lead=yes is a Japanese manga series written by Togo Goto and illustrated by Kento Matsuura. It was originally a one-shot published in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine 33rd issue in 2022, then was serialized in the same magazine between June 2025 and January 2026.
Plot
When they were young, twin brothers Aokaze and Nagiharu Kuzumi promised to play baseball together at Kōshien. In middle school, right-handed Aokaze, the younger brother, blossoms into a top pitching prospect recruited to Hojitsu, while left-handed Nagiharu trails in his shadow. With insight from brilliant catcher Ibuki Hayama, Nagiharu develops a completely different submarine style and follows Ibuki as a battery to a team of "outsiders" at Hinazakura High School rather than Hojitsu.
Characters
Hinazakura (Hina) High School
- Nagiharu Kuzumi (P/LH)
- The talented older brother, who pitches with a submarine delivery. Before adjusting his delivery on the advice of Ibuki, he used "shadow pitching" to mirror his brother.
- Ibuki Hayama (C)
- Captain of the Hina High baseball team. Although he led the under-12 national team as a member of the "golden generation", Ibuki's stature as "the super short catcher" and an untimely injury in middle school prevented him from drawing more attention and gave him time to study the sport. He remains a fiercely competitive athlete, with a keen eye for talent.
- Yuma Hodaka (CF)
- Maisuke Urushibara (SS)
- "The defense ninja" who has remarkable reflexes and reaction time.
- Kippei Wakamori (2B)
- Initially dismisses Nagiharu as "discount Aokaze"; he is "the defense artisan" who is skilled at fielding and throwing with great accuracy.
- Satomi Kikunaga (3B)
- Attractive and popular; he is a mercurial hitter who pulls through in the clutch.
- Kengo Yanagi (1B)
- Serious and helpful; he played middle school baseball in Chiba at the affiliate of Ryokusen High School, and intended to continue to the high school there, but his swing, which impressed Ibuki, failed to develop as intended.
- Iroha Minase
- Reserve player, known as "The Feeble Prodigy with Outstanding Instincts" because although physically weak and unenergetic, he is able to hit any ball with a single swing.
- Eiji Uekusa (RF)
- Extremely fast and athletic. One of two players not recruited to Hina.
- Saku Natane (LF)
- Earns good grades. One of two players not recruited to Hina.
- Shiori Yokogi
- Baseball team manager; first-year student. Because she helped her older brother train, she is skilled at hitting baseballs for fielding practice.
Shisen Gakusha University High School
- Ataru Yoshizawa (RF)
- Ibuki's friend from the golden generation and fellow first-year who helped organize the first practice game. Athletic leadoff hitter for Shisen Gakusha who also competes in the decathlon.
- Tetsuo Yaotome (P)
- Ace relief pitcher, third-year.
- Kosuke Sakuma (P/RH)
- Second-year pitcher with a good fastball and splitter.
Hosenka Jitsugyo (Hojitsu) High School
- Aokaze Kuzumi (P/RH)
- "The Nova" is the talented younger twin brother who pitches with a conventional delivery. He is known for his rising fastball. Considered one of the top four pitching talents in high school.
- Ikazuchi Goya
- Cleanup hitter.
- Ryusei Amatsuji
- Member of the "golden generation".
- Sota Hori (C)
- Kirihito Gunjo (P)
Shuzan High School
- Mei Kurobuchi (P)
- "The Grim Reaper" is considered one of the top four pitching talents in high school and is part of the "golden generation". He wears jersey number 1 as the team's ace pitcher.
- Aran Seko (SS)
- A "five-tool player" equal to Ataru (Shisen Gakusha)
- Moko Nigoritani
- A fearsome batter standing tall, said to rival Izakuchi Goya (Hojitsu)
Ryokusen High School
- Miroku Nikaido
- Captain; third-year
- Sojuro Matsukasa (P/LH)
- Second-year, cleanup batter; relief pitcher.
Other members of the Golden Generation
- Ritsu Haruie (P)
- "The Professor" is considered one of the top four pitching talents in high school and is part of the "golden generation".
- Arashi Kokonoe (P)
- "The Whiz Kid" is considered one of the top four pitching talents in high school and is part of the "golden generation".
Publication
Written by Togo Goto and illustrated by Kento Matsuura, Harukaze Mound was initially a one-shot published in
Shueisha's
Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine 33rd issue in 2022, before being serialized in the same magazine starting in June 2025.
Its serialization ended on January 26, 2026.
For its serialization debut, the series was featured on the cover of
Jump and a promotional video was published.
, the chapters have been collected into two volumes.
Chapters not yet in tankōbon format
These chapters have yet to be published in a volume.
See also
External links
