Official promo
The King of the Board
A 300-year-old immortal vampire steps into the professional shogi ring to save his favorite board game hall.
Author: Toshiya Watahiki / Garaku Akinai
About 5 chapters link to official reading
Opens the official reader in a new tab
About this series
The King of the Board (Ban-Ou) is a compelling supernatural sports manga written by Toshiya Watahiki and illustrated by Garaku Akinai. The series introduces an inventive twist to traditional shogi stories by weaving in immortal vampire lore.
The story follows Tsukiyagi, an immortal vampire who has quietly pursued his passion for shogi over three centuries. When the local shogi hall that gave him solace faces financial closure, he decides to break his low profile and enter professional tournaments.
Garaku Akinai's dynamic artwork turns cerebral mind games into dramatic, high-energy battles. Professional shogi consultation guarantees authentic board strategies while maintaining intense emotional suspense during every match.
Serialized on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ platform, the series earned strong acclaim for combining fantasy concepts with serious competitive sportsmanship. It remains a standout hit among modern Jump digital titles.
Series Highlights
- Combines supernatural vampire lore with authentic professional shogi matches.
- Supervised by professional shogi players to ensure realistic, high-level game strategies.
- Features high-impact visual representation of psychological mind games and tactics.
- Delivers an inspiring sports narrative about passion, respect, and preserving tradition.
Who Is This For
- Fans of cerebral board game and sports manga like Hikaru no Go or March Comes in Like a Lion.
- Readers intrigued by unique supernatural twists applied to real-world competitive disciplines.
- Admirers of Shonen Jump+ series that blend dynamic action aesthetics with emotional depth.
Reading Tips
- Observe how Tsukiyagi's 300 years of solitude shape his patient and refined playstyle.
- Follow the visual metaphors used during critical moves to feel the tension on the board.
- Notice the genuine camaraderie and mutual respect between Tsukiyagi and his opponents.
Publication Facts
- Written by Toshiya Watahiki and illustrated by Garaku Akinai.
- Serialized digitally on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ platform.
- Supervised by professional Shogi player Hirotaka Kajiura starting from chapter 31.
Official Sources
- Shueisha Shonen Jump+ Official Page: Ban-Ouhttps://shonenjumpplus.com/episode/3161902469347510931
- Wikipedia Japan: Ban-Ouhttps://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%90%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AA%E3%82%A6-%E7%9B%A4%E7%8E%8B-
Free reading links point to limited-time offers run by rights holders such as Shueisha—not by this website. We only provide series guides and outbound navigation; we do not host manga chapters.