If so, Eyeshield 21 fans will start swarming towards One Outs. After all, it’s a proven fact that Hiruma’s king in the character popularity ranking list. Who cares about Sena anyway?
After 4 episodes, I’m pretty much convinced that Toua is Hiruma’s older brother. They must have been separated the moment Hiruma came to life, since allowing the two of them to be together would mean World Destruction. Usajigen states that they are long-lost twins, but I feel that Hiruma looks far too youthful as compared to Toua, who looks slightly more matured. Then again, it could very well be the opposite.
Unlike his younger brother who loves American Football, he turned his sights towards baseball. Yet, like Hiruma, he excels in the sport of his choice. Surprisingly, despite him pitching at a rather unimpressive speed of 134km/h, his balls are insanely difficult to bat, even for the pros.
While the brothers play different games, they have a similar love for two things. Playing minds games and gambling. It simply just runs within the bloodline, doesn’t it? This is simply why the brothers can never be together. One of them screwing with your mind is a disaster, two would be a serious mind wreck.
Evil eyes is a family trait
Alright, now for a paragraph or two about One Out in case some people really get deluded into believing that Hiruma and Toua are really linked by blood.
Baseball is awesome. I enjoy watching it and Softball too, be it in the form of 2D or 3D. It was a pity that One Outs flew under my radar for a couple of weeks until I somehow came across it not too long ago. Usually, when I come to anime or manga featuring baseball, I tend to be a little more bias and try to rate it higher on my own scale, so as to reduce the chances of dropping it. I did the same for One Outs, but it turned out that it wasn’t required. Gambling together with sports in something that I’ve never recalled seeing ever since I seriously started on anime and manga 2 years back. To me, it’s a refreshing novelty. Such an appeal, I am unable to resist.
Since this whole post is baseball themed, I’ve a recommendation for baseball manga. 新約「巨人の星」花形 (Shinyaku “Kyojin no Hoshi” Hanagata) has been around for 10 volumes, with book 11 out soon in November. Some might know of it already, but since it wasn’t mentioned in Usajigen’s post, I figured it’ll be good if it was here. I read the first few volumes while I stayed over at my friend’s house during my trip to Japan, and it was good. It’s packed with sufficient baseball action, and the main character, Hanagata, has some really cool lines too.
In other baseball anime news, Major Season 5 will begin in January 2009. Although the previous season wasn’t exactly impressive, the first 3 seasons were awesome enough to make me a fan of it. The new season will probably feature the World Baseball Cup, which might prove to be far more interesting than the material covered in season 4.
I’m guessing that despite having written quite a bit regarding baseball anime and manga in this post, only the first 20-30% of it will be read. There just isn’t enough love for baseball in the otakusphere, which is exactly why wonderful shows such as One Outs don’t shine out as much as they should really be shining. What a pity…
The secret to sports anime is that you don’t actually have to care a bit about the sport, if it’s a good show you’ll get sucked in regardless. Which is why I’ve been trying to convince people that One Outs isn’t really about baseball, it’s about thrilling gambling (which is… mostly true).
Of course since you do like baseball you’re probably going to get more out of it than me who has never even watched an entire game. Maybe this’ll change my mind about the sport.
I dont like baseball at all, but I think this anime shows it in an interesting and funny way..
I thought EXACTLY the same as you did!
I like baseball too and one outs shows short the main facts and the matches between the teams. unlike eyeshield 21 (i love it, but be honest, the games last forever).
if i had to choose? death XD (okay, maybe unconsciousness will be okay too)
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
Though he looks exactly like Hiruma. And he has some the of same tactical thinging. I see it more of if Light from Death Note was to play baseball.