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All Rounder Meguru #1
オールラウンダー廻 1
総合格闘技『修斗』に打ち込む高校生の廻は、小学時代の友人である喬と、リングの上で7年ぶりの再会を果たす。しかし、昔は気の合う仲だった2人だが、育った環境の違いからタカシはメグルを敵視する。再会の喜びを交わすことなく、旧友同士の試合が始まってしまうのだった――。
196 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2009
About the author
Hiroki Endo
151 books99 followersHiroki Endo (遠藤浩輝) is a Japanese mangaka born on 1970 in Akita Prefecture. He graduated from Musashino Art University. He is best known for his science-fiction series Eden: It's an Endless World, which has been translated into English by Dark Horse.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 30, 2018
All-Rounder Meguru is so very middle-of-the-road for me - it’s all-round mediocre! - that I find it hard to even muster up the energy to review it as I didn’t feel strongly about it either way. Eh, let’s give it a shot anyway - I like a challenge!
Part of the problem is that there isn’t really a story. Meguru is an amateur fighter getting into MMA, doing the training, having his first matches; Takashi is Meguru’s childhood friend who’s doing the same but is also out to avenge his yakuza father who was murdered. It doesn’t have a driving plot or much of anything. They train, they fight, and not much of the thin story advances - Takashi’s vengeance subplot is anticlimactically dealt with.
Nor does it help that neither character is especially compelling or unique. Meguru is kinda bland but vaguely likeable in his guilelessness; Takashi is stoic. Wow, so impressive! I also didn’t find the actual fights themselves all that interesting.
I didn’t dislike the book though. The training was weirdly fun to read despite being straightforward and the brief glimpses into Meguru and Takashi’s lives were kinda engaging - Meguru is unwittingly used by a girl he likes to make her boyfriend jealous while Takashi has a complex relationship with a mysterious ex. And, while Meguru might not be the most enthralling protagonist, he is endearing enough that I ended up wanting him to succeed. I like underdogs who follow their dreams and dare to take the road less travelled rather than settle for dull jobs and lives, as much of a cliche as that is.
The art is generic manga-style but not unappealing for that. The character designs are a bit too similar though so the fights were hard to follow at times - who’s winning/who’re we meant to be rooting for? And Hiroki Endo has this odd shading technique where, from side angles, character’s eyes on the far side are shaded out so it looks like they’re missing an eye!
I can’t say I was that bored reading this but neither was I that interested and I’m not sure I’ll even continue with the series as I’m hardly champing at the bit to find out what happens next - or maybe I will, who knows? Am I damning this with faint praise? I definitely am, but that’s how it is sometimes! It should be called “All-Rounder Meh-guru” - wakka wakka!
Part of the problem is that there isn’t really a story. Meguru is an amateur fighter getting into MMA, doing the training, having his first matches; Takashi is Meguru’s childhood friend who’s doing the same but is also out to avenge his yakuza father who was murdered. It doesn’t have a driving plot or much of anything. They train, they fight, and not much of the thin story advances - Takashi’s vengeance subplot is anticlimactically dealt with.
Nor does it help that neither character is especially compelling or unique. Meguru is kinda bland but vaguely likeable in his guilelessness; Takashi is stoic. Wow, so impressive! I also didn’t find the actual fights themselves all that interesting.
I didn’t dislike the book though. The training was weirdly fun to read despite being straightforward and the brief glimpses into Meguru and Takashi’s lives were kinda engaging - Meguru is unwittingly used by a girl he likes to make her boyfriend jealous while Takashi has a complex relationship with a mysterious ex. And, while Meguru might not be the most enthralling protagonist, he is endearing enough that I ended up wanting him to succeed. I like underdogs who follow their dreams and dare to take the road less travelled rather than settle for dull jobs and lives, as much of a cliche as that is.
The art is generic manga-style but not unappealing for that. The character designs are a bit too similar though so the fights were hard to follow at times - who’s winning/who’re we meant to be rooting for? And Hiroki Endo has this odd shading technique where, from side angles, character’s eyes on the far side are shaded out so it looks like they’re missing an eye!
I can’t say I was that bored reading this but neither was I that interested and I’m not sure I’ll even continue with the series as I’m hardly champing at the bit to find out what happens next - or maybe I will, who knows? Am I damning this with faint praise? I definitely am, but that’s how it is sometimes! It should be called “All-Rounder Meh-guru” - wakka wakka!
