A youth baseball novel "Battery" will be adapted into a TV anime in the Noitamina slot in July!　Koki Uchiyama will play the genius pitcher and Yu Hatanaka will play the catcher!

A TV anime adaptation of "Battery" has been decided. It will start in July in Fuji Television's "Noitamina" slot and others.

The Battery" is a coming-of-age baseball novel by Atsuko Asano. It is a bestseller with a total of 10 million copies in print and has been made into a live-action movie and a live-action drama. It is a coming-of-age story about a year in the life of an arrogant pitcher overflowing with talent and confidence and a catcher who becomes attracted to him as a battery partner.

The TV anime adaptation was decided on this occasion of the 20th anniversary of the publication. The director and screenplay are by Tomomitsu Mochizuki of "Umi ga Kikoeru" fame, the original character design is by Takako Shimura, a manga artist well known for "Hobo Son," and the animation character design and chief animation director is by Eiko Kusama of "Hi-Q! Animation character design and chief animation director is Eiko Kusama, animation character design and chief animation director is Eiko Kusama, animation music is by Akira Senju of the TV drama "Minors. The animation is produced by Xergey, with the cooperation of Takahashi City in Okayama Prefecture. The cast features Koki Uchiyama as Takumi Harada, a genius pitcher, and Yu Hatanaka as Go Nagakura, a catcher who will be teaming up with him as a battery. Here are their comments.

The teaser visual depicts the two, representing early spring, the beginning of the work in which the seasons flow through the four seasons. The teaser PV also shows music and character voices.

Original story by Atsuko Asano
It has been 20 years since "The Battery" first appeared in the world, and even after 20 years, I am still able to encounter that world anew in the form of an anime. I am deeply moved. When the first book came out, I secretly prayed that the boy Takumi Harada would live a long life and that his works would be read for a long time. I feel as if that wish has come true. The work "Battery" has never allowed me to forget the struggles of my teenage years. It is one of the sources of my writing.

Director/Screenplay by Tomomitsu Mochizuki
The original story is a popular one, so our first priority was not to spoil the fans' image of the film. The characters are quite good, aren't they?　We did location scouting in Okayama Prefecture, and it was a lot of fun, so hopefully that atmosphere will be reflected in the film.

Takako Shimura, character designer
I was honored to be asked to do this project on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the birth of the work "Battery. It is a work that has been adapted to media many times and continues to be loved, so I am sure that everyone's feelings and images of the characters are deeply embedded in it. It is both an honor and a frightening thought. We look forward to working with you on the new battery.

Music by Akira Senju
The Battery" has been loved by many people for a long time, and for the music of this coming-of-age story, we searched for an esprit that everyone can relate to. It is a kind of air that flows naturally in the work, a kind of music that is not too conspicuous or flashy, but has a moment of brilliance.

Koki Uchiyama as Takumi Harada
I am very excited to be working on a noitaminA work for the first time in two years. After table tennis, it was baseball. Takumi Harada, who I play, is a lone genius. How will he change when he meets Gou and his friends? I am also very happy to be working with such a fascinating cast and crew. Please look forward to seeing them.

Yu Hatanaka as Gou Nagakura
The excitement I felt at the moment I had a dialogue with Mr. Uchiyama and my anxiety about myself are all mixed up in my mind. However, I am sure that Gou will bite the ball when he faces Takumi standing on the mound 18.44 meters away from him. I also want to bite the ball to Mr. Uchiyama and Takumi. I will catch the ball properly. Enjoy the battery.