

[Dark Dragon]

I started reading again when chapter 80 came out, just haven't been posting much.

I also feel that they are going to lose this game, since in the other mangas the lost usually occur around this time. Hopefully Adachi will introduce the "main rival" character soon so the story can pick up the little, it has been kinda slow even for an Adachi manga.

[Munsu]

I think he has already been introduced, that guy who was on the bench all this time and just got the opportunity to play should be the main rival. Or do you think he won't be enough?

[Dark Dragon]

Nah, the typical Adachi formula is to introduce a guy who seem to be like the main rival but then turn out to be another short time character (Kimoto Takamichi from katsu for example). Then about half way through the series he'll introduce a new character that turn out to be the main rival (H2 is the only exception i could think of because everyone was introduced at the start).

[Munsu]

Yeah, I guess that's true... it also depends on how long Adachi is planning on running this series. But this guy looks like a monster, and he can really be the main rival mainly because his team has had him on the bench and hasn't been using him much. He has instilled a bit of fear on both Koh and the clean-up hitter. The way I see it, if they win then he's surely not the rival, if they lose there's still a chance, but I guess I'm gonna start hoping for some bigger monster to come along.

[Munsu]

Well just read up to chapter 130...

Apparently, this was the end of "Part 2" of the series. Seems like they're taking a break until Spring of 2009. You read up to the latest chapter? Kinda of a sucky place to end it... in the middle of the tournament.

I don't know about you, but I found it interesting, funny, and quite unexpected how that former coach of theirs and his new team lost. They took some time building them up to be this monster of a team, just to have the lose. It's very rare to see this, and it's always a pleasant surprise. It's very unusual for a series to build this obvious superpower, just to then make them irrelevant in an instant.

[Dark Dragon]

lol after reading your post referring to only just me, i came to the realization that we're the only two people that really post in this thread.

I've actually stopped reading after he met up with the new girl that look like his dead childhood friend.

What i have been doing is rereading old Adachi series like Touch and H2. Adachi Mitsuru is an awesome story teller, i feel like you can't really appreciate his manga unless you can spend time to read the entire story at once because some of the very subtle hints that he leave around suddenly hit you if you progress through the story without breaks in between.

But back on topic, i plan to catch up with this series as soon as i get done rereading some old series. I just finished up Touch and is half way through H2, pretty soon i plan to read Katsu so i'll most likely catch up with Cross Games after Katsu.

edit: oh yeah, Adachi manga finally finished Touch after like forever so if you've never got a chance to finish that manga i highly recommend it. I know the Anime finished like 10 years ago but it's always good to read the source material :p.

[Munsu]

Yeah, it seemed a bit wierd mentioning "you guys" when it's just you and me apparently reading this.

I had stopped reading myself, but marathoned it a couple of days ago. You have till Spring to catch up, so I guess you should be in no hurry.

Touch, I've seen the anime and the movies... very good stuff, probably my all time favorite baseball anime. I might check the manga version, but not sure... the anime seemed quite thorough. Might be more interested to see if anything varied between how the anime ended and the manga.

H2, I currently read tha manga. I had stopped a while back because mangascreeners where going very slow, so I've yet to restart it again. And I completely forgot where I left off, but I have to say it's a really good Adachi series. Well I've yet to read something from him that I haven't enjoyed. They may not be the best series out there, but they at the least are consistenly enjoyable, and the he's pretty good with the slice-of-life elements.

Katsu I read... I had hoped it would be longer, but it had a nice ending if I remember correctly.

Other Adachis I've read have been Rough, Niji-Iro Togarashi, and Nine.

[Dark Dragon]

I've read all those also, another finished Adachi series that you can try is Miyuki but it's a romance/comedy that is devoid of sport so it might not be your cup of tea.

[Munsu]

I've read all those also, another finished Adachi series that you can try is Miyuki but it's a romance/comedy that is devoid of sport so it might not be your cup of tea.
That's on my list... I was actually waiting to watch the anime but no one ever picked it up after some groups did the first 11 episodes or so. So, I might simply read the manga when I get the chance.

[Dark Dragon]

That's on my list... I was actually waiting to watch the anime but no one ever picked it up after some groups did the first 11 episodes or so. So, I might simply read the manga when I get the chance.

That's a shame, a lot of older anime series that was never brought to the US deserve proper subbing since they are arguably better than some of the newer series. I mean, it took me forever to find the complete series of Saint Seiya but boy it was definitely worth it.

[Munsu]

That's a shame, a lot of older anime series that was never brought to the US deserve proper subbing since they are arguably better than some of the newer series. I mean, it took me forever to find the complete series of Saint Seiya but boy it was definitely worth it.
You got the complete Saint Saiya series? Decent quality? I know I was getting those Azn fansubs, but I think they stopped at around 52 episodes or so, and never bothered with the series because of that.

