Cross Manage is a cute little four volume manga from Viz that’s being put out through their app. As I said, I picked up the first two volumes (the only ones that are out at the moment) on a whim because it was a comic about lacrosse, and I just couldn’t believe that.
It’s written and drawn by KAITO, and by all indications it’s likely his or her first major work. As a debut work, it’s really good. As a work overall, it’s so far pretty good. The artwork is good in stills, but is still lacking in its action shots. The comedic reaction shots remind me of Kiyohiko Azuma’s stuff. If you’ve got the comic, check out page 29 of the first volume. That first panel reaction shot of Toyoguchi is totally Yotsuba.
The comic is a little different in its premise because the main character, Sakurai, is actually the male manager of an all-girls lacrosse team. He used to be a soccer player, but got injured and can’t play anymore.
You’ve still got your dumb character in Toyoguchi, who doesn’t seem to get it and never has it all together. But it’s all right, she’s the main character’s love interest and the woman who got Sakurai interested in anything again.
I picked up these volumes on sale for 4 bucks a pop, but even with Viz’s increase in digital pricing, they’ll still be worth it in my eyes. I’m a sucker for anything sports and musical, after all. While this isn’t musical, it definitely is sports. It has all the feelings of failing over and over again and finally seeing that failure (Toyoguchi) succeed. It’s the greatest feeling and it’s why I love sports anime.
Kory Cerjak
I podcast about sports manga and anime at the Taiiku Podcast, talk about manga at Manga In Your Ears, and (you may know this one) write about manga and anime at the Fandom Post. I tweet about sports too.
Why no mention of Free!, Knight in the Area, Ginga e Kickoff, or Kuroko’s Basketball?!
I didn’t mention Ginga e Kickoff, because I didn’t know it existed. But I mentioned everything else. Name dropped, if you will.
I would just about shed blood for a legit release of Touch. I’m still holding out a faint hope that Right Stuf or somebody else will pick it up someday.