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紅色HERO [Beniiro Hero] #12

Crimson Hero, Vol. 12

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From the pages of Shojo Beat magazine - volleyball is more than a game. R to L (Japanese Style). With one of their ace players injured, Nobara and the Crimson Field girls must fight harder than ever. Their challenge is the Newcomers' Tournament, and their performance in this venue will determine just how far the team can go. But Nobara's distracted when she learns that one of her not-so-secret admirers seeks to crush Yushin and destroy the boys' team! All that matters to 15-year-old Nobara Sumiyoshi is volleyball--she's an awesome player with big-time ambitions. But sometimes it seems like a girl just can't get a break in the competitive world of high school volleyball.

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2007

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About the author

Mitsuba Takanashi

86 books91 followers
Name in native language: 高梨 みつば

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
59 reviews6 followers
March 1, 2010
Crimson Hero is one of my favourite "go-to"s; regardless of whether I'm down or happy, it's always enjoyable and entertaining. Needless to say, with such a great track record for the previous eleven volumes, I had pretty high expectations for volume twelve to live up to. And I'm pleased to report that this latest installment exceeded those expectations, as usual.

Mitsuba Takanashi has really hit the perfect balance with Crimson Hero - it's got a spunky leading lady, yummy YA boys, teen drama... but what sets it apart is that it also has volleyball action. Because there's a more concrete plot to the [series:], it just manages to achieve that extra level of depth in both situations explored and characters developed.

Nobara, Yushin, Haibuki, Tomo... I love them all! (Excuse me for a second while I have a little fan-moment ;) In all seriousness, Takanashi's characters are all exceedingly realistic, faced with contemporary situations that readers can relate to. With her beautiful artwork, Takanashi has struck that perfect balance between romantic teen fluff and raging sports action. Volume 12 in particular may comparatively have a little less fluff, but it more than makes up for it in terms of action and plot development. The events that occur are definitely pretty shocking, and through the way the group handles it, we get a further glimpse into their characterizations.

The situations that occur definitely leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's going to happen next, feeling the fear, the infuriation, the injustice... basically just feeling all the emotions because that's how drawn in you'll be. The story just really comes alive, and I would definitely encourage you to check out this series if you haven't already. Even when I've had a sad day, reading Crimson Hero is often able to get me laughing out loud - literally!

Of course, if this is your first introduction to Crimson Hero, definitely start with volume 1. For those of you who are already avid manga fans, I'm sure you'll be drawn in from the very first page. For those of you who haven't been exposed to manga before and are a little more hesitant - don't be. Personally, I've read maybe five or six manga series - and Crimson Hero is the one I simply can't put down. Every time I find myself a little sad as I near the end of each volume, knowing that I'll be in eager anticipation for the next. It would be really awesome to see Crimson Hero made into a drama someday too, actually.

With gorgeous artwork, lovable characters and an action-packed plot, Crimson Hero basically an artistic masterpiece.
Profile Image for Alyson Stone.
Author 4 books71 followers
February 3, 2025
Book: Crimson Hero, Vol. 12
Author: Mitsuba Takanashi
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I am still loving this series. There is something about the high school drama in this that is keeping me very entertained.

I am going to keep my review as spoiler free as possible, but since this is the twelfth volume of a series, there may be spoilers for earlier volumes.

The stakes are higher than ever as Nobara Sumiyoshi and her team face the intense challenge of the Newcomers' Tournament. With one of their key players injured, the Crimson Field girls must push themselves beyond their limits to prove their skills and determination. However, Nobara's focus starts to slip when she discovers that one of her admirers has darker intentions—to take down Yushin and destroy the boys' volleyball team. Caught between the pressures of high school volleyball and the personal turmoil surrounding her, Nobara must navigate these challenges while still holding on to her dreams of being the best player she can be.

