What are the best chess manga?

Chess and manga share the same dramatic intensity: psychological tension, epic rivalries and a quest for perfection. Discover the works that elevate chess in Japanese comic form. The chess manga genre is enjoying growing success.

Table des matières

March Comes in Like a Lion (3-gatsu no Lion)

An absolute masterpiece of the genre, 3-gatsu no Lion by Chika Umino (since 2007) follows Rei Kiriyama, a young professional shogi (Japanese chess) player battling depression and loneliness. Although centred on shogi, this manga captures the psychological dimension of the strategy game like no other.

Why read it

Characters of rare depth, sublime artwork and an authentic portrayal of a professional player’s life: the pressure, the doubts, the intimate victories.

The link with chess

Shogi shares the same strategic tension as chess. Each game illustrated in the manga is a psychological battle that resonates perfectly with the chess-playing experience.

Hikaru no Go: the chess-style adaptation

Although Hikaru no Go by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata (1999-2003) is devoted to go, its influence on strategy game manga is immense. The idea of a young boy guided by an ancestral spirit to become a master has inspired many works, and the concept translates perfectly to chess.

The thousand-year history of chess offers material just as rich for an epic tale: the great rivalries (Kasparov vs Karpov), the prodigies (Bobby Fischer at 13), the human dramas behind every game.

📚 Hikaru no Go sparked a “go boom” in Japan, with a 200% increase in club sign-ups among young people. A chess manga of this calibre could have the same impact on our game.

Other chess manga and anime about strategy games

Blitz (French manga)

Cedric Biscay and Harumo Sanazaki (2020). The first French manga devoted entirely to chess. Tom, a passionate schoolboy, dreams of becoming a grandmaster. Beautiful artwork and real games.

No Game No Life

An unbeatable duo in every game, including chess. The anime pushes strategy to fantastical extremes, with magical rules on the chessboard.

Shion no Ou

A shogi manga centred on a mute young player. A dark, psychological atmosphere, with a criminal mystery in the background. An excellent portrayal of the professional world.

Ryuo no Oshigoto!

A young shogi champion becomes the mentor of a prodigy girl. A lighter tone, but a respectful treatment of competition and strategic learning.

Chess in Japanese visual culture

Chess regularly appears in anime and manga as a symbol of intelligence and strategic power: Code Geass, Death Note, Hunter × Hunter… In each case, the chessboard is used as a metaphor for the mental battle between characters.

Work	Type	Game	What makes it special
3-gatsu no Lion	Manga / Anime	Shogi	Psychological depth, beautiful artwork
Blitz	French manga	Chess	First chess manga, real games
Hikaru no Go	Manga / Anime	Go	Cultural phenomenon, initiatory quest
Code Geass	Anime	Chess (metaphor)	Military strategy, symbolic chess

From manga to the chessboard

If these manga make you want to play, move from paper to board! The best chess films are another source of inspiration, and for the physical pleasure of the game, discover our complete chess sets.

Manga and chess share the same art: telling an intense story through silent moves.

— Le Palais des Échecs