Katsu!
Encyclopedia
is a sports manga
by Mitsuru Adachi
which was serialized in the manga magazine Shōnen Sunday
from 2001 to 2005. It centers around a freshman student, Katsuki Satoyama, as he discovers his near-legendary skill in boxing
.
ish crush, Katsuki Mizutani, whose father owns it. However, Satoyama soon finds out that she is distant from her father. Worse, it turns out that she hates boxing.
In a sparring match, everyone soon discovers Satoyama's hidden, yet unpolished, skill in boxing. Satoyama soon learns that Mizutani is really in love with boxing, but disdains it because it's a man's sport in which she cannot participate. Mizutani then takes it upon herself to be Satoyama's trainer and manager in order to reach the championship belt. Satoyama complies to be closer to his crush.
As the story progresses, we soon find out that Satoyama has a hidden past and lineage, one which could give him the necessary skill and talent to be a legendary professional boxing champion.
Katsuki Satoyama's best friend in middle and high school. A talented boxer in his own right, who enjoys the sport and learns well at Mizutani Gym. He likes Katsuki Mizutani and initially joined the gym in order to get closer to her. Occasionally wants to test his strength against Katsuki Satoyama. He had a girlfriend who dumps him quickly.
Former Oriental champion, and owner of Mizutani Gym. Father of Katsuki Mizutani and ex-husband of Harune Mizutani. Tends to drink and get violent a lot, but loves his daughter and is quite protective of her. He has a grudge against the pro boxer named "Rabbit" Sakaguchi, who defeated him twice due to disqualification. He also prefers the hard-hitting, give-and-take style of boxing.
Childhood friend of Katsuki Mizutani, who was very often bullied. Admired Katsuki a lot when she defended him, but regrets that doing so forced her to become a tomboy. Took up boxing to be able to defeat her and allow her to act like a girl again, and became very very good at it. Has a crush on her, and is Katsu Satoyama's first major rival. Belongs to the Asakura High Boxing club.
One of the pro boxers training regularly at Mizutani Gym. A great admirer and fan of Rabbit Sakaguchi, and the person who revealed his identity to Tsuyoshi Mizutani. An advocate of the defensive, point-scoring style as well. Was the first person to give Katsu tips on how to box properly
A boxer who formerly trained at the Mizutani Gym, but who was sent to juvenile detention for a couple of years. Defeated Sakura when he was just a middle-schooler. Now wants to earn his pro license. Former childhood friend of Katsuki Satoyama, and a bully to Kyouta Kawakami. Has a liking for Katsuki Mizutani as well.
A former classmate of Katsuki Satoyama and Kyouta Kawakami in middle school. Has a liking for Katsu and always tries to get him to go on dates with her. Views Katsuki Mizutani as a rival, and a violent girl. Studies at the same high school as Takamichi Kimoto, and gives Satoyama valuable information about his boxing style.
An ace baseball pitcher who made it to Koshien and back. Took up boxing as a change of sport, but also as a dream of following in his idol's footsteps. Falls for Katsuki Mizutani when he meets her, and announces it to the world. Good friends with Jin Uchida since childhood. Is a genius boxer in his own right, and is Katsuki Satoyama's major rival in the series. He and Jin greatly admired Ryūsuke Akamatsu as their childhood hero. His boxing style is completely base from coping Akamatsu off of the tv, causing him to be a southpaw.
The manager of the Kouei Gym, where Rabbit Sakaguchi used to train, and where Jin Uchida is training now. Is friendly and helpful towards both Katsukis because of his relationship with Hachigorou Satoyama. Also knows the reason behind Rabbit Sakaguchi's retirement.
Former manager of the Shoken Gym, where a great boxing star Ryuusuke Akamatsu trained. Runs a soba shop now. Has a granddaughter, Riko Nanjo.
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...
by Mitsuru Adachi
Mitsuru Adachi
is a Japanese manga artist. After graduating from Gunma Prefectural Maebashi Commercial High School in 1969, Adachi worked as an assistant for Isami Ishii. He made his manga debut in 1970 with Kieta Bakuon, based on a manga originally created by Satoru Ozawa...
which was serialized in the manga magazine Shōnen Sunday
Shonen Sunday
, first published on March 17, 1959, is a weekly shōnen manga magazine published in Japan by Shogakukan. Contrary to its title, Weekly Shōnen Sunday issues are released on Wednesdays.- History :...
from 2001 to 2005. It centers around a freshman student, Katsuki Satoyama, as he discovers his near-legendary skill in boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Plot
Katsuki Satoyama and his best friend Kyōta Kawakami, both age 15, enroll in Mizutani Boxing Gym to get close to their tomboyTomboy
A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
ish crush, Katsuki Mizutani, whose father owns it. However, Satoyama soon finds out that she is distant from her father. Worse, it turns out that she hates boxing.
