Mitsuru Adachi

While hes not really well know out here in the states and also out in europe, adachi is a great mangaka. While he strays between slice of life and sports in almost all his manga, he is able to balance it perfectly. His art style is considered somewhat old, due in fact it has barely changed since he first debut many years ago; Though it has become much more refined. Its a pity that his manga may never be brought to the states, though I have doubts it would sell well anyways, due in fact to it not being hardcore shonen.

His 2nd to latest manga Cross game recently ended, though he is still chugging along on his monthly release, Q and A.

Some of his noteable mangas include

Touch http://www.onemanga.com/Touch/
H2 http://www.onemanga.com/H2/
Katsu http://www.onemanga.com/Katsu/
Cross Game http://www.onemanga.com/Cross_Game/