The entire plot of All-Rounder Meguru revolves around the titular character and his group of friends trying to make it on the Japanese amateur circuit with some hoping to go pro. Appropriately, this MMA manga dedicates a good part of itself to the rigors of training. Rather than a conveniently condensed montage, All-Rounder Meguru builds up Meguru and company step-by-step. Meguru starts as a neophyte with a karate background and painstakingly builds himself to be an all-rounder. From basic sprawls and jabs to submissions and kicks, it really mirrors the growth of an earnest fighter. This is packaged together with the traditional love, laugh, and heartbreak accompanyingany group of friends.

If you’re okay reading right to left and going out of your way to find it, All-Rounder Meguru is an MMA fan’s hidden treasure. It’s a love letter to the sport in Japan and an engaging story that’s tempting to binge read. And who knows, make the author enough money and maybe we’ll get a TV adaptation!