Manga Like Cheeky Brat

Taiki Inomata is a third-year junior high student at Eimei Academy, a combined junior and senior high school known for its strong sports programs. He joins the senior high badminton team and makes it his goal to be the first to arrive at morning practice. However, he is always beaten there by Chinatsu Kano, a first-year senior high student and the object of his affection. Chinatsu is a key player on the basketball team, far more popular and accomplished than Taiki. Though Taiki is a dependable badminton player, the gap between them feels impossible to bridge, especially when it comes to her romantic interest. Unexpectedly, circumstances lead to Chinatsu living under the same roof as Taiki. Determined to become someone Chinatsu can look up to, Taiki sets his sights on the National tournament, mirroring her own goals. Through intense training, he works to build a meaningful connection with his new housemate.

Yamato Akitsuki, a bright and energetic boy, is excited to begin his high school life in Tokyo. Grateful for his aunt’s offer of a free room in her apartment building, he accepts without realizing it is an all-girls dormitory. His first day of school takes an interesting turn when Yamato notices a girl excelling at the high jump. Her skill and beauty captivate him, and he becomes determined to get to know her better. By chance, this girl, Suzuka Asahina, turns out to be his next-door neighbor. However, their interactions so far have caused Suzuka to form a negative impression of him. Despite these misunderstandings, Yamato decides to join the track team to try to make an impression on her. He soon finds himself developing into a promising sprinter in the 100-meter race. Balancing friendship and potential romance, Yamato dedicates himself to training, hoping to win Suzuka’s heart.

Third-year middle school student Tatara Fujita has no clear direction for his future and is frequently picked on by bullies because of his timid nature. He longs to find something he can dedicate himself to completely. One day, while being hounded by a group of delinquents, he is saved by Kaname Sengoku, a dance instructor who rides a motorcycle. Sengoku misinterprets Tatara’s glance at a flyer for Ogasawara Dance Studio and signs him up for a trial lesson. At the studio, Tatara is paired with his classmate Shizuku Hanaoka, a gifted dancer. After another round of bullying and another rescue by Sengoku, Tatara decides to join the dance studio, determined to change how others see him. Throwing himself into the vibrant and energetic world of dance, Tatara commits fully, moving with grace across the ballroom as he chases his newfound passion.

Kou Kitamura is a fifth-grade boy who lives near the sports goods store his family runs. He frequently visits the Tsukishima Batting Center and becomes close friends with the four Tsukishima sisters: Ichiyo, Wakaba, Aoba, and Momiji. Through constant practice at their batting cages, Kou develops exceptional hitting skills, though he remains inexperienced in other areas of baseball. Aoba, despite being a year younger, stands out as a talented pitcher and batter. Wakaba, who is also Kou's classmate, is determined that they will one day get married. This peaceful routine is shattered by an unexpected tragedy. Four years later, Kou continues his intense training but has yet to play in an actual game. As he returns to competitive baseball, questions emerge about whether he can meet the expectations of those who recognize his hidden potential.

Touch is a shounen story about twin brothers, their pretty neighbor, and baseball. It was created by the celebrated mangaka Adachi Mitsuru in the early 1980s, from 1981 to 1986, and the manga is famous for centering on baseball and Koshien, the site of the All High School Baseball Tournament.

At sixteen, Kyou Aizawa has always shared a close bond with her father through their mutual love of basketball. His own NBA dreams were cut short by a knee injury, leading him to pour those ambitions into Kyou instead. When her father is transferred to a distant location, Kyou is thrilled about enrolling at Seisyu Academy, drawn by its reputation for having well-known cute girls' uniforms. Upon receiving her uniform package, she is shocked to find it contains a boy's outfit. Her father had tampered with the enrollment paperwork, registering her as a male student so she could join the prestigious fourth-ranked national basketball team. Reluctantly, Kyou cuts her hair short and moves into the boys' dormitory. In her new room, she meets her roommate and teammate, Chiharu Eniwa, who immediately makes a poor first impression by mocking her height and questioning her commitment to the sport. Now, Kyou must navigate living with Chiharu, excel on the team, and keep her true gender a secret.