June 2, 2021
I'm sorta indifferent to the main character and his childhood friend, but I really like martial arts as a sport and an art so this has some appeal for me.
Please pity my wife though as I asked her to walk through a counter with me because I didn't think it would work as it was illustrated. And, I was right. The principle was absolutely correct but the leg placement did not work unless the characters are way more limber than either of us (which is possible).
Please pity my wife though as I asked her to walk through a counter with me because I didn't think it would work as it was illustrated. And, I was right. The principle was absolutely correct but the leg placement did not work unless the characters are way more limber than either of us (which is possible).
December 8, 2018
Wow, finally a true sports series that's actually all about sports! All-Rounder Meguru is about mixed martial arts, Shooto. It starts from Meguru and Takashi's childhood, how they both lost their mothers and how they indulged themselves with martial arts to become stronger. Then Takashi moved away and they reunite again later on, but Takashi is someone else now with relations to yakuza. Meguru decides to become a real fighter and aims for becoming a pro and it would seem that Takashi aims for the same. I really like the conflict between them and how the sports is depicted so thoroughly. Every move and every angle serves a purpose and this is surely so much more. It's evident this is seinen and I love how the manga handles the setting, but perhaps for someone not into this kind of sports manga, All-Rounder Meguru may seem boring.
The art is solid and very masculine and the characters tend to have wooden faces. It works actually and I like the grave and stale art work, since it's still very precise and detailed. I'm glad the series isn't just about sports though, but we have the guys' relationship there too. All-Rounder Meguru is a well made series and it's awesome we have this in English. We need more sports manga!
The art is solid and very masculine and the characters tend to have wooden faces. It works actually and I like the grave and stale art work, since it's still very precise and detailed. I'm glad the series isn't just about sports though, but we have the guys' relationship there too. All-Rounder Meguru is a well made series and it's awesome we have this in English. We need more sports manga!
February 3, 2015
Head and shoulders above any other fighting manga in the realism department, down the the gay grappling jokes. The author must have an incredible reference library, as all the art is spot on perfect representations of technique and excellent in a clean semi-realistic style I really like. Anyone who's ever trained a combat sport will enjoy the level of detail and, as another reviewer put it, "the constant taste of failure." The main character gets rolled over constantly, and loses more than he wins. His only talents being tenacity and occasional mimicry puts Meguru in a lot of tough spots, and makes fights much more tense.
September 13, 2019
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3.75 🌟
CW: blood, murder
Aaw. I was enjoying it and then it just ended so abruptly and now I'm sad. I'd definitely read the second part of this because I'm enjoying the story.
Lmao, Meguru is a silly but I love him!
Rating: 3.75 🌟
CW: blood, murder
Aaw. I was enjoying it and then it just ended so abruptly and now I'm sad. I'd definitely read the second part of this because I'm enjoying the story.
Lmao, Meguru is a silly but I love him!
September 25, 2015
Baru sampai vol.7
Ceritanya keren, gambarnya oke banget (apalagi gambar otot-otot perut cewek maupun cowoknya,, berbentuk banget.. #fetishkumat), pertarungannya juga seru banget..
Ceritanya keren, gambarnya oke banget (apalagi gambar otot-otot perut cewek maupun cowoknya,, berbentuk banget.. #fetishkumat), pertarungannya juga seru banget..
January 18, 2019
One of the genres of manga that quickly became an unexpected favorite was sports manga. I’d not heard of All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 1 by Hiroki Endo before so, obviously, I read it immediately upon receiving a copy.
All-Rounder Meguru focuses on two boys – Meguru and Takashi – who were once childhood friends. Brought together by not having their parents around and living with their grandparent’s instead, Meguru and Takashi take up karate after school. After being separated by time and events, the pair meet once again, this time at a Shooto mixed martial arts tournament. While Meguru wants to train harder and get better at the sport Takashi already seems like pro. And he isn’t very friendly anymore, either.
This manga is shown mostly from Meguru’s point of view. However, certain sections are shown from Takashi’s point of view. These sections tend to be much more heavy-hitting than Meguru’s sections. The now-older boys are very different and Takashi’s story tends to be tenser and darker than that of his friends despite the similarities the pair may have.
