Major (manga)

Major (manga)
Major
Major.png
Major logo
Genre Sports, Drama
Manga
Written by Takuya Mitsuda
Published by Shogakukan
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday
Original run 19942010
Volumes 78 (List of volumes)
TV anime
Directed by Ken'ichi Kasai
Toshinori Fukushima
Studio Studio Hibari
Network NHK, NHK-E
Original run 13 November 200425 September 2010
Episodes 154 and 1 OVA
Anime film
Major: Yūjō no Winning Shot
Directed by Takao Kato
Studio Xebec
Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions
Released December 13, 2008
Runtime 120 minutes
Anime and Manga Portal

Major is a sports manga series by Takuya Mitsuda. It has been serialized in Shōnen Sunday and has been collected in 78 tankōbon volumes. In 1996, it received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen.[1]

The manga series concluded in the 32nd issue of Shōnen Sunday for 2010, while the 78th and final volume of the manga series was released in the middle of December 2010 together with a special original video animation (OVA).[2]

The series has been adapted as an anime series produced by NHK and Studio Hibari titled Major (メジャー Mejā?) (using katakana instead of the manga's English characters). The first episode was broadcast on November 13, 2004 and has completed six seasons.[3] The final episode originally aired on September 25, 2010. An animated film telling the story between the first and second seasons of the anime was released on December 13, 2008. .

Contents

Story

The story of Major follows the life of Gorō Honda, from kindergarten to being a professional baseball player, seeking and overcoming tremendous challenges.

Note: The following sections follows the original manga story. There are several plot differences between the manga and later anime adaptation.

Subsections are divided according to how the official website split the story.[4]

Kindergarten ~ First grade

Contains: volume 01 chapter 01 - volume 03 chapter 06

Gorō's father, Shigeharu Honda, was a pitcher struggling between the major and minor teams of the NPB. Nonetheless, Gorō looked up to his father and wished to be a professional baseball player just like his father. Aside from his father, Gorō was very close to two other people—Momoko Hoshino and Toshiya Sato. Momoko was Gorō's kindergarten teacher and especially watched out for Gorō because there are no other kids of Gorō's age at the kindergarten. Toshiya was another kid in the neighborhood, the only one Gorō could find of his own age and to whom Gorō taught baseball.

The father and son were struck a cruel blow when Honda's arm injury prevents him from continuing his baseball career as a pitcher. Gorō was especially shaken by the fact that his father would not be able to continue as a baseball player anymore. To Honda, his son and baseball are all he has left in his life; his wife had died 2 years ago. For his son's sake, Honda took up his best friend's advice, revived his batting instincts, and successfully transformed into a slugger. Amidst all this turmoil, Momoko was drawn deeper and deeper into the family's life. Eventually, Honda proposed to Momoko.

Right when Honda established himself in the major team Yokohama Marine Stars, the Tokyo Giants signed a contract with the American MLB player Joe Gibson, famous for his huge physical build and fast balls. When the Marine Stars with Honda and the Giants with Gibson finally met on the field, Gibson struck out every single Marine Stars batter, except for Honda. Honda managed to touch the ball on his first at-bat, and at his second at-bat hit a home run off Gibson's 100-mile (160 km) best pitch. After Honda's home run, the Marine Stars coach launched a series of bunt attacks, scoring additional runs, and psychologically shaking up Gibson who considers the tactic unsportsmanlike. When it was Honda's third at-bat, Gibson has completely lost mental focus, and accidentally pitched a 99-mile (159 km) dead ball hitting Honda's head. The umpire immediately called Gibson off the mound, though Honda quickly got back onto his feet and continued with the game. Honda's excellent play made him the headline of major newspapers. The next morning Honda died due to internal bleeding in his skull, leaving his heartbroken son and fiancé behind.

Little League

Contains: volume 03 chapter 07 - volume 14 chapter 05

Three years have passed since Momoko Hoshino, unmarried, adopted Gorō as her own son upon Honda's death. When Gorō reached fourth grade he was finally old enough to join the local little league team, the Mifune Dolphins. However, the local kids were mostly interested in soccer, and Gorō had to get new friends he made at school to join in order to have enough members to keep the team from being dismantled.

Gorō showed himself to be an extremely gifted baseball player. So much in fact that the Dolphins coach hated to see Gorō waste away his potential with the other less-talented Dolphins players. The coach recommended Gorō to join the nearby Yokohama Little team instead, which has better players, coaching, and resources. When Gorō visited, he discovered that not only was his old childhood friend Toshiya at Yokohama Little, but his own father, Shigeharu Honda, had been a member of the Yokohama Little with the current coach when they were younger. Gorō was torn, because if he were to follow his father's footsteps, that meant he would be abandoning the friends he asked to join the Mifune Dolphins. Gorō had a big fight with Momoko over the issue, and Momoko sought advice from Hideki Shigeno, Honda's old friend and teammate. While meeting with Shigeno, Momoko coughed up blood and was hospitalized. While it turned out it was just a gastric ulcer, it made Gorō realize the living people are much more important than the dead.

At that time, Joe Gibson had just returned to the MLB after pitching in Japan for three years. He sent an all-expenses paid invitation for Gorō to travel to America and watch the MLB All-Star game, where Gibson was going to be the starting pitcher for the National League. At the game, Gibson declared to the American League's player that he would only pitch fast balls. Gibson threw 18 strikes, not a single slugger of the AL's top rotation could touch Gibson's pitch despite knowing what was coming, and Gibson earned a standing ovation from the audience. This was Gibson's own way to show Gorō how great a slugger Honda had been, since Honda had hit a home run off Gibson's best pitch in a duel of only fast balls. After the game, Gibson allowed Gorō to throw a hardball at him, where ever Gorō wanted to, if it would make Gorō feel any better. Gorō responded that he would postpone this "punishment" until the day he could pitch as well as Gibson, which was Gorō's own way of acknowledging Gibson's greatness.

Back in Japan, with renewed determination, Gorō led the Mifune Dolphins through various trials and practice matches, intending to defeat Yokohama Little, the best team in the region. In the end the Mifune Dolphins do defeat Yokohama Little but Gorō gets injured for a few months. At the end of the season, Gorō's adoptive mother marries Shigeno Hideki and the new family moves to Fukuoka when Shigeno is traded from the Marine Stars.

