As the rain finally came to a drizzle, the two teams are ready to face off once again. Nishiura is now down by 3-2, but there is always a chance with Suyama coming on as the third batter in the eighth inning. It is coming close to the end of the match, and the knowledge that Kanou’s team has reached the next round definitely motivated Mihashi to do better. However, Tosei is clearly gaining some momentum, and it will not be easy to break this elite team apart.
Will Nishiura gain this one more point, or will the title refer to Tosei getting the point instead?
Episode summary
As the rain stopped, Kawai was wondering about Mihashi’s straight ball. It was strange that it felt like it traveled faster than the estimated 120km/h speed. Kawai tried to intimdate Suyama by getting Junta to throw a foul ball very close to his head. Suyama was thinking how unstable the ground was at the pitcher’s area, and even Mihashi threw a wild pitch. Nevertheless, he convinced himself as he tried to hit a good pitch by Junta. Miscommunication from the outfield players meant that Suyama got to first base. It was Tajima’s turn.
Momoe was thinking that they could not steal a base, not with Tajima observing Junta’s body movements. Kawai realized that Tajima had a relaxed posture, and looked like he would hit any pitch. He wondered if it was because Tajima was incompetent, but his body movements stated otherwise. The first shuuto pitch was nearly hit for a line shot, as Junta explained his shuuto had a bit of swerve to make it hard for the batter to hit it. The next pitch was a ball to unnerve Tajima, while the third pitch was hit back for a foul ball. Junta tried fastballs but Tajima continued to hit foul shots, extending Junta’s throwing count.
Both teams started to rope in their support for the batter (Tajima) and the pitcher (Junta) and Kawai was glad that Junta was relaxed at the start of the game. That meant that he still had enough energy to continue pitching. The slugging fest continued as Tajima continued to hit foul balls. Kawai decided to hit a sinker to disrupt the pattern. Junta pitched the sinker, and it was a ball. Tajima was unable to see the exact swirl of the ball, but he knew when to time his swing. Kawai realized his attempt to break Tajima’s concentration failed. Junta threw to catch Suyama but failed.
Kawai realized that it was impossible to beat Tajima with a fastball, as he decided to ask Junta to pitch a slider right at the middle. Junta was shocked but trusted Kawai as he struck out Tajima and let out a huge shout of celebration. Tajima was crestfallen, shocked at how he was not good enough for high school batting. He returned to the bench, with Momoe noting that he was completely down. However, he quickly apologized, and got ready to go out to assist at the first base. Momoe realized that the fourth batter got to pick his spirits up because others will be affected if he was down.
Junta made two balls, as he was a bit too relaxed after the tension with Tajima. However, Tajima’s nice coaching meant that they were able to steal base from first to second. Tosei’s team wondered why Nishiura did not steal base previously in the inning. Tosei’s coach thought they could do it when Tajima was batting. As Suyama stole third base, Tosei’s coach realized that it was Tajima who knew the instructions. Hanai was then allowed a base as there were four foul balls. Oki was next, as Tajima gave Hanai instructions to steal base. Now, Nishiura had second and third base. Oki was allowed a walk to let Mizutani play with all bases filled.
Momoe realized it was too stressful for Mizutani to play a squeeze play, and asked him to bat. Mihashi also gave him moral support, but Mizutani remembered the Renren nickname, and started to giggle. Mizutani realized that Mihashi worked hard to be where he was, and worried if he could hit the ball if even Tajima could not. The first ball was out of the zone, but Mizutani was unable to stop his swing. Suyama was wondering what Mizutani was excited about, as he reminded Mizutani with a shout of “third base”. Mizutani returned to his senses and Kawai decided to give Mizutani a slider, and make a double out.
Mizutani hit a ground ball around second base, and it passed through as Suyama ran in for a point but Hanai was not in time. Mihashi was next and he was struck out easily. As they returned to the bench, Tajima told Mihashi not to mind, and had to tell himself not to mind too. Tajima was sad that he proclaimed to get the points back, but was struck out so easily. Mihashi added that they would stop Tosei from scoring any points in a stumbling mumbling way. Hanai told Tajima that he had no time to be depressed, and the ninth inning would need Tajima again. Tajima regained his energy, as they got ready to defend against Tosei.