This brilliantly captures the highs and lows of high school drama, blending it seamlessly with the intensity of competitive sports. Mitsuba Takanashi excels at portraying the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence, where friendships, rivalries, and unspoken feelings all intertwine. The drama doesn’t just revolve around volleyball; it digs deep into the lives of the characters, giving readers a rich and layered experience.

The relationships among the team members are beautifully fleshed out, and the dynamics feel authentic. Nobara’s struggle to balance her ambition with the complications of her personal life is incredibly relatable. The tension between her focus on volleyball and the emotional turmoil created by her admirer’s scheming is handled with such nuance that it never feels overdone. It’s a fine example of how the author uses high school drama not just for the sake of conflict, but as a tool for character development.

What stands out in this volume is how Takanashi skillfully captures the essence of youth—how the pressure to succeed in sports can coexist with the messiness of teenage emotions. Whether it’s the blossoming relationships or the intense rivalries, every interaction feels charged with the rawness of high school life. The emotional stakes are high, and you can’t help but root for Nobara and her team as they try to navigate the drama both on and off the court.

If you love stories that balance the thrill of sports with deep, relatable emotional journeys, this is absolute must-read. The way it elevates high school drama without overshadowing the core sports storyline is a testament to Takanashi’s storytelling prowess. It’s a heart-pounding, emotional, and totally engaging read that stays with you long after the final page.

Profile Image for Rach.
1,842 reviews102 followers
October 25, 2010
Another great volume of an always interesting manga. In this one, the building "love triangle" drama between Nobara, Yushin, and Haibuki finally comes to a head. Yushin and Nobara discuss their relationship more, and after a tournament, Yushin finally tells Haibuki that he loves Nobara and they are together. To be honest, I didn't expect Haibuki to take it as hard as he did: he had been spending so much time with the injured Tomoyo, who had admitted her feelings for him, and he didn't seem opposed to getting back together with her. I guess though he suspected Nobara had feelings for Yushin, he never expected Yushin to reciprocate. The fallout from this is the breaking-apart of the boys' volleyball team. Haibuki finally felt as though he belonged, was part of the team, and respected Yushin's leadership. With this betrayal, all that trust is gone, and Haibuki is ready to leave the team for good. So sad. :( What is more sad is that hearing he had been lied to about their relationship made him doubt everything Nobara said or did to him out of friendship. He saw an ulterior motive in everything.

The other drama in this volume is with Nobara's admirer/stalker, Kaz. His obsession is really disturbing, and if not for Yushin showing up when he did, who knows what he would have done to Nobara in that supply closet. His continued harassment doesn't bode well for either Nobara or Yushin.

Finally, the girls volleyball team. With Tomoyo out, and having to quickly train Yae to fill in for her, it's not surprising that they would not be playing at full strength. What is surprising is Nobara's distraction. For them to win, she needs to focus, and hopefully all the relationship drama won't screw her up.
Profile Image for Reader17 Der.
526 reviews5 followers
August 22, 2010
I enjoy reading this series. In this volume Nobara gets an admirer that doesn't like to take no for an answer. He keeps going after Nobara until something bad almost happens.

Yushin has his own issues to deal with on the boys team as the captain.

If you haven't read other volumes this could be a spoiler. Nobara talks to Yushin and wants to tell Haibuki they are together instead of waiting. Will they tell Haibuki, and if they do how do you think Haibuki will take the news.

You will have to read to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
262 reviews8 followers
December 21, 2012
Crimson Hero Boy's volleyball wins the tournament and the girl's one almost does, but something happens along the way.
Profile Image for Mathilde.
29 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2014
The more I read of Crimson Hero, the more I like it! It's getting better and better with each volume! I can't wait to read more ...!
Profile Image for nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite).
4,721 reviews
August 13, 2015
Yet another good volume in the series so far. 12 volumes and the series keeps getting interesting with the sports drama. Plus the expressions drawn for their characters are also good.
Profile Image for Sammie.
844 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2016
Man is it getting good ,i can't believe what happed to Nobara ,thank god Yushin got to her in time.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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