Eyeshield 21

Name: Eyeshield 21
Rating: 3.9 (89 reviews)
Author: Riichiro Inagaki (Story), Yusuke Murata (Art)

3.9

Author: Riichiro Inagaki (Story), Yusuke Murata (Art)

Publisher: Shueisha

Magazine: Weekly Shōnen Jump

Volumes: 37

Release Date: 2002-12-20

Age Rating: All Ages

Eyeshield 21 Synopsis

Eyeshield 21 is an American football manga that follows the story of Sena Kobayakawa, a timid and frequently bullied high school student. Upon entering Deimon Private High School, Sena finds himself being used as a gopher by delinquent classmates. However, thanks to the exceptional speed he developed from years of running errands and escaping bullies, his life takes a drastic turn. Recognizing Sena's lightning-fast running ability, Yoichi Hiruma—the cunning and fearsome captain of the Deimon Devil Bats football team—forces him to join the team. To keep his identity hidden and protect him from being scouted by rival teams, Hiruma gives him a helmet with a tinted visor and the codename "Eyeshield 21." Sena quickly becomes the team’s ace running back. Though initially joining under the guise of a team manager, Sena slowly grows in confidence and skill as he faces powerful rival teams and bonds with his unique teammates, including the gentle giant Ryokan Kurita, the hyper-competitive receiver Monta (Taro Raimon), and the clever strategist Yukimitsu. Through intense training, fierce matches, and team-building camps, the once-weak Deimon Devil Bats evolve into a formidable squad. From underdogs struggling with a lack of players, the team strives for greatness, setting their sights on the national championship—the Christmas Bowl—and ultimately on becoming the best in Japan. The story centers around Sena’s development as the "light-speed runner" Eyeshield 21, the high-stakes strategic battles led by Hiruma’s genius tactics, and the thrilling mix of sports passion, friendship, determination, and victory. As the story progresses, the bonds between friends and rivals grow stronger, and the dream expands from conquering Japan to taking on the world.

Eyeshield 21 Rating Metrics

Story

3.9

Characters

4.2

Artwork

4.0

World Building

3.7

Themes

3.7

Pacing

3.9

Eyeshield 21 Editorial Reviews

A Rare American Football Manga in Japan

Today’s featured title is Eyeshield 21, a manga centered on the sport of American football—an uncommon theme in Japanese media. In Japan, the most popular sports tend to be baseball, soccer, and basketball. As a result, most sports-themed manga focus on these three. That’s what makes Eyeshield 21 stand out: it takes on the uniquely American sport of football. For American readers, who are often deeply passionate about the sport, this manga may offer a fresh and engaging perspective. That said, Eyeshield 21 isn’t a realistic football manga—it’s very much in the style of Weekly Shonen Jump, with strong fantasy elements and over-the-top action. So if you’re looking for an accurate simulation of the sport, this may not be the title for you. Still, the manga embraces Jump’s core themes of effort, growth, and victory, and it became popular enough to earn an anime adaptation. Many readers have said, “I learned the rules of football thanks to Eyeshield 21,” or even, “I started playing football because of this manga.” One of Eyeshield 21’s biggest appeals is its wild and imaginative special moves, similar to those found in Captain Tsubasa or The Prince of Tennis. It’s filled with superhuman plays that would never happen in real games, but that’s exactly what makes it so fun.

July 27, 2025

Unique Teammates and Colorful Rivals

The main character, Sena, follows a familiar trope in 2000s manga: a timid, weak boy who grows into his strength over time. Watching his transformation is both inspiring and emotionally rewarding. He’s surrounded by a memorable cast: Raimon “Monta” Taro, a receiving genius; and Yoichi Hiruma, a brilliant strategist and quarterback known for his ruthless tactics and constant mind games. The rival teams are equally unique, especially Shinryuji Naga, considered Japan’s strongest high school football team. Its star player, Agon Kongo, is portrayed as a once-in-a-century talent. His trademark dreadlocks and sunglasses make him instantly recognizable, but he’s also a truly dangerous character—violent, arrogant, and prone to drinking and fighting despite being a high schooler. The clash between Agon’s Shinryuji Naga and Sena’s underdog team, the Deimon Devil Bats, delivers thrilling matches full of tension and excitement.

July 27, 2025