"Shonen Jump Seizes Opportunity in Sports Manga Revival with Introduction of Two New Series"

 Shonen Jump Expands Sports Manga Offering on Manga Plus App

The official Manga Plus X/Twitter account has announced the addition of two new sports manga to their platform, signaling a significant move in response to the genre's growing global popularity. The newly available series, The Days of Diamond and Catenaccio, focus on baseball and football, respectively.

With the immense success of iconic sports manga like Blue Lock and Slam Dunk, alongside the resurgence of interest in series like Haikyuu!!, the demand for sports-themed stories remains strong. By introducing these new titles, Manga Plus aims to capitalize on the genre's thriving appeal and provide readers worldwide with fresh and exciting sports narratives. The Days of Diamond and Catenaccio are poised to make their mark as potential contenders for the next big hits in this flourishing genre.

In The Days of Diamond, written and illustrated by Ohashi Irai, the story follows Jiro Ayasegawa, a supremely talented baseball player who excels in the sport. Despite his exceptional abilities, Jiro finds himself growing bored and losing his passion for baseball due to the lack of competition. However, his enthusiasm reignites when he discovers The Bambies, a local non-competitive baseball group, where he can once again experience the joy of playing the game he loves.

Meanwhile, in Daisuke Morimoto's football manga Catenaccio, the narrative revolves around Yataro Araki, a determined and ambitious young athlete with dreams of becoming a professional football player in Europe. Despite his unwavering dedication, Araki faces setbacks when he fails to impress scouts. With his high school football career drawing to a close, Araki pours his heart and soul into every match, fueled by his relentless pursuit of his dream. The inspiring journey of Araki makes for a gripping and exhilarating read, showcasing his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

As Blue Lock claims the title of the best-selling manga of 2023 and Slam Dunk, along with its movie The Last Slam Dunk, enjoys unprecedented popularity and profitability, the enduring success of sports series in the manga industry is evident. From classics like Ashita No Joe to contemporary hits like Haikyuu!!, sports manga have been an integral part of the medium since its inception. With the recent surge in Haikyuu!! manga sales attributed to the release of a new movie, Shonen Jump has wisely opted to bolster the visibility of two promising sports manga with untapped potential.