DRAFT KING

Name: DRAFT KING
Rating: 4 (89 reviews)
Author: Tetsuro Kuromatsu

4.0

Author: Tetsuro Kuromatsu

Publisher: Shueisha

Magazine: Grand Jump

Volumes: 22

Release Date: 2018-08-24

Age Rating: All Ages

DRAFT KING Synopsis

DRAFT KING is set in the world of professional Japanese baseball, following the sharp-eyed veteran scout Gohara Ganriki and the rookie scout Kamiki as they navigate the behind-the-scenes world of scouting and draft negotiations. Gohara possesses an exceptional gift: the ability to spot a “Draft King”—a player who, regardless of their draft position, will ultimately rise to become a true star with the best career achievements. He often seeks out talent that no one else notices, from overlooked prospects to completely unknown players. The story spans high school, college, corporate league, and even independent league baseball, as Gohara’s unconventional scouting philosophy and Kamiki’s personal growth intertwine with the lives of the players, their families, and those working behind the scenes. It delves deep into the tense strategies before and after the draft, the rivalries between scouts, and the internal politics of baseball teams, offering a realistic portrayal of the sport’s off-the-field battles. While the teams and players are fictional, the manga occasionally references anecdotes about real-life stars such as Ichiro and Masumi Kuwata, adding an extra layer of authenticity that makes it a thrilling read for baseball enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

DRAFT KING Rating Metrics

Story

4.5

Characters

3.9

Artwork

3.1

World Building

3.6

Themes

4.8

Pacing

3.8

DRAFT KING Editorial Reviews

A Strategic Battle Behind Professional Baseball

Today’s recommendation is Draft King, a baseball scouting manga that also gained attention for its live-action drama adaptation. Since it falls into one of my favorite genres—workplace and profession-based stories—my review might be slightly biased in its favor. In Japan, just like in the U.S. and other countries, baseball is an extremely popular sport. Recently, Shohei Ohtani—who grew up in Japan and started as a professional Japanese baseball player—made headlines worldwide by excelling in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers and even winning MVP. The baseball market is huge, and talented players catch the eyes of scouts as early as middle school or high school. Scouts are the people who work to recruit players for their team, using various strategic negotiation techniques. Draft King is a manga that focuses on this scouting and draft process in Japanese professional baseball. In some ways, its narrative structure is reminiscent of Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt. The biggest appeal of Draft King lies in its depiction of the strategic maneuvers during the draft. The protagonist, Gohara, is exceptionally skilled at identifying promising players and will stop at nothing to secure them for his team—sometimes bending the rules to their limit or deceiving rival teams. These clever draft tactics and negotiation skills draw readers deep into the story. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the rules of the Japanese draft system, the manga explains them clearly, so you can follow along without worry. Although Gohara works as a scout for fictional teams in the manga, real-life baseball legends like Ichiro and Kenji Johjima are mentioned, giving insight into how such stars began their careers. Some story arcs, while using fictional character names, are actually based on true events. Draft King has no connection to the world of fantasy—it’s pure realism. But if you’re interested in seeing the behind-the-scenes world of sports scouting or learning about the intricacies of a unique profession, this manga is highly recommended.

August 8, 2025