I started reading this in 2014 when the first chapter was scanlated. Always fascinated with sports manga, I gave it a shot immediately. And it did not disappoint. Tsukamoto Tsukushi is the most adorable thing ever, and his character somehow invokes the inner maternal instincts within. Soccer genius Kazama Jin is just a ball of ecentricity (I mean, handing out girls' panties as tissues - who does that?) All of the characters are likeable and interesting, and you can easily tell them apart.

But of course, the characters aren't the only things great about this manga. The art is nice, and the mangaka often pairs the realistic drawings with serious humor. The theme of working hard and weak-to-strong is also highly appealing, and I found myself often rooting for Tsuku-chan and his team. Got so hooked that I went out and bought volumes 1-6. The mangaka deserves as much.

So yeah, totally recommend this series.

I am not really into Shounen type of Manga but I got really interested with the teaser. Started reading it and the first 3 chapters were really really good. Great art and good start. I really like the chanracters of both Kazuma and Tsukushi. Especially Tuskushi.. never giveup!-mode always... I think something big will happen later to our not so lucky Tsukushi. looking forward to it!

The main character is adorable and heartwarming; the side characters are just as interesting. Character interaction is absolutely hilarious as well. And somehow the manga still manages to uphold its integrity as a sports manga about serious competition.

Loving this series!

ok ill be honest, its better with jump's meister and dois sol which both got axed on chapter 13. even better than fantasista, offside or lost man. even legendary manga shoot not on par with this manga?

why?

because he is a newbie in great team. almost all main character from football manga has specialty about technique. aizawa's poaching skill, goro's hard shoot, tsubasa's super play. but tsukushi? nope. he is maybe like kubo and kamiya in shoot, captain born. BUT with lack of skill.

his partner, Kazama was very great second main character. talented and eccentric, almost different with our tsukushi.

this manga take every best part of another football manga : golden pair from captain tsubasa, captain and his disciple story from shoot, moral change situation from giant killing. even from 14 chapter, this manga has it all.

until now i thought giant killing is best football manga, but Days in better in every aspect except strategy part. well, this is not pro football. just another high school football

take a shot just for 2 chapter, and you will captivated by tsukushi's strange charm.

... Last updated on October 2nd, 2015, 9:48pm

Decided to give it a shot because it won the Kodansha award, but is heavily disappointed and still wondering why it has a very good rating. So far only have read the scanlation (40 chapters).

Like someone has said, it contains many cool/epic elements and trademarks from other sport mangas, but sadly, it does not provide enough background story or emotion to incorporate the elements into a proper story and creates an identity. The author tends to skip or jump many things, especially processes, and just shows the end result. It gives me a feeling like "the author just copy paste the cool elements everywhere".

The "soccer/sport" aspect:
Until chapter 40, I haven't seen a proper soccer game. The game is very confusing, such as flow of the game, movement, and players' position. Maybe it is just me, but I can't follow the game.

In conclusion, I would recommend any other sport manga (Whistle, Giant Killing, Fantasista, Shoot!, Harlem Beat, Slam Dunk, Eyeshield 21, even Captain Tsubasa or Prince of Tennis). Hopefully it gets better later.

... Last updated on May 18th, 2016, 9:44am