Hiro loves baseball and adult entertainment, but after injuring his elbow, he quits the sport and enrolls in a school with no baseball team. His childhood friend Hikari and star player Hideo, both at another school, regret Hiro giving up baseball. At his new school, Hiro first joins the soccer team, but meets Haruka, a clumsy girl running an unofficial baseball club. When the soccer team challenges the baseball club to a match meant to humiliate them, the baseball club is on the verge of losing until Hiro, fed up with the soccer team's arrogance, switches sides and joins the baseball club.

In "Katsu!", 15-year-olds Satoyama Katsuki and his best friend Kawakami Kyouta join Mizutani Boxing Gym to get closer to their crush, Mizutani Katsuki, the gym owner's daughter. Satoyama learns that Mizutani has a tense relationship with her father and strongly dislikes boxing. However, during a training session, everyone—including Mizutani—notices that Satoyama possesses natural but untapped boxing talent. Satoyama later discovers that Mizutani actually loves the sport but resents it because of its male-dominated environment. She becomes his trainer and manager, aiming to turn him into a champion. Satoyama agrees, hoping to strengthen his connection with her. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Satoyama carries a hidden heritage and background that grant him the innate ability and talent to become a renowned Oriental professional boxer.

At 15 years old, volleyball is the core of Nobara Sumiyoshi's life, a talented player with grand ambitions. Yet, the cutthroat world of high school volleyball often blocks her path. One-shots included: Volume 15: "Second" Volume 16: Sugar

Yamato Keisuke is a talented freestyle swimmer, and Ninomiya Ami is a skilled diver. They come from rival families that run confectionery shops. The conflict started two generations ago when Grandfather Ninomiya made an owl-shaped cake. Grandfather Yamato then created a similar cake with added owl ears, giving his product an advantage despite the same price. This caused the Ninomiya shop financial trouble, leading to Grandfather Ninomiya's declining health. On his deathbed, he blamed the Yamato family, saying, "I was done in by the Yamatos." Since then, the two families have been in a bitter feud.

In "Be Still My Heart," Bae Sugu, a 17-year-old model student living with his father—the vice principal of his school—struggles under the burden of his father’s high expectations. His only true passion, which he must hide, is his fascination with swimsuits. Although he can’t explain the origin of this interest, it remains genuine and heartfelt, often leading to confusion and misunderstanding. One day, while secretly photographing swimsuits by the pool, Sugu is caught by his homeroom teacher, resulting in an awkward predicament. Will Sugu manage to escape the cul-de-sac his life has become? Can his heart rediscover its rhythm once more?

In "Get Love!!: Field no Ouji-sama," high school student Sagara Yuuki, the shortest boy in his class, and Moriyama Miki, a girl who admires him regardless of his height, find themselves navigating humorous situations and developing a romantic relationship. The story follows their journey as they face various obstacles while their feelings for each other grow. Included one-shots: Volume 1: Mamotteagetai♥ (I Want to Protect You) Volume 4: Ookami nanka Kowakunai!? Bangai-hen: Valentine nanka Kowakunai!? Volume 6: Mousou♥Virgin (The Delusional Virgin)

In "Smash!", Shouta Azuma is completely oblivious to Miwa Okamoto's feelings for him as she tries to persuade him to attend the same high school as her, hoping to improve their badminton skills and preserve their close bond. However, Shouta, who is easygoing and values fun over competition, turns down her proposal. During a casual match, Shouta crosses paths with Yuhi Kitou, a gifted badminton player who has lost her voice. Her graceful playing style mesmerizes him, but she disappears before he can learn who she is, leaving him resolved to find her again. While searching, he comes across Anan Hashiba, whose extraordinary skill introduces Shouta to the excitement of competing against strong opponents. Motivated by his new passion to improve and the conviction that growing stronger will help him reunite with Yuhi, Shouta dives into the world of competitive badminton.

