Crimson Hero
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese sports-themed manga
series written and illustrated by Mitsuba Takanashi
. Crimson Hero is serialized
in Shueisha
's shōjo manga magazine Bessatsu Margaret
.
. Her love of the sport is disapproved by her mother who wishes Nobara to become the next hostess for the ryotei
(old-fashioned Japanese restaurant) run by the family. Frustrated by her mother's constant pressure and frequent comparisons between herself and her sister, Nobara finally decides one day to move out and make it on her own. After seeking out her aunt for help, Nobara ends up living with four members of Crimson Field High School's boys' volleyball team as their dorm mother. What follows is a drama of a girl's dream of making it into volleyball, and her difficult journey in fulfilling that dream.
Unfortunately, the Crimson Field girls' volleyball team has been disbanded from lack of interest and some meddling by her mother. Nobara successfully reinstates the team after challenging the boys' team in a three-on-three game, winning, and recruiting three more members to the team, including star setter Tomoyo Osaka.
Before her first official match, Nobara learns her sister Soka has been forced to go on a date with a politician's son. Soka calls her sister two hours before the girl's volleyball team's first game and Nobara runs to her sister's aid. Following Soka's rescue, she witnesses Nobara play volleyball and sees how truly happy Nobara is while playing. The sisters make a deal with her mother to allow Nobara to play volleyball until she graduates high school, when she will inherit the inn. Until then, her sister will assist their mother in running the inn.
, , and
Nobara's father
Nobara's grandmother
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series written and illustrated by Mitsuba Takanashi
Mitsuba Takanashi
is a female Japanese manga creator.- List of works : ; English translation: The Devil Does Exist ; English translation: Crimson Hero - External links :...
. Crimson Hero is serialized
Serial (literature)
In literature, a serial is a publishing format by which a single large work, most often a work of narrative fiction, is presented in contiguous installments—also known as numbers, parts, or fascicles—either issued as separate publications or appearing in sequential issues of a single periodical...
in Shueisha
Shueisha
is a major publisher in Japan. The company was founded in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The following year, Shueisha became a separate, independent company. Magazines published by Shueisha include Weekly Shōnen Jump, Weekly Young Jump,...
's shōjo manga magazine Bessatsu Margaret
Bessatsu Margaret
, or for short, is a shōjo manga magazine published monthly in Japan by Shueisha. It is targeted at girls aged roughly 12-17. It is a spinoff of the magazine Margaret.-Current:*360° Material - Touko Minami*Acanthus - Izumi Yamaguchi...
.
Plot summary
The series follows Nobara Sumiyoshi, a 15-year-old tomboy with a passion for volleyballVolleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
. Her love of the sport is disapproved by her mother who wishes Nobara to become the next hostess for the ryotei
Ryotei
A is a type of luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant. Traditionally they only accept new customers by referral and feature entertainment by geisha, but in modern times this is not always the case. Ryōtei are typically a place where high-level business or political meetings can take place...
(old-fashioned Japanese restaurant) run by the family. Frustrated by her mother's constant pressure and frequent comparisons between herself and her sister, Nobara finally decides one day to move out and make it on her own. After seeking out her aunt for help, Nobara ends up living with four members of Crimson Field High School's boys' volleyball team as their dorm mother. What follows is a drama of a girl's dream of making it into volleyball, and her difficult journey in fulfilling that dream.
Unfortunately, the Crimson Field girls' volleyball team has been disbanded from lack of interest and some meddling by her mother. Nobara successfully reinstates the team after challenging the boys' team in a three-on-three game, winning, and recruiting three more members to the team, including star setter Tomoyo Osaka.
Before her first official match, Nobara learns her sister Soka has been forced to go on a date with a politician's son. Soka calls her sister two hours before the girl's volleyball team's first game and Nobara runs to her sister's aid. Following Soka's rescue, she witnesses Nobara play volleyball and sees how truly happy Nobara is while playing. The sisters make a deal with her mother to allow Nobara to play volleyball until she graduates high school, when she will inherit the inn. Until then, her sister will assist their mother in running the inn.
Crimson Field Girls Volleyball Team
- The tomboy heroine of this mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, a first year at Crimson Field. Her favorite thing to do is to play volleyball and even left her family's house because her mother was against her playing. She has had no interest in boys, until she starts developing feelings for Yushin. Unexpectedly, one night at the training camp, she accidentally tells Kanako that she likes Yushin just as he and the other volleyball members come out. When Yushin rejects her, she unexpectedly tells Yushin that he is a coward and that she doesn't want him to do anything. She is also aware that Keisuke likes her, but does not reciprocate his feelings and tries to maintain her relationship with him as friends. Nobara later improves her techniques, and becomes Yushin's girlfriend.
