Real, Vol. 3

Eisner-award nominated creator Takehiko Inoue creates a dramatic tale of triumph over adversity. This is the story of three young men whose lives are profoundly changed by their involvement with wheelchair basketball.

Critically acclaimed, award-winning manga artist Takehiko Inoue doesn’t pull any punches in this stunning portrayal of people struggling with serious life issues. Masterfully combining rich character development with beautifully detailed line art, Inoue, the creator of the mega-hit masterpieces Slam Dunk and Vagabond, lifts the manga medium to a completely new level of storytelling.

Hisanobu Takahashi thought the world was his for the taking. Natural athletic ability, effortless academic prowess and popularity with the girls gave him a sense of entitlement that knew no bounds. But a devastating traffic accident robs Hisanobu of everything. In constant pain, Hisanobu is completely overwhelmed by the reality of his paraplegia and his excruciating physical rehabilitation.

Takehiko Inoue is the creator of one of the most popular manga of all time, Slam Dunk, which has over 185 million copies in circulation worldwide and played a pivotal role in increasing the popularity of basketball in Japan. He followed up with two series lauded by critics and fans alike—Vagabond, a fictional account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, and Real, a manga about wheelchair basketball. Inoue is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Culture Award and the Media Arts Festival Award. In addition to his work on manga, Inoue has worked with television commercials, character designs for video games, and is the founder of a scholarship to foster Japanese basketball talent.