This unforgettable series in a gorgeous new large format--complete with beautiful new cover illustrations! It was so nostalgic reading the story again from the start (and being reminded of how different the beginning of the manga and anime are--good job, Studio Pierrot! Though the manga is still tons of fun as is. :))
One great bonus of this "kanzenhan" (complete collection) version is that Hotta Yumi, the writer, has created new bonus material, commenting on her early work doing the storyboards of "Kokonotsu no Hoshi" (Nine Stars), the precursor story that won her the Shounen Jump Story King Storyboard Contest and landed her both a serialization and an artist (the now-legendary Obata Takeshi of both Hikaru no Go and Death Note fame). She is also including the 26 character sketches Obata-sensei did just for her at the end of the Hikago manga/their partnership, publishing 1-3 characters per volume. In this first volume, we get the sketch of Kaga, along with Hotta-sensei's musings on his future. ;-) (apparently, she thinks he'll become a lawyer in his 20's and only becoming a Shogi pro around age 30). And as for what she thinks of Mitani's future... @_@;;;;; Very worthwhile for all fans new and old to collect this gorgeous large size edition of this incredible manga.