- A third year at Crimson Field, the captain of the girls volleyball team. She only had one school term left to play volleyball before graduating and so when the girls are knocked out of their first tournament, Yui leaves the team and the team elects Tomoyo as their new captain. She still helps out with the team as their manager, often giving Tomoyo advice when she needs it. Yui, after her departure from the team, started dating Takahashi.
- A second year at Crimson Field, Tomoyo was known to be a star volleyball player in junior high until she suffered an injury during a game and was forced to take a break. She resolved that she should no longer play volleyball, despite the fact she is considered a "genius setter" on the court. After a lot of persuasion, Tomoyo joins Nobara's team as the sixth member required to form the team. After Yui's departure, she is elected team captain. She has previously dated Keisuke and still has feelings for him, though she also knows that he likes Nobara...
- A second year at Crimson Field. She is an experienced player and, along with Yui and Nobara, is one of the first three members of the team. She is somewhat airheaded, but takes on more responsibilities after Tomoyo becomes team captain. Ayako shows the most concern over Nobara's developing ability as a volleyball player when she starts to think that Nobara is too good to play with them.
- A first year at Crimson Field. She has no experience playing volleyball, but because of her admiration of Nobara from watching her play during her match against the boys, Rena joins the team as the fourth member. At first she appears airheaded and silly and Mochida even refers to her as a dog. Despite being very small and short, but has fast reflexes and played tennis in junior high.
- A first year at Crimson Field and the fifth member of Nobara's team, who joins as the same time as Rena. A quiet girl, she played volleyball regularly in junior high. Her parents have expressed the desire for her to quit sports and attend cram schoolCram schoolCram schools are specialized schools that train their students to meet particular goals, most commonly to pass the entrance examinations of high schools or universities...
instead. However, she possesses a strong desire to continue playing volleyball along with studying.
- The newest member of the volleyball team, an athletic girl who actually joins the team to become closer to Yushin. She is somewhat overconfident with her athletic ability, but picks things up quickly. Kanako specializes as jumping as a result of her history as a high jumpHigh jumpThe high jump is a track and field athletics event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of certain devices in its modern most practiced format; auxiliary weights and mounds have been used for assistance; rules have changed over the years....
er although Nobara can jump higher than her. Kanako becomes more competitive with Nobara, and so they both become rivals.
- An abrasive woman hired by Momoko to coachCoach (sport)In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
the Crimson Field Girls' team. She is intimidating and does not hesitate to criticize and punish behaviour she deems unworthy of a team that wishes to play in the Spring Tournament. She has a younger brother, Ryo, who is also a powerful volleyball player.
, , and
- Kanako's friends. They were basketball players in middle school, but agree to join the Crimson Field girls' volleyball team to support Kanako.
Crimson Field Boys Volleyball Team
- A first year at Crimson Field. Another star player on the boy's volleyball team and lives in the dorm with Nobara and Keisuke. Nobara tries to tell him that she likes him, however, he explains that is unfair to Satomi Abe. Almost immediately after, Yushin and Nobara see Satomi with another guy - and Satomi weakly tries to apologize to Yushin. Yushin later breaks up with her, after Nobara convinces him to talk with her. Kanako and Nobara have a crushes on him and Nobara unexpectedly tells Kanako just as Yushin and the other volleyball team members come out. He rejects her at first though he later confesses his love for Nobara, and Nobara accepts, but they officially start dating after the tournament.He also loves pudding, as he has been seen demanding a couple of times where it was.
- A first year at Crimson Field, he is reserved, aloof, and to the point, but not unkind. Considered one of the best players on the boy's volleyball team, and he lives in the same dorm as Nobara. He breaks up with Tomoyo Osaka shortly after Nobara comes to live in his dorm, and he mysteriously explains this by saying he has had a crush on Nobara since grade school. As a child, he was asthmaAsthmaAsthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
tic, which ostracized him from other children and caused him to develop his aloof and reserved personality. Nobara's indifference towards his condition and positive attitude inspired him to play volleyball and overcome his physical problems. He eventually agrees to become friends with Nobara for the time being since he still has feelings for her. He doesn't like the fact that Yushin hurt her.
- A first year at Crimson Field and a member of the boys' volleyball team. He lives at the same dorm as Nobara and went to middle school with Yushin.
- A first year at Crimson Field and a member of the boys' volleyball team. He lives at Nobara's dorm.
- The captain of the boy's volleyball team. He has been dating Yui and he gets easily angered when the girls interfere with the boy's practice.
Nobara's family
- Nobara's maternal aunt, the younger sister of her mother, who was apparently disowned by the Sumiyoshi family. Momoko works as the school nurse at Crimson Field and the sponsor of the girls' volleyball team. She helps Nobara when she can, but draws the line at giving her money or doing anything that might enrage her older sister. Momoko seems cold to Nobara but really she cares about her.
