When you think of Japanese baseball manga, a ton of titles probably spring to mind. After all, baseball is practically Japan's national sport, so it's no surprise there's a massive lineup of popular works out there.
Among the classics from the 2000s, Yuji Terajima's "Ace of Diamond" (ダイヤのA) definitely holds a top spot. And now, fans have something new to cheer about! Yesterday (September 9), Kiryu City in Gunma Prefecture held an unveiling ceremony for a statue of protagonist Eijun Sawamura at JR Kiryu Station. This awesome monument is part of Kiryu City's "Ball City Kiryu Project," which aims to promote baseball, and it's the very first commemorative statue based on "Ace of Diamond" to be erected anywhere in Japan!
"Ace of Diamond" (ダイヤのA) kicked off its serialization in "Weekly Shonen Magazine" back in 2006, with its first part (ACT I) wrapping up in January 2015. The second part (ACT II) then ran from 2015 until its conclusion in 2022.
The series has also been adapted into three seasons of TV anime, covering the first part (seasons one and two) and the second part (season three). Last year, there was even an announcement for a fourth anime season, though an official broadcast date is still under wraps.
So, why "Ace of Diamond" for this honor? It's partly due to Kodansha's founder, Seiji Noma, hailing from Kiryu City. The "Ball City Kiryu Project" team specifically approached Kodansha, and the plan was eventually greenlit. The statue itself was crafted in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, with original author Yuji Terajima personally overseeing its creation. It perfectly captures protagonist Eijun Sawamura's signature pitching wind-up, hands raised, and will stand proudly at JR Kiryu Station as a new landmark.
( Image source / @shig99 )
Of course, Kiryu City is also renowned for its many prestigious high school baseball programs, and the hope is that this statue will draw even more fans to visit and explore. So, if you're an "Ace of Diamond" fan and ever find yourself traveling through Gunma Prefecture, make sure to pay homage to this incredible statue!