@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.

@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).

@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).

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?

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!

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.