Probably one of the most difficult feats in manga is to tell a compelling short story, and Mitsuru Adachi is a master of the medium. This selection of some of his best short works include two tales in the dangerous life of a pretty private-eye-to-be; a boy's stop-off on the way changes his life's destination; five short-shorts in a quirky cafe; Japan's future ace pitcher can't even throw a ball; when a school play goes bad, the world is a stage for love and karate; a drama of rugby and past lives; two off-beat time-travel tales; and more! Mitsuru Adachi's low-key but high-impact stories are a must read for any manga aficionado.


(Source: VIZ Media)


1. Haru ga Kuru Mae ni... (Before Spring Comes)

2. Wakaba Mark (Subject - Wakaba)

3. Tochuu Gesha (A Stop on the Way)

4-8. 5×4P

9. Shindo 4 (4 on the Richter Scale)

10. Ace wo Tsubuse! (Aim at the Ace)

11. Spring Call

12. Yuku Haru (Spring Passes)

13-14. Kaerimichi (The Road Home)

15. Sayonara Game

Short Program 2 was published in English by VIZ Media on May 1, 2004. It has also been published in Italian by Star Comics, French by Tonkam, Spanish by Otakuland, and Indonesian by PT Elex Media Komputindo.

Publishers:

• Shounen Sunday (magazine)