7 days ago
Japanese pro basketball team generates buzz with online manga
TOKYO - A free online comic documenting the ups and downs of a Japanese professional basketball team's 2024-25 season has proven a hit, topping 200,000 views within two days of its June 7 release.
B-League first-division outfit the Kawasaki Brave Thunders have actively promoted themselves on YouTube and other social media networks, but they recently made their first foray into comics in a bid to stand out among professional sports teams.
"It's so Kawasaki -- being able to do things other clubs haven't done," said Ryusei Shinoyama, the Brave Thunders' 37-year-old point guard, who has spent his entire career with the B-League club.
Manga artist Nao Sasaki, a big fan of the Brave Thunders, created the 68-page comic book, seen on their official website, after watching all 60 games of their 2024-25 campaign.
The Brave Thunders, based in Kawasaki near Tokyo, finished last in the eight-team Central Conference.
"I got to see the team make progress one step at a time," Sasaki said. "They may not have had stellar results, but I wanted readers to get the impression that there were dramas surrounding this club.
"It was really worth drawing what was going on behind the scenes."
The B-League has developed a fervent fan base across the country. Former NBA swingman Yuta Watanabe finished his first season in Japan with the Chiba Jets, while former U.S. college basketball standout Keisei Tominaga has signed a contract with Levanga Hokkaido for the 2025-26 season.
The comic book depicts moments from the season that Shinoyama did not even know about.
"Only manga can preserve things that cannot be captured on film," he said. "The author created something really great."
