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Takehiko Inoue
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Real, Vol. 1 Paperback – July 15, 2008

by Takehiko Inoue (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 220 ratings
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Eisner-award nominated creator Takehiko Inoue creates a dramatic tale of triumph over adversity. This is the story of three young men whose lives are profoundly changed by their involvement with wheelchair basketball.

Critically acclaimed, award-winning manga artist Takehiko Inoue doesn’t pull any punches in this stunning portrayal of people struggling with serious life issues. Masterfully combining rich character development with beautifully detailed line art, Inoue, the creator of the mega-hit masterpieces Slam Dunk and Vagabond, lifts the manga medium to a completely new level of storytelling.

A motorcycle accident, bone cancer, a speeding truck crashing into a boy on a stolen bicycle--tragic life-changing events turn the worlds of three young men upside down. These three very different personalities have only one thing in common--their passion for basketball.
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  1. Part of Series
    Real
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    VIZ Media LLC
  5. Publication date
    July 15, 2008
  6. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  7. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.9 x 8.25 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    1421519895
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1421519890
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Basketball-obsessed manga superstar Inoue (Vagabond; Slam Dunk) returns with a series about wheelchair basketball. Nomiya is a young thug recently kicked out of high school who yearns to play basketball. When he meets the wheelchair-bound basketball prodigy Kiyoharu Tagawa, the two begin hustling pickup games at local outdoor courts. In the meantime, Takahashi, the newly appointed captain of Nomiya's former school basketball team, is hit by a car and paralyzed from the waist down. This first volume feels less dynamic than Inoue's previous manga series, and it would have been a better idea for Viz to follow Del Rey's example and simultaneously release volumes one and two for readers to get a better foundation for the story. Inoue's illustrations are consistently gorgeous—volume one features ink watercolor paintings of his characters. His sense of action and drama is solid, but this opening book feels as though Inoue is figuring out how to get the different parts of his story to fit together fluidly—something to be remedied by volume two. Those who enjoyed Inoue's other famed basketball manga, Slam Dunk, and anyone moved by triumph over great obstacles are encouraged to give it a read. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–A compelling story of tragedy and struggle, Real is sure to appeal to teens–especially to male readers. Like Inoue's Slam Dunk series (Viz Media), the novel centers on basketball, but this time the focus is on wheelchair athletes. Tomomi is an angry and troubled high school dropout. He is plagued by guilt over a motorcycle accident that left his passenger paralyzed and has made Tomomi a social outcast among his former teammates. Kiyoharu is also struggling, having lost a leg to bone cancer and now confined to a wheelchair. Although Tomomi and Kiyoharu are very different, they share an intense love for the game, a passion that brings them together. A third tragic event, which results in a basketball bully losing the use of his legs, is introduced near the end of the book. It is sure to play an important role in future volumes. Inoue's black-and-white drawings are detailed and realistic, enhancing the grittiness of the story and helping to bring both characters and action to life. Real will make a welcome addition to libraries looking for manga for more mature readers, and it is sure to leave teens hungry for more.–Lara McAllister, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ VIZ Media LLC (July 15, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1421519895
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1421519890
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.9 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 220 ratings

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Takehiko Inoue

Takehiko Inoue

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
220 global ratings
This Is Joy
5 Stars
This Is Joy
The volume came in absolutely fantastic quality. It was better than expected as it included very detailed editors notes and actually had colored pages which, by the way, look incredible on paper. REAL is my all time favorite manga and it just feels so nice to actually own the first volume in great quality. If you are a fan of basketball, Inoue, the Seinen demographic, a very character driven story, or just want to read and or collect a really good and nice looking manga, I, 200%, recommend you pick up this volume and continue to get the rest if you enjoy the series. This Is Joy.
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Top reviews from the United States

halle
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love Takehiko Inoue and his works. Please buy it!!!!!
2 people found this helpful
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boobemi
5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Joy
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
The volume came in absolutely fantastic quality. It was better than expected as it included very detailed editors notes and actually had colored pages which, by the way, look incredible on paper. REAL is my all time favorite manga and it just feels so nice to actually own the first volume in great quality. If you are a fan of basketball, Inoue, the Seinen demographic, a very character driven story, or just want to read and or collect a really good and nice looking manga, I, 200%, recommend you pick up this volume and continue to get the rest if you enjoy the series. This Is Joy.
Customer image
boobemi
5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Joy
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020
The volume came in absolutely fantastic quality. It was better than expected as it included very detailed editors notes and actually had colored pages which, by the way, look incredible on paper. REAL is my all time favorite manga and it just feels so nice to actually own the first volume in great quality. If you are a fan of basketball, Inoue, the Seinen demographic, a very character driven story, or just want to read and or collect a really good and nice looking manga, I, 200%, recommend you pick up this volume and continue to get the rest if you enjoy the series. This Is Joy.
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4 people found this helpful
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Rakheli
5.0 out of 5 stars Real art
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
I don't really care about basketball or any sport, but Inoue's passion for it, alive in his characters, is quite contagious. At the same time, it's not really about basketball. It's about dealing with whatever life throws your way, transcending what seems like your limits, and becoming a better person in the process. The story is inspirational, the characters and relationships are complex and engaging, and the art, OMG the art!
Nitpicking: 1) Not sure why the artist can't draw females as well as he draws males. 2) Would have loved to have more content per volume.
4 people found this helpful
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Jerry
5.0 out of 5 stars 10/10
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2022
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10/10
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Myki
5.0 out of 5 stars Real is Real
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2010
Verified Purchase
This series is beautifully drawn and written. Watching the three young protagonists fall and then slowly rise above their handicaps and shortcomings is very satisfying. I find myself studying each panel of Inoue's art and appreciating the amount of thought and empathy put into his work. I started with Vagabond and went in search of his other works, which led me to Slam Dunk and, especially Real.
I read the series on line, but felt I needed to have the books so I could read it over and over.
5 people found this helpful
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Daniel R
4.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
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amazing story about becoming a better person
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DiabloMask
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful art
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
Although the story is original and very well written, this manga felt more like an art book, with too much amazing art, but too short plot for a whole volume, it didn't feel like much have happened since the beginning of the manga.
It was a good read though, and the art is so beautiful.
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Danny
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic Manga
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2019
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Amazing art and storyline ;
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLE ART
Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
Came in perfect shape so quickly and it was for a friend and she loved it!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Real basketball
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
I loved this first volume of Inoue's Real. As often Inoue's art is outstanding and the narrative of this first instalment flows beautifully, with well paced panels from someone who has decades polishing his style and storytelling. It is sad that his work still remains somehow only known by a small community in comparison to what sells nowadays (you know what I am talking about).

The real, this time around, comes from the struggles of a young man who is dealing from PtSD and school exclusion. After giving up on his own future, he meets another young boy on a wheelchair who with he shares his love for basketball.
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yb
1.0 out of 5 stars beschadigd
Reviewed in Germany on June 13, 2021
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de rug van de manga is beschadigd.
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Arpan Vijay
5.0 out of 5 stars GOAT
Reviewed in India on July 11, 2019
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Great manga!!! Takehiko Inoue is a beast when it comes to art .
One person found this helpful
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Wes
5.0 out of 5 stars Basketball with heart
Reviewed in Canada on April 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
What can I say about REAL that hasn't been said before? It's another basketball manga from the amazing Takehiko Inoue, but this time focusing on wheelchair basketball but also on how characters are linked by their love of basketball. It's a great story with amazing art, and if you want something deep but also fun you'll be in for a treat. Highly recommended.
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