Events are generally shown in a linear manner, though a handful of flashbacks do occur. The first couple of chapters focus on the boys in middle school. The rest of the volume shows Meguru and Takashi as they go through high school.
In many ways this feels much more like a slice of life manga than a traditional sports manga. Much of the manga follows Meguru as he begins participating in matches and training with professionals for the first time. There is no immediate issue which needs to be resolved. The generally lovable but common tropes of a school team down on their luck, or an important game they’ll probably lose aren’t seen here. Instead, we have these two boys just living their lives. They want to get better at their sport, win matches, and work towards that goal. More pressing issues begin to form later in the volume, yet remain vague threats, not quite fully explained yet, but enough to create intrigue and draw the readers on to read future volumes.
The way in which Meguru and his skills are treated are somewhat unique as well. At least, it feels extremely refreshing after watching the latest season of Baki the Grappler. Unlike the majority of sports-based manga protagonists I grew up with, Meguru isn’t a prodigy. He wasn’t born with enormous, untapped skills. Constant practice doesn’t mean he grows by leaps and bounds in the span of only a few weeks. Distractions occur, much as they do in real life – school, clubs, and friends creep into time that would otherwise be spent training.
Meguru is more mundane and with a less intense past than Takashi, but I liked him because of that, not despite it. He feels like a regular, everyday person, something that always makes me want to root for that character all the more.
All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 1 by Hiroki Endo is a fun sports manga that takes a slower, more casual approach to the story, but one that sets the stage for some darker tones as well. I’m intrigued, and I will be seeking out more volumes of this series in the future.
This review and more can be found on the blog Looking Glass Reads.
I received this manga from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
All-Rounder Meguru focuses on two boys – Meguru and Takashi – who were once childhood friends. Brought together by not having their parents around and living with their grandparent’s instead, Meguru and Takashi take up karate after school. After being separated by time and events, the pair meet once again, this time at a Shooto mixed martial arts tournament. While Meguru wants to train harder and get better at the sport Takashi already seems like pro. And he isn’t very friendly anymore, either.
This manga is shown mostly from Meguru’s point of view. However, certain sections are shown from Takashi’s point of view. These sections tend to be much more heavy-hitting than Meguru’s sections. The now-older boys are very different and Takashi’s story tends to be tenser and darker than that of his friends despite the similarities the pair may have.
Events are generally shown in a linear manner, though a handful of flashbacks do occur. The first couple of chapters focus on the boys in middle school. The rest of the volume shows Meguru and Takashi as they go through high school.
In many ways this feels much more like a slice of life manga than a traditional sports manga. Much of the manga follows Meguru as he begins participating in matches and training with professionals for the first time. There is no immediate issue which needs to be resolved. The generally lovable but common tropes of a school team down on their luck, or an important game they’ll probably lose aren’t seen here. Instead, we have these two boys just living their lives. They want to get better at their sport, win matches, and work towards that goal. More pressing issues begin to form later in the volume, yet remain vague threats, not quite fully explained yet, but enough to create intrigue and draw the readers on to read future volumes.
The way in which Meguru and his skills are treated are somewhat unique as well. At least, it feels extremely refreshing after watching the latest season of Baki the Grappler. Unlike the majority of sports-based manga protagonists I grew up with, Meguru isn’t a prodigy. He wasn’t born with enormous, untapped skills. Constant practice doesn’t mean he grows by leaps and bounds in the span of only a few weeks. Distractions occur, much as they do in real life – school, clubs, and friends creep into time that would otherwise be spent training.
Meguru is more mundane and with a less intense past than Takashi, but I liked him because of that, not despite it. He feels like a regular, everyday person, something that always makes me want to root for that character all the more.
All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 1 by Hiroki Endo is a fun sports manga that takes a slower, more casual approach to the story, but one that sets the stage for some darker tones as well. I’m intrigued, and I will be seeking out more volumes of this series in the future.
This review and more can be found on the blog Looking Glass Reads.
I received this manga from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2018
'All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 1' with art and story by Hiroki Endo is a sports manga about mixed martial arts.
When Meguru Takayanagi was young, he made friends with a boy named Takashi Segawa. They both had some things in common, but Meguru finds that wasn't really true. Years later, Meguru lives in another city and he decides to get in to martial arts fighting. He's surprised to meet his old friend in the ring, but things have changed. Events in Takashi's life have made him angry and focused.