- Nobara's mother and the current hostess of a famous ryoteiRyoteiA is a type of luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant. Traditionally they only accept new customers by referral and feature entertainment by geisha, but in modern times this is not always the case. Ryōtei are typically a place where high-level business or political meetings can take place...
, she is known to have turn business around for the better ever since the downfall of business from her great-grandmother's generation. She hopes her elder daughter will soon give up volleyball and take the family business seriously.
- Nobara's younger sister, who is graceful, quiet, and obedient. Nobara has always admired her sister's ability to be ladylike while Soka finds that she can always rely on Nobara to protect her. Soka, after seeing how volleyball makes Nobara truly happy, helps persuade their mother into allowing Nobara to continue playing volleyball until she graduates from high school while Soka helps run the inn.
Nobara's father
- While her father cannot help Nobara as much as he would like, he shows how much he loves her by giving her money to buy food when Nobara and Soka persuade their mother into letting Nobara remain at Crimson Field. Nobara's father is very supportive of her about volleyboll and her independence.
Nobara's grandmother
- A traditional woman and former hostess of the Sumiyoshi's ryotei. She blames Nobara's behavior on volleyball and disapproves of her older granddaughter's behavior, often commenting that Nobara should be more like Sōka.
Other characters
- Ms. Shima's younger brother, Ms. Shima describes Ryo to be a powerful but reckless attacker whose style is similar to Nobara's. Shima sends Nobara to train with Ryo, believing that Ryo is still a member of Central Sokai University's prestigious volleyball team, unaware that he has not attended practices in over a year as a result of a falling out with his team; none of the other players believed someone of his short stature would be able to continue as an attacker. He continues to play beach volleyball with a group of misfit but powerful players in the local area as a team known as the Eagles and proves to be a very perceptive individual. When he is not playing volleyball, he is somewhat of a womanizer.
- Yushin's girlfriend, whom he has been with since middle school. They began to drift apart after they began attending different high schools, though Satomi continued to attend all of Yushin's volleyball games to support him. However, in her loneliness, she cheats on Yushin with another boy and her infidelity is discovered shortly after Yushin rejects Nobara. They eventually break up.
Japanese
- Volume 1 (2003-06-25) ISBN 4-08-847643-3
- Volume 2 (2003-10-24) ISBN 4-08-847678-6
- Volume 3 (2004-03-25) ISBN 4-08-847726-X
- Volume 4 (2004-08-24) ISBN 4-08-847775-8
- Volume 5 (2004-12-24) ISBN 4-08-847812-6
- Volume 6 (2005-05-25) ISBN 4-08-847857-6
- Volume 7 (2006-01-25) ISBN 4-08-846024-3
- Volume 8 (2006-05-25) ISBN 4-08-846060-X
- Volume 9 (2006-10-25) ISBN 4-08-846106-1
- Volume 10 (2007-04-25) ISBN 978-4-08-846164-9
- Volume 11 (2007-08-24) ISBN 978-4-08-846205-9
- Volume 12 (2007-12-25) ISBN 978-4-08-846248-6
- Volume 13 (2008-05-23) ISBN 978-4-08-846296-7
- Volume 14 (2008-09-25) ISBN 978-4-08-846334-6
- Volume 15 (2009-04-24) ISBN 978-4-08-846400-8
- Volume 16 (2009-08-30) ISBN 978-4-08-846434-3
- Volume 17 (2010-02-25) ISBN 978-4-08-846497-8
- Volume 18 (2010-07-23) ISBN 978-4-08-846551-7
English
Published by VIZ Media- Volume 1 (2005-11-22) ISBN 1-4215-0140-6
- Volume 2 (2006-04-04) ISBN 1-4215-0396-4
- Volume 3 (2006-08-01) ISBN 1-4215-0577-0
- Volume 4 (2006-12-22) ISBN 1-4215-0578-9
- Volume 5 (2007-03-04) ISBN 1-4215-1012-X
- Volume 6 (2007-08-07) ISBN 1-4215-1013-8
- Volume 7 (2007-12-07) ISBN 1-4215-1014-6
- Volume 8 (2008-05-06) ISBN 1-4215-1565-2
- Volume 9 (2008-09-07) ISBN 1-4215-1566-0
- Volume 10 (2009-03-03) ISBN 1-4215-2363-9
- Volume 11 (2009-08-04) ISBN 1-4215-2364-7
- Volume 12 (2010-01-05) ISBN 1-4215-2796-0
- Volume 13 (2010-06-01) ISBN 1-4215-2797-9