Junior High

Contains: volume 14 chapter 06 - volume 24 chapter 02

Gorō moves back to Mifune when his stepfather is traded back to the Blue Oceans and finds his little league friends grown up and attending Mifune East Junior High School. He surprises his friends when he tells them that he has been playing soccer and doesn't plan on playing for the junior high baseball team, revealing that he had destroyed his right shoulder out in Fukuoka. Gorō in the end reveals to his friends he had switched to being a southpaw pitcher. This influenced Yamane, who was third baseman before he destroyed his elbow, to also switch arms. At first, Gorō was not interested in playing baseball because he wanted to play with a hardball not rubber. During a match where Mifune East Junior High faced Mifune West Junior High, Gorō took to the mound once again seeing how insulting Mifune West was being to his friends. In the end, they created a comeback win. Together, Gorō and his friend Komori Daisuke rebuilt the junior high baseball team. The team becomes strong enough to enter the regional junior high tournament and once again he found himself playing against his friend and rival Toshiya Sato, who plays on the Tomonoura Junior High School team. Mifune eventually beats Tomonoura in a tight game and Gorō and Toshiya vow to play on the same high school team together to defeat Kaido. However, when Mifune East played Kaido Affiliate, they lost 19-0 in the 4th inning and the game was defaulted. A reason why their friendship went a bit downhill in the middle of the series was because Gorō decided that he would go to Kaido but Toshiya didn't want to go to Kaido at all. However Toshiya was soon convinced by his grandfather to go to Kaido. It was also Toshiya who told Gorō his pitching had a fatal flaw and made Gorō understand he could pitch even better.

Kaido High School selection

After the tournament defeat against Kaido Junior High, Gorō decided to go to Kadio High in order to improve his pitching to the level of Mayumura. Gorō, his friend Komori, and Toshiya decide to try out for the baseball team of the prestigious private high school, Kaido. Komori is disqualified in the Kaido baseball club test and is forced to go to Mifune High. Gorō and Toshiya get through the first round of the test. After the test there is an academic examination which Gorō also "succeeds in" as it is a test of determination. Immediately after they graduate middle school they are sent to Dream Island where they undergo 6 months of hard training. He meets new friends there and even helps them through their tough times. He then proceeds to the Atsugi campus where he defeats the scholarship team despite the anger of the 2nd team director.

Kaido High School

Contains: volume 24 chapter 03 - volume 33 chapter 02

Gorō and Toshiya make the junior varsity team and spend a year and half together as teammates. However, in their second year, Gorō reveals that his true desire is to challenge the excellent players of Kaido instead of playing on the same team as them. His friend Toshiya is hurt by Gorō's decision, but respects him for it. The season ends with Gorō leading the junior varsity team to victory over a scrimmage against the varsity team, and with Gorō quitting Kaido High School to play for another team.

Seishu High School

Contains: volume 33 Chapter 03 - volume 46 Chapter 10

Gorō has returned home after quitting Kaido. On arrival, his mother voices her dissatisfaction with the fact that he did not consult with her about his departure. She insists Gorō to be accountable for his actions and accept the responsibility to pay the application fee at any school that chooses to enroll in. Gorō's enrollment had been rejected by several schools due to the Kaido assistant coach (Egashira) threatening to sue other schools. Gorō was finally able to avoid Egashira's interference by enrolling at Seishu High School. Having been a girls school until just two years ago, Seishu does not have a baseball team. Gorō enrolls, determined to create a baseball team from scratch. After he has enough players, Gorō and the team enter the summer tournament. After finally reaching the quarterfinals against Kaido Seishu and despite extending the game into extra innings and striking out Mayumura, Gorō finally collapses after exhaustion. Kaido wins and moves on to Koshien.

Minor league baseball

Contains: volume 47 chapter 01 - volume 54 chapter 02

Despite losing the match against Kaido, Seishū Highschool was the only team that actually put up a fight against the Koshien champion. As a result, Gorō attracted the eyes of many scouts, including the Yokohama Blue Ocean and the Tokyo Warriors. However, upon learning that Joe Gibson is still pitching in MLB, and dedicated his 300-win achievement to his "young friend in Japan", Gorō lost any interest in Japanese professional baseball, and went to America to try out for the Major League. Meanwhile, Sato is recruited by the Tokyo Warriors, while Mayumura is recruited by the Yokohama Blue Ocean.

Gorō's 95 mph (153 km/h) fastball (99 mph in anime), while ineffective against Major League sluggers, allowed Gorō to start in Triple A instead of the rookie league. At first he joined the Cougars, but was soon released after a fight with Joe Gibson Jr. from the Oklahoma Falcons. Eventually, Gorō joined the Memphis Bats, an aggressive but defensively weak baseball team. It was during this time that Gorō begin seriously training to fully control his fastball.

In Triple A Gorō found a new rival—Joe Gibson Jr, son of Joe Gibson and an outstanding slugger. Junior blamed the death of Gorō's birth father as the cause of the tragedy that befell on his own family, and he challenged Gorō to a bet: If Junior hit a home run off Gorō, Gorō is to return to Japan and never set foot on American soil again; On the other hand, if Gorō can strike out Junior, then Junior will visit Gorō's father's grave and apologize for his insults. Gorō managed to strike out Junior with his fast ball, now at 100 mile/h (102 mph in the anime). In the last game, Gibson Jr was determined to hit a home run of Gorō. When the Bats were leading in the final inning, The Falcons had 2 outs but they had runners on 2nd and 3rd base with Gibson Jr batting. On Gorō's last pitch, Gibson Jr hit it in the centre of the bat but Gorō's pitch had so much power that he destroyed Gibson Jr's bat and the ball just flew up high. The catcher of the Bat's caught it and the Bats won the Triple A playoff.

Baseball World Cup

Contains: volume 54 chapter 03 - volume 65 chapter 10

After the baseball season was over, Gorō returned to Japan. Shimizu finally told Gorō her feelings for him, and they became a couple. On the other hand, Gorō learned from Toshi that there is going to be a Baseball World Cup the following year hosted in America, and for the first time, Major League players will be allowed to compete in it. Due to Gorō's impressive performances in the practice match between Rookies and the All-Star Japan team, he was selected as a replacement pitcher starting the second round of preliminaries. Gorō pitched as the closer against Venezuela and South Korea, earning a win and a save respectively. Then Mayumura earned a win, pitching as closer against the Dominican Republic, advancing Japan to the semi-finals.

Shimizu came to America to cheer Gorō on, and encountered Toshiya's younger sister, Miho Sato. The day before the semi-finals match against Cuba, Toshiya accidentally ran into his sister, and the traumatic memories of being abandoned by his parents 7 years ago were reawakened. Toshiya's body went into involuntary shock, and was temporarily hospitalized. Miho felt guilty about the incident, but Toshiya called her on the phone, and asked her to come watch the next game. By knowing his sister is somewhere in the audience, Toshiya felt he would be able to do his best. Toshiya made several excellent plays against Cuba's aggressive offensive in the semi-finals, and Gorō got the win as the closer.

