The broken

amazing book

I love the story and it's one of my favorites! But I want to know if things change for her and her mother in law at the end. You could easily make another book to continue on with the story and adventures.

As neither a die-hard fan of Adachi Mitsuru's works nor a regular manga enthusiast, I somehow felt compelled to pen this review.  

At first glance, "H2" might appear to be a conventional coming-of-age story filled with familiar character archetypes often seen in today's shounen genre—boys falling deeply in love even through static imagery. If not for my curiosity, sparked by a desire to deepen my appreciation for a particular mangaka's character designs, I would have likely overlooked the tale of an unassuming athlete whose life is driven by unspoken affection and an unwavering passion for baseball—a premise that unfolds over 34 volumes.  

I wish I could convey my enthusiasm for baseball and explain just how profoundly "H2" resonates with those who share that love. Unfortunately, baseball has never been a subject that inspired me to write at length. That said, despite my initial lack of interest in the sport, the panels depicting it throughout the series were engaging enough to prompt me to explore more about the Koushien tournament and its stories of youthful ambition and talent.  

34 volumes. 338 chapters. Thoughts on a sport I've never tuned into, yet here I am.  

So, what exactly did I get myself into?  

It was the scattered chapters nestled between arcs of tournaments and training that truly captivated me, keeping me hooked despite the series' considerable length. The nostalgic daydreams brought forth by childhood memories, juxtaposed with present-day realities, created a compelling narrative thread. A young Hikari teasing Hiro about his height, followed by the bittersweet expression of the adult Hikari pondering what might have been; a monologue from a pinch hitter caught in the midst of his childhood crush's conversation with his best friend, leading to whispered words of encouragement for their upcoming date—all set against the backdrop of a horizon painted in solemn grays. These moments evoke a rush of emotions, conveyed through rare panels where eye contact alone tells the entire story.  

From the deceptively simple character designs, where bold eyes speak volumes through subtle shifts in their pupils, to the seamless blend of sports and drama that redefines the genre's formula—where victory is not the end but rather a fleeting reminder of time's passage—"H2" remains a remarkable work, timeless despite its age and sprawling narrative.

Out of Adachi's three major baseball mangas, H2 is the weakest.  

The issues with this manga include poor pacing and an underwhelming ending after being stretched over 300 chapters. It's a challenging read; similar to some of Adachi's other works, it has a brief spike in quality towards the end but also includes some very bad humor and filler pages.  

On the positive side, the side characters are enjoyable and have some compelling backstories, even if they're quickly forgotten after their respective arcs conclude.  

However, the most significant flaw is that Hiro and Hideo seem to lack substantial growth throughout the series. There isn't much visible development in their characters. Hikari and Haruka show some development, but Hikari's growth only becomes apparent near the end.  

In conclusion, the final rating is a 6. This manga isn't terrible by any means, but when you consider Cross Game, H2 isn't one I would personally recommend.  

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<p>I just wrapped up this manga a few hours ago and felt an immediate urge to pen down a review while it was still fresh in my mind. However, after finishing the last page, I took a few hours to reflect on what I had read. Let me start by mentioning that I hadn't previously explored any of Adachi Mitsuru's works. After hearing great things about this mangaka, I decided to dive into one of his completed yet relatively recent series, H2. With Touch often praised as a groundbreaking story for its time, H2 beautifully showcases the exceptional style Adachi brings to his narratives—a seamless blend of sports and heartfelt romance.</p>

<p>Don't be misled by the surface-level premise. While it's primarily a baseball-themed sports story, the driving force behind the plot is the romance. H2 has two core elements: the baseball aspect and the romantic relationships. Hiro Kunimi and Hideo Tachibana are childhood friends who met in middle school and, like many close friends, ended up attending different high schools. Hiro is the star pitcher, and Hideo is the powerful cleanup batter. A significant part of the story explores their friendship and how it’s tested as they both strive relentlessly to win the championship.</p>

