(L) Cross Game

[Reckoner]

Originally Posted by stuopidget

Isn't that how some of the other Adachi manga ended (getting together/confession at the very last chapter)? Though I must say Aoba held out for a long, long time. SO TSUN AOBA SO TSUN!

Well this is my first experience with an Adachi work... So I wouldn't know.

[LusterFlare]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

I wouldn't really be happy for Kou and Aoba to finally get together and then have the manga end. That's too cheap. So hopefully 160 isn't the last chapter.

Hmm, I have a feeling it will end when Koshien begins. Stadium packed with fans, the huge Aoba poster behind centerfield, Akaishi as catcher, and Kou getting ready to throw his first pitch on the mound; Wakaba's dream come true. Woo .

[Johnny]

I'm curious whether or not the birthday list will just be left out in the cold? There's what two more items to go and if they end everything now that will be the case. He did make it a point to keep are attention on it as the story went along. It be a shame to just let it go...

[leongsh]

It definitely needs another 10 chapters (= 1 volume) for an epilogue.

[DanielSong39]

Why do I get the feeling that the next half inning will mark the end of the story?

Oh well, it was a good run for Koh and I hope Seishuu will do well in Koshien (and hopefully find more pitchers in the meantime!). Wakaba's dream will come true as Aoba will come down to center field to celebrate the team's big victory.

[poko-kun]

Originally Posted by leongsh

It definitely needs another 10 chapters (= 1 volume) for an epilogue.

That would be great!

[The Rumblefish]

Originally Posted by Johnny

I'm curious whether or not the birthday list will just be left out in the cold? There's what two more items to go and if they end everything now that will be the case. He did make it a point to keep are attention on it as the story went along. It be a shame to just let it go...

Only the last gift is important: the wedding. I think it will either be resolved in dialogue, or we'll get a time jump on the day of the wedding (that's my bet!).

Originally Posted by leongsh

It definitely needs another 10 chapters (= 1 volume) for an epilogue.

The element that goes into the favor of one more volume is the "season" gimmick, and the fact there is a lot to explain about the list, the different potential couples etc.

But 10 chapters to unfold after the climax... Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, Adachi has never done such a thing before. Sometimes the romantic interests hook up way before the ending ; usually this happens when the romantic subplot is not very important in the story (which is not the case here). Adachi has never spent much time on the ending. He usually ends at the climax or allows only one chapter for the epilogue.

Not saying it is impossible, but given that Adachi is now playing the unexpected diary+flashbacks card in the middle of the most important match, it is far more believable that he'll end on this volume (in five chapters). How he spends these five chapters is left to anyone's guess, though.

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by The Rumblefish

The element that goes into the favor of one more volume is the "season" gimmick, and the fact there is a lot to explain about the list, the different potential couples etc.

But 10 chapters to unfold after the climax... Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, Adachi has never done such a thing before. Sometimes the romantic interests hook up way before the ending ; usually this happens when the romantic subplot is not very important in the story (which is not the case here). Adachi has never spent much time on the ending. He usually ends at the climax or allows only one chapter for the epilogue.

That's assuming the end of the baseball match is the climax of Cross Game. If the climax of the manga isn't the end of the baseball match, Adachi has done it before - Touch shows the way as it ran for another 2 volumes after the end of the baseball match.

Originally Posted by The Rumblefish

Not saying it is impossible, but given that Adachi is now playing the unexpected diary+flashbacks card in the middle of the most important match, it is far more believable that he'll end on this volume (in five chapters). How he spends these five chapters is left to anyone's guess, though.

That's the key. How is he going to spend the next 5 chapters?

[PeterI]

Originally Posted by LusterFlare

Hmm, I have a feeling it will end when Koshien begins. Stadium packed with fans, the huge Aoba poster behind centerfield, Akaishi as catcher, and Kou getting ready to throw his first pitch on the mound; Wakaba's dream come true. Woo .

I will feel seriously cheated if Aoba doesn't appear in person as CF.

[The Rumblefish]

Originally Posted by leongsh

That's assuming the end of the baseball match is the climax of Cross Game. If the climax of the manga isn't the end of the baseball match, Adachi has done it before - Touch shows the way as it ran for another 2 volumes after the end of the baseball match.

