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Cross Game - Omnibus edition #2
Cross Game 2
Drama with a light touch, Cross Game will change how you see shonen manga.
Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T audiences. Cross Game is a moving drama that is heartfelt and true, yet in the brilliant hands of manga artist Mitsuru Adachi, delightfully flows with a light and amusing touch. The series centers around a boy named Ko, the family of four sisters who live down the street and the game of baseball. This poignant coming-of-age story will change your perception of what shonen manga can be.
Wakaba’s last dream before she set off on that fateful day was of Ko pitching in front of a packed house at Koshien. Ko’s been training every day since, trying to emulate the best pitcher he knows—Wakaba’s sister Aoba. But will Aoba’s seeming hostility toward him and a new high school coach who only cares about winning prevent Ko from fullling the dream?
Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T audiences. Cross Game is a moving drama that is heartfelt and true, yet in the brilliant hands of manga artist Mitsuru Adachi, delightfully flows with a light and amusing touch. The series centers around a boy named Ko, the family of four sisters who live down the street and the game of baseball. This poignant coming-of-age story will change your perception of what shonen manga can be.
Wakaba’s last dream before she set off on that fateful day was of Ko pitching in front of a packed house at Koshien. Ko’s been training every day since, trying to emulate the best pitcher he knows—Wakaba’s sister Aoba. But will Aoba’s seeming hostility toward him and a new high school coach who only cares about winning prevent Ko from fullling the dream?
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2011
10 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Mitsuru Adachi
692 books220 followersMitsuru Adachi (あだち充 in Japanese) is a Japanese manga artist. After graduating from Gunma Prefectural Maebashi Commercial High School in 1969, Adachi worked as an assistant for Isami Ishii. He made his manga debut in 1970 with Kieta Bakuon, based on a manga originally created by Satoru Ozawa. Kieta was published in Deluxe Shōnen Sunday (a manga magazine published by Shogakukan).
Adachi is well known for romantic comedy and sports manga (especially baseball) such as Touch, H2, Slow Step, and Miyuki. He has been described as a writer of "delightful dialogue", a genius at portraying everyday life, "the greatest pure storyteller", and "a master manga artist". He is one of the few manga artists to write for shōnen, shōjo, and seinen manga magazines, and be popular in all three.
His works have been carried in manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Sunday, Ciao, Shōjo Comic, Big Comic, and Petit Comic, and most of his works are published through Shogakukan and Gakken. He was one of the flagship authors in the new Monthly Shōnen Sunday magazine which began publication in June 2009. Only two short story collections, Short Program and Short Program 2 (both through Viz Media), have been released in North America, though Viz is scheduled to begin publishing Cross Game in October 2010.
He modeled the spelling of あだち (rather than 安達) for his family name after the example of his older brother, manga artist Tsutomu Adachi. In addition, it has been suggested that the accurate portrayal of sibling rivalry in Touch may come from Adachi's experiences while growing up with his older brother. Adachi did the character designs for the OVA anime series Nozomi Witches, so he is sometimes incorrectly given credit for creating the original series.
Adachi is well known for romantic comedy and sports manga (especially baseball) such as Touch, H2, Slow Step, and Miyuki. He has been described as a writer of "delightful dialogue", a genius at portraying everyday life, "the greatest pure storyteller", and "a master manga artist". He is one of the few manga artists to write for shōnen, shōjo, and seinen manga magazines, and be popular in all three.
His works have been carried in manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Sunday, Ciao, Shōjo Comic, Big Comic, and Petit Comic, and most of his works are published through Shogakukan and Gakken. He was one of the flagship authors in the new Monthly Shōnen Sunday magazine which began publication in June 2009. Only two short story collections, Short Program and Short Program 2 (both through Viz Media), have been released in North America, though Viz is scheduled to begin publishing Cross Game in October 2010.
He modeled the spelling of あだち (rather than 安達) for his family name after the example of his older brother, manga artist Tsutomu Adachi. In addition, it has been suggested that the accurate portrayal of sibling rivalry in Touch may come from Adachi's experiences while growing up with his older brother. Adachi did the character designs for the OVA anime series Nozomi Witches, so he is sometimes incorrectly given credit for creating the original series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 8, 2012
This collection contains volumes 4 and 5 of Cross Game (as originally published). It is a direct continuation of Cross Game 1 (volumes 1-3). Cross Game unfolds its story gradually, with a lot of layers and nuanced characters. So while you would pick enough to follow things in this collection, you really should start at the beginning. Oh, and MAJOR things happen in the first volume. Really. Go read that first.