Or did you just find the dubbed version, or what?

We're way off-topic, but fuck it...

[Dark Dragon]

You got the complete Saint Saiya series? Decent quality? I know I was getting those Azn fansubs, but I think they stopped at around 52 episodes or so, and never bothered with the series because of that.

Or did you just find the dubbed version, or what?

We're way off-topic, but fuck it...

Yeah i do, very good quality (as good as an anime from the 80's could get anyway), i got it from a torrent posted from a request thread (http://forums.gotwoot.net/showthread.php?t=13713) that i made on this forum. I think it might be dead by now but i'll try to seed it if you need to download and here is the link (http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/20011870/saint+seiya?tab=summary) to the actual torrent.

edit: i just checked, there still quite a few seeder on that but i'll continue to seed until you finish the download.

edit2: I forgot to mention that the entire thing is subbed by some unknown group but the sub quality themselves are pretty decent. The torrent consist of the entire TV series + the first 2 OVA.

[Munsu]

Great, thanks... Now I have to start clearing up space.

Anyways, let's get back on topic.

[Dark Dragon]

Just got caught up with Cross Games.

I can kinda see why you would expect more from the former coach team. But personally i wasn't very surprised to see his team lose since Adachi seems to go out of his way to paint the guy as a complete douche. There is also that "no name team" comment that work as a very subtle Adachi style hint.

This is a good place to take a break since the baseball season just started so it didn't feel too awkward.

At this point, i really have no clue which girl Koh will go for since Adachi tend to surprise me when I've convinced myself that i got his pattern figured out. I really would prefer it if Koh end up with the childhood friend lookalike because it would feel too cliche if he got together with Aoba.

[Munsu]

Yep, it was hinted by the "no name team", but just the same it's a tactic to build his team to big this huge monstrous team. Anyways, it's fairly uncommon to do this, so I found it funny at the time that he lost in the first round.

As for who Koh would end up with, I really don't mind... though I like Aoba myself. But by the looks of it, the lookalike seems too easy at the moment, so Adachi might go in a different direction. Else, we need to see some adversity because what's an Adachi series without love triangles, misunderstandings, and the underdog relationships.

[shinta|hikari]

I'm pretty sure he will end up with Aoba. Pretty much the entire manga is devoted to developing their relationship, and most characters only served the purpose of putting them close together, including the clone. While Adachi can do twists, he does not force them, which would be the case if Aoba gets the short stick.

[Munsu]

Just because Aoba and Koh don't end up together, it doesn't mean that she'd get the short stick. There's also Azuma, and she seems to be at least a bit fond of him.

[shinta|hikari]

Maybe, but I don't really see Aoba enjoying herself with Azuma nearly as much as she does with Koh.

[Munsu]

Great news for us Adachi loving bitches... apparently this manga will get adapted to anime:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-09/cross-game-baseball-manga-reportedly-to-get-tv-anime

With the manga still ongoing, I hope they don't fuck it up.

[Munsu]

Well, finally a new chapter is out, 131... I uploaded it to sendspace for you guys:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/yrvlxu

It's the beginning of the Third Part of the series, of what I'm assuming will be a total of four parts (don't hold me up to this).

Also, a reminder that next month the anime version will start.

[Dark Dragon]

Great, i have been waiting for this.

Hopefully the anime version will attract more attention than the manga has so far.

[Augury]

From mangadownloads.org:
Cross Game 132 rapidshare (http://rapidshare.com/files/210243522/CrossGame_part3c132__MangaDownloads_.zip.html)
Cross Game 132 yousendit (http://www.yousendit.com/download/UmNMZXQ4Q1BlaFJjR0E9PQ)
Cross Game 132 free.fr (http://dl.free.fr/nnpfgh11Y)

Last fall I read through all of Adachi's longer works in one huge marathon - Nine, Miyuki, Touch, H2, Rough, Katsu - and caught up to Cross Game just before it took a break. I'm glad to see it's continuing.

I'm not sure why Adachi's works haven't generated more interest among the manga-reading fan base as a whole. Granted, he has certain formulas that he tends to follow and some of his jokes are difficult to translate/appreciate because they are based off of Japanese culture, but I thought that his storytelling is very good and has a high re-readability compared to many other series.

I haven't watched much anime recently (only following Nodame Cantabile and Major) but I think I'll take a look at Cross Game when it airs in a couple weeks.

