Fated Damnation

Love this sequel to book one

Cross Game is a manga that I initially didn't enjoy as much as I had anticipated, but over time, I grew to like it more than expected. Here's my review of this manga.

Story: 7/10  
The story isn't particularly unique, being a slice of life after all. However, it does possess some distinctive story elements. I appreciate how the manga focuses less on baseball games and more on the relationships between characters. The storyline is certainly good and intriguing at certain points. While there are baseball games involved, what matters more is why the characters play baseball and what their dreams are, which is an excellent aspect of the story.

Characters: 10/10  
The characters were exceptionally well-developed. I really enjoyed the relationship between Kou and Aoba, and other strong character dynamics include Wakaba with Akane, Wakaba with Kou, Wakaba with Aoba, Azuma with Aoba, Azuma with Kou, Junpei with Ichiyou, and many others. My favorite character from this manga is Kou—he genuinely puts effort into his romantic interests, even if it doesn't seem obvious at first glance.

I disliked Mizuki because he's just an incel who wants to marry Aoba, who happens to be his cousin, although his character development is acceptable. The rest of the cast was truly remarkable.

Aoba and Kou's relationship develops in very positive ways that you will likely appreciate.

Art: 9/10  
The artwork is skillfully done, and I really enjoy it. The volume covers are especially impressive. The panels are well-designed—nothing overly special, but they're still great.

Enjoyment: 8/10  
Oh boy, let me explain my journey with this manga. Initially, I liked it, but around chapters 10-20, I thought it wasn't as good as I had hoped. However, after chapter 40, it became better than expected, and I genuinely enjoyed it. I had a wonderful experience with this manga and look forward to exploring other works by the mangaka.

Overall: 9/10  
This is a fantastic manga that you should read if you enjoy slice of life stories with emotional depth. It's not heavily focused on baseball but rather on the relationships between characters, making it perfect for those who aren't big fans of the sports genre. I give it a 9/10 and highly recommend this series to all my friends who enjoy slice of life.

I genuinely had a great fondness for this manga. It was exceptional, and because of it, I now understand and play baseball much better than I used to. This manga was both humorous and romantic.  

I truly adore the story. In the first chapter, it was so emotionally impactful that it brought tears to my eyes, especially with that ending song—it was overwhelming. I love how they took baseball and transformed it into an incredible romantic-comedy with a touch of drama.  

Just a note: if you have no clue what happens in baseball, this manga is an amazing learning tool while enjoying such a fantastic story.  

The anime is also fantastic; they didn't alter the source material, unlike some other adaptations.  

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The slice of life manga at its finest. By blending comedy, romance, and a significant dose of baseball, Adachi crafts an epic tale with subtle depth. Although Adachi occasionally throws in some cheesy jokes, the humor remains engaging throughout the series, complementing the strong emotions of his well-crafted characters. The character design may reflect an older style, but it feels fresh and harmonizes beautifully with the narrative; paired with intricate backgrounds, the artwork deserves top marks. You DON'T need to be a baseball enthusiast to fully appreciate this manga. I once thought baseball wasn't cool. After finishing Cross Game, my perspective completely shifted, and I now count myself among its biggest fans. Cross Game might be my favorite manga, though it's tough to compare works from different genres.  
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In short: it's exceptionally great for all ages. You should definitely read it. <p>

I recently finished reading Cross Game, and it was truly an enjoyable experience!  

If you're into sports, romance, or drama manga, this is definitely worth checking out.  

The dynamics between Ko, the main character, and Aoba, the second lead, as well as their interactions with the rest of the cast, are fascinating and deeply satisfying.  

There are plenty of lighthearted moments, balanced perfectly by equally numerous sad and intense scenes.  

While some baseball games are briefly covered, the crucial matches delve deep into strategy, and the artwork during these high-stakes moments is particularly striking.  

The art style is simple yet appealing, and while it might not appeal to everyone, I believe it complements the story beautifully.  

The narrative concludes with a few open-ended elements, leaving some outcomes to the reader's imagination, but it wraps up on a heartwarming note.  

At only 19 volumes, the series feels just right — concise and to the point.  

Personally, I would rate it a 7.5/10 overall.

"Cross Game" stands as one of Adachi's finest creations.  

The first volume of the manga ranks among the very best I've encountered in my extensive reading of manga. Adachi masterfully crafts the relationship between Koh and Wakaba, weaving intricate details that leave no doubt about their compatibility, even from a young age. He excels further in portraying Aoba's jealousy over the time Wakaba spends with Koh. And then, tragedy unfolds.  

Adachi's depiction of the varied reactions from family, friends, and acquaintances is remarkably authentic.  

The dynamic interplay between characters often leaves readers guessing about the direction Adachi intends to take the series—a testament to his skillful storytelling. Having read nearly all of Adachi's works, I was able to predict the conclusion for the main characters, but the author skillfully introduced unexpected twists midway through the series that kept me engaged. The ending felt neither forced nor contrived, leaving me thoroughly satisfied—an experience starkly different from my disappointment with the conclusion of the "H2" manga.  

The artwork reflects Adachi's continued evolution in style, surpassing his earlier works. While traces of his signature touch from series like "Nine" and "Touch" persist, his artistic maturity has significantly advanced. I continue to appreciate his gentle lines and his adept conveyance of emotions and action, including his trademark comedic flair.  

All primary characters are convincingly portrayed, and most secondary characters are well-developed. The sole exception is Senda, whose personality exhibits little growth or development from junior high through high school, despite some modest progression as a player. This lack of character evolution is the primary reason for the less-than-perfect rating in this category.  