I'm not sure where this story will eventually go, but I can imagine. It's still different enough from other sports stories I know to make it interesting. The art is solid, and the characters are interesting.
I received a review copy of this manga from Kodansha Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
When Meguru Takayanagi was young, he made friends with a boy named Takashi Segawa. They both had some things in common, but Meguru finds that wasn't really true. Years later, Meguru lives in another city and he decides to get in to martial arts fighting. He's surprised to meet his old friend in the ring, but things have changed. Events in Takashi's life have made him angry and focused.
I'm not sure where this story will eventually go, but I can imagine. It's still different enough from other sports stories I know to make it interesting. The art is solid, and the characters are interesting.
I received a review copy of this manga from Kodansha Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
April 1, 2025
I stumbled on this manga after seeing one of the pages in a meme. Looked it up, and bam. Hooked.
Read the entire thing up until where it is now, stoked for it to finish/be released at some point. As someone who has trained in kickboxing, muay thai, jiu-jitsu, and a tiny bit of boxing, this manga just... hit. The casual comradery, the mutual respect and uplifting of training peers, the guilt of hurting a training partner, the sweat on the mats, just... everything. It hits.
Pros: Darn accurate and clear representations of certain moves and dynamics, especially grappling. simple and clear art, a no-nonsense MC, and a great outlook on the pursuit in general.
Cons: Not finished/released yet.
Great manga, will read again at some point, hopefully when it's done.
Read the entire thing up until where it is now, stoked for it to finish/be released at some point. As someone who has trained in kickboxing, muay thai, jiu-jitsu, and a tiny bit of boxing, this manga just... hit. The casual comradery, the mutual respect and uplifting of training peers, the guilt of hurting a training partner, the sweat on the mats, just... everything. It hits.
Pros: Darn accurate and clear representations of certain moves and dynamics, especially grappling. simple and clear art, a no-nonsense MC, and a great outlook on the pursuit in general.
Cons: Not finished/released yet.
Great manga, will read again at some point, hopefully when it's done.
June 9, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5
This was a pretty decent beginning. Obviously this is about wrestling, mixed martial arts, karate, etc..., which is something I am not well versed in. However, it was fun learning about the techniques.
The characters are pretty bland so far which is sad since characters usually make the story for me. We are only getting to know them but the only 'mystery' of the plot was already done by the end of chapter 1.
I'll probably still continue with the series as the next volume is on kindle unlimited and I'm still intrigued.
This was a pretty decent beginning. Obviously this is about wrestling, mixed martial arts, karate, etc..., which is something I am not well versed in. However, it was fun learning about the techniques.
The characters are pretty bland so far which is sad since characters usually make the story for me. We are only getting to know them but the only 'mystery' of the plot was already done by the end of chapter 1.
I'll probably still continue with the series as the next volume is on kindle unlimited and I'm still intrigued.
August 18, 2023
C'est avec confiance que je vais pouvoir reprendre la série avec Pika dès que j'aurai terminé de relire les 3 premiers tomes de Panini. Hiroki Endo m'a convaincue une fois de plus avec son style si classique et pourtant terriblement efficace et accrocheur. Il ne paie pas de mine mais il est scotchant le monsieur et c'est parfait pour un tel titre. Il y a besoin d'impact et il est au rendez-vous. J'ai hâte de poursuivre la découverte du shooto.
Avis complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
Avis complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
November 23, 2024
I wish this series would get a big oversized omnibus treatment like Initial D. The fight sequences and action panel transitions are so well done that reading this book on your phone just doesn’t do the series justice. Hiroki Endo sensei creates a fair, realistic encapsulation of amateur sports and the challenges the athletes endure trying to make a living or get a start. It’s so good that I’m reading through it a second time as it’s available digitally from my public library. Be sure to see what manga and anime *your* library has available digitally and on the shelves. It may surprise you!
April 8, 2019
All Rounder Meguru Volume One is an amazing, fun, and realistic look at what learning a martial art is like if you’re a rookie. Everything from the kicks, takedowns, punches; the evolution, loneliness, and isolation; the whole mindset of a dedicated martial artist is captured in this volume, both in the ring, and outside
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2020
Really enjoyed this, on the surface seems like a standard (but quite accurate) sports manga about MMA (though the Japanese amateur scene has a ruleset im not familiar with), though there’s clearly some deeper stuff implied. The artwork is impressive and doesn’t fall into the sometime manga trap of having too much dialogue. Definitely a series I’ll follow.