After the Cuba game, Gibson Jr. revealed to the Team USA's manager as well as Gorō that his father, Joe Gibson, had angina pectoris. Junior hoped that the manager and Gorō might be able to dissuade Gibson from getting on the mound and potentially kill himself. However, with players mostly in a "exhibition game" mentality, Gibson got on the mound in the 8th inning in the USA vs Venezuela semi-finals, risking his heart to awaken the baseball spirit of his teammates.

The following day, Gibson collapsed during practice session, and Gorō rushed to the hospital to see Gibson. Gibson revealed to Gorō that in a chance meeting with Momoko 10 years ago, he asked her why she had not accepted any monetary compensation from him. Momoko smiled gently, and asked Gibson to remain a top-class baseball player until Gorō grows up, so that Gorō could be proud of having a father who hit a home run from such a great pitcher, and that would be enough for her and for Gorō. Momoko's kind words had been the pillar that supported and drove Gibson all these years, but he felt if he could not complete this Baseball World Cup, and play against Gorō on the mound, he would have failed Gorō and Momoko. Gorō comforted Gibson, telling him that he had done enough, and to just watch Gorō and Junior's showdown on TV.

The Japan vs USA finals game began with Japan taking a five run lead, prompting Gibson to leave the hospital and went to the stadium to cheer his teammates on by their side. Japan had to send out Gorō in the 8th inning to protect their remaining 1 run lead, but Junior scored a home run off Gorō's 100-mile (160 km) fast ball. The game went into extra innings, and Gibson walked onto the mound again, determined to lead USA to victory. But Gorō was very determined to strike out Gibson Jr.. And Gorō pitched his fastest pitch in his life at 103 mph (166 km/h). But Gibson Jr scored a home run from that pitch which made USA the champions of the Baseball World Cup.

Major League Baseball

Contains: volume 66 chapter 01 - volume 77

As the new MLB season began, Gorō performed extremely well for the Hornets in the exhibition matches. On his first official MLB match, he pitched a no-hit no-run game up until the 8th inning, when he suddenly lost control. On his second game, his pitches started to go wild by the 5th inning. Suspecting yips, his catcher Keene stopped Gorō from voluntarily stepping off the mound, gambling on the chance that Gorō can overcome his fears with a new success. Unfortunately, Gorō ended up throwing at the batter in the head, and was ejected by the umpire. In his third game Gorō was unable to retire a single batter. He was removed from the game in the first inning and sent back to AAA Bats until his situation improves.

Believing that Gorō's defeat at the hands of Gibson Jr. was the cause of his yips, the Hornets sent Gorō to Billy Oliver, a sports psychologist, for treatment. After Gorō recovers from his yips, he can't pitch like he used to. His teammate Watts said that he would only be effective against really weak teams. Later on, Gibson retires after getting defeated by Gorō's home run and the Hornet's. In Gibson's contract, his departure was treated as voluntary retirement, but in reality he wanted to start from scratch and made a minor contract with AA Bulls. Gibson fights his way back up to the majors and is waiting for Gorō to challenge him again. The anime had its last episode come out this week. It shows the Hornets losing to the Salmons and not making it to the World Series. Gorō heads back to Japan to take a rest and solidifies his relationship with Shimizu. By the end of the episode, it flashes forwards 8 years later where Gorō is brought out to close out the last game of the World Series where the Hornets face off against the Raiders. During the game it shows Shimizu giving birth to their child. It also shows Toshi Sato as the catcher for the Hornets along with Keane on the Raiders team, Watts as the new Hornets manager and Mayamura as the Raider closing pitcher. The end shows Gibson Jr. against Gorō in one final face off with the ending credits showing a table with Gorō and Shimizu's wedding photo, a World Series Ring and a family picture with Gorō and Shimizu having two children.

Return to Japan

Following Season 6, the Major OVA shows that Gorō, after 14 years of a splendid career, is forced to retire from the Hornets. He can no longer pitch due to an injured shoulder despite surgery and rehabilitation. He rejects some offers to be the baseball coach and decides to return to Japan and keep playing baseball as a player specialized in hitting (hitter), running and guarding bases (fielder). Before leaving, Gorō promise Toshi he will meet him again on the field as batting opponents in Major League, and Sato promises to wait for Shigeno no matter how long it takes. Shigeno takes two years to train himself as a fielder and a hitter. Afterwards, he joins the Blue Oceans, and returns to being a professional player and becomes a hitter, inspiring his daughter and his son much like his dad did. In the end of the OVA, the dreams of the Shigeno family are seen hanging on the tree of wishes. Izumi, the daughter, dreams of hitting homeruns like her father. Daigo, the son, dreams of becoming a pro player. Shimizu dreams that everyone in the family is happy and healthy, and Gorō dreams to be #4 batter in Major League, making it his new goal so he can become a player who can do anything.

