Nine is a vintage manga from the late '70s, created by the mangaka who later gifted us with Touch and H2, among other works. It's much shorter than his more famous creations but still offers a solid blend of romance and sports manga, provided you can embrace some of its old-school elements.
The story begins somewhat awkwardly: two best friends, a middle school judo star and a track star, decide to join their high school's struggling baseball team because they both instantly develop a crush on the team's manager, who also happens to be the coach's daughter. As it turns out, the judo star wasn't really serious about her but continues playing baseball anyway, leaving the track star as the lone protagonist pursuing her affections, naturally facing competition from less desirable rivals.
Yes, it stretches credibility, even within the fantastical realm of shounen sports manga. However, once these initial hiccups are resolved and the focus shifts to playing baseball, dating, and personal growth, it evolves into a rather enjoyable manga. The main couple genuinely cares for each other and shares several heartfelt moments. The baseball scenes occasionally veer into silliness, but it's rewarding to witness how the team bonds and evolves over three years—this isn't a group that magically clicks in a single season. By the manga's conclusion, I genuinely found myself fond of this quirky ensemble.
That said, it is undeniably old-school. The fashion is exceedingly conservative. Hairstyles are either exaggeratedly large or shaved. The relationship dynamics feel somewhat stiff and outdated.
In summary, if you can overlook the clumsy start and don't mind its retro charm, this manga becomes an engaging read for anyone who appreciates a mix of romance in their sports manga or sports in their romantic comedies.
Popular Reviews
The story begins somewhat awkwardly: two best friends, a middle school judo star and a track star, decide to join their high school's struggling baseball team because they both instantly develop a crush on the team's manager, who also happens to be the coach's daughter. As it turns out, the judo star wasn't really serious about her but continues playing baseball anyway, leaving the track star as the lone protagonist pursuing her affections, naturally facing competition from less desirable rivals.
Yes, it stretches credibility, even within the fantastical realm of shounen sports manga. However, once these initial hiccups are resolved and the focus shifts to playing baseball, dating, and personal growth, it evolves into a rather enjoyable manga. The main couple genuinely cares for each other and shares several heartfelt moments. The baseball scenes occasionally veer into silliness, but it's rewarding to witness how the team bonds and evolves over three years—this isn't a group that magically clicks in a single season. By the manga's conclusion, I genuinely found myself fond of this quirky ensemble.
That said, it is undeniably old-school. The fashion is exceedingly conservative. Hairstyles are either exaggeratedly large or shaved. The relationship dynamics feel somewhat stiff and outdated.
In summary, if you can overlook the clumsy start and don't mind its retro charm, this manga becomes an engaging read for anyone who appreciates a mix of romance in their sports manga or sports in their romantic comedies.
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