Taking place at Meisei Gakuen, the same high school featured in Touch but 26 years later, Mix centers around two brothers and their connection to baseball.

In school, Kyouko Hori is seen as cheerful and academically strong, but at home she has a different side. Because her parents are often away on work trips, she has to manage household chores and take care of her younger sibling, which leaves little time for hanging out with friends. Izumi Miyamura, on the other hand, is perceived as a quiet, glasses-wearing otaku, but he is actually a kind person who struggles with his studies. Hidden under his long hair are nine piercings and a tattoo that runs from his back to his left shoulder. By chance, Hori and Miyamura meet outside of school and discover each other's hidden sides. These contrasting personalities grow close, sharing parts of themselves that they keep hidden from others.

At Shuchiin Academy, Miyuki Shirogane, a nationally renowned genius and student council president, shares the stage with Kaguya Shinomiya, the vice president who is both affluent and stunningly beautiful. Though they aren't in a relationship, students often view them as the ideal couple. Unbeknownst to most, their frequent interactions have sparked romantic feelings between them. Nevertheless, neither Miyuki nor Kaguya wishes to be the first to admit these feelings, as it would be perceived as a sign of vulnerability. Driven by their pride as top students, they engage in elaborate strategies aimed at making the other confess first, igniting a war of love and wits.

The referee blows the whistle, the ball rises, a pass, a set, and a powerful spike. In volleyball, two teams face off across a towering net. Standing at only 170 centimeters, the "Little Giant" leaps over the net and the line of defenders with ease. Young Shouyou Hinata is mesmerized by the star player's crow-like figure. Inspired to reach such heights, the diminutive Hinata assembles a team in his last year of middle school and enters his first competition. Unfortunately, his team faces a devastating loss in their opening match against the formidable Kitagawa Daiichi, dominated by the talented but domineering setter called the "King of the Court," Tobio Kageyama. With dreams of facing Kageyama again and following the footsteps of the Little Giant, Hinata enrolls at Karasuno High School. His plans are derailed when he finds Kageyama is now his teammate. Now, Hinata must find his place on the team and work with the challenging Kageyama to overcome his personal shortcomings and strive towards his goal of becoming a top high school volleyball player. Included one-shot: Volume 14: Nisekyuu!!

In response to the declining standards of Japanese football, the Japan Football Association enlists the controversial and unconventional coach Jinpachi Ego to propel the nation towards winning the World Cup. Believing that Japan lacks a striker with sufficient confidence and desire to score, Jinpachi initiates the Blue Lock—a harsh training ground where 300 top high school strikers from across Japan compete against each other. The last remaining player will secure the spot on the national team's striker position, while those who get eliminated will be barred forever from representing Japan. One of the selected participants is Yoichi Isagi, a striker whose high school team did not advance to the national tournament due to his decision to pass the ball rather than shoot, leading to a lost opportunity. Plagued by self-doubt over whether a more selfish approach might have changed the outcome, Yoichi embraces the Blue Lock challenge. His goal is to settle his uncertainties and achieve his ultimate aspiration: becoming the world's best striker and leading Japan to World Cup triumph.

As a child, Raku Ichijou made a promise to a girl he met long ago that they would marry if they ever met again. Over time, he forgot her face, but still holds onto a locked pendant that only she can open with a key. He hopes to one day find her, even though he cannot recall her appearance. Now a first-year student at Bonyari High, Raku wants a peaceful school life and dreams of dating his crush, Kosaki Onodera. But as the son of a yakuza boss, his life is far from normal. When the American Bee Hive gang attacks his family's territory, a truce is forced between the two rival organizations. To maintain peace, Raku must pretend to be in a romantic relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of the Bee Hive's leader. Despite their mutual dislike, they have to act like a loving couple to keep the gangs from clashing. Meanwhile, the search for the key to his pendant grows more complicated as other girls appear, each somehow connected to the lock. Raku must navigate his fake romance, preserve the fragile peace between the warring factions, and find out which girl holds the key to both his pendant and his heart.

In his first year at Shohoku High, Hanamichi Sakuragi—a towering, boisterous teen with fiery red hair and immense physical power—aims to break his string of 50 rejections and secure a girlfriend. Despite his intimidating presence and history of causing trouble, which keeps fellow students at bay, he spends his first day mulling over the thoughts: "I hate basketball" and "I need a girlfriend." During this time, Haruko Akogi, unaware of his antics, takes note of Hanamichi's height and playfully inquires whether he enjoys basketball. Caught off guard by the attention from a girl, he hastily agrees, even though he genuinely dislikes the sport. When Haruko challenges him to a slam dunk at the gym, Hanamichi, inexperienced as he is, attempts the move but ends up hitting his head against the backboard instead. Still, Haruko is awed by his raw talent and alerts the school's basketball captain about his unusual skills. Consequently, Hanamichi is thrown into the competitive realm of basketball for a girl he scarcely knows, eventually discovering that the sport holds more than he originally thought.

In "My Dress-Up Darling," Wakana Gojou is a reserved high school freshman who devotes himself to his family's traditional craft of doll-making. Haunted by the mockery of a childhood friend toward his interests, Gojou finds it difficult to connect with his classmates' hobbies, leading him to withdraw from social interactions. Though he struggles with creating doll faces, Gojou possesses exceptional skill in designing and crafting their clothing. This talent catches the attention of Marin Kitagawa, a striking classmate known for her straightforward and bold personality. Kitagawa is an avid cosplayer of characters from mature video games. Unable to make her own costumes, Kitagawa asks for Gojou's help. As they explore the world of cosplay together, Gojou forms his first genuine friendship with Kitagawa. Despite their contrasting personalities, their bond strengthens through their shared dedication to the meticulous art of cosplay.

In "Bakuman。", Moritaka Mashiro, a skilled middle school artist, feels uncertain about his future, expecting a dull life ahead. His outlook changes when Akito Takagi, an aspiring writer, finds one of Mashiro's drawings and suggests they team up to create a manga. Mashiro initially hesitates because his late uncle, a mangaka, died from overworking, but he is spurred on by his crush, Miho Azuki, who wants to become a seiyuu. Driven by a goal to craft a manga that could become an anime for Azuki to voice, Mashiro agrees. Azuki, who shares his feelings, promises to marry him once they both achieve their dreams. The story follows Mashiro and Takagi as they tackle the hurdles of getting their work published in Weekly Shounen Jump and striving to gain fame as mangakas. Their path balances between success and the risk of falling short like many other hopeful creators.

Takao Kasuga is a shy middle school student with a passion for reading, particularly Charles Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du Mal. He harbors a crush on his kind-hearted classmate and idol, Nanako Saeki. In contrast, Sawa Nakamura is a rude, indifferent student who shows little interest in school. One evening, Takao realizes he left his book at school and returns to retrieve it. There, he finds Nanako's recently worn gym clothes on the floor and, overcome by a strange impulse, steals them. Overwhelmed by guilt after his act, Takao tries to maintain his normal routine. However, Sawa, who witnessed the theft, has her own plans for him.

Fuutarou Uesugi is a top student who excels in his studies, but his dedication has left him without friends and struggling with his family's financial burdens. His isolated life changes when he encounters a new student, Itsuki Nakano, who challenges him over their usual lunch spot. After a minor clash where Fuutarou bests Itsuki with a remark about her eating habits, he learns that a wealthy family has hired him to tutor their underperforming daughters. To his surprise, the students are Itsuki and her four identical sisters: the reserved Miku, the energetic Yotsuba, the cunning Nino, and the composed Ichika. Fuutarou soon discovers that teaching these quintuplets is far more difficult than anticipated, as they show little interest in academics. He must now navigate the challenges of guiding five unique and beautiful young women through their studies.