The staff of "Ookiku Furikabutte" is the focus of attention! Treasure] "Okiku Furikabutte" - An adolescent high school baseball anime directed by Tsutomu Mizushima of "SHIROBAKO" fame.

Anime is more interesting when viewed through staff connections!

In this column, anime writers will introduce some good past works of note in terms of staff connections.

Miracle encounter between a timid ace and a pushy catcher

SHIROBAKO " depicts the current state of the anime industry while presenting itself as a bishojo anime. As someone who has had the opportunity to observe and report on the artwork used in the production of the anime, I was surprised at the level of detail that was reproduced in the show. The art is exactly as it is, as it should be!

The positive attitude of the beautiful girls as they work hard is pleasant to see, and even the rather harsh conditions of anime production are easily observed. That said, the film is not overly glorified, nor is it laugh-out-loud funny (although it is full of parodies!). ). The atmosphere of the animation production site is palpable. This is supported by the well-drawn, realistic backgrounds.

This work reminded me of the baseball anime " Okiku Fur ikabutte" and " Okiku Furikabutte: Summer Tournament Arc," both directed by the same director, Tsutomu Mizushima.

The first season of "Okiku Furikabutte" was a high school baseball anime based on the comic by Asa Higuchi, and aired for 25 episodes from April 2007 (with some special episodes not yet broadcast). The sequel, "Okiku Furikabutte: Summer Tournament Arc," began in April 2010 and consists of 13 episodes (with 12.5 unaired episodes).

The story takes place at Nishiura High School, a public high school in Saitama Prefecture. The hardball club was just established this year, with 10 members who are all first-year students. Under the guidance of their female coach, Maria Momoeda (Momokan), who says, "The only people who can really enjoy baseball are those who seriously want to win," the ten first-year students are motivated and motivated to reach their potential, enjoy and overcome the rigorous practices, and take on the challenge of qualifying for the Saitama Prefecture Summer Koshien Tournament.

The central story is the relationship between the timid ace, Ren Mitsuhashi, and the catcher, Takaya Abe, who is confident in his lead and somewhat pushy. The story of these two is just as interesting.

At the beginning of the first season, Mihashi, who has lost all confidence in himself because of an experience in junior high school that made him think he was a "lousy pitcher," meets the confident Abe, who declares, "I will make you a real ace. Once again, the impactful beginning makes my heart dance.

The chemistry between the two as a battery is never good in terms of their personalities. Abe is short-tempered and easily irritated, and Mitsuhashi, who has trouble communicating, is always nervous and timid.

But Mitsuhashi, despite the tears in his eyes when he is yelled at, trusts Abe wholeheartedly to lead the way and make him an "ace. Abe is stubborn because of a traumatic experience with a pitcher, but he is moved by Mitsuhashi's unconditional trust, and gradually changes as well.

Watching these two is so much fun that I never get tired of watching it over and over again. The other members of the Nishiura Nine, with their rich personalities and dedication, are also involved, making it an enjoyable group drama.

Azusa Hanai, the captain of the team, looks like a big confident person but is actually quite sensitive and caring. The petite genius with the best baseball sense on the team, the naive Yuichiro Tajima. Kosuke Izumi, who gets along well with the natural Mihashi and Tajima, and has a cool outlook on the team as a whole. Fumitaka Mizutani, who is a bit out of his element but is laid-back and friendly, and so on. ......

You don't have to be a Momokan (director Maria Momoeda) to be thrilled by the way the 10 first-year students of Nishinoura, who initially meet as strangers, gradually become a "team. The everyday life, club activities, and games are filled with the sparkling atmosphere of real high school students.