** This review contains no spoilers for Cross Game 2 but will have them for Cross Game 1. **
Ko's been working hard to improve his pitching by emulating Aoba, who actually doesn't like him much. Ko and his friends are in their first year of high school and have been relegated to the practice squad by a cutthroat coach who only cares about making himself look good and winning, in that order, and has recruited the varsity team personally from all over. But catcher Akaishi has been keeping the practice squad's capabilities a secret, and now the varsity team has a scrimmage game against them...
I've never been much into playing or watching baseball, but have loved a lot of movies and stories focused on it when done well. Cross Game is no exception. The flow of the game throughout these two volumes is done very well, and the importance of the action and situation at each point clearly defined. But what makes this series exceptional is that it never forgets it's about the characters first, and the game second. Ko and Aoba are compelling main characters and anchor a phenomenal cast. The plotting and dialog let a staggering number of characters convey subtle personality traits very quickly and the way the art compliments that with facial expressions and little touches is amazing, particularly since the style is a bit "simplified."
Another incredibly realized balance is how the overtones of humor, loss and adversity are all managed without things ever getting ridiculous, melodramatic or overbearing. Wakaba's absence and it's effects on those who cared about her is felt (as it should be), but it's done naturally and appropriately and compliments the story rather than overwhelming it. That's hard to do and my respect for the skillful execution here grows the more I read.
Cross Game 2 continues the high standards set by Cross Game 1. Yes it's a slowly unfolding story. Yes it's about baseball. Yes you should read this series even if you normally don't care for either of those things.
Highly recommended.
** This review contains no spoilers for Cross Game 2 but will have them for Cross Game 1. **
Ko's been working hard to improve his pitching by emulating Aoba, who actually doesn't like him much. Ko and his friends are in their first year of high school and have been relegated to the practice squad by a cutthroat coach who only cares about making himself look good and winning, in that order, and has recruited the varsity team personally from all over. But catcher Akaishi has been keeping the practice squad's capabilities a secret, and now the varsity team has a scrimmage game against them...
I've never been much into playing or watching baseball, but have loved a lot of movies and stories focused on it when done well. Cross Game is no exception. The flow of the game throughout these two volumes is done very well, and the importance of the action and situation at each point clearly defined. But what makes this series exceptional is that it never forgets it's about the characters first, and the game second. Ko and Aoba are compelling main characters and anchor a phenomenal cast. The plotting and dialog let a staggering number of characters convey subtle personality traits very quickly and the way the art compliments that with facial expressions and little touches is amazing, particularly since the style is a bit "simplified."
Another incredibly realized balance is how the overtones of humor, loss and adversity are all managed without things ever getting ridiculous, melodramatic or overbearing. Wakaba's absence and it's effects on those who cared about her is felt (as it should be), but it's done naturally and appropriately and compliments the story rather than overwhelming it. That's hard to do and my respect for the skillful execution here grows the more I read.
Cross Game 2 continues the high standards set by Cross Game 1. Yes it's a slowly unfolding story. Yes it's about baseball. Yes you should read this series even if you normally don't care for either of those things.
Highly recommended.
July 29, 2011
Fewer current (current as in being published in English, natch) shonen manga series have swept me away, heart and soul, as Cross Game has. It brings me so much pleasure to see that after the emotional knock-out of a premiere volume, it has returned yet again for another 300+ pages of wonderful sports-related drama and humor that only Mitsuru Adachi could deliver. Not only is it typical Adachi – that is, typical Adachi being code for 'most excellent' – but it has a lot of something I'd been craving since volume one. More baseball!
Read the rest of my review at Nagareboshi Reviews!
Read the rest of my review at Nagareboshi Reviews!
January 16, 2011
This continues to be wonderful slice-of-life shonen manga. I love how much Adachi leaves unsaid; he trusts the reader to put things together on their own, and the emotional beats work better because of that.
September 18, 2020
The journey through Cross Game continues in this second volume. I love following each of the characters in their journey of playing baseball. I love sports myself so finding a manga where I can easily follow a sport and it keeps my attention is very important. This manga is about a family who moves to a new neighborhood and the main character joins the baseball team. During this volume, we follow our main character as he plays baseball against the varsity team. It kept my attention all the way through and at the end of this volume we find out something interesting. I definitely will be continuing this series! It is super addicting and I wish I had the next volume now.
