Real [Manga] – Info, Plot, Main Characters
Japanese Title: リアル (Riaru); stylized: REAL
Year of Release: 2006 – 2015 (24 volumes)
Writer: Takehiko Inoue
Original Publisher: Shueisha (Eng.: VIZ Media)
TV: –
Anime Movies: –
Setting
Real is set in contemporary Japan, offering a grounded and authentic portrayal of everyday life. The narrative specifically zeroes in on the experiences of individuals who find themselves marginalized by mainstream society, with a particular emphasis on the unique challenges and triumphs faced by people with disabilities. A significant portion of the story unfolds within the context of sports, highlighting how athletic pursuits can serve as both a source of immense struggle and profound hope for those navigating physical limitations.
Plot
The narrative of Real intricately weaves together the lives of three central characters, each grappling with their own personal crises, yet united by a shared and fervent passion for basketball, and more specifically, wheelchair basketball. Tomomi Nomiya is a high school dropout burdened by deep-seated guilt stemming from a traffic accident he caused, an event that resulted in his friend’s paralysis. Kiyoharu Togawa, a former talented sprinter, faces a life-altering turning point when he loses his leg to cancer, subsequently discovering a renewed sense of purpose and direction through the demanding sport of wheelchair basketball. Takahashi Hisanobu, once a celebrated and popular basketball player, finds his world shattered after becoming a paraplegic due to a severe accident. As these three individuals cross paths, they navigate their individual struggles with loss, identity, and their aspirations, ultimately discovering a powerful sense of hope, unwavering camaraderie, and a shared reason to persevere through their collective love for the sport.
Main Characters
- Takahashi Hisanobu: Once a shining star in the basketball world, Hisanobu’s life is irrevocably changed by an accident that renders him paraplegic. The story follows his difficult transition from being a celebrated athlete to adapting to a new reality, finding purpose once more through the sport he loves.
- Tomomi Nomiya: A protagonist wrestling with the aftermath of a past mistake. Having dropped out of high school, he is haunted by the guilt of a traffic accident that left his friend paralyzed. His journey in Real is one of seeking redemption and finding a new path.
- Kiyoharu Togawa: A former track star whose athletic career is abruptly ended by the loss of his leg to cancer. His experience with debilitating illness and subsequent adaptation to a wheelchair leads him to discover wheelchair basketball as a new avenue for competition and self-discovery.
