Genre Sports, School Published by Akita Shoten Volumes 48 Publisher Akita Shoten | Adaptations Dokaben (1976) | |
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Original run April 24, 1972 – March 27, 1981 Similar Yakyukyô no uta, Abu‑san, Star of the Giants, Baki the Grappler, Super Radical Gag Family |
How to pronounce dokaben
Dokaben (Japanese: ドカベン) is a baseball manga by Shinji Mizushima, serialized in Akita Shoten Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine from April 24, 1972 to March 27, 1981. Chapters of the series published in 48 Tankōbon volumes by Akita Shoten. It was later made into an anime by the same name. It was immensely popular in Japan during its original release, and in sports manga of all time it likely ranks second only to Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue.
Contents
- How to pronounce dokaben
- Outline
- Yamada generation
- Senior Younger student
- Manager
- Yamada family
- Kanagawa
- Kant
- Whole Japan
- Others
- Manga
- Art style
- References

A dokaben is a kind of bento box which the protagonist, Taro Yamada, likes to eat.
Outline

Dokaben is centered on Taro Yamada and his teammates Iwaki, Tonoma, and Satonaka and was focused mainly on their activity as a high school baseball team. At first, it focused on Yamada, Iwaki, and Sachiko and was set in Takaoka Middle School. But in Volume 8 the team is transferred to Meikun High School for their baseball skills.
The story of Dokaben continues in Dai Kōshien, Dokaben Pro Baseball Story, and Dokaben SuperStars Story.
Yamada generation
Senior / Younger student
Manager
Yamada family
Kanagawa
Kantō
Whole Japan
Others
Manga
When Takehiko Inoue (author of Slam Dunk & Vagabond) was young, he drew a lot of spectacular scene from Tokaben, the first manga he paid.
Art style
The art style of Dokaben is very rubbery and motional, with surprisingly dynamic use of speed lines, with a heavy use of black and very straightforward body construction. The motion and Dynamics are highly retained even in reprints. In his book Reinventing Comics, Scott McCloud mentions it as the example of the sports genre, drawing high recognition to the style.