Characters

Main characters

Gorō Honda (本田 吾郎 Honda Gorō?) / Gorō Shigeno (茂野 吾郎 Shigeno Gorō?)
Voiced by: Motoko Kumai (Season 1) - Shotaro Morikubo (Rest of the anime)
The story's main character, Honda Gorō a young talented baseball player at the age of 5. His love of the game stems from his father who played for the Yokohama Marine Stars. At the age of 3 his mother had died and from then on, he only had baseball and his father left. Wanting nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps, he strives to become a professional ball player. Thriving on the challenge of the mound, he puts everything into the competition. He makes friends easily, as people are drawn to his personality and his excitement of the game. Though when the story first started, the only friend he had was Toshi due to the lack of interest for baseball around his town. Gorō believes the only way to make his father happy and forget baseball was to become a pro baseball player himself. Though tragedy struck Gorō at the age of 5, he had lost his mother and now his father after a horrible accident in a game against Major League pitcher Joe Gibson. Though he never really had a grudge against Gibson for the accident, Gorō decided he would join the Major Leagues someday and challenge Gibson. He was taken care of by Momoko, who was Gorō's teacher and his father's new lover. After Momoko and Hideki married, Gorō's name was changed to Shigeno Gorō. He initially pitched right-handed, but blew out his shoulder in senior Little League. Through the influence of Shigeno Hideki he switched to left-hand pitching (Southpaw). In junior high school he played at Mifune East. There he met old childhood friends Komori, Shimizu, and Sawamura. Initially when Gorō joined the baseball club of Mifune East, it was known to be one of the worst teams in the area. After Gorō came and solved some problems with the team, the team's reputation grew. He later went to Kaido High School with Toshiya, in order to improve his skills and gain the confidence to defeat the main team of Kaido. In the end, he left Kaido and went to Seishu High School and formed a baseball club to challenge Kaido high. While he never made it to Koshien, his excellent match against the Kaido High School earned him the attention of many professional baseball team's scouts. During his time at Seishu, Gorō was pitching with a ligament injury that which caused the balk in the defeat against Kaido. Later, he decided to go to America to challenge Gibson. Though at first he had some detours in America, having lost his bag, he was helped by Ginumachi. He was released by his first club due to a fight with Gibson Jr. during a minor league match. Though later he joined a Triple A team, the Memphis Bats. Leading them to their first championship win in 15 years. Striking out Gibson Jr. When he returned to Japan after the end of the minor league season he confessed his love for Shimizu. During the Baseball World Cup, he replaced the injured pitcher Noro, and played as an excellent closer. Even changing the it back to Japan's favor. Though in the finals, Gorō was hit for a walk-off home run by Joe Gibson Jr. and soon after he decided he may as well quit baseball. Though regathered his thoughts, and decides to keep playing, he states at the end of season 5 "Baseball is the only thing I have in the end." He has a strong start in the Majors, though was in form when he got the yips. In one game the yips made him throw a dead-ball at the batters head. To overcome his yips he was demoted back to the bats and went to Billy Oliver, a sports psychologist, for treatment. He used to only use the pitch gyroballs ("rising fastball"), though beginning with the Baseball World Cup, he has successfully added gyrofork ("forkball") to his repertoire.
Shigeharu Honda (本田 茂治 Honda Shigeharu?)
Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu
Shigeharu is an up and coming baseball pitcher for the Marine Stars. He s a widower and lives with his son Gorō. An elbow injury threatens to end his baseball career early on until his friend and teammate, Shigeno, suggests that he try hitting. He was an exceptional pinch hitter before he turned pro, and is a natural in the batter's box. He works his way up from a pinch hitter to play first base for the Marine Stars. He later developed feelings for Gorō's teacher and were close to marriage. However, he tragically dies after being struck in the head by a pitch from Joe Gibson, an American pitcher that had come to Japan from the Major Leagues. It was said that Honda was part of a winning Koshien high school along with Shigeno. During his childhood days, he played for the Yokohama little league.
Momoko Hoshino (星野 桃子 Hoshino Momoko?) / Momoko Shigeno (茂野 桃子 Shigeno Momoko?)
Voiced by: Junko Noda
Momoko was Gorō's nursery school teacher when he was younger. After Gorō left nursery school she dated his dad Shigeharu and was engaged to him at the time of his death. She adopted Gorō and raises him as a single parent until she marries Hideki Shigeno several years later. Her name changes to Momoko Shigeno. She later has children of her own, a boy named Shingo and a girl named Chiharu.
Toshiya Sato (佐藤寿也 Satō Toshiya?)
Voiced by: Fuyuka Oura (Season 1) - Masakazu Morita (Rest of the anime)
Initially Sato was a boy who was forced by his mother to focus on his studies to become a responsible adult. While Gorō was playing catch by himself one time, he saw Toshi staring from his window. At first Toshi did not want to play catch with Gorō, but Gorō went to Toshi's house and convinced Toshi to play with him. He develops a love of the game equal to Gorō and becomes a talented catcher. Told by his mother that if he wanted to play baseball he had to play for the best team, Toshiya went to to play as a catcher for Yokohama Little League, which is the area's best team. Gorō runs into him again (Gorō moved away after he was adopted by his father's fiance) and the two begin a rivalry as strong as their friendship. He plays against Gorō on Yokohama Little and again as the catcher of Tomonoura Junior High School's team. In between the time, Toshiya's family abandoned him due to debt problems, and he began living with his grandparents. Swearing to go pro so he could one day repay the debt he has from his grandparents. At the Junior years Toshi wanted to get into Kaido High because he believed that was the best path to turn pro. He was later told by the Kaido scouts to give up so Gorō would join. Though Toshi had misunderstood Gorō's idea, and thought Gorō did not want to play baseball with him. After the defeat to Mifune East, Toshi regained his confidence in Gorō and wish that they would go to the same high school together and defeat Kaido. Later Gorō told Toshi to go to Kaido with him to improve their skills. They try out for Kaido High School's baseball team together with Komori and become team mates on Kaido's Junior Varsity team for a year and half. During his years in Kaido, Toshi had lost contact with Gorō after his departure from Kaido. And when Gorō finally meet Toshi again, Toshi had completely forgot of Gorō's team thinking they were only just surviving in the tournament. During the match against Seishu Toshi was confidence in defeating Gorō's team, though was amazed by Gorō pitching seemingly he was injured. Toshiya went on an amazing winning in the Koshien Tournament. Forming a battery with Mayumura and was Kaido's fourth batter. After high schoolhe had been scouted by the Tokyo Warriors team , and won the Best New Player award. During the Baseball World Cup, he first joined Team Japan as DH, but later took on the catcher mask. At first he had some trouble during the first match, though with Gorō's help Toshi's confidence slowly increased.
Kaoru Shimizu (清水薫 Shimizu Kaoru?)
Kaoru is in Gorō's class in elementary school and eventually begins to play little league baseball on the Mifune Dolphins Little League after an argument with Gorō where she sees his passion for the game. She was also the first person Gorō recuited to the Mifune Dolphins. In the finals against Yokahama, she was the catcher to replace the injured komori. Already in elementary school she began to have feelings for Gorō. In Junior High School she switches to softball and becomes captain of the Mifune East Junior High team. Seeming she still had a grugde against baseball because Gorō introduced it to her. Initially she plans to follow Gorō, whom she has a crush on, to Kaido High School. However, she changes her mind after she discovers Kaido does not have a softball team and after Gorō tells her to follow her love of softball. She attended Seishu High School, the one Gorō later attends. She told her litte brother Taiga to join Seishu's baseball club seeming the great "baseball fanatic" was there. After high school, she attended Kyowa University. During the winter break of her freshman year, Gorō confesses to Kaoru and they are going out. If Gorō was suggested as a baseball fanatic, Shimizu was said to be a softball fanatic. And now she is shown that she is married to Gorō and have two children.
Joe Gibson (ジョー・ギブソン?)
Joe Gibson is the man responsible for the death of Gorō's birth father. The incident remained a heavy cross weighed upon him, driving him to remain one of the top pitchers in the MLB so that Honda, by comparison, would be seen as an even greater player. Due to this incident, he began to have family probelms as his family was not fitting in Japan. His son Joe Gibson Jr. started to have a grudge against him as his son believed the reason for the family breakdown was created by Gibson and Honda Shigeharu. He later returned to America after the death of his wife and daughter. He continued pitching after the age of 40, and earning over 300 wins. He stated he was waiting for a Japanese boy to join the Major League to challenge him. For the Baseball World Cup, he was Team USA's ace pitcher, although at that time he was diagnosed with angina pectoris, and the doctor warned he might die if he continue pitching. However, Gibson may feel that dying on the mound pitching his best would be the only way to truly make up to Gorō, Momoko, and the deceased Honda. His surgery was successful. Gibson also stated "I too once had a great rival, though he is now dead because of me."

Supporting characters

Daisuke Komori (小森 大介 Komori Daisuke?)
Komori was Honda's catcher since his earlier days as a little leaguer back when they were in Mifune Dolphins along with Sawamura and Shimizu. At first he was being bullied by Sawamura but was helped by Gorō and solved the problem. He continued to catch for Gorō when he returned from Fukuoka in Mifune East Middle School but ended when Mayumura eliminated them single-handedly in their game with Kaido Affiliate. In season 3 when Gorō left Kaido and entered Seishuu, they become rivals where Gorō eventually won. After High school, Komori went on to play for his Uni as their pinch hitter so far.
Taiga Shimizu (清水 大河 Shimizu Taiga?)
Voiced by: Romi Park
Brother to Kaoru Shimizu. First seen back in Season 1 where he asked his sister if baseball was fun? Returned again in Season 3 as a new member of Seishuu Baseball Team where he played as a shortstop. With his excellent skill and speed, he helped Gorō in challenging Kaido. Besides that, he also helped to take over the mound when Gorō was injured by Egashira during their practice game with Kaido. He was a smartmouth kid who believed in defeat, but later changed his opinion after watching Gorō time and time again pitching with an injured foot. Later on he became the captain of the Seishuu Baseball Team to challenge Kaido once again with his new teammates. Declaring their goal is to win at Koshien. Though at first, he did not have the confidence and decided to learn throwing the gyroball so he could give new members the belief of going to Koshien. Though later Gorō told him that he should make a team that suited him rather than follow in Gorō's footsteps. His the 1st batter (batting left-handed) and plays shortstop.
Ryota Sawamura (沢村 涼太 Sawamura Ryōta?)
Voiced by: Kahoru Sasajima
Initially Ryota is a bully in elementary school, pushing Komori. Gorō and Shimizu stand up to him and he eventually backs down after Gorō hits him for trying to throw his baseball glove into the river. He soon realizes that he doesn't have any real friends and asks Gorō if he can play baseball with him, Shimizu and Komori. He started off playing soccer but changes to baseball so he could play in Little League with Gorō and the others. In junior high, he went back to soccer and was the captain of the team. In season 5, we learn that he injured his knee and could not continue playing. He remains friends with Komori, Shimizu, and Gorō.
Yoshitaka Yamane (山根 義隆 Yamane Yoshitaka?)
Voiced by: Hideki Ogihara
Introduced in the Junior High story arc, Yoshitaka Yamane is on the Mifune Junior High School team, but uses it to cut class with some other friends that follow him. He and his friends beat up Komori after he tells them that they have to quit if they aren't going to contribute to the team and frightened the remaining players into quitting, too. When Gorō returns and confronts him, Yamane reveals that he hates baseball because he cannot play it anymore. He was injured the year before and cannot throw the ball with his right arm. Gorō, who suffered a similar injury, teaches Yamane to throw left-handed and he rejoins the team, playing first base. He goes on to Mifune High School with Komori, where he becomes the pitcher.
Joe Gibson Jr./"Junior" (ギブソンJr.?)
Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa
The son of Joe Gibson, Junior is of the same age as Gorō. When Junior's parents divorced because his mother could not stand life in Japan, whereas Gibson wanted to remain in Japan pitching until he had found out how to make up for killing Honda, Junior stayed with his father in Japan. When his mother and sister died in a traffic accident in America, Junior became resentful towards his father and the deceased Honda. His motivation to play baseball was fueled by the desire to defeat his father. He is an extremely talented batter, being able to switch hit. He played for the AAA Oklahoma Falcons, the MLB team Texas Raiders, as well as the USA Team during the Baseball World Cup. He hit the walk-off home run against Gorō 103 mph pitch to lead USA to the world cup victory. He plays third base.
Mayumura Ken
Voiced by: Makoto Yasumura
Introduced in season 2, he has a forward attitude. His personality is very direct and to the point, often coming off as cold. He appears to be in complete control of his emotions at all times, including when facing established and more experienced players. His pre-game ritual of sitting in a bathroom stall while listening to music is seen by others as getting him in the right frame of mind to pitch, but in actuality he does it because he is anxious and helps him focus his anxiety. His goals are to achieve all possible individual achievements in Japanese Baseball before moving onto the Majors. He currently plays for NPB's Yokohama Blue Oceans[Anime]/Orix Blue Wave[Manga] as a starting pitcher.

Episode list

First Season

# Title Original airdate
001 "Gorō's Dream and Daddy's Dream"
"Gorō no Yume, Otosan no Yume" (吾郎の夢, おとさんの夢) 
November 13, 2004
002 "Their Friendship"
"Futatsu no Yūjyō" (二つの友情) 
November 20, 2004
003 "I Hate You, Daddy!"
"Otosan Nante Kirai Da!" (おとさんなんてキライだ!) 
November 27, 2004
004 "A Birthday One Day Late"
"Ichinichi Okure no Tanjyōbi" (一日遅れの誕生日) 
December 4, 2004
005 "The Man From the Majors"
"Mejyaa no Otoko" (メジャーの男) 
December 11, 2004
006 "Goodbye..."
"Sayonara...." (さよなら. . . .) 
December 18, 2004
007 "Gorō Honda, Age Nine!"
"Honda Gorō, 9 Sai!" (本田吾郎, 9歳!) 
December 25, 2004
008 "Team Complete!"
"Chiimu Kessei!" (チーム結成!) 
January 8, 2005
009 "Alone on the Mound"
"Hitori Bocchi no Maundo" (一人ぼっちのマウンド) 
January 15, 2005
010 "Showdown in the Rain"
"Ame no Nessen" (雨の熱戦) 
January 22, 2005
011 "The Team Dad Played On"
"Otosan no Ita Chiimu" (おとさんのいたチーム) 
January 29, 2005
012 "An Invitation From Gibson"
"Gibuson Kara no Shōtaijyō" (ギブソンからの招待状) 
February 5, 2005
013 "Summer! Baseball! Training Camp!"
"Natsu Da, Yakyū Da, Gasshuku Da!" (夏だ, 野球だ, 合宿だ!) 
February 12, 2005
014 "Reckless Practice Match!"
"Mubō na Renshū Shiai" (無謀な練習試合) 
February 19, 2005
015 "The Coach's Feelings"
"Kantoku no Omoi" (監督の思い) 
March 5, 2005
016 "I Quit!"
"Yameta!" (ヤメタ!) 
March 12, 2005
017 "Tournament begins!"
"Taikai Sutaato!" (大会スタート!) 
March 19, 2005
018 "Aim for victory!"
"Mezase, Hatsushōri!" (目指せ, 初勝利!) 
March 26, 2005
019 "Mother's Happiness"
"Kaasan no Shiawase" (母さんの幸せ) 
April 2, 2005
020 "Gorō's Mistake!?"
"Gorō Kōban!?" (吾郎降板?!) 
April 9, 2005
021 "This is Baseball!"
"Kore ga Yakyū!" (これが野球!) 
April 16, 2005
022 "The Night Before the Duel"
"Kessen Zenya" (決戦前夜) 
April 23, 2005
023 "Do Not Lose!"
"Makeru Ki Nashi!" (負ける気ナシ!) 
April 30, 2005
024 "Chase It! Ovecome It!"
"Oitsuke! Oikose!" (追いつけ!追い越せ!) 
May 7, 2005
025 "Everyone Together"
"Minna De Isshoni" (みんなで一緒に) 
May 14, 2005
026 "Don't Say Goodbye"
"Sayonara Wa Iwanai" (さよならは言わない) 
May 21, 2005