In a sparring match, everyone soon discovers Satoyama's hidden, yet unpolished, skill in boxing. Satoyama soon learns that Mizutani is really in love with boxing, but disdains it because it's a man's sport in which she cannot participate. Mizutani then takes it upon herself to be Satoyama's trainer and manager in order to reach the championship belt. Satoyama complies to be closer to his crush.
As the story progresses, we soon find out that Satoyama has a hidden past and lineage, one which could give him the necessary skill and talent to be a legendary professional boxing champion.
Main
- The male protagonist of the story, Katsuki is a junior at Kōyō High School where he excels at Classical ChineseClassical ChineseClassical Chinese or Literary Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of ancient Chinese, making it different from any modern spoken form of Chinese...
. His mother died five years before the story begins. He and his friend Kyōta join Mizutani Boxing Gym with the ulterior motive of getting closer to Katsuki Mizutani, whose father owns the gym. He is very good at dodging due to his sister's love of throwing things at him when she was little. While he initially believes he is a bantamweightBantamweightBantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
, it turns out his scales at home are off by three kilograms, and he is actually a featherweightFeatherweightFeatherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
.
- His biological father, Ryūsuke Akamatsu, and his adoptive father who raised him, Hachigorō Satoyama, have two completely different boxing styles, and Katsuki has inherited traits of each style, incorporating them into his own unique style.
- Katsuki won both the inter-high school championships and the National Sports FestivalNational Sports Festival of Japanis the national premier sports event of Japan. The abbreviated name is Kokutai . The 65th National Sports Festival of Japan was held in October 2010 in Chiba Prefecture.- Emperor's Cup and Empress Cup Champions :...
championship titles twice each, as well as the overall high school championship once, for a total of five titles. He has also sparred twice with Katsuki Mizutani and once with Shūsaku Nikaidō (who is in a different weight class). He defeats Shinichi Misaki twice in unofficial matches and remains undefeated on and off the record since he officially started boxing.
- After failing the entrance exam to enter college, he obtained his professional boxing license.
- The female protagonist of the story and a classmate of Katsuki Satoyama. She has a very strong personality and has single-handedly taken down groups of bullies and hoodlums multiple times, especially when she was younger and protecting Kimoto Takamichi from them. Daughter of Tsuyoshi and Harune Mizutani, who divorced several years ago. Initially shows great disgust and repulsion towards boxing. She takes special interest in training Katsuki Satoyama after sparring with him. She is the object of affection for Satoyama, Kyouta Kawakami, Takamichi Kimoto and Shinichi Misaki. Was childhood friends with Takamichi Kimoto. She also has feelings towards Satoyama and dislikes Misaki stalking her. Her rival for Satoyama is Riko Nanjo who has the same feelings for him.
Katsuki Satoyama's best friend in middle and high school. A talented boxer in his own right, who enjoys the sport and learns well at Mizutani Gym. He likes Katsuki Mizutani and initially joined the gym in order to get closer to her. Occasionally wants to test his strength against Katsuki Satoyama. He had a girlfriend who dumps him quickly.
- Father of Katsuki Satoyama and Chiyaki Satoyama. Formerly a pro boxer known as "Rabbit Sakaguchi", but took his wife's surname when he married and retired. His last match as a professional boxer was against Ryūsuke Akamatsu, the biological father of Satoyama Katsuki. The match proved to be fatal for Akamatsu, who died 1 month later after the event. A widower of some years, who occasionally likes to flirt. He was maneuvered into taking a job as the coach of the Kouyou High School boxing club, where both Katsukis are. He was known for his defensive, point-scoring style of boxing. His professional boxing record is 12-0-10.
Former Oriental champion, and owner of Mizutani Gym. Father of Katsuki Mizutani and ex-husband of Harune Mizutani. Tends to drink and get violent a lot, but loves his daughter and is quite protective of her. He has a grudge against the pro boxer named "Rabbit" Sakaguchi, who defeated him twice due to disqualification. He also prefers the hard-hitting, give-and-take style of boxing.