April 29, 2023
Much more enjoyable than real baseball is for me. This collection contains Vol. 4-5 of Cross Game which mostly contains the scrimmage match between the leftover players and the varsity team handpicked by the new coach. The game goes on for several chapters, and the storytelling is so sharp I actually felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. When the story isn't focusing on the game, it's a lovely, light slice-of-life story that really feels authentically told. Great stuff, and I can't wait to keep reading on.
June 8, 2025
4.75 ⭐️ volume 4 . And 4.85 stars 🌟 for volume 5. Since I finished this omnibus a few hours ago. I have collected my thoughts on these two volumes I read. I really loved volume 4 and 5 . I thought the progression of the story is going very well. I was laughing out loud at scenes from the characters. And I just love baseball. I think it an amazing sport even though I’m not athletic. I can still appreciate the story and how everyone wants a shot to win. 🏅 Just started omnibus three a little bit. Hopefully read more soon 😊
May 5, 2020
I enjoyed this installment but as someone with little understanding of baseball, I found it hard to follow the action. The introduction of many new characters in a short space of time muddled the storytelling as well. This volume works well as a set up for future arcs and I enjoyed how it pit the first team and reserves against each other. There are a few clever twists scattered across the volumes and I especially enjoyed the one about Koh's birthday.
August 5, 2023
Damn I got hyped as hell for that match. Ko being so good, but also being a bit stupid and and clueless to the point where he is making 'mistakes' that take others off guard. That's a good detail to show how inexperienced he is, but also how everyone underestimates him and allows him to basically brute force his way through parts of the game.
November 7, 2022
There is only one word for this manga: outstanding! A mix of sports and romance though the romantic partners don't know it yet.
I wish I could find the later volumes in this series but they just aren't available.
I wish I could find the later volumes in this series but they just aren't available.
May 24, 2024
Cross Game is so good aaah. Good characters, great baseball, fun story... and some of Adachi's establishing shots/exteriors are absolutely evocative and beautiful and up there with my favorite drawings.
April 3, 2018
Continuing the excellence from the first Omnibus.
February 2, 2020
As we continue watching the lives of the characters evolve and grow.
January 19, 2021
WHY DID I ONLY GET TWO VOLUMES
February 16, 2022
Another great volume, but it’s kind of hard to talk about a series that is 70% panels that are just playing baseball…
August 2, 2022
This is another good view into humanity via sports. No free rides for the heroes, everyone has to work for it. Adachi understands the importance of more than just the game. It's very satisfying.
July 14, 2023
4/5 stars
July 17, 2023
The baseball game that takes up the most of the two volumes contained here is so well paced.
July 26, 2023
Ye gads, like 600 pages in we finally get an actual full baseball game. And it’s amazing.
October 11, 2025
Read up to chapter 53
March 1, 2021
Fair warning, if you aren't into baseball - this volume has more than 300 pages of it. Just to illustrate one great game between the varsity and "portables".
Though it's actually fairly well explained, even if you haven't seen a baseball game ever. It will be easy to follow along what's happening.
Though it's actually fairly well explained, even if you haven't seen a baseball game ever. It will be easy to follow along what's happening.
April 5, 2018
This was nearly 300 pages to cover a single baseball game - I LOVED IT!!! Adachi has an amazing eye for composing a page to capture the magical moments of a baseball game. The character elements weren't much developed here, but that's okay. It's a baseball game shown beautifully in comics form. Wonderful.
+++++++++++++++
VIZ Digital - Great baseball action!
+++++++++++++++
VIZ Digital - Great baseball action!
October 23, 2025
This is the second book in the series and starts with the big game between the varsity team and the extras. This continues to be a fun series. I will look up the next one.
Edited 2025: The big game between the varsity team and the extras is most of the book. The rest of it is the summer break and the varsity team playing baseball and the extras practicing.
Edited 2025: The big game between the varsity team and the extras is most of the book. The rest of it is the summer break and the varsity team playing baseball and the extras practicing.
August 29, 2011
See my impressions of the first four omnibi(?) at this review - has spoilers.
January 21, 2015
Awesome as always
This book was awesome as always. I really like this series. Go portables!!! I hope they win the next game.
This book was awesome as always. I really like this series. Go portables!!! I hope they win the next game.
December 14, 2015
I didn't know enough about baseball to enjoy this one as much as the first one.
October 6, 2016
So far so good. My library does not have the next book, so I have to wait. I didn't know it was made into an anime so I am trying to see if I can find it online to watch.
June 23, 2012
A little slower than vol.1, still good tho
January 18, 2013
This series is totally awesome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews