Real is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue that deals with wheelchair basketball. It has been serialized in Weekly Young Jump since 1999, with the chapters collected into 14 tankōbon volumes as of December 2014 by Shueisha. By 2013, the first 12 volumes had sold over 14 million copies in Japan alone. Although not as popular as Inoue's Slam Dunk, Real is a more serious take on basketball with mature themes and a realistic setting. After a long hiatus that started in 2014, the series has returned in 2019 with a quarterly release schedule.
Plot
The story revolves around three teenagers: Nomiya Tomomi, a high school dropout, Togawa Kiyoharu, an ex-sprinter who now plays wheelchair basketball and Takahashi Hisanobu, a popular leader of the high school's basketball team who now finds himself a paraplegic after an accident. Real features a cast of characters who find themselves being marginalized by society, but are all united by one common feature: a desire to play basketball, with no place to play it in. Nomiya, being a high school dropout, has no future in his life. Togawa, being a difficult personality, finds himself constantly feuding with his own teammates. Takahashi, once a popular team leader, now finds himself being unable to move from the chest down. Real also deals with the reality of physical disabilities, and the psychological inferiority that the characters struggle against. The characters break through their own psychological barriers bit by bit.
Characters
; Kiyoharu Togawa When they first meet, Nomiya Tomomi is so impressed with Togawa's skills that he compares Togawa to NBA star Vince Carter, and often refers to Togawa as "Vince." ; Togawa's father ; Tomomi Nomiya Nomiya spends much of his time in the manga wondering where he went wrong, and trying to fix his life—inspired by the Tigers' spirit, he shaves his head and goes on something of a monk-like quest to change his fate. Against all odds, his desire to change and positive attitude seem to be rubbing off on his co-workers and acquaintances. ; Hisanobu Takahashi As of volume six, Takahashi's story hasn't intersected much with the main plotline. In chapter 78, he attempts to join the Dreams after watching Shiratori's wrestling match. ; Takahashi's father ; Honjou Fumika ; Asaka Azumi ; Yama ; Nagano Mitsuru
Publication
Real is written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue. It started its serialization in the seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump in 1999. The individual chapters have been collected by Shueisha into individual tankōbon volumes, with the first volume being published on March 19, 2001. As of December 19, 2014, 14 volumes have been published. After a long hiatus started in 2014, Inoue announced in 2019 that he would resume the manga on May 23 of the same year. The next chapter of the manga was published on August 29. A new chapter was published in February 2020. Viz Media announced the license of the manga in November 2007. The first volume was released on July 15, 2008.
Volume list
Reception
By 2013, the first 12 volumes of Real had sold over 14 million copies in Japan alone. A review at The Comics Reporter noted that "all of the skills that Inoue displayed in Slam Dunk have evolved for the better in Real", going on to conclude that "the emotional content is presented with a poise and certainty that's really nothing short of breathtaking." The series has been praised for its "realism", and how it "breaks away from conventional portrayals of the disabled as innocent people who are weak in every way." Kazuyuki Kyoya, a wheelchair basketball player, has also expressed his approval of the series: "The manga calls for understanding of people not only in wheelchair basketball but also with various other disabilities. I’m impressed that the scenes in which Takahashi undergoes rehab are elaborately expressed." The series received an Excellence Prize for manga at the 2001 Japan Media Arts Festival. Citing the reason for the award: "Takehiko Inoue is well-known for Slam Dunk, a serial comic on the subject of basketball. "Real" is another sports comic, but one whose story revolves around the novel theme of tough guys and wheelchair basketball. All of the Adjudication Committee members could hardly wait to read the next installments and had to content themselves with awarding Real the Excellence Prize. It would have been no surprise if Inoue had followed his success with Vagabond by winning the Grand Prize for the second year in a row with this terrific manga." About.com's Deb Aoki lists Real as the best new manga of 2008.
