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I'm honestly surprised there aren’t more reviews for Battle Studies — this manga is lowkey a banger, especially if you’re into sports manga, and more specifically, baseball.

The story is grounded but intense. While it follows the usual high school baseball setup, it dives deeper into the gritty, disciplined, and sometimes harsh reality of a top-level Japanese sports school. It feels raw and different from the usual "underdog team rises" formula — in fact, it’s based on the real experiences of the author, who played baseball at a prestigious school himself. That adds a lot of realism and emotional depth to the story.

The art style really ... works for this kind of setting — it’s rough, expressive, and stylized in a way that amplifies the tension during games or emotional moments. Not your typical "clean and flashy" sports art, but it fits the story's tone perfectly.

As for the characters, the MC and the supporting cast are all well-developed. They're not perfect prodigies or complete pushovers — they feel like real people, with insecurities, pressure, pride, and moments of failure. That’s rare in sports manga, where you often get over-the-top personalities or superhuman skills. Here, it's all about mindset, teamwork, and grinding through harsh routines and social dynamics.

Character reactions to wins, losses, and pressure-filled moments feel realistic. The manga also doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics — hazing, hierarchy, and the pressure to perform — which makes the story more mature than your average sports series.

If you're into grounded, character-driven sports stories that don't rely too heavily on clichés, you’ll probably enjoy Battle Studies. Even if you're not a baseball fan, the intensity and human drama might pull you in.