As for the Koh-Aoba relationship, I don't think Adachi considers whether they end up together or not as important. He seems to be more interested in the fulfillment of dreams - Wakaba's vision of Koh and Akaishi at the Koshien, and Aoba's frustration at not being able to test her limits as a pitcher. The less prominent desires among the ("good") support cast will probably play out too - Azuma reaching the Koshien; Junpei marrying Ichiyo.

Anyways, I find myself reluctant to post sometimes but I'll be following the series with interest.

[Munsu]

And here's 133:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c133_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip

As for Adachi's works, well they are quite popular around... as there been a mangaka with more series been made to anime? I think it's more that people around GW don't like this type of series (and there aren't many manga readers) and sports in general.

[Augury]

Yeah, perhaps it's a community preference thing. I think, though, that Adachi's works are quite different from others in the sports genre. He keeps things pretty realistic (as far as I can tell) as opposed to other series which take the liberty to bend space/time/physics rules such as Prince of Tennis or Eyeshield21.

[shinta|hikari]

What I like about Adachi is he treats his viewers as smart people. His jokes are witty, and even the simple expressions of the characters have deep meaning when seen by a discerning reader. Not everything is spoon fed, and this fact makes it feel like you are getting to know the characters instead of being told about them.

[Dark Dragon]

134 (http://www.mangadownloads.org/) is out

[Augury]

Cross Game 135 (Mediafire) (http://www.mediafire.com/?3dnnmjaj42i)

[Munsu]

And here's 136:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=opdb&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c136_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip

Will catchup tonight.

[Munsu]

137 is out:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c137_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20

Enjoyed this chapter a bit, I wonder if anything will come out of the last comments of the chapter with the whole "You'd be in the way" comment, or if it's simply one of the usual random jabs they throw at each other.

[shinta|hikari]

Aoba didn't look like she took it as a random jab, even if Koh probably didn't think she would get affected as much. Koh seems to be getting serious with Wakaba 2. I wonder how this will turn out, since I am quite certain it will be AobaxKoh in the end. I just hope Wakaba 2 does not die. I don't really care for her much, but Koh would be too pitiful if that were to happen.

[Augury]

Cross Game 138 (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c138_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) from Manga Downloads (http://www.mangadownloads.org/)









Things are moving along... looking forward to the next chapter.

[Munsu]

Yep. We should've expected this, that the surgery would coincide with the game. And Aoba did take to heart the whole "You'd be in the way" thing since she brought it up in this chapter.

Other than that, not much happening in this chapter.

[Munsu]

Well, here's 139:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c139_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip

And for those interested, a new Adachi series started this year, Q and A. It'll be a monthly series, you can get it here:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=QandA&file=QandA_c01_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip

Will create a thread for it when I can, seems interesting so far.

Edit: Lol, I love how Adachi self-advertises in his mangas. He made mention of Q and A in this new Cross Game chapter.

[shinta|hikari]

Why is Aoba so Tsundere? She even commented that it Wakaba would forgive Koh if he and Akane were to become a couple, when she knows she is the one who won't be able to get over it. I hope that once Koh hits 160, she realizes how she feels and stops being such a brat. I mean, sitting on another bench in an empty train?

[Munsu]

Why is Aoba so Tsundere? She even commented that it Wakaba would forgive Koh if he and Akane were to become a couple, when she knows she is the one who won't be able to get over it. I hope that once Koh hits 160, she realizes how she feels and stops being such a brat. I mean, sitting on another bench in an empty train?
Well, she needed space for her imaginary balls.

[shinta|hikari]

Wait, what? LOL.

I didn't get it, then I did.

[Munsu]

140:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c140_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20

Adachi is taking a freaking break, so no more Cross Game till July 1. Well it was a nice chapter.

[Augury]

After a long wait, Cross Game 141 at MangaDownloads (http://www.mangadownloads.org/)!




---


Surprising chapter to me. I like how Adachi doesn't spoon-feed his readers information.

[Marik]

Chapter 142 - Manga Downloads (http://www.mangadownloads.org/) - One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/152/01/)

[Marik]

143 is out

Manga Downloads (http://www.mangadownloads.org) - One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/153/01)

[Munsu]

Just caught up. Good chapters all around, the comedy was pretty good, and what do you think Koh's answer to Aoba's question was?

[Marik]

and what do you think Koh's answer to Aoba's question was?

The more than me one?

[Munsu]

The more than me one?
Yep.

crap to get to the # of characters required.

[Marik]

I'm gonna guess he said no, not more than her.

[Augury]

I thought the opposite. Koh doesn't seem like the type of character who would ask if it's okay for him to lie then say something that will hurt Aoba. If he liked Akane more he could've just lied without saying anything beforehand.

