H2 (manga)

H2 is a Japanese baseball-themed manga series written and illustrated by Mitsuru Adachi. It was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from July 1992 to November 1999, with its chapters collected in 34 volumes. A 41-episode anime television series adaptation aired from June 1995 to March 1996. An 11-episode television drama series adaptation, H2: Kimi to Ita Hibi, directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi was broadcast from January to March 2005.

By August 2018, the manga series had over 55 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series.

Plot

Hiro Kunimi, Hideo Tachibana, and Atsushi Noda form a formidable trio on their middle school baseball team, leading it to consecutive national championships with an undefeated record. During this time, Hiro facilitates a relationship between Hideo and their childhood friend Hikari Amamiya, only to later realize his own romantic feelings for her. Hikari, in turn, begins to see Hiro as more than just a brotherly figure. Upon entering high school, Hiro and Noda receive a devastating medical diagnosis from a discredited physician, falsely warning that continued baseball participation would result in catastrophic injuries. Believing their dreams of reaching Kōshien shattered, they enroll at Senkawa High School, which lacks a baseball team. Hiro joins the soccer team while Noda takes up swimming, while Hideo and Hikari attend Meiwa Daiichi High School, renowned for its elite baseball program.

Senkawa's unofficial baseball fan club, managed by the earnest but accident-prone Haruka Koga, draws Hiro back to the sport during an impromptu match against the school's soccer team. Disillusioned by the arrogance of the soccer team's captain and star player, Hiro switches sides mid-game, nearly leading the fan club to an improbable comeback. This performance reignites his passion for baseball, and when the false medical diagnosis is exposed, he and Noda decide to remain at Senkawa. With Haruka's support, they persuade the school's skeptical headmaster to establish an official baseball team after a closely contested practice game against Meiwa Daiichi, which Senkawa narrowly loses due to questionable officiating.

Under the guidance of novice coach Fujio Koga, Haruka's brother, the newly formed team faces Eikyo High School, a dominant program known for its ruthless tactics, including deliberate player injuries. Despite losing decisively, Senkawa's sportsmanship contrasts sharply with Eikyo's win-at-all-costs mentality. The following year, the team strengthens with new members, including Sagawa, a former delinquent with ties to Hideo, and two players initially planted as saboteurs by Eikyo's star pitcher, Hirota. All three ultimately embrace Senkawa's camaraderie and contribute significantly to the team's success. Senkawa avenges its earlier loss by defeating Eikyo in the divisional tournament, advancing to the national Kōshien tournament. A potential showdown with Meiwa Daiichi is thwarted when Hiro suffers an injury in the second round, leading to Senkawa's elimination. Meiwa Daiichi proceeds to win the summer tournament.

Amidst these developments, Hiro confesses his long-standing feelings for Hikari, though he also grows closer to Haruka after defending her from harassment. Meanwhile, Hikari experiences personal tragedy when her mother passes away unexpectedly, deepening her emotional bonds with both Hiro and Hideo. The rivalry between Hiro and Hideo culminates in a Kōshien semifinal matchup. Hiro pitches a near-flawless game, holding Hideo hitless until the final at-bat, where a would-be home run drifts foul. Hideo strikes out on the next pitch, securing Senkawa's victory. In the aftermath, Hideo reconciles with Hikari, acknowledging his dependence on her, while Hiro implies to Haruka his aspirations for professional baseball, which she vows to support. Senkawa advances to the Kōshien final, leaving their ultimate fate undisclosed.

Characters

• Hiro Kunimi (国見 比呂)
• [3]
• Hiro moves to Senkawa to abandon baseball, but later becomes the star pitcher of its newly formed team. A natural talent with unmatched dedication, he excels as a power hitter and elite fielder. His extraordinary stamina and focus allow him to dominate games, with a fastball exceeding 150 km/h and an unpredictable forkball. He also develops a high-speed slider that tests even professional catchers. Hiro introduces Hikari to Hideo and struggles with lingering feelings for her while growing closer to Senkawa's manager, Koga Haruka.
• Hideo Tachibana (橘 英雄)
• [3]
• Hiro's best friend and greatest rival, Hideo played alongside him in middle school and has dated Hikari since then. A natural talent with relentless dedication, he aims to turn professional after high school. As Meiwa Daiichi High's cleanup hitter in his first year, his exceptional batting skill quickly makes him a national standout. His ability is such that facing high school pitchers with an aluminum bat is considered unfair, underscoring his dominance at the plate.
• Hikari Amamiya (雨宮 ひかり)
• [3]
• Hikari, Hiro's childhood friend and Hideo's girlfriend, aspires to be a journalist. A member of the archery club, she temporarily manages Meiwa Daiichi's baseball team during Koshien at Hideo's request. While committed to Hideo, she also harbors unresolved feelings for Hiro.
• Haruka Koga (古賀 春華)
• [3]
• Daughter to the businessman whom Hiro's father works for, she was a high school baseball enthusiast. A hardworking baseball club manager, she played an instrumental role in creating and supporting Senkawa's baseball club. As time goes along, her feelings for Hiro grow more apparent. She dreams of being an air flight stewardess as well as a professional baseballer's wife.
• Atsushi Noda (野田 敦)
• [3]
• Noda, Senkawa's catcher and the third member of Hiro and Hideo's friendship, completes the team's battery. Despite his lazy demeanor, Hiro recognizes his skill in fielding decisions and team management. Known for his humor and bad puns, he is also perceptive and leads as team captain by his second year. As Senkawa's cleanup hitter, his batting is powerful but inconsistent, blending strength and timing effectively.
• Ryūtaro Kine (木根 竜太郎)
• [3]
• Kine, a former Hakusan Angels pitcher in primary school, switched to soccer after Hideo replaced him. His athleticism aids his return to baseball when he joins Senkawa to pursue Haruka. As leadoff batter and center fielder—the best in the series—he combines skill with luck, though his brash personality often provides comic relief. While initially discouraging Haruka’s baseball ambitions, he later schemes with Miho to disrupt her growing bond with Hiro. Despite his boastful nature, he demonstrates sharp baseball instincts and works hard when motivated.
• Miho Osanai (小山内 美歩)
• Miho, a Meiwa Daiichi manager, joins to pursue Hideo but is repeatedly thwarted by his loyalty to Hikari. After failed attempts to separate them, she conspires with Kine—only for their scheming to bring the two closer instead.

Media

Reception

By August 2018, the H2 manga had over 55 million copies in circulation.[46] On TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150,000 people voted for their top 100 manga series, H2 ranked 72nd.[47]

External links