Second Season

# Title Original airdate
027 "He Returns..."
"kaette kita..." (帰ってきた. . .) 
December 12, 2005
028 "There is one dream!"
"yume wa hitotsu!" (夢はひとつ!) 
December 17, 2005
029 "The Baseball Club Starts!"
"yakyuubu shidou!" (野球部 始動!) 
December 24, 2005
030 "Rivals Reunite"
"RAIBARU saikai" (ライバル再会) 
January 7, 2006
031 "Toshiya's Past"
"Toshiya no kako" (寿也の過去) 
January 14, 2006
032 "The Recruiter's Conspiracy"
"SUKAUTO no inbou" (スカウトの陰謀) 
January 21, 2006
033 "Powerful Rival! Tomonoura"
"kyouteki! Tomonoura" (強敵!友ノ浦) 
January 28, 2006
034 "...For What Reason?"
"nan no tame ni..." (何のために. . .) 
February 4, 2006
035 "The End of the Battle"
"nettou no hate ni" (熱闘の果てに) 
February 11, 2006
036 "A Fresh Resolve"
"aratanaru ketsui" (新たなる決意) 
February 18, 2006
037 "The Narrow Gate to Kaido"
"Kaidou he no semaki mon" (海堂への狭き門) 
February 25, 2006
038 "The Ticket to Kaido"
"Kaidou he no kippu" (海同への切符) 
March 4, 2006
039 "See Ya..."
"mata·na..." (また·な. . .) 
March 11, 2006
040 "The Island of Dreams"
"yume wo miru shima" (夢を見る島) 
March 18, 2006
041 "The Requirements of a Pitcher"
"PICCHA no jouken" (ピッチャーの条件) 
March 25, 2006
042 "A Genuine Baseball Kid"
"tennen yakyuu kosou" (天然野球子僧) 
April 1, 2006
043 "Fleeting Summer Break"
"tsuka no ma no natsuyasumi" (つかの間の夏休み) 
April 8, 2006
044 "Distasteful Baseball"
"fuyukai na yakyuu" (不愉快な野球) 
April 15, 2006
045 "The Force of Scholarship Students"
"tokutaisei no jitsuryoku" (特待生の実力) 
April 22, 2006
046 "Gorō vs. Manual Baseball"
"Gorō vs MANYUARU yakyuu" (吾郎vsマニュアル野球) 
April 29, 2006
047 "Together with You"
"kimi to issho ni" (君と一緒に) 
May 5, 2006
048 "Kaido's Secret"
"Kaido no himitsu" (海堂の秘密) 
May 13, 2006
049 "Egashira's Expectations"
"Egashira no omowaku" (江頭の思惑) 
May 20, 2006
050 "Varsity Challenge"
"ichigun e no chousen" (一軍への挑戦) 
May 27, 2006
051 "With My Own Two Feet"
"jibun no ashi de" (自分の足で) 
June 03, 2006
052 "Goodbye!"
"aba yo!" (あばよ!) 
June 10, 2006

Third Season

# Title Original airdate
053 "Start from Zero"
"ZERO kara no SUTAATO" (ゼロからのスタート) 
January 6, 2007
054 "New Friends"
"atarashii nakama" (新しい仲間) 
January 13, 2007
055 "From Father to Son"
"chichi kara ko he" (父から子へ) 
January 20, 2007
056 "Reckless Gamble"
"Mubou na kake" (無謀な賭け) 
January 27, 2007
057 "Our Grounds"
"oretachi no GURAUNDO" (俺たちのグラウンド) 
February 3, 2007
058 "Their Respective Choices"
"sorezore no sentaku" (それぞれの選択) 
February 10, 2007
059 "Unexpected Visitor"
"totsuzen no houmonsha" (突然の訪問者) 
February 17, 2007
060 "Egashira's Plot"
"Egashira no inbou" (江頭の陰謀) 
February 24, 2007
061 "Absent Ace"
"EESU fuzai" (エース不在) 
March 3, 2007
062 "Contagious Fighting Spirit"
"densen suru toushi" (伝染する闘志) 
March 10, 2007
063 "Wounded Ace"
"teoi no EESU" (手負いのエース) 
March 17, 2007
064 "Battle against Mifune, Start!"
"Mifune-sen kaishi!" (三船戦開始!) 
March 24, 2007
065 "Climax! Mifune Battle"
"hakunetsu! Mifune-sen" (白熱!三船戦) 
March 31, 2007
066 "Willpower vs. Willpower"
"iji vs iji" (意地vs意地) 
April 7, 2007
067 "Full Swing!"
"FURU SUINGU!" (フルスイング!) 
April 14, 2007
068 "Unexpected Reunion"
"igai na saigai" (意外な再会) 
April 21, 2007
069 "Pitching Battle!"
"doushusen!" (投手戦!) 
April 28, 2007
070 "Last Spurt!"
"RASTO SUPAATO!" (ラストスパート!) 
May 5, 2007
071 "Challenge to the Top"
"ouja he no chousen" (王者への挑戦) 
May 12, 2007
072 "Chance! Manual Baseball"
"gekinashi! MANUARU yakyuu" (隙なし!マニュアル野球) 
May 19, 2007
073 "Toshiya's Secret Plan"
"Toshiya no hisaku" (寿也の秘策) 
May 26, 2007
074 "Head to Head Battle"
"makkou shoubu" (真っ向勝負) 
June 2, 2007
075 "A Close Fight"
"GIRI GIRI no tatakai" (ギリギリの戦い) 
June 9, 2007
076 "The End of the Strategy"
"sakubou no ketsumatsu" (策謀の結末) 
June 16, 2007
077 "Ace Full of Injuries"
"kizu darake no EESU" (傷だらけのエース) 
June 23, 2007
078 "Towards Your Dreams"
"yume no butai he" (夢の舞台へ) 
June 30, 2007