[shinta|hikari]

He probably asked that question to make his answer as vague as possible. If you ask "Is it OK to lie?" you can either lie or tell the truth and still be safe.

[Marik]

tell the truth and still be safe.

Indeed.

I think he truly does care about Aoba more. Asking if it was ok to lie was just a way to hide his true feelings.

[Munsu]

144:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c144_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20

I wish the chapters were longer.

[Munsu]

145:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c145_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20

About the chapter:

Not much happening, still early in the game. That batter is a bastard for breaking up the No-Hitter with a bunt. Koh should hit him in his next at bat.

[Marik]

http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c146_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20

[Munsu]

I liked how they sneaked in that the other pitcher is kinda of outpitching Koh, throwing a no-hitter so far.

[shinta|hikari]

I don't blame the announcers for not noticing. Koh is playing against the Ryuoh batting lineup, while the other pitcher only needs to be wary of 2-3 batters. Also, Koh has faced the enemy 4th batter head on, while Azuma was walked (albeit unintentionally) by the other pitcher.

[Munsu]

You're just in time for 147:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/n7l0bj

Had to upload it myself since the direct link on their site seems to be broken.

[Marik]

Looks like things are starting to get real interesting. I'm glad to see that Oikawa's no-hitter is a thing of the past.

[shinta|hikari]

Azuma is an absolute monster. He should have hit those pitches before and demoralized the enemy's pitcher, but the decision based on efficiency during the walks were more like Azuma, I guess.

I hope the enemy doesn't score at all. Almost scoring is fine for the suspense, but actually scoring against Koh would make his effort and talent look slightly cheaper than I would want it.

I hope Akaishi gets coupled with Akane, and Koh with Aoba. Akaishi needs a real happy ending as well. Azuma can just play with his stick and balls the rest of his life and probably enjoy it more that way.

[Marik]

I hope Akaishi gets coupled with Akane, and Koh with Aoba. Akaishi needs a real happy ending as well. Azuma can just play with his stick and balls the rest of his life and probably enjoy it more that way.
I agree with Akaishi and Akane. I always felt that Akaishi pushed Akane on Koh at the expense of his own happiness.

I wouldn't want to see Koh with Aoba. Dating your dead girlfriend's younger sister just doesn't seem right to me. I wonder how Ichi-nee and the others would react to that as well.

[shinta|hikari]

I think the family would welcome it. Only Azuma and the the climber would complain, and maybe Akane since she likes Koh.

Wait, if you want Akane with Akaishi, and don't want Aoba with Koh, what ending do you envision? Koh lives on alone remembering his dead first love? That is kind of tragic.

Please don't tell me it is KohXAzuma.

[RyougaZell]

Its obvious Aoba will end up with Koh. Specially since the old reference since volume 1 about that Aoba will only like a guy who can pitch at 160 km/h. Somehow I have a feeling Wakaba knew Aoba liked him more than Aoba thought and that is why she told her 'I won't hand him to you'.

Akaishi still needs to get Akane though.

[Marik]

I wouldn't mind seeing him walk off into the sunset alone as a champion. I just don't want to see a younger sister ending, even though that's where it seems to be headed. Hopefully somewhere down the line, he'll fall for a girl from a rival school or something.


Please don't tell me it is KohXAzuma.
Ugh, no.

[shinta|hikari]

I think cross game is almost over. After they win the Koshien, the couples will form (somewhat, since Adachi always leaves endings relatively hanging) and the story will end.

[Augury]

Cross Game 148 (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c148_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) from Manga Downloads

[Marik]

Sucks that it's a double issue. Gonna have to wait 2 weeks for the next one. :(

[Munsu]

Loved chapter 148, particularly Aoba's reaction to Koh's 158kmh fastball. Do you guys think Koh will manage to shut this guys down, particularly Mishima? He has to do something at some point right?

[Augury]

Cross Game 149 (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c149_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) from Manga Downloads

[RyougaZell]

hoh... so koh was dissapointed he didnt reach 160

[Marik]

Chapter 150

Manga Downloads (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c150_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) | One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/160/01)

Seems that Adachi is taking another break. Next chapter won't be out until mid November at the earliest.

[RyougaZell]

Nooooo :(

[Dark Dragon]

Bah, Terrible Cliffhanger.

[Keno]

Geesh, these recent chapters seem to be taking forever, lol. A whole chapter for half an inning. And now a long wait.. :(

[Munsu]

Damn, another break. But November is right there so the wait shouldn't be long. Damn cliffhanger though, and it'll be interesting to see Koh pitch intro extra innings. I thought he would simply load up the bases or walk some people to get to the rival one last time or something along those lines.

