B.B.

B.B., written and illustrated by Osamu Ishiwata, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday between 1985 and 1991. The series follows the life of Ryudo 'B.B.' Takagi, a troubled youth who eventually finds direction through the sport of boxing. It emerged during a period when intense, character-driven sports manga held a significant place in the Japanese publishing landscape, balancing gritty realism with the dramatic storytelling tropes common to the genre at the time.

Ishiwata utilized a distinct, sharp-edged art style that emphasized the kinetic energy of the boxing ring and the turbulent emotions of his protagonist. The design of the volumes reflects the aesthetic trends of late 80s manga, often featuring expressive cover art that captures the physical strain of the sport. The series was well-regarded for its narrative progression and earned Ishiwata the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1989, cementing its reputation as a noteworthy example of the era's martial arts and sports drama literature.