Since its inception, Football has been the preferred past time for sports fans. Here in the States, it is considered an institution amongst many, its popularity unrivaled; perhaps then, is it any wonder then why a manga based on the sport has reached the level of success that Eyeshield 21 has?
Despite the fact that Football’s popularity is almost nonexistent in Japan, Eyeshield 21 sets out to prove that well written characters, amazing artwork, and an entertaining story can produce a quality manga that can be appreciated by everyone. Not to mention make the sport more exciting than any game in real life.
Eyeshield 21’s story follows the meek Sena Kobayakawa whose daily routine usually consists of running errands for school bullies. After doing so for years, he develops an amazing level speed that makes him the perfect match for the fledgling football team at Deimon High School.
Whereas other stories of the genre follow someone who dreams of being number one, what separates Sena from other protagonists is his reluctance to do anything. For most of his life, he has been picked on by bullies and has come to accept this as the status quo. He knows next to nothing about football and has little interest in the sport. This all changes however, when the head of the Football team catches a glimpse of his amazing speed and blackmails him into joining the team. From there its nonstop action as Sena is thrown into game after game where he encounters godlike players whose skills make them incredible threats to overcome.
Accompanying Sena is a host of characters that range from insane to downright bizarre. The captain of the football team is Yoichi Hiruma, a demon faced student whose frightening visage is contrasted by his genius level intellect. Few in the story can match his strategic plays making him a feared adversary. Despite putting his team through unbelievable levels of pain and torture, Hiruma is respected for his never say die attitude and his willingness to take chances. Joining him is the kind yet overly sensitive powerhouse Kurita, whose head resembles that of a chestnut.Its characters like these that populate the pages of the series, each one with a distinctive look to call their own. The plot is perfectly paced, giving enough depth and background on each character without having to sacrificing the story or action to make each one relatable.
As the series progresses, Sena’s main goal is to help his team reach the Christmas Bowl, the most watched football game in Japan. Think of it as their version of the Super Bowl. However, standing in his way is a rival player, Seijuro Shin, who is dubbed as the perfect player. He also has aspirations of reaching the Christmas Bowl and his intense speed coupled with incredible strength make him a nearly invincible opponent for Sena.
Artwork starts out rough but gradually progresses to the point that it is among the best in the business. Its amazingly detailed as emphasis is placed on capturing the action from a wide variety of angles. The amount of energy that went into each panel is evident as exaggerated expressions burst forth from almost every perspective. The artist uses a number of different techniques to convey the movement of each character using speed lines and blurring the images.
Eyeshield 21 is definitely worth checking out. Its an original concept highlighted by exceptional art, appealing characters, and a fantstic story. At its heart, it is an underdog story with a message that anything is possible with enough hard work and determination. Even though football and manga usually attract fans on opposite sides of the spectrum, this is a series that fans of both can enjoy.
Since its inception, Football has been the preferred past time for sports fans. Here in the States, it is considered an institution amongst many, its popularity unrivaled; perhaps then, is it any wonder then why a manga based on the sport has reached the level of success that Eyeshield 21 has? 
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