Thoughts
This is a very interesting scenario. Considering how Tosei has such a huge momentum, the way that Nishiura returned back with such a huge confidence and not letting their heads go down is a great achievement. I mean, I have my share of playing sports, and the pain where the opponent got up with you after you are leading is a tremendous stress for any player. Nishiura really proved themselves as a mentally strong team, and every member is willing to support anyone who falters.
I really like the ending when Tajima realized that even he has limitations. I fully expect and thought that Tajima will be the player that will regain the point for Nishiura. It is good to see that the anime knows how to play with your logical influence, and used Mizutani, the least likely to be a hero to be the one winning the point for Nishiura.
Tajima must be perplexed and lost much of his confidence. I mean, he is batted out so many times by the pitcher, and other Nishiura batters that should not be of his ability are hitting pitches very well. It must be a huge pain to his ego, as well as the sudden realization that he is on a different ball game. I still think that Tajima is the best batter for Nishiura, just that he lacks a bit of luck and that he has been a bit over confident during the past few innings. With his confidence rather in check, I am sure that if he still has any chance to get onto the batter’s field, he will hit a sinker. For sure.
I am also rather impressed nevertheless by Tajima’s coaching for the steal base. Stealing a base from a top team like Tosei is hard enough, much less stealing a bloody base at third. I mean, I cannot imagine how difficult and daring it is to actually try to steal something like the third base. It’s just pure genius stuff, if you ask me. Tajima’s strength of observation will probably be the clincher for Nishiura, if they are to win this Tosei squad.
Next week’s preview title is “Defend”. Let’s hope Nishiura nicks this but with this anime being totally unpredictable, you never know when the direction will be.
Loading ...
11 Comments
I think that it may also be because Kazu is putting a lot of pressure on Tajima, since he knows that Tajima MUST be a good batter if they’re always setting the game up for his turn at the batter’s box. But yeah, I agree, it’s nice how they did the small twists in this episode. I hope that Tajima can make a recovery and win a point for the team! I agree with you — I still think he’s the best batter they have, too, and I like how he picks himself up even when pressured by the enemy so much.
I love it when Tajima coaches when they steal the bases. It always boggles Tosei how Nishiura can steal it without getting caught when Tajima’s the one calling. XD XD If I remember correctly, Tajima used to steal bases without relying on any coach — he just looked at Junta’s number 10 on his own and ran. So awesome.
Love the bit where the Tosei coach and team are baffled as to how Tajima has been able to figure out the timing so as to enable Nishiura to steal bases. The show is such a tease as they set up the pitcher-batter showdown between Junta and Tajima in this episode and the excitement that follows as the pitch count climbs for Tajima’s turn at-bat. Thereafter, to knock us back with Mizutani’s successful hit when Kawai has identified Mizutani as one of the weaker batters and seen tensely squatting waiting his turn at-bat with Oki up at-bat.
At the rate that the recent innings are being played now and the expected drama as the game reaches its end, the game is likely to go on for another 3 episodes (i.e. up until Episode 24). It’s been a great ride so far and this game has been absorbing, not for fancy power plays but one that has been all about teamwork and some gutsy play by Nishiura. The camaraderie of the Nishiura team is an absolute joy to watch. Each team member providing support to one another. The 2nd ED that now plays at the end of each episode now captures the essence of this show. It’s a show that has great heart.
p.s.
I have read the manga and am well up to-date (latest as of now is Chapter 48). Won’t spoil what happens. What I will mention is that I think the anime is doing a great job adapting the manga to animation and, not only that, I even rank the anime as better than the award-winning manga!
@Keh: well, in a way, Tajima is actually quite relaxed for the first few innings. However, it is perhaps logical that his overconfidence has ruined his chance of actually hitting the ball. I do understand that confidence is a requirement for the clean up batter, but it is now hindering his potential since he thinks high school baseball was easy to conquer. This match taught him otherwise.
Ya, I mean having the stealing of base for the fun of it is just evil. It will never happen in real life, which means that Tajima is so so god darn awesome
. I do believe that Tajima is perhaps the most consistent batter that Nishiura have, and will be even stronger when he realizes that he no longer can relax and hit shots easily.
We will not be seeing the last of Tajima. He will definitely improve big time, and I cannot wait (and hope) for him to appear for the ninth inning.