How do you see this playing out? I think there's a good possiblity of them losing, but Koh hitting 160.. but I would like the idea of them winning, but Koh only reaching 159, and be a bit dissapointed in the results even if they won.

We'll see.

[Marik]

It's back!

Manga Downloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c151_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) | One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/161/01)

[Marik]

Manga Downloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c152_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) | One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/162/01/)

[Marik]

Manga Downloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c153_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) | One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/163/01)

[RyougaZell]

Flying Azuma and away!

I really hate the lost panels on the cousin and the commentators.

[shinta|hikari]

I think the panels about the cousin are going to be very important, since they may just reveal how Aoba feels about Koh in those diaries. The commentator panels are quite pointless, and are probably only there so Adachi can figure out how he wants to end the game, and maybe drag the whole thing out one more volume to earn more money. Final volumes are a definite sale anyway.

[RyougaZell]

While I do agree that the diary scene will probably be important... I still don't like him. Never have.

And yeah... Adachi loves to do that. Im quite surprised he didn't draw himself this chapter.

[RyougaZell]

Cross Game 164

Online Viewving (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/164/01/)

[Munsu]

While I do agree that the diary scene will probably be important... I still don't like him. Never have.

And yeah... Adachi loves to do that. Im quite surprised he didn't draw himself this chapter.
You spoke too soon...

Just caught up, man I want this game to be over already. Bad news though, no new chapter for 3 weeks or so.

[RyougaZell]

You spoke too soon...

Just caught up, man I want this game to be over already. Bad news though, no new chapter for 3 weeks or so.

I did.
Though this time I did find it funny that he drew himself... with Aoba there I mean.

And another break? Oh damn...

[Marik]

Bad news though, no new chapter for 3 weeks or so.
I think it goes like this

No chapter next week, then a new chapter, and then no chapter after that. That's how I took their wording.

"On the bad side no CG next week and no CG in three weeks. which means you'll only have another chapter for you christmass and voil?."

[Munsu]

Ah, true... you're correct.

[Marik]

Manga Downloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c155_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) | Online Viewing (http://www.mangafox.com/manga/cross_game/v17/c155/3.html)

No chapters for the next 4 weeks.

[RyougaZell]

No chapters for the next 4 weeks.

The chapter was so awesome it makes up for this bit of evil news.

[Dark Dragon]

The chapter was so awesome it makes up for this bit of evil news.

I disagree, the chapter was so awesome that this particular bit of news is even worse now.

[Munsu]

I disagree, the chapter was so awesome that this particular bit of news is even worse now.
I agree, and with him doing what he did I can only think the worst will happen... I have a feeling he'll lose somehow.

[Board of Command]

[/B]No chapters for the next 4 weeks.
FUCKIN SHIT...

Anyhow, my prediction: Ryuou comes back in the bottom of the inning and puts one man on base, then with the winning run at the plate, Koh throws 160 km/h but it gets hit for a homerun. Seishu loses but eventually all is forgiven.

I don't see Seishu winning the game because the manga hasn't introduced any other main opponents. Ryuou has been portrayed as the "final" game where everything ends. I don't see any room for further developments should they actually win the game and get into the Koshien unless they simply end the manga with Seishu going to the Koshien.

This chapter is pretty much the moment which all the main characters in the story have lived for. Their dreams of the Koshien will end with the 160 km/h pitch, but they'll come out of it realizing that the Koshien is not as big of a deal as the relationships they've developed with each other over the years as they grew up and strived for the goal together.

[shinta|hikari]

I hope they don't lose. I'm pretty sure the manga will end soon after this game, probably with one of Adachi's open ended conclusions, or something with very little epilogue. Koh has worked too hard to achieve so little. If they do lose, they basically never won an important game the entire series.

[Munsu]

I may be mistaken, but I think there's one tournament left.

[shinta|hikari]

Aren't they 3rd years? Koh did not play the 1st year, they lost the 2nd year. There is also another Koshien, but Wakaba's dream was the summer one, I believe.

[Munsu]

Aren't they 3rd years? Koh did not play the 1st year, they lost the 2nd year. There is also another Koshien, but Wakaba's dream was the summer one, I believe.
Yeah, I was speaking of the "other Koshien"... but it may be as you say. Don't remember the details of which one Wakaba wanted.

[RyougaZell]

Chapter 166 (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/166/) is here!





And based on this chapter... the ending must not be far away.

[Munsu]

As mentioned in a previous post, I kinda have a bad feeling about this. Though I can see him struggling just to hit the 160 mark in the end.

[Munsu]

Here's 157:
http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c157_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20

Great chapter, and loved the final panels bringing back the scene of "Is it OK if I lie?".