Fourth Season

# Title Original airdate
079 "To the Birthplace of Baseball"
"yakyuu no furusato he" (野球の故郷(ふるさと)へ) 
January 5, 2008
080 "Tryout"
"TORAIAUTO" (トライアウト) 
January 12, 2008
081 "I'll Do It"
"yatte yaru!" (やってやる!) 
January 19, 2008
082 "This is the Majors!"
"kore ga MEJYA!" (これがメジャー!) 
January 26, 2008
083 "Sign towards the World"
"sekai he no michishirube" (世界への道しるべ) 
February 2, 2008
084 "Unforgivable!!"
"yurusanee!!" (ゆるさねぇ!!) 
February 9, 2008
085 "Courage, full score!"
"dokyou manten!" (度胸満点!) 
February 16, 2008
086 "Debut!"
"DEBYUU!" (デビュー!) 
February 23, 2008
087 "Challenger"
"chuusensha" (挑戦者) 
March 1, 2008
088 "It's not impossible"
"muri ja nee" (無理じゃねえ) 
March 8, 2008
089 "Try and aim for it"
"neratte miruu ka" (狙ってみるか) 
March 15, 2008
090 "Liar!"
"usotsuki!" (嘘つき!) 
March 22, 2008
091 "A Stupid Bet"
"Baka na kake" (バカな賭け) 
March 29, 2008
092 "Keene's Past"
"Keen no kako" (キーンの過去) 
April 5, 2008
093 "Hero"
"Hiiroo" (ヒーロー) 
April 12, 2008
094 "I'm fed up!"
"Mukatsuku!" (ムカつく!) 
April 19, 2008
095 "Where to Aim"
"Mezasubeki mono" (目指すべきもの) 
April 26, 2008
096 "Alice's Dream, Everyone's Dream"
"Arisu no yume minna no yume" (アリスの夢 みんなの夢) 
May 3, 2008
097 "Responsibility"
"Kejime" (ケジメ) 
May 10, 2008
098 "Get out!"
"dete ike!" (出て行け!) 
May 17, 2008
099 "Trouble from the Start"
"haran no makiake" (波乱の幕開け) 
May 24, 2008
100 "The Single Ball of Fate"
"unmei no ikkyuu" (運命の1球) 
May 31, 2008
101 "One More Deciding Match"
"mou hitotsu no kessen" (もう一つの決戦) 
June 7, 2008
102 "A Great Man"
"idai na otoko" (偉大な男) 
June 14, 2008
103 "A Truly Worthy Rival"
"Honmono no Koutekishu" (本物の好敵手) 
June 21, 2008
104 "An Oath"
"Chikai" (誓い) 
June 28, 2008

Fifth Season

# Title Original airdate
105 "Once More"
"Futatabi" (ふたたび) 
January 10, 2009
106 "Feelings Different between the Two"
"Futari no Ondosa" (二人の温度差) 
January 17, 2009
107 "Representative Close!"
"Daihyō Shūketsu!" (代表集結!) 
January 24, 2009
108 "Trial and Error"
"Shikōsakugo" (試行錯誤) 
January 31, 2009
109 "Young Japan"
"Yongu Japan" (ヤングジャパン) 
February 7, 2009
110 "Unselfish Fastball"
"Muyoku no Chokkyuu" (無欲の直球) 
February 14, 2009
111 "Sudden Notification"
"Totsuzen no Tsuutatsu" (突然の通達) 
February 21, 2009
112 "Everyone's Respective Expectations"
"Sorezore no Omoi" (それぞれの思い) 
February 28, 2009
113 "Pressure and Real Worth"
"Juuatsu to Shinka" (重圧と真価) 
March 7, 2009
114 "Polished Fangs"
"Migakareta Kiba" (磨かれた牙) 
March 14, 2009
115 "Not a Man!!"
"Otoko Janee !!" (男じゃねぇ!!) 
March 21, 2009
116 "The Curse"
"Jubaku" (呪縛) 
March 28, 2009
117 "Japanese Baseball"
"Nippon no Yakyuu" (日本の野球) 
April 4, 2009
118 "I'm Alright!"
"Daijoubu !" (大丈夫!) 
April 11, 2009
119 "Aggressive Baseball"
"Aguresshibu . Beesubooru" (アグレッシブ·ベースボール) 
April 18, 2009
120 "Everyone's Resolution"
"Sorezore no Kakugo" (それぞれの覚悟) 
April 25, 2009
121 "America's Pride"
"Amerika no Hokori" (アメリカの誇り) 
May 2, 2009
122 "Towards the Promised Place"
"Yakusoku no Basho he" (約束の場所へ) 
May 9, 2009
123 "Pitching's Origin"
"Picchingu no Genten" (ピッチングの原点) 
May 16, 2009
124 "With Chest of Pride"
"Hokori wo Mune ni" (誇りを胸に) 
May 23, 2009
125 "For Oneself's Sake"
"Jibunjishin no Tame" (自分自身のため) 
May 30, 2009
126 "The Neverending Dream"
"Owaranai Yume" (終わらない夢) 
June 6, 2009
127 "Father's Back"
"Chichi no Senaka" (父の背中) 
June 13, 2009
128 "End of the Struggle"
"Shitou no Hate" (死闘の果て) 
June 27, 2009
129 "The Road to Tomorrow"
"Ashita he no Michi" (明日への道) 
July 4, 2009

