Hey there folks, this is a new idea that's been bouncing around in my head for a while. That every now and again I introduce my watchers some of the best manga that isn't as popluar as it should be. So I will spread the word!!

Eyesheild 21:

Manga link: [link]

Anime link:[link]

Eyesheild 21 is american football manga that is published in Shonen Jump. BEAR WITH that yes it is a sports manga, BUT that only adds to it's charm. The series is hysterically funny, with each and every character completely different from the next.

To sumarize Eyesheild 21,Kobayakawa Sena is a freshman in Highschool who for his entire life has been an errand boy for bullies for his whole school life. He's about to make the same mistake again until Hiruma, the founder of the high school football club and the most feared student in Tokyo sees how fast he is and sees him as the perfect running back for their team. Hiruma doesn't want the other school teams to scout him as well, so he gives him the codename, Eyesheild 21.

Now, I know what you may be thinking. "HOW THE HELL IS AMERICAN FOOTBALL POPULAR IN JAPAN!?" This is a common problem with series like Slam Dunk where for some reason there is a huge amount of people who play basket ball in Japan, which is not the case in reality. The creators realize this problem and show that Football isn't popular in Japan to common people, heck most people call it Rugby.

Now then, first I will adress the characters. First you have Sena who is your pathetic hero, who is a spineless wimp in the begining. Then you have Hiruma, who is by defenition a demon. Inteligent, unmercilous and fearsome to everyone around him. He even carries around a gun on him and uses it to get his way. The humor varies with every character that I could explain in different ways, but it's best you find your favorite character.

At this time though I will say that, in terms of humor I DON'T RECOMEND watching the anime, for it cuts out mature bits from the manga to meet japanese censorship needs, I suppose. I recommend the manga if you want the full experience.

Next, would be the action. Which of course makes up most of the manga. The action certianly isn't as boring as Prince of Tennis with it's back and forth monolouges. In fact some of the actions in Eyesheild 21 are completely comical and funny. The action can be serious though, and it doesn't center around special techniques, but just strategy and action. It's a series where you can't quite tell how it will end up. Really.

Why is it not popular then?:
As any american otaku knows, an anime isn't truly known in the states until it is released on TV like adult swim or at the very least released to DVD. Some american dubing studios did notice Eyesheilds popularity, the unfortunate part is that they thought the show wasn't censored enough and took drastic measures to remove Hiruma's weapons, Cerberus the deadly mascot for the team, and most violent scenes in the show. It was a good thing the show was stoped dead in it's tracks at Toonami jetstream and didn't become the next One Piece controversy.

However, then there is the manga front and it's also unknown to most readers for one big reason, it's a sports manga. Since "Prince of Tennis", most people see sports manga as really bishonen like guys on a sports team who have "personal" connections with their teamates, with ridiculous super moves that are almost fictional. Also the fact of Eyesheild 21 being a football manga, has pushed away both japanese & american potential readers.

I hope you liked this information and you will read this underated series.