81diver (ハチワンダイバー) is a Japanese shogi-themed manga series written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata. It was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from September 2006 to July 2014, with its chapters collected in 35 tankōbon volumes. The story follows Kentarō Sugata, a shogi player who, after failing to go pro, is inspired to take the game seriously again following a defeat by Soyo Nakashizu, a champion with a surprising side job. An 11-episode television drama adaptation was broadcast on Fuji TV from May to July 2008. It starred Junpei Mizobata as Kentarō Sugata and Riisa Naka as Soyo Nakashizu. The title refers to the main character's shogi nickname, which comes from the words of his former teacher who once told him to dive into the 9 by 9 (81) squares of the shogi board.

Plot

Kentarō Sugata failed at entering the professional league of shogi board game competition. However, he continues to play the game for a living by gambling at amateur shogi clubs. His encounter and defeat by the shogi player named Soyo Nakashizu, known as "Akihabara's champion" (アキバの受け師), shocks him and, combined with his financial crisis, reinvigorates him to take shogi more seriously. He also finds out by chance that Soyo offers a part-time maid cosplay house cleaning service, another side of her which further intrigues him.

Characters

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata, 81diver was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from September 7, 2006, to July 17, 2014. Shueisha collected its chapters in 35 tankōbon volumes, released from December 19, 2006, to August 20, 2014.

Volumes

Drama

An 11-episode television drama adaptation was broadcast on Fuji TV from May 3 to July 19, 2008.

Video games

Reception

81diver ranked first on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2008 ranking of best manga series for male readers. The manga was one of the Jury Recommended Works at the 11th Japan Media Arts Festival's Manga Division/Story Manga in 2007. It was nominated for the 12th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2008.