Review of a Good Manga “ The Days of Diamond(Diamond no Kouzai, ダイヤモンドの功罪)”
Check on Amazon
Check on ComicAddict
Takarajimasha’s annual “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2024″(, which is like You Should Read This Manga in Japan) ranked it number one in the “Men’s Edition.”
It’s a manga featuring lively characters struggling with their issues, which makes it incredibly captivating.
A Tale of Too Much Talent Bringing Suffering to Both the Protagonist and Those Around Him
Though it’s a baseball manga, the main focus is more on human relationships and life’s troubles rather than the sport itself.
The protagonist is a genius who excels in any sport he tries.
However, his overly kind nature, prioritizing others’ feelings over his own success, leads to both him and those around him occasionally suffering as the story progresses.
A Different Take on the Typical Invincible Protagonist in Baseball Manga
Being a genius, the protagonist is depicted excelling in matches like in other baseball mangas.
However, his lack of greed for victory and troubles arising from being overly exceptional mean that the story doesn’t end with a simple “protagonist triumphs and everyone is happy.”
Success brings its own set of problems, with others being troubled by his actions and the protagonist himself facing doubts. It’s not always easy to excel.
This deviates from the typical sports manga narrative of either a straightforward victory or its opposite, marking a new pattern.
Complex and Rich Emotions of the Characters
Not just the protagonist, but the emotions and thoughts of the characters around him are deeply portrayed.
No other sports manga depicts a scene where a friend’s father, skilled in baseball, is so affected by the protagonist’s talent that he forcibly makes him participate in a selection event.
In a Good Way, Probably No Such Child Exists
With everything going so well, one would expect a certain level of arrogance to emerge, especially in a child.
In this respect, the protagonist seems unreal.
However, the richness of the manga’s storyline and character emotions make you feel like “such a child might exist somewhere in the world,” pulling you into the story.
In live-action, it would probably seem fake.
Being a manga allows for the expression of a truly wonderful work.
[1] Hiroshi Hirai, *The Virtue and Vice of Diamond* Vol. 1, 2023, Cover
[2] Hiroshi Hirai, *The Virtue and Vice of Diamond* Vol. 1, 2023, p12
[3] Hiroshi Hirai, *The Virtue and Vice of Diamond* Vol. 1, 2023, p68