<p>That said, as I mentioned earlier, while the baseball element is crucial, it wouldn't shine without the romance. This is where Adachi truly excels. He masterfully weaves an intense and touching love story into the world of sports. Typically, sports stories include light comedy and hints of romance that aren’t fully developed. In contrast, Adachi's works stand out because romance plays a central role in many pivotal moments. The narrative features a love quadrangle involving Hiro, Hideo, their childhood friend Hikari Amamiya, and Hiro's baseball team manager, Haruka Koga. Adachi not only emphasizes romance but also skillfully intertwines it with baseball.</p>

<p>A point worth discussing is Adachi's art style. While it may not be the most visually appealing, it serves its purpose effectively. It lacks intricate details and polished aesthetics, and many minor (and even some major) characters look strikingly similar. This similarity extends across Adachi's various works, with characters from one manga resembling those in H2. However, the simplicity of his art makes it easy to follow, especially during the baseball games. You can clearly understand what's happening in every panel.</p>

<p>Although the primary focus of the romance-sports story revolves around the four main characters, Adachi introduces a well-rounded cast of supporting characters (many of whom share similar appearances) to further develop the protagonists and highlight their strengths. Unique scenarios arise, making the romantic quadrangle even more intriguing. Beyond the supporting cast, Adachi does an excellent job developing the two main leads, Hiro and Hideo. Although their personalities don't undergo drastic changes, you can sense a clear evolution from the first chapter to the final one.</p>

<p>With all these foundational elements in place, it was up to Adachi to tie them together and create an engaging experience. To my surprise, when I tentatively picked up this manga, I was quickly hooked after reading the initial chapters. I spent countless hours at home—and even during breaks at work—eager to find out what happens next. Who will Hiro and Hideo end up with? Who will win the championships? What makes the story so captivating is Adachi's ability to throw unexpected twists your way just when you think you have everything figured out, keeping you thoroughly engaged throughout.</p>

<p>There are a couple of downsides to the story. One notable issue is the abrupt ending. Don't misunderstand; there is a conclusion, but it feels rushed. After 337 chapters building suspense toward the climactic showdown between Hiro and Hideo—and ultimately, determining who ends up with whom—the author seems to wrap things up hastily. It leaves a somewhat unsatisfying impression, as if the creator grew tired or became preoccupied with other projects.</p>

<p>Adachi chronicles Hiro's and Hideo's three years of high school baseball, giving readers a strong sense of time passing and allowing them to witness the characters' growth as athletes and in their romantic pursuits. Just when you think you've matched everyone correctly, emotional twists change the dynamics, for better or worse. In essence, if you're a sports enthusiast looking for a story where sports and romance intersect meaningfully, H2 is likely to meet your expectations. Similarly, if you're a fan of romance, H2 could satisfy your cravings. Adachi takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the lives of these young adults.</p>

Masterpiece  

I began reading H2 hoping to indulge in more of Adachi's subtle humor and his exceptional slice-of-life storytelling, which is present in all of his manga. However, by the end, H2 turned out to be the Best Manga I have ever read. The night I finished it, I couldn't sleep, and for a few days afterward, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Out of all the mangas I've read, this is the one that left the most significant impact on me.  

If someone is just starting with Adachi Mitsuru's works, I highly recommend beginning with H2. The main character Adachi often uses is quite similar across his various works. Although the main character is incredibly influential, if you're familiar with Adachi's style, you can somewhat predict their behavior.  

It is the most detailed sports and romance manga in all of Adachi's work, particularly excelling in both romance and baseball. Some might find the baseball details tedious, but every romantic moment more than makes up for it.  

SPOILER**: ABOUT THE ENDING. While the ending wasn't what I had hoped for, and I was angry at Adachi for days after finishing H2, as time passed, I came to terms with it. Looking back, there were hints throughout the manga about how it would end. But accepting it is still heart-wrenching. The main character is truly the best. He's so admirable that many readers may start to dislike the main female character because of her actions.  

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Adachi Mitsuru's "H2" is a charming and straightforward narrative about two young men discovering their place in the world of baseball. It also serves as a testament to why the sports genre holds such power in storytelling.

