KY's Reads

Hachi-One Diver – Manga Review (Rating: 4/5) Overview Hachi-One Diver is a shogi-themed manga written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata , serialized in Weekly Young Jump (Shueisha) from 2006 to 2014, with a total of 35 volumes. The story follows a young man who once aspired to become a professional shogi player but failed. He is drawn into the underground world of gambling shogi, where he rediscovers the thrill and intensity of the game. It’s a unique mix of strategy, battle, and human drama , unlike any other shogi manga. → Wikipedia (English) Synopsis After failing to qualify as a professional, Kentarō Sugata drifts through life, burdened by the shadow of his lost dream. One day, he stumbles into the world of gambling shogi , where money and pride are on the line. There he encounters Soyo Nakashizu , a mysterious woman known as the queen of the underground shogi scene. Their fateful match rekindles Kentarō’s long-buried passion for the game and sets him on a path fill...

Ryu to Ichigo – Manga Review Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Overview Ryu to Ichigo (龍と苺, literally Dragon and Strawberry ) is a shogi-themed manga written and illustrated by Mitsuharu Yanamoto . It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday (Shogakukan) since issue #25 of 2020. Set in a world where no woman has yet become a professional shogi player, the story follows a gifted middle school girl who enters this traditionally male-dominated arena with pure, fearless ambition. Plot Summary The story begins when Ichigo Aida , a 14-year-old girl with little interest in school life, encounters shogi through her school counselor and former principal, Tatsuo Miyamura . Though she knows nothing about the game, her intensity and intuition impress her mentor from the very first match. Ichigo soon participates in local and national tournaments, gradually facing professional players in the prestigious Ryuo (Dragon King) Championship . As the story progresses, she not only learns about shogi but...