Sixth Season

# Title Original airdate
130 "Super Rookie"
"Suupaa Ruukii" (スーパールーキー) 
April 3, 2010
131 "A Prominent Debut!"
"Senretsu Debyuu!" (鮮烈デビュー!) 
April 10, 2010
132 "In an Impossible Dilemma"
"Nigebanaki Pinchi" (逃げ場なきピンチ) 
April 17, 2010
133 "The Southpaw in Distress"
"Nayameru Sausu Pou" (悩めるサウスポー) 
April 24, 2010
134 "The Fruits of the Treatment"
"Chiryou no Seika" (治療の成果) 
May 1, 2010
135 "What it Takes to be a Pro"
"Puro no Shishitsu" (プロの資質) 
May 8, 2010
136 "Rookies' Troubles"
"Ruukii no Kunou" (ルーキーの苦悩) 
May 15, 2010
137 "An Electrifying Return"
"Dengeki Futsuki" (電撃復帰) 
May 22, 2010
138 "Fully Back on the Mound"
"Futsukatsu no Maundo" (復活のマウンド) 
May 29, 2010
139 "Each Person's Summer"
"Sorezore no Natsu" (それぞれの夏) 
June 05, 2010
140 "The Entrusted Dream"
"Takusareta Yume" (託された夢) 
June 12, 2010
141 "The Unspoken Rule"
"anmoku no ruuru" (暗黙のルール) 
June 19, 2010
142 "A Chain of Negativity"
"fu no rensa" (負の連鎖) 
June 26, 2010
143 "Ace's Responsibility"
"eesu no sekinin" (エースの責任) 
July 3, 2010
144 "Weak Point"
"uiikupointo" (ウイークポイント) 
July 10, 2010
145 "A Resolute Will"
"danko taruishi" (断固たる意志) 
July 17, 2010
146 "Unexpected Guest"
"maneka rezaru kyaku" (招かれざる客) 
July 24, 2010
147 "Different?!"
"rashikunee!" (らしくねぇ!) 
July 31, 2010
148 "Creeping Shadow"
"shinobi yoru kage" (忍び寄る影) 
August 7, 2010
149 "That Dream"
"soko ni aru yume" (そこにある夢) 
August 21, 2010
150 "Never Give Up!"
"akirameru na !" (諦めるな!) 
August 28, 2010
151 "Remaining Opportunity"
"nokosareta chansu" (残されたチャンス) 
September 4, 2010
152 "Beyond Capability"
"genkai wo koe te" (限界を超えて) 
September 11, 2010
153 "Tenacity to Glory"
"eikou he no shuunen" (栄光への執念) 
September 18, 2010
154 "To the Future"
"mirai he < owari >" (未来へ <終>) 
September 25, 2010 End~

Movie

# Title Original airdate
1 "Major: The ball of Friendship"
"Mejā: Yūjō no Winning Shot" (メジャー 友情の一球(ウイニングショット)) 
December 13, 2008

OVA

# Title Original airdate
1 "Message"   December 17, 2010

Music

Season one

  • Opening (episodes 1-26): "Kokoro e (心絵 -- ココロエ)" by Road of Major (ロードオブメジャ)
  • Ending (episodes 1-16): "Step" by Beni Arashiro
  • Ending (episodes 17-25): "Faraway" by Paradise GO!! GO!!
  • Ending (episode 26): "Kokoro e (心絵 -- ココロエ)" by Road of Major

Season two

  • Opening (episodes 27-52): "Saraba Aoki Omokage (さらば碧き面影)" by Road of Major
  • Ending (episodes 27-39): "Wonderland" by May
  • Ending (episodes 40-51): "Shoboi Kao Sunnayo Baby (しょぼい顔すんなよベイベー)" by The Loose Dogs
  • Ending (episode 52): "Saraba Aoki Omakage (さらば碧き面影)" by Road of Major

Season three

  • Opening (episodes 53-77): "Play the Game" by Road of Major
  • Ending (episodes 53-67): "Strike Party!!!" by BeForU[5]
  • Ending (episodes 68-77): "Yoru ni Nareba" by The Loose Dogs
  • Ending (episode 78): "Play the Game" by Road of Major

Season four

  • Opening (episode 80-103): "Rise" by Ootomo Kouhei
  • Ending (episode 79-95): "One Day" by The Loose Dogs
  • Ending (episode 96-103): "Ame nochi niji iro" by The Loose Dogs feat. Maki Oguro and Showtaro Morikubo (Gorō Shigeno)
  • Ending (episode 104): "Rise" by Ootomo Kouhei

Season five

  • Opening (episode 106-128): "Hey! Hey! Alright" by SCHA DARA PARR feat. Kaela Kimura
  • Ending (episode 105-120): "Stay With Me" by Hitomi Shimatani
  • Ending (episode 121-128): "Jibun Color" (ジブンカラー) by Yu Nakamura[6]
  • Ending (episode 129):"Kokoro e (心絵 -- ココロエ)" by Road of Major

Season six

  • Opening (episode 131-): "Kokoro e (心絵 -- ココロエ)" by TRIPLANE
  • Ending (episode 130-142): "Twilight Star" by Twilight Star by Megamasso
  • Ending (episode 143-): "Zutto Mae Kara (ずっと 前から)" by French Kiss
  • Ending (episode 154): "Kokoro e (心絵 -- ココロエ)" by Road of Major

OVA

  • Ending: "Kokoro e (心絵 -- ココロエ)" by Showtaro Morikubo

Movie

Differences between the manga and anime version

  • Team names
    • The "Yokohama Marine Stars" in the manga became "Yokohama Blue Oceans" in the anime.
    • The "Tokyo Shians" in the manga became "Tokyo Warriors" in the anime.
  • Many violent scenes (mostly physical fighting) in the manga were either greatly toned down, or completely removed in the anime.
  • The match between the Kaido Junior Varsity and Varsity teams
    • In the manga, Toshiya Sato's home run in the 7th inning was worth 2 runs, placing the JV team in the lead. The 8th and 9th innings quickly ended without incident or anyone scoring.
    • In the anime, Sato's home run was only a solo home run. Gorō gave up run in the 8th inning, but hit a 2-run home run off the Varsity team's ace pitcher and took back the lead. The 9th inning ended without either team scoring.
    • In the manga, Mayumura was never on the field. In the anime, he helped to make a hit in the 8th inning, to see if Shigeno has the ability to follow up with a game-winning home run, instead of having to rely on Sato in the 9th inning.
  • The birth of Chiharu and the retirement of Hideki Shigeno
    • In the anime, the birth of Chiharu and the retirement of Hideki Shigeno both happened a few years later than the manga timeline.
  • Ryoko Kawase
    • Kawase's plot elements in Season 2 and 3 of the anime were not present in the original manga. In the manga, there was no mention of her after the little league match. Kaoru Shimizu decided to go to Seishu after Komori's encouragement; Taiga pitched the 300 practice sliders to Gorō with his injured hand.
  • Ayane
    • When Gorō first moved back to Mifune, and was asking directions to Mifune East, the person who gave the wrong directions in the manga was Yamane (intentionally). In the anime it was Ayane (unintentionally).
    • Ayane's plot elements in Season 3 of the anime were not present in the original manga. In the manga, there was no mention of her after Gorō and Toshiya began school in Kaido.

References

External links


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