Renowned for his work on "Touch," "Katsu," and more recently, "Cross Game," Adachi Mitsuru has rightly secured his status as one of manga's most influential artists. Critics might argue that his stories are repetitive (just how many baseball manga has he crafted by now?), but there's a reason he seldom deviates: no one else blends the slice-of-life and sports genres with such grace. "H2" is yet another example of why Adachi's storytelling remains so compelling.

The story revolves around the rivalry between ace pitcher Kunimi Hiro and his best friend, Tachibana Hideo. After receiving a medical diagnosis indicating his shoulder is about to fail, Hiro reluctantly gives up pitching and transfers to a high school without a baseball team. Unexpected events reignite his passion for the sport, and a newspaper article reveals that the doctor who advised him to quit was unlicensed and subsequently arrested. Hiro's shoulder was fine all along—he can pitch again without concern. Instead of transferring to another school, he decides to transform Senkawa's struggling baseball club into a legitimate team, determined to face Hideo at Koshien.

However, the real challenge isn't the game itself. The girl Hiro loves is also Hideo's girlfriend, and all three are aware of this. While Hideo trusts Hiro not to cross boundaries, Hiro regrets not pursuing her sooner. As childhood friends, weren't Hiro and Hikari destined for each other?

"H2" excels primarily in its character development. Despite their athletic prowess, neither protagonist conforms to the clichéd 'good guy vs. bad guy' trope. Both characters possess inherent flaws, making their friendship feel genuine and relatable. Their skills on the field aren't attributed to superhuman abilities or secret techniques. Even initially antagonistic characters, like Kine, evolve into likable figures by the story's conclusion. One of the toughest feats in character writing—transforming an enemy into a friend—is achieved here with remarkable authenticity.

Given the expansive cast (numerous players per team, plus extras), it's unsurprising some characters fade once their arcs conclude. However, the matches remain engaging thanks to distinct personalities assigned to opposing teams. For instance, Senkawa's primary rival, Eikyo, features a coach and starting pitcher whose conflicts cleverly contrast Hiro's pitching style. Over time, readers grow to detest Eikyo, rooting for their failures. There's a tangible reason to care about these matches beyond the typical "hero must win" formula.

Each match carries a suspenseful tension rarely found in other sports manga. Expected victories turn into losses, while anticipated defeats transform into triumphs. Adachi skillfully incorporates foreshadowing and red herrings without resorting to abrupt plot twists.

"H2" boasts a... peculiar sense of humor. Characters frequently break the fourth wall (e.g., lamenting limited panel time) and Adachi often references his previous works or personal thoughts. In one memorable moment, Hiro comments on his perfect vision, only to squint at the lazily drawn blobs in the stands, reacting with mock shock. Yes, the author poked fun at his own artwork—a stroke of self-deprecating brilliance.

The art in "H2" is simple yet elegant. Silent panels showcasing scenery immerse readers in the setting, while the story unfolds visually rather than through exposition. Even during intense moments, the mangaka trusts the audience's intelligence, allowing them to interpret events through the artwork. Action sequences during baseball games are effortlessly followed due to the clean art style. There's never confusion about what transpired.

Spanning 34 volumes, "H2" is the longest manga I've ever read. Yet, it felt too brief. No filler arcs exist; every panel contributes meaningfully to character growth or humor. My sole complaint lies in its abrupt ending. Given the otherwise impeccable pacing, wrapping everything up in a single chapter feels rushed. A few more chapters—or ideally, an entire volume—would have been preferable. We're left with assumptions rather than definitive conclusions, which seems unsatisfactory.

Regardless of your interest in sports or slice-of-life genres, "H2" is essential reading. It beautifully balances entertainment with quality, offering pure joy. I deliberately slowed my pace because I didn't want the story to end—an ultimate compliment to any manga. Adachi Mitsuru can assuredly continue doing what he does best—delighting his audience.

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i really loved reading this plss con.