[RyougaZell]

The tension is surely killing me. That was a very good chapter.

[Board of Command]

So far it's turning out like I predicted in an earlier post.

I'm not sure what the last page meant though. Anyone want to clue me in?

[Munsu]

Don't remember the specific question, but it was something along the lines of Aoba asking Koh if he liked Akane more than her, and Koh answered "Is it OK if I lie?"

[Board of Command]

Don't remember the specific question, but it was something along the lines of Aoba asking Koh if he liked Akane more than her, and Koh answered "Is it OK if I lie?"
I remember that much. I just don't see how that scene relates to the situation right now.

[Munsu]

How can't it not? Aoba is seeing Koh and his accomplishments at the moment and she's thinking back on his response that time. We never got the response for what happened on that scene, and this manga in some form or another has been about Aoba and Koh figuring out and accepting their feelings for each other, whatever they may be... so Koh is kicking ass at the moment and she is reconciling his feeling for him, and that scene in particular could hold the key to it.

[Dark Dragon]

Also Koh is doing his best to win this match in hope of Akane recovery. I think his response is partly because he's trying to focus on winning.

[Board of Command]

Chapter 168 (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/168/)

Wow...didn't see this one coming (on multiple fronts). What a twist.

[shinta|hikari]

Chapter content:

What an amazing ending. This seems to be one of the best and more original match enders in a sports manga. Adachi really is a genius, and he has made his best work with Cross Game with this curve ball ending.

It seems that Koh simply asked if he could lie just to make himself worthy of earning Aoba's affection first, or maybe fulfilling Wakaba's dream before he acted on his feelings.

The way the 160km ball was never recorded, how Mishima couldn't even swing his bat because of the speed, and how the umpire mistook it for a ball because of how fast it was all came together beautifully when the last batter was not even considered as a threat anymore. It really sums up Koh's path towards the Koshien. Only a select few could see his real talent, while the majority always saw him as the underdog when in fact he was a monster all along.

[Board of Command]

Chapter content:

What an amazing ending. This seems to be one of the best and more original match enders in a sports manga. Adachi really is a genius, and he has made his best work with Cross Game with this curve ball ending.

It seems that Koh simply asked if he could lie just to make himself worthy of earning Aoba's affection first, or maybe fulfilling Wakaba's dream before he acted on his feelings.

The way the 160km ball was never recorded, how Mishima couldn't even swing his bat because of the speed, and how the umpire mistook it for a ball because of how fast it was all came together beautifully when the last batter was not even considered as a threat anymore. It really sums up Koh's path towards the Koshien. Only a select few could see his real talent, while the majority always saw him as the underdog when in fact he was a monster all along.
You don't mean the manga series is over, do you?

[Munsu]

I very much doubt that the series will end here, though it would be an awesome ending the way it is. I think the final chapter, if he's going to end it now, will be chapter 160... it just makes sense.

Ending or not, Cross Game has been one of Adachi's best... maybe his best?

[RyougaZell]

The chapter itself is indeed awesome, but I too don't think it ended there, even if Adachi does love this open ended endings. 'The End' at the side of the chapter is there in every chapter after all.

Chapter 160 Munsu? Of only part 2 and 3, right?

Anyway. Every manga volume has 10 chapters, so if the series is ending it indeed needs 2 more of them.

[shinta|hikari]

I only said end of the match, not the manga. I just meant that the conclusion of that match was so awesome that even if it ended there it would still be Adachi's masterpiece.

This series is ending in the next two chapters I bet. I just hope we get a scene or epilogue with Koh and Aoba as a couple.

[Dark Dragon]

Amazing chapter.


Ending or not, Cross Game has been one of Adachi's best... maybe his best?

I've always had a soft spot for Katsu so it remain one of my favorite, but Cross Games is definitely one of his best. I think i prefer Cross Games overall compares to famous titles like H2 and Touch.

[Munsu]

Amazing chapter.



I've always had a soft spot for Katsu so it remain one of my favorite, but Cross Games is definitely one of his best. I think i prefer Cross Games overall compares to famous titles like H2 and Touch.
I was thinking of Katsu too, but I also hold Touch in high regard as it was my first Adachi series. Interestingly (or not) I haven't read the manga, just watched the anime and movies... maybe I should do that at some point.

I really liked Rough too, particularly how the confession at the end came about... though I wish the manga had one more chapter since we really didn't learn who won the match (if I remember correctly).

[Dark Dragon]

Yeah, Rough was really good.

The last volume feel so different compares to his other manga and i was shocked the first time i read it. I think i prefer the lack of clear winner because the whole point of it was Ami decision being unrelated to the sport.

[Munsu]

Yeah, Rough was really good.

The last volume feel so different compares to his other manga and i was shocked the first time i read it. I think i prefer the lack of clear winner because the whole point of it was Ami decision being unrelated to the sport.
Completely agree, I would've liked to know though... let's stop here since we're going a bit off-topic.

[shinta|hikari]

I think Cross Game is Adachi's masterpiece because it brings together so many of the elements that make his manga good. It has the tragedy, the comedy, the sport spirit, and the romance that he has developed through the making of his previous manga.

It is just that if you read Cross Game after Adachi's other works, it hardly seems original, and it seems to lose some points because of that. If I judge Cross Game as a standalone work, I think it surpasses all of its predecessors in numerous aspects, including art. All it lacks now is a proper ending and epilogue, and if Adachi manages that, I have no complaints (which is rare).

[Dark Dragon]

I have to say that up until this point i wasn't sure who Koh was going to end up with.

Do you guys think there's a chance for Akane and Azuma to develop a relationship? Or maybe that would feel too forced.


I think Cross Game is Adachi's masterpiece because it brings together so many of the elements that make his manga good. It has the tragedy, the comedy, the sport spirit, and the romance that he has developed through the making of his previous manga.

It is just that if you read Cross Game after Adachi's other works, it hardly seems original, and it seems to lose some points because of that. If I judge Cross Game as a standalone work, I think it surpasses all of its predecessors in numerous aspects, including art. All it lacks now is a proper ending and epilogue, and if Adachi manages that, I have no complaints (which is rare).

I see your point.

Katsu was my first Adachi work so maybe that's why it's my favorite. Up until that point my experience with sport manga was stuff like Prince of Tennis and Major so something so subtle definitely had a strong impression.

Maybe it's just me but i feel that Cross Games baseball aspect is a bit weak. This last game was amazing, but there have been so few great moment during matches. I think during the slice-of-life moments is when Cross Games really shine.

[shinta|hikari]

Definitely forced. Azuma is the stoic type. No one will feel sorry for him even if he does not end up with a prominent character in the story. Akaishi on the other hand, deserves to be with Akane.

[David75]

Definitely forced. Azuma is the stoic type. No one will feel sorry for him even if he does not end up with a prominent character in the story. Akaishi on the other hand, deserves to be with Akane.


For some reason, Azuma could be matched to Risa. We've seen her again in a chapter not too long ago, she's not very important, but she was there.

I loved that match too. I love how Azuma just finishes Mishima with his comment. I admitt I had to rewatch the last 2 pages to understand Koh only stroke out the remaining batter(s) to end the match.
Not having the speed measured for that pitch was a shame, when the ones just before were. But it's also a good way to remain closer to reality.
After all, a highschooler consistently pitching 155+ throws throughout an entire match is probably already not that possible. If he'd even break the 160 km/h limit, that would cross a line the author didn't want to.
Or he wants to keep that for the very important Koshien scene.

[Munsu]

For some reason, Azuma could be matched to Risa. We've seen her again in a chapter not too long ago, she's not very important, but she was there.

I loved that match too. I love how Azuma just finishes Mishima with his comment. I admitt I had to rewatch the last 2 pages to understand Koh only stroke out the remaining batter(s) to end the match.
Not having the speed measured for that pitch was a shame, when the ones just before were. But it's also a good way to remain closer to reality.
After all, a highschooler consistently pitching 155+ throws throughout an entire match is probably already not that possible. If he'd even break the 160 km/h limit, that would cross a line the author didn't want to.
Or he wants to keep that for the very important Koshien scene.
We really don't need the speed measurement to know he hit it... since we can see at the end the 3 statements from Koh that Aoba was uncertain about... first that he'll get to the Koshien, 2nd that he'll reach the 160 mark, and by extension... by making these two true, his third statement of "I like Aoba the best" becomes true. Which is why they mention it in succession at the end.

[shinta|hikari]

Indeed. It is an implied fact that the last pitch was 160km. He was hitting 157-158km before that, and Azuma's brother commented that the unmeasured pitch was the clearly fastest yet. It was 159 or up, and if the change was that noticeable, I am more inclined to believe it was 160 than 159.

[Munsu]

Reading around it does seem like the series has been confirmed to end in chapter 160. Hopefully it'll be a good ending, and hopefully Adachi starts a new weekly manga too soon afterwards.

[Marik]

Reading around it does seem like the series has been confirmed to end in chapter 160.
Yeah and it's going to be 24 pages long. Hopefully all the relationships get tied up and we aren't left hanging.

Edit:

oh and chapter will be out a bit later than usual due to some delay ^^ (expect it more around tuesday).