- Younger sister of Katsuki Satoyama and daughter of Hachigorou Satoyama. Quite clumsy, and also loves to throw things at people, which trained others in the household to dodge very well. Quite a helpful, friendly little girl who occasionally teases her brother. Admires Shinichi Misaki, the ace pitcher.
- Mother of Katsuki Mizutani, and the parent she lives with. Divorced her husband a few years ago on grounds of drunkenness and violence. Runs an okonomiyaki restaurant that the Satoyamas sometimes patronise. Hates boxers and will not allow them to eat at her shop. Tells everyone she is a widow, rather than divorced.
Childhood friend of Katsuki Mizutani, who was very often bullied. Admired Katsuki a lot when she defended him, but regrets that doing so forced her to become a tomboy. Took up boxing to be able to defeat her and allow her to act like a girl again, and became very very good at it. Has a crush on her, and is Katsu Satoyama's first major rival. Belongs to the Asakura High Boxing club.
One of the pro boxers training regularly at Mizutani Gym. A great admirer and fan of Rabbit Sakaguchi, and the person who revealed his identity to Tsuyoshi Mizutani. An advocate of the defensive, point-scoring style as well. Was the first person to give Katsu tips on how to box properly
A boxer who formerly trained at the Mizutani Gym, but who was sent to juvenile detention for a couple of years. Defeated Sakura when he was just a middle-schooler. Now wants to earn his pro license. Former childhood friend of Katsuki Satoyama, and a bully to Kyouta Kawakami. Has a liking for Katsuki Mizutani as well.
A former classmate of Katsuki Satoyama and Kyouta Kawakami in middle school. Has a liking for Katsu and always tries to get him to go on dates with her. Views Katsuki Mizutani as a rival, and a violent girl. Studies at the same high school as Takamichi Kimoto, and gives Satoyama valuable information about his boxing style.
An ace baseball pitcher who made it to Koshien and back. Took up boxing as a change of sport, but also as a dream of following in his idol's footsteps. Falls for Katsuki Mizutani when he meets her, and announces it to the world. Good friends with Jin Uchida since childhood. Is a genius boxer in his own right, and is Katsuki Satoyama's major rival in the series. He and Jin greatly admired Ryūsuke Akamatsu as their childhood hero. His boxing style is completely base from coping Akamatsu off of the tv, causing him to be a southpaw.
- A young man who chose work and training for a pro boxing license over high school. Trains at Kouei Gym, where Rabbit Sakaguchi formerly trained at as well. Has a dark and serious appearance, and is extremely, violently dangerous when provoked. A good friend of Shinichi Misaki since childhood.
The manager of the Kouei Gym, where Rabbit Sakaguchi used to train, and where Jin Uchida is training now. Is friendly and helpful towards both Katsukis because of his relationship with Hachigorou Satoyama. Also knows the reason behind Rabbit Sakaguchi's retirement.
Former manager of the Shoken Gym, where a great boxing star Ryuusuke Akamatsu trained. Runs a soba shop now. Has a granddaughter, Riko Nanjo.
- Granddaughter of the former manager of Shoken Gym. She seems to have loved Ryūsuke Akamatsu since she was a child and after seeing Satoyama, she decides to seduce him to become pro and then marry him, which angers Mizutani greatly because of her jealousy. She plans to re-open the Shoken Gym.
Manga
- Volume 1, ISBN 4-09-126301-1
- Volume 2, ISBN 4-09-126302-X
- Volume 3, ISBN 4-09-126303-8
- Volume 4, ISBN 4-09-126304-6
- Volume 5, ISBN 4-09-126305-4
- Volume 6, ISBN 4-09-126306-2
- Volume 7, ISBN 4-09-126307-0
- Volume 8, ISBN 4-09-126308-9
- Volume 9, ISBN 4-09-126309-7
- Volume 10, ISBN 4-09-126310-0
- Volume 11, ISBN 4-09-127041-7
- Volume 12, ISBN 4-09-127042-5
- Volume 13, ISBN 4-09-127043-3
- Volume 14, ISBN 4-09-127044-1
- Volume 15, ISBN 4-09-127045-X
- Volume 16, ISBN 4-09-127046-8