Ōhashi Hirai’s critically acclaimed baseball manga, The Days of Diamond (known in Japan as Diamond no Kōzai), is set to resume serialization with chapter 87 on September 18. The announcement was made by Shueisha’s Young Jump platform through its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The manga, which has garnered significant praise, will appear in the 42nd issue of Weekly Young Jump.
Understanding The Days of Diamond Manga
The Days of Diamond is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ōhashi Hirai. It began its serialization in Shueisha’s seinen manga magazine, Weekly Young Jump, in February 2023. The story, which blends coming-of-age themes with sports drama, centers on Jiro Ayasegawa, a fifth-grader with extraordinary athletic talent.
The Protagonist’s Dilemma: Talent vs. Friendship
Jiro Ayasegawa finds himself in a unique and often lonely position due to his immense natural gifts in sports. While he excels in everything he tries, his overwhelming ability often leads to others being outshone, sometimes even causing them to abandon their own athletic dreams. This creates a profound sense of isolation for Jiro, who desperately desires to make friends through sports.
He joins an amateur little league baseball team called the Adachi Bambies, hoping that a team sport would foster camaraderie and allow him to enjoy baseball without the burden of his exceptional talent alienating his peers. However, his coach quickly recognizes his potential as a pitcher, pushing him towards a more competitive path that conflicts with his desire for simple enjoyment and connection.
Critical Acclaim and Recognition
The series has received considerable critical attention since its debut. The Days of Diamond ranked seventh in the print category of the ninth Next Manga Award in 2023. It also topped Takarajimasha’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga for male readers in 2024. Furthermore, the manga was nominated for the 17th Manga Taishō in 2024, placing fifth with 56 points. It also secured the fourth position on the Nationwide Bookstore Employees’ Recommended Comics of 2024 list and ranked 25th on Da Vinci magazine’s “Book of the Year” list in 2024. Reviewers have noted its unique psychological and dramatic approach to sports, exploring the impact of genius on individuals and those around them rather than focusing solely on traditional sports manga tropes of friendship, hard work, and victory.
Previous Hiatus and Author’s Intent
The resumption of serialization follows a period of hiatus. Previously, the manga extended its break to October 31, 2024, to allow Hirai to build up a buffer of manuscripts. This was done to prepare for a consistent return to weekly serialization, following an earlier hiatus due to personal reasons for the author. The manga’s digital release is simultaneously available in English on Shueisha’s Manga Plus web platform.
As of April 17, 2025, eight tankōbon volumes of The Days of Diamond have been released. The series’ return is eagerly anticipated by fans who follow Jiro Ayasegawa’s journey to navigate his extraordinary talent and find his place within the world of baseball.
