Usually, sports and martial arts manga tends to be from the student's/athlete's/team's/disciple' s perspective. I want the teacher's perspective, instead - a protagonist who is the coach, trainer, master or guide - and what their thoughts are on teaching their skills and guiding their charges into specialized success in their particular fields. The manga must explore themes of guidance (both professional and personal) as well as the bond between master and student (or coach and athlete).

I would prefer it if there was NO romance between the coach/trainer and the student, but I guess I could put up with it if all ecchi elements and fanservice were missing. I DO NOT LIKE ECCHI. Please, do not recommend something in which the 'story' is basically just how a lame-ass male coach eventually caves to the advances of his entire girls-only team. Or something.

I want a more serious story about coaching/training, from the perspective of a protagonist who actually is a coach/trainer. Like, say, a karate-sensei's perspective on training young talents. Or a football coach's perspective on keeping his team together, motivated and disciplined. Or an old boxer's perspective on developing the talent of a new star. Or Batman's perspective when he's training Robin to fight. Stories like that!

Please do recommend. And thanks in advance!

Last Inning maybe?

And probably Giant Killing. Still, I don't think any of these manga are very serious. I mean, they're not stupidly comedic or anything, but...

Edit - On second thought, I figured you might like Ping Pong as well. Most of the story is in a sort of detached third-person viewpoint, but there are occasional chapters written from the players' as well as their trainers' points of view. A lovely manga (Matsumoto Taiyou never disappoints!), so you should definitely check it out even if it doesn't 100% fit this request, 'cause it's as non-stereotypical as a sports manga can get.

Last edited by calstine at 10:51 am, Mar 31 2011

Hmm I only know of Rookies.