This series wants to show how people handle handicaps and what it does to their lives, while centering it around basketball. It does that very well, it just isn't all that fun to read.

Having just read the first 6 volumes I can see where the series is going. That isn't a fun feeling, this manga is about characters and story. If you know where that is heeded there is nothing but art left.

The art is nice, but it isn't the best there is.

All in all this is a good series worth reading, but not as exciting as his earlier works.

Although I love Slam Dunk for the longest time, I think it's about time to admit that it's time has passed. I read this manga without any expectations and with the knowledge that REAL is going to be a whole lot different (more mature, less fun) from SD. After finishing the whole volume, I must say that I'm really taken with this series. I love the way how Inoue Takehiko handled the story about something as rarely thought or talked about as wheelchair basketball and juvenile delinquency (the real deal not like the immature delinquency we see in other manga). The manga as a whole presents to us the reality that we often times do disregard these people in our society. We see them, we 'accept' (more along the lines of toleration) them, but we really don't do enough to address their concerns as much as we abled people fight to address ours. I also like how different relationships are addressed in the story, enough of the infatuated nonsense and more on the much deeper relationships which really shapes who we become. Although despite all this I still like how funny (yet still relevant) moments is injected into the storyline (here and there) to bring out the positives in the depressing situations.

Don't get me wrong, I love Slam Dunk! But this manga is more mature and more interesting from a psychological perspective. The characters have more depth, at least in my opinion -- and the art is, as always, fabulous. Inoue-sensei is one of the best manga artists out there, and it shows. Each panel flows seamlessly into the next, with enough kinetic energy to drive the narrative forward at a breakneck speed. For that reason, reading this manga feels less like reading and more like watching -- watching a high-speed sports event on TV, for example.

So incredibly awesome. Human pride and human dignity are the central themes of this manga, along with the theme of basketball, of course!

A must for any sports fan.

... Last updated on June 12th, 2007, 9:28am

Great manga! As good as Slam Dunk or even better. Main subject is very interesting, not very common, but serious. Characters are well created - a lot of different personalities (funny too ^_^). Nice, clean stroke and simple dialogues are making it easy to read.

I recommend it.

... Last updated on February 15th, 2007, 10:48am

centers around the problems of the disabled to cope in the world. It isn't all that depressing though, at least i don't think it is. Great take on ambition, when its good, when it hinders, and when life just hands you such bad cards that all you can do is try to somehow be content even though you are truely fucked no matter how much effort you pour into your life.
I know i used the f word, but it really fit, so i hope it isn't censored.

Excellent manga and very original. The series is very deep and serious in nature. Definitely intensifying for the blood. Nothing less to be expected from Takehiko. This manga is a must read for older audience!

Excellent manga! To be expected from the mangaka that gave us Vagabond & Slam Dunk. Very serious stuff this is tho, high on drama and emotions, very intense read. Beautifull art, what more can you ask?
Check it out! even if the topic of the manga doesnt speak to you.

A great basketball manga by Inoue Takehiko, he proved that REAL is not being overshadowed by Slam Dunk. REAL is more serious, and heavier stuff than Slam Dunk. But it does contain some similarities in Slam Dunk, like every character contains their own past and personal dilemma. Good reading.