Mitsuru Adachi (1951-) is known as one of the pillars of modern shonen and sports manga. In every way imaginable Adachi is a true veteran of Japan's comic scene. He debuted in 1972 drawing adaptations of TV series and would eventually progress to drawing short series focusing on high school baseball. He would eventually break through with his work NINE. His follow up MIYUKI is known in Japan as the original shonen rom-com but while there is quite a bit of humor, this particular title incorporates many somber themes that have made it one of the most memorable manga of all time. Through his career, Adachi has penned over fifteen series and his works have sold more than 200,000,000 units in Japan.

"Adachi brings plenty in this short story collection in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of his popular baseball manga, Touch, which has shockingly never been localized in North America.The stories are mostly vignettes peering into the lives of people who happen to play or are enthusiastic about baseball, spanning multiple genres. There are tales of affection that burns slowly over time, slapstick comedy, and contemplations about moments of defeat or triumph. It's a varied and nuanced collection that doesn't require any knowledge of baseball. Illustrated in a bubbly, retro style representative of the period in which Adachi feels most at home, this collection is a nostalgic read that has potential to draw in readers who enjoy sports and classic manga, as well as those looking for some light romantic comedy. Appealing to both teens and adults, with protagonists in both age groups, this is a great crossover title." - Booklist

Publisher: Denpa Books

Pub date: 2025-06-24

Length: 202 pages