I finally slugged my way through "Katsu". Most of the other Adachi fans I mention this title to give a kind of "meh" reaction, but I liked it. Of any of the Adachi titles I've read, it's the first one that allows the main pair a little on-page intimacy before the end. By the time you get to the end they've already explored a lot of territory the others (esp. the Cross Game pair) are just beginning to explore at end of their stories.
Maybe the problem is that the triangles in Katsu aren't that compelling. But then, while I enjoy Adachi's triangles I don't usually buy them. Most of the time there isn't really a triangle there. The most notable exception is of course H2, where I (and seemingly even Adachi) had no idea how it would turn out. Probably the next most compelling triangle was in Miyuki, but even there I felt I knew the outcome from the start.
Maybe another problem is that it is hard to get enthusiastic about such a tomboyish feminine lead. I guess this is the respect in which Katsu resembles Cross Game. The whole idea of the talented and dedicated girl passing the baton to her boyfriend once she can no longer compete with the boys. But in Katsu, Adachi allowed her femininity to blossom more, I think.
I enjoyed the boxing as a change of pace from baseball. And I enjoyed the open ending in so far as which direction Katsu with go in his professional career. It may just be that I read them at the same time, but Katsu reminds me as much of Rough as of Cross Game.
All-in-all, despite Cross Game's strong start, I think Katsu was a better manga down the stretch. A fun read.
Maybe the problem is that the triangles in Katsu aren't that compelling. But then, while I enjoy Adachi's triangles I don't usually buy them. Most of the time there isn't really a triangle there. The most notable exception is of course H2, where I (and seemingly even Adachi) had no idea how it would turn out. Probably the next most compelling triangle was in Miyuki, but even there I felt I knew the outcome from the start.
Maybe another problem is that it is hard to get enthusiastic about such a tomboyish feminine lead. I guess this is the respect in which Katsu resembles Cross Game. The whole idea of the talented and dedicated girl passing the baton to her boyfriend once she can no longer compete with the boys. But in Katsu, Adachi allowed her femininity to blossom more, I think.
I enjoyed the boxing as a change of pace from baseball. And I enjoyed the open ending in so far as which direction Katsu with go in his professional career. It may just be that I read them at the same time, but Katsu reminds me as much of Rough as of Cross Game.
All-in-all, despite Cross Game's strong start, I think Katsu was a better manga down the stretch. A fun read.