December 30, 2018
ARC via Netgalley. Kind of a weird title that seems to be trying to straddle the line between sports manga and a crime story. The art isn't awful but it isn't enough to carry a plotline I'm not terribly interested in.
March 26, 2025
I thought this was OK. I came in thinking that this was gonna be more sports goal oriented like Ippo. But it’s more of a character drama of these two highschoolers trying to find their way. I thought the art was fine, but not memorable.
October 20, 2026
I really love this series , objectively it is not the best or most interesting story but I find the characters deeply moving. Even when we spend minimal time with them. The protagonist especially is nothing special as a lot of reviews mention but I think that’s kind of the point.
January 16, 2020
(3.5) There is something about the restraint with which this presents that I liked very much
May 25, 2022
2,75 stars
May 12, 2026
I like the detailed explanation of all the technical moves. Fun read for beginner martial artists and combat sport fans.
3.4✨
3.4✨
August 4, 2026
Decent series, art is so-so but they do a good run-down of techniques
February 26, 2013
Not perfect by any means, but enjoyable none the less. All-Rounder Meguru is the story of a boy trying to rise up in the world of Shooto, while his old friend and rival does the same of different reasons. The characters are likable and the artwork is decent enough, story wise it goes by a little too quick and almost feels like I'm reading an abridged version but still is fascinating for MMA fans.
Being a former practitioner of BJJ seeing the little details they put in the ground game and stand up is intriguing and brings back distant memories such as almost vomiting in the driveway after a hard day of rolling, and the constant theme of failure rings too sore in my mouth. So any fans of MMA really should do themselves a favor and read thing if they get the chance, non-MMA fans though may want to look otherwise though.
Being a former practitioner of BJJ seeing the little details they put in the ground game and stand up is intriguing and brings back distant memories such as almost vomiting in the driveway after a hard day of rolling, and the constant theme of failure rings too sore in my mouth. So any fans of MMA really should do themselves a favor and read thing if they get the chance, non-MMA fans though may want to look otherwise though.
November 14, 2013
3/2/2020: Reread the series up to chapter 140.
Read up to chapter 71. Really enjoyable even though half the time I've no idea what's happening! Realistic drawing style and no overly dramatic or romantic plot. I liked the whole aspect of how MMA fits in with people's lives and how everyone treats it differently (hobby, going pro, etc). Humorous as well and makes you root for your favorite character(s).
Read up to chapter 71. Really enjoyable even though half the time I've no idea what's happening! Realistic drawing style and no overly dramatic or romantic plot. I liked the whole aspect of how MMA fits in with people's lives and how everyone treats it differently (hobby, going pro, etc). Humorous as well and makes you root for your favorite character(s).
October 13, 2014
Primer manga que adapta el mundo de las Artes Marciales Mixtas de forma realista, sorprende que el autor se involucra desde el punto de vista de el mismo estar entrenando. La unica falta quizas es que sus personajes a ratos cuesta diferenciarlos y se torna un poco confuso sus interacciones.
Recomendado sobre todo para quienes practican o son fans de las MMA.
Recomendado sobre todo para quienes practican o son fans de las MMA.
January 1, 2012
a fantastic Manga focusing on MMA fighting. Do not think this is some dramatized UFC it actually goes into alot of detail about training and the strategy behind the fighters and has some real life drama behind the fighters.
February 24, 2013
Penuh dengan training dan pertandingan shooto. Cocok buat penggemar MMA.
January 25, 2014
Tahun lalu aku membaca mangascan ini dan berpikir, asyik deh kalo ada yang mau menerbitkan versi terjemahannya...
Thank you, Elex, sudah mengabulkan my silent wish!
Thank you, Elex, sudah mengabulkan my silent wish!
October 6, 2015
Satu bintang buat story. Satu bintang buat artwork. Satu bintang lagi buat Miyuki.
Kalo bukan gara2 dia, aku ga akan lanjut baca.
Kalo bukan gara2 dia, aku ga akan lanjut baca.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews