There’s a lot of manga out there that runs under the radar outside of Japan that’s been around for what feels like forever and it always feels like a loss when you do learn about them, usually because they’re ending. The Dokaben manga from Shinji Mizushima has been running since 1972 and has its final chapter coming up next week. While the series rebranded along the way with a new title under Dream Tournament Arc, the upcoming 33rd volume that wraps up the series will be the 203rd volume overall.
203 volumes.
That’s just craziness and deserves a lot more attention and recognition.
The original manga got an anime adaptation that began in 1976 that ran for 163 episodes as well as a live-action film.
Plot Concept: Tarou “Dokaben” Yamada, who was a judoist while at junior high, enters Meikun High School and is talked into joining the baseball club. He displays his superb athletic abilities in baseball and becomes well-known as a hard hitter. He and his unique teammates establish Meikun a solid position as No.1 in the High School Baseball Championship games.
[Source: ANN]