[Marik]

MangaDownloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c159_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20) | One Manga (http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/169/01/)

[Munsu]

MangaDownloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c159_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20)

Damnit, nice chapter overall, but damn short... by the way, that last picture of when they were kids makes me think that Koh is about to do something nasty with his long lost sister.

[RyougaZell]

Great chapter... but Im sad its coming to an end ._.

Everybody was like WTF is going on? Only The Tsukishimas, Azuma and his brother, Nakanishi and Akaishi seemed to know what was going on.

I guess next chapter will only be a fraction of the first game followed by the epilogue.

Nice touch to reverse the 'Its okay if I lie' question now on Aoba's turn.

[Dark Dragon]

Great chapter indeed.

I can't wait to see how this end. Quite sad that Cross Games is coming to an end.

I wonder if he plans to focus on Q and A or a new project altogether.

[Munsu]

Great chapter indeed.

I can't wait to see how this end. Quite sad that Cross Games is coming to an end.

I wonder if he plans to focus on Q and A or a new project altogether.
Considering that Q & A is a monthly manga, I would think he'll pick a weekly one eventually... but I don't think he'll do one just yet. We can hope though.

[shinta|hikari]

I hope the last chapter shows Koh and the team winning the Koshien tournament. They did beat Ryuoh after all. Also, some epilogue scenes between Koh and Aoba would be nice, as well as information on what happened to the rest of the characters. Still, I am not expecting much. Adachi is never really good at epilogues anyway.

[Marik]

I hope the last chapter shows Koh and the team winning the Koshien tournament. They did beat Ryuoh after all.

I want to see that too. I also want to see Ichi-nee's wedding to Junpei and everyone's involvement / reaction to it.

[Marik]

MangaDownloads

Download (http://www.mangadownloads.org/download.php?site=atha1&id=CrossGame&file=CrossGame_part3c160_%5BMangaDownloads%5D.zip% 20)

[Munsu]

And so ends what is arguably Adachi's best series. Great ending too, with not much of the ambiguousness that Adachi usally uses with his endings. All is pretty much clear cut.

[RyougaZell]

I definitely loved how he ended the series without being ambiguos. I still remember how the last chapter of Miyuki didn't feature the main characters. Though I was hoping we could see them in the Koshien as per Wakaba's dream. On second thought... it wouldn't have worked without Aoba in the field.

At least those two are finally admitting the truth.

I LOLed at Mizuki leaving. Nobody cared about him anyway. And even clown Senda managed to get in the last chapter. Hehe.

[David75]

I like the end. Subtle as most of the story.

Anyway hat would be the story for chapter 17?

[shinta|hikari]

I loved the picture with the both of them. It really captures the kind of relationship they have. Their expressions are simply perfect.

[Augury]

Echoing the others here - great series, and a good ending that is much better than how Adachi has ended his other works.

[Dark Dragon]

Koh & Aoba, Akane & Akaishi, Junpei & Ichiyo. Mizuki disappears into obscurity.

Perfect ending, i couldn't ask for more.

[shinta|hikari]

I also liked the fact that Azuma seems to not be all that hurt by how things turned out, mainly because he probably liked Koh more than he liked Aoba.

[Munsu]

I also liked the fact that Azuma seems to not be all that hurt by how things turned out, mainly because he probably liked Koh more than he liked Aoba.
He owes Koh big time regardless.

[Marik]

Adachi is releasing a new baseball manga.


Story of female high school team manager from Cross Game's Mitsuru Adachi

The 21st issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine is announcing on Wednesday that Mitsuru Adachi, the manga creator best known for coming-of-age sports manga such as Touch and Cross Game, is launching a new baseball series called Asaoka Kōkō Yakyū-Bu Nisshi - Over Fence (Asaoka High School Baseball Team Journal - Over Fence) in the next issue. The story will center around Minori, the female manager of a high school baseball team.

Source: News: Touch's Adachi to Launch New Over Fence Baseball Manga (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-17/touch-adachi-to-launch-new-over-fence-baseball-manga)

[Dark Dragon]

I was wondering when he was going to do another series. Q and A was more like a side project rather than an actual series he was working on.

[Marik]

Chapter 1 of Adachi's new series Over Fence, has been out for a couple of days. Did anyone else check it out?

[Immortal Abyss] Over Fence c.01: SendSpace (http://www.sendspace.com/file/76fl44) | MediaFire (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2v422aj1y829515)

[I Eat Manga] Over Fence c.01: SendSpace (http://www.sendspace.com/file/s3ztsk) | MediaFire (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?8xrrmg6qg3nhfq1)

[RyougaZell]

Very nice. You should make a new thread for this though.