@Leongsh: Hahaha, I really like how they put up the tension with Tajima, and in a way tricking me to think that Tajima will clinch it. I really like the reality check for Tajima, and it was done very tastefully. Mizutani hitting it just takes the cake. I do not understand why he is getting all excited over Renren though -_-…
I actually found that both teams have great camaaraderie, making it a good reflection of school sports. I do agree that the fancy plays are more based on teamwork, and gives more team performances rather than individual talent. There is no I in Team, no?
Just watched Episode 22 and now desperate for Episode 23. The preview for Episode 23 has a glimpse of Tajima at-bat
It’s going to be a great finish to the game =)
@leongosh: do we know for sure that Oofuri will only last 24 eps? It seems to me that the show replacing Oofuri (You are Under Arrest) would start October, which means 3 more weeks of Oofuri (up to ep 25). Based on chapter progress, with the current speed of 1 ep 1 chapter, ep 25 is a much better closer to Tousei arc than ep 24.
@Impz: I’ve never felt that Tajima is overconfident. I’ve always felt that he’s the type that knows his strengths and weaknesses. But then, that he has the confidence that he can hit any balls does not feel like overconfidence to me (although talented, he is hardworking), but other people may have different opinion on this.
Putting that aside, it feels that Hanai fell in the realm of obscurity, which might be understandable given his position in the outfield, but even Mizutani has more moments – the animators don’t show Hanai much even when he’s in the batter box. Moreover, Abe or Tajima seem to have more commandeering role than him during the game, poor him… (although I still think that outside the game, he’s the best for captain position).
@Anon: I don’t see any official news out there saying that it will end at Episode 24. Your estimate of Episode 25 is likelier due to You’re Under Arrest!: Full Throttle is coming into Oofuri’s TBS time slot then. My original estimate (posted elsewhere) is up to Episode 26. This is based on the expected DVD release format – 2 episodes in Volume 1, and 3 episodes in every volume after that up until Volume 9. If it’s 25 episodes, they would have released only 1 episode in the Volume 1 DVD. I’ve also noted that You’re Under Arrest!: Full Throttle starts 3 weeks later in Oofuri’s BS-i time slot instead of the 2 week lag that Oofuri has now – meaning there’s a probability of really having a 26th episode.
@leongosh: I’ve just checked Shoboi calendar. It indicates that ep 25 would be the last ep. (dances)
@Leongsh: Still trying to watch that episode as well, sigh. Nice news too about the episodes.
@Anon: Ehh, even for 26 episodes, it seems a bit short since the story is much longer than that. I do wonder when the 2nd season will come, since it looks pretty obvious that it will be like a long series just like Major. I always find that Tajima is a hardworking player but seems to have a bit too much fun on the pitch. He knows his strengths and weaknesses at the middle school level and tries to think that he can do the same at this level. I guess that is perhaps bad estimation rather than overconfidence. I do love Tajima though, he’s the good comical relief/top batter.
Hanai, being the captain, is also surprisingly quiet. Well, if you ask me, I feel that he is perhaps the gel during the proceedings of the pre and post-match. I mean, I am not too sure that there’s much captaincy required in a game, since most of the tactics are generally from the coach, and his position is LF? (can’t remember at the top of the head).
@Anon: I find it hard to be happy with only 25 episodes (T_T) I want MORE Oofuri. Hopefully, there will be a 2nd season in Spring 2008.
@Impz: Hanai is playing RF. He still has a part to play yet
With the hint about Tajima that they dropped in the preview of Episode 23 as I mentioned above, suggest you do a count of batters from where Nishiura’s 8th inning ended and you will figure out what it means to have Tajima to be at-bat 
@Impz: Tajima is a great baseman too. I actually find him the coolest as a baseman and not as a batter.
@leongosh: I’m sad too. The latest manga arc is my favourite arc, and the arc just after Tousei has my favourite Tajima’s scenes, which just have to be animated. 2nd season has not been announced, so I’m rather nervous – since some great show like Fruits Basket didn’t have 2nd season X(. But at least ep 25 means 1 more ep than the current speculation of 24 eps and without ep 25, Tousei arc is just not ‘whole’, I’m sure you know what I mean since you’ve read the manga.