ONE OUTS 1

ONE OUTS #1

by Shinobu Kaitani

Kojima Hiromichi is the ace batter of the Lycaons - a notoriously weak baseball team that is often ranked at the bottom of the league. Determined to lead the team to victory prior to his retirement, Kojima takes a trip to a training camp in Okinawa, hoping to discover what factors the Lycaons lack.

Here, he happens upon a game dubbed "One Outs" - a gambling derivative of baseball - and is soundly defeated by a blond pitcher named Tokuchi Toua, who is claimed to have never allowed a hit in any of the 499 games he has played.

Kojima realizes that he has found the 'missing factor' and makes a wager with Tokuchi. Little does anyone know that the outcome of this gamble will dictate the fates of the Lycaons and all those connected to the team.

Genres: Manga, Sports, Comics, Seinen, Psychological

210 pages, Comic

First published June 18, 1999

About the author

Japanese: 甲斐谷忍He received the prestigious Tezuka Prize in 1991 for Mou Hitori no Boku (Another Me). In 1993, his series Suisan Police Gang was serialized in Shoukan Shounen Jump. In 1995, he co-illustrated the series Sommelier in the magazine Manga Allman to great acclaim. His baseball series One Outs, ended its run in Business Jump with 20 tankoubon released.

His current serial is Weekly Young Jump's Liar Game, which has been adapted into two seasons of a highly-rated drama series as well as a forthcoming movie.

Hobbies: horses, travel
Special skill: calligraphy, spoon bending

Reviews

[Anushka Aritri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best over-the-top psychological thrillers in sporty settings, that I've come across. Baseball has never been more interesting. Despite its minor flaws, the mindgames and gameplay's absurdity alone will keep you faithful to reading the manga.

[Mendhak · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best manga I've ever read, by the same author of Liar Game, another favorite.

The manga's first 80-ish chapters aren't translated. I'd recommend watching the anime and then reading the manga at chapter 82 where the story continues.

The only downside is that the manga is ongoing, so you have to wait weekly for new chapters. However, the story is still very good and keeps you waiting.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting despite my knowing nothing about baseball; it’s more about psychological warfare than ‘ball.

The heightenedness of sports comics - the meaningless treated as deep, in slo-mo, breathless, with your violent enmity for your randomly selected opponent - is easy to mock. But it’s also just good fun to view things high stakes, to care.

[Cristhian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promising start

[Geovannyboss · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice

[Rahul Chaurasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the anime first which contains 25 episodes which was not the complete series and I don't know why this particular anime is not as famous as Death Note, yes I would equate One Outs with Death Note, such a great piece of phycological thriller , so after completing the 25 episodes I was very curious how the story will go further so for the first time I read Manga ( Japanese comics ) and it was totally worth it, a genius mind can write this type of master-piece, each & every chapter was so thrilling to read, became a fan.
Every Anime lover must watch this anime first and then do read the manga from chapter 82.

Link for the anime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fa1S...

[Joe Santoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Main character is a little too smart, but the psychological battles he plays and wins with every other person is really fun to see. Just when another character thinks they have him, they realize they've been played. Really fun read.

[Zvonimir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another ubermensch becomes the best at something without really trying.

[pato]

same problem as liar game, gets too formulaic and the ending being predictable and trailing off is super anticlimactic, good escalation and entertaining but fell short in lots of ways

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit disappointed with the art style, but the story seems interesting (even if so far it hasn’t been what I expected), so let’s see how it goes.

[AB · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This is a great Start. Super interesting with a mysterious protagonist. I am intrigued.

[Aaron Gertler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars. Review covers chapters 1-32, since chapters 33-53 seem to be unavailable online. The manga does exactly what it sets out to do, and I couldn't see most of the twists coming. One of the best mystery stories I've seen told in this format, though there's not much in the way of character development.

Also, if you like psychological sports thrillers with hustler protagonists, I insist that you read Troon McAllister's Eddie Caminetti books, starting with The Green. I'd love to see Caminetti take on Tokuchi Toua at... I don't know, billiards?

[unreliable greenink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A professional baseball player vs a manipulator: who will win? Dun dun dun... It's really intense. I find myself cheering for both of them, and watching the professional work so hard, and the calmness of the manipulator I have no idea who I want to win. And the cliffhanger >.<

[anne⁷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found another manipulative bastard! Aww yissss! Toua FTW!