In summary, I immensely enjoyed this series and have included it in my list of all-time favorites. If you appreciate romantic comedies with a touch of baseball, I wholeheartedly recommend this series. Even if sports manga isn't typically your genre, give this one a try—you might be pleasantly surprised and develop a fondness for it. The baseball serves merely as a backdrop for the overarching romance, though it's evident that Adachi harbors a deep affection for the sport.  

Go. Read it now. I believe you'll enjoy it.  

(Note: An overly-sensitive individual complained about my mention of an event occurring in the FIRST EPISODE, the subsequent impact on the main characters, and my reference to their aspiration to reach Koushien. Despite the necessary edits, I hope the review remains coherent, though it may not flow as smoothly as before. Credit such disruptions to those who equate any plot detail with a spoiler.)

Here we go again. Mitsuru Adachi's Cross Game was cool? Not great, but definitely entertaining. I'm going to take a wild guess and assume this is your first encounter with Mitsuru Adachi. If it isn't, whoops. If it is, fantastic! In my case, I've seen and read much of his previous work; and with very few exceptions, all of it feels the same to me. Miyuki and Nijiro Tougarashi stand out more. Not counting Katsu, because it involves some baseball. Sorry to rain on the parade, but this guy has a set formula for writing an emotional romance story that just happens to have baseball sprinkled in, and people fall for it every time. It's not a bad formula, mind you, it's just one he uses repeatedly! He doesn't really experiment with his baseball plotlines; he just adds minor differences with each story. Throw in some different characters with slightly varied backgrounds in a slightly altered location. I won't delve too deeply into this review. All you need to know is that it's a romance story with baseball elements.

Ko Kitamura, what can I say? The kid is quite the badass protagonist. Admittedly, the characters in this manga are pretty enjoyable. Ko is good friends with the Tsukishima sisters. Ichiyo, the eldest sister, doesn't really do much except occasionally offer sound life advice to her siblings and Ko. Wakaba, the second oldest, is madly in love with Ko and is the only one who truly sees his immense potential for baseball. She always wants to be around him and believes that one day he will reach the Koushien, which is this massive baseball championship for Japanese high school students. Aoba, the third oldest, she's more than your typical tsundere character. If I were completely honest, I would say that Aoba is, debatably, the most developed character in the entire manga. It's subtle, but it's evident that she undergoes a significant change by the end. Initially, she just hated Ko because he got all the attention from Wakaba. However, her feelings and opinions about Ko gradually evolve throughout the manga as their relationship develops. Lastly, there's Momiji, the youngest. She's just there for comic relief, and that's all. And yes, some jokes are funny, others not so much.

I'll be a little vague when discussing my frustrations with this manga. Going into too much detail might lead to spoilers. What bothers me most about this manga is that Adachi employs the same formula for most of his series. First, he presents his manga as this calm and relaxing slice-of-life, then he grabs your attention by creating some tragedy and drama to emotionally invest the reader/viewer, then the main character dedicates all his time to working towards the Koushien. It's always the Koushien!!! I'm being somewhat vague with this explanation; however, you have no idea how accurate it is. "Well, if it annoys you that much, why did you give it a 6 out of 10?" <---- (That's you asking the question, lol.) I gave it that score because the formula works. I hate to admit it, but it's true. It's like how I feel about Galneryus. Galneryus is a Japanese Power Metal band that I absolutely adore. I find their music incredible. My only complaint with the band is that many of their songs sound similar. They have a handful of tracks that sound more distinct, but most of their catalog blends together. They found a good formula to work with, it's just that they overuse that formula. That's precisely how I feel about Mitsuru Adachi's writing. I always return to his manga because reading his work is oddly refreshing. The innocent nature and lack of fanservice always draw me in. Okay, there's a touch of fanservice. The ending is open-ended as usual. It's strangely dissatisfying every single time. The manga gives context clues about what happens afterward, but it still frustrates me. This will likely be the last time I review Adachi's work. I think I'm done now. Cross Game did everything right, so I can't really condemn this manga. I was just unimpressed the entire time. I'll give this manga a 6 out of 10. I kinda like it, and I would lightly recommend it.

And don't read Mix. Mix is a soulless sequel that shamelessly copies a vastly superior series that shall not be named. I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Dutch.

After being recommended, I read Cross Game. So how was it? If you want a short answer, it's AWESOME!  

I have never been a fan of sports manga or anime before, and I don't know much about baseball (well, except that it's played in Japan and America, ;P). But I am a fan of romance, and Cross Game, despite being sports-focused, portrays romance in one of the most beautiful ways imaginable.  

The character development is fantastic. Aoba's growing feelings for Koh and his subtle affection for her are expressed so well that you won't find any moment boring. Mitsuru Adachi's art is refreshing, and his plot doesn't feel like it drags at any point.  

The characters—all of them—are a wonderful addition to the story. Rarely do you come across a manga where the supporting characters don't detract from the main plot with their own subplots. Azuma, Akaishi, Nakanishi, and the rest of the Seishu players enhance an already enjoyable narrative. However, I felt that Mizuki's inclusion was unnecessary, and the story could have done without him. But that's just a minor flaw.  

Cross Game places a strong emphasis on human emotions, character growth, and bonds, making it enjoyable for any reader. Are you a sports fan? This is definitely for you (and oh, baseball enthusiasts will surely find it delightful—hopefully, someone will explain it to me).  

But what if you're a shojo fan who loves romances? Well, I'm surprised myself, but to be honest, this is one of the best romantic mangas I've read so far. There's no sexualization, no kisses, no hand-holding—just pure, simple love between two school kids. Just read it; you'll love it, I can guarantee that!