Aaargh, Big Windup, you sucked me in again. Perhaps its just me, but something about this series hooks me every time. Maybe its the slow build of tension as the Nishiura baseball team grinds away the innings against one of the best baseball teams in the annual summer tournament. Maybe its the fun of watching main character Mihashi slowly, slowly, realize his own potential. Or maybe I just really like baseballnah, its gotta be one of the first two.
Having completed a grueling practice schedule (from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. every day!), the all-freshman Nishiura baseball team has the misfortune of drawing Tousei, one of the tournaments powerhouse teams and last years winner. Undaunted, the boys put their training and dedication to good use, riding the stellar (if shaky) arm of their pitcher, Mihashi. With the support of his catcher/attitude coach/friend Abe, they give Tousei all it can handle in the first round. Youll have to watch the show to find out who wins...
Big Windup illustrates the absolute fanaticism that many Japanese have toward baseball, especially high school baseball. The show focuses on each battle between pitcher and hitter, and builds the tension throughout the game as strategies shift and players react and counter-react to each other. It may sound odd, but even though the series takes roughly 12 episodes to cover Nishiuras first game, it still feels short. Big Windup is proof that quirky, offbeat, or even seemingly boring subjects can be utterly captivating if handled in the right way. Now what am I gonna do while I wait for the next season to be released? Watch actual baseball? Perish the thought!
score 8.0 out of ten
verdict One of the most addictive anime Ive watched in years. Big Windup captures the spirit and high tension of amateur sports better than any documentary or movie Ive seen.
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