Cosmics, the publisher of the Indian-made original English-language (OEL) manga Nirvana, is expanding its portfolio with a new sports manga centered around cricket, Boundary.
The announcement of the manga came in November 2023, making Boundary the second manga series from the publisher. Cricket holds immense cultural significance in India, often likened to a religion, evoking strong emotions among fans. While there have been comic books based on cricket previously, the sport has yet to receive the manga treatment, and Cosmics wants to fill this gap.
“Cricket. It’s a game beloved by billions, and if you are born in India, it elevates to a different dimension,” the creators of Boundary said. “Cricket in India is celebrated like a festival; it’s not merely a sport but a religion. Pain, anguish, suffering, happiness, and joy— it gives us all, just like anime and manga. Cricket, being a core part of a child’s upbringing here in India, establishes a personal connection at a young age. Such a thrilling, exciting, and entertaining sport had to be depicted in an art form someday. Doing the thing that’s never been done, Boundary pens the thrill of cricket within a manga.”
The plot of Boundary manga
Boundary tells the story of Ishaan and his friends, Adit and Samar, who are devoted fans of the Indian cricket team. However, Ishaan holds contrasting views and strives to convert them into Indian team detractors. While not disliking cricket itself, Ishaan believes Indian players prioritise money and fame over the game’s spirit.
In Ishaan’s eyes, Australia reigns as the undisputed champion of world cricket, renowned for their unwavering dedication to their nation and exemplary performance in every match. With two consecutive world cup victories under their belt, Australia appears all set to claim a third title, having already secured a spot in the finals. The outcome of the semi-final clash between India and England will determine the contender to face Australia at the prestigious Wankhede Stadium.
Behind the scenes
Boundary is the brainchild of Manush Bharucha, who, amidst the lockdown in 2020, sought solace in anime. “Wondering why India didn’t have similar comics, my friend Neeraj and I, buddies since school, decided to make one,” Manush revealed.
“Ever since I was a kid, I used to watch anime, but it was in 2020 that, due to my best friend Manush’s recommendation, I started watching anime,” artist Neeraj Medhari said. “From anime, I became a manga fan too, reading several mangas like Koaru Hana wa Rin to Saku (The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity), Vinland Saga, and many others. But one question arose: Why can’t India have its own manga? Then started the journey to Boundary.”
Manush and Neeraj caught the attention of Cosmics, and while Manush reveals that the publishing house had other ideas at first, he persuaded them to prioritise Boundary.
Boundary will be available in both English and Hindi, and preorders of Chapter 1 of the manga are set to to live on February 28 on Cosmics’ website. You can also check out Nirvana Chapter 2’s exclusive preview on IGN here.
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Rayan Sayyed is a staff writer for IGN India with a primary focus on Asian entertainment spanning from anime, manga, games to films and dramas from the East. You can reach out to him at rayan_sayyed@ign.com, or find him on Twitter @rayanaver and Instagram @rayansayyed.
