Eyeshield 21

author: Riichiro Inagaki
illustrated by: Yusuke Murata
review type: anime/manga
status: completed/completed
genre: Sports, Shounen


Synopsis

YA-HA!

The story begins with the forming of a football team called the Deimon Devil Bats, the brainchild two american football enthusiasts; Yoruichi Hiruma and Ryokan Kurita, high school seniors at Deimon High School. As their efforts have proven ill in the past, the story begins with a feeling of excitement from the two as they once again recruit members with "creative" ways to form a motley crew of american football enthusiasts.

In their search, Hiruma stumbles upon Kobayakawa Sena; a junior in high school that becomes a primary target for bullies. During Sena's daily bully routine, Hiruma notices his ability to run and dodge at a supernaturally fast pace; with movements like an american football player. Hiruma then takes this a step further by forcing Sena into the team and disguising him as a famous football player by the initials of Eyeshield 21.

The Deimon Devil Bats with the inclusion of Sena becomes complete and sets its target towards the Christmas Bowl; the prized champion for a high school football team. But there is one catch, for Hiruma and Kurita this would be their finally year to represent their school as Deimon High School does not allow final year seniors to compete in any extra co-curricular activities. So the question would be, will the Deimon Devil Bats make it?

The Deimon Devil Bats would have to meet formible teams including their rivals to get to the top, and it's going to be one hell of a season as they try to make their dreams come true.



Rempits Vrooming Comments

For a sports manga, Eyeshield 21 does a fairly good job. I would rank this below Hajime no Ippo and Slam Dunk. Bringing a sport like american football into the manga scene is a fairly brave attempt and it has certainly paid off.

The main highlight of the manga is its sense of exaggeration. Sena's light speed dashes, Kurita's physical prowess beside being a meatball, Hiruma's super skilled tactics and passes despite having certain physical disadvantages in being a stereotypical quaterback, etc. It gets you off the hook at first, but then it kind of gets a little boring and unrealistic. Hiruma's antics certainly add the funny element to the manga.

The difference here comparing to legendary sports manga Slam Dunk would be that Sena's urge to join the american football team was not entirely based on the precept of liking someone. But Eyeshield sticks true to all things sport by focusing on the development of the team with Sena as the unprecedented anchor that would bring these band of misfits fame and success.

Other characters from different teams also make their appearances and would be a primary feature of the manga. Giving the manga a well rounded focus.

I particularly like Inagaki and Murata's understanding of the sport. Making it even better and it really gives a breather to the super exaggerated-ism of the manga. And one good character they have created would be Yoruichi Hiruma. He is the epitome of a misunderstood misfit with the abilties to lead, coach and direct a team. Here he acts more of a coach to Sena and which would primarily be Sena's inspiration to take the sport more seriously. Alot of focus has been taken away from Hiruma by fans, but my best bet would be to enjoy the manga or anime for its Hiruma-ness, rather than just focusing on the normal low self-esteemed Sena; which undboutly is a typical shounen issue. So here is where this sport serie differs and Hiruma's character is a little distinct even from Takenori Akagi from the Slam Dunk fame.

I liked the concepts and philosophies thrown into the game and well even for being overtly exaggerated there are moments where The Deimon Devil Bats fail; and thats the beauty of it. But it isn't as real as HNI or Slam Dunk but good enough. I think Eyeshield isn't a bad read or watch. For manga lovers, you would probably hate it to the core after the Christmas Bowl arc and also the closure for the Eyeshield manga. That would be the saddest part of it; a good story that would eventually end badly.

But i would watch it nevertheless and would give it a good read right till the Christmas bowl.

Rempit Rates
Originality: 5/5
Art: 4/5
Plot: 2/5 (because of that really bad ending for the manga)
Character Development: 4/5