I cannot really develop on Touch for fear of spoiling people but, to remain vague, the key of Touch is what happens in chapter 256. There is only one chapter after that. The baseball match you mention is not as important as in Cross Game because it does not directly resolve many plot points.

From my view, the key of Cross Game is whether Kô fulfills Aoba's and Wakaba's childhood dreams. Wakaba wished to see the ones she loved competing in Kôshien, and this will be fulfilled if the current match is won (remember: Wakaba never said anything about winning Kôshien). Aoba's dream is the 160km/h throw, which Kô apparently promised to deliver today, from the little info she gave us with her elusive monologues.

It would be very tough for the story to offer any meaningful story arc after such accomplishments. That why I think we'll get only one or two chapters after this match ends. Unless Adachi goes for a shocking "bad" ending, Kô will fulfill the two girls' dreams (and get Ichiyo married by the same occasion). The only thing left will be to get a proper confession scene (which might be a flashback and might be shown before the end of the match) and see how the "list" subplot is concluded (assuming Adachi did not forget about it).

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by The Rumblefish

I cannot really develop on Touch for fear of spoiling people but, to remain vague, the key of Touch is what happens in chapter 256. There is only one chapter after that. The baseball match you mention is not as important as in Cross Game because it does not directly resolve many plot points.

That baseball match in Touch does resolve most of the plot points was a major climax save one - that one last fundamental point which was then resolved in chapter 256. To ignore what the end of that baseball match meant is to a big chunk of plot points raised like why that match needed to be won.

Originally Posted by The Rumblefish

From my view, the key of Cross Game is whether Kô fulfills Aoba's and Wakaba's childhood dreams. Wakaba wished to see the ones she loved competing in Kôshien, and this will be fulfilled if the current match is won (remember: Wakaba never said anything about winning Kôshien). Aoba's dream is the 160km/h throw, which Kô apparently promised to deliver today, from the little info she gave us with her elusive monologues.

It would be very tough for the story to offer any meaningful story arc after such accomplishments. That why I think we'll get only one or two chapters after this match ends. Unless Adachi goes for a shocking "bad" ending, Kô will fulfill the two girls' dreams (and get Ichiyo married by the same occasion). The only thing left will be to get a proper confession scene (which might be a flashback and might be shown before the end of the match) and see how the "list" subplot is concluded (assuming Adachi did not forget about it).

They may not be any further plot points to be resolved but there is scope for what happens after - where does Kou go from there, Aoba's potential and involvement in the national team in her final year of high school, the conclusion of that birthday list and what will Kou will do with the items collected, Akaishi-Akane, etc.

[Tri-ring]

Spoiler for Chapter 155 Key word:

"Token"
Adachi after a month long hiatus is this the best you can do?
The anime is doing ALOT better job in fleshing in emotion.

[BetoJR]

Oh, I don't know about that. The whole batting thing was pretty emotional, for me. On the other hand, I cannot wait to see the whole thing animated.

[The Rumblefish]

I am sure the story would be more pleasant to follow for Tri-ring and others if we were not interrupted so frequently in the recent months. I loved the token scene.

Originally Posted by leongsh

That baseball match in Touch does resolve most of the plot points was a major climax save one - that one last fundamental point which was then resolved in chapter 256.

Well, I respectfully disagree. This would be a discussion for the Touch thread but I assume You and I have a different understanding of these scenes and a very different appreciation of the key message behind Touch.

[poko-kun]

Originally Posted by leongsh

That's the key. How is he going to spend the next 5 chapters?

1 chapter and take 4 weeks break, then 1 chapter and another 4 weeks break...

(masochism?)

[Tri-ring]

Originally Posted by poko-kun

1 chapter and take 4 weeks break, then 1 chapter and another 4 weeks break...

(masochism?)

Yup, according to the last page he is taking another break coming back January 20th, 2010 8th edition of Shonen Sunday.

[typhonsentra]

.... I give up.

[DanielSong39]

I know Adachi should be above criticism, but this is freakin' ridiculous.

[BetoJR]

What, the breaks? Keep in mind the old man is putting out two series at once, which is more than lots of younger mangakas are ever able to do - hell, some cannot even output 20 pages a month, on a regular basis...

[Johnny]

I don't mind the wait, but on a weekly basis the dialogue really isn't that much compared to others. It's a typesetter's wet dream...