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Feb 9 2010 05:08 PM
Just a quick correction as a die-hard baseball fan. Even without the homerun, it would not have been a perfect game. Due to Senda's error, had Kou retired the last batter then he would have thrown a "no hitter".

EDIT: Someone who has read the manga says that the anime has covered through 140 chapters of 170 total. So it's very possible that it can be paced reasonably and follow the manga ending.

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Feb 9 2010 04:53 PM

So does this question mean you're just reading the manga or are you curious from a manga reader's perspective? But if you're asking solely an anime viewer in the last episode (44) Seishu just defeated Miki's team their first victory of the tournament (as third years). Kou pitched a perfect game until the very last out when he gave up a home run -- yikes! Aoba asked Kou what her umm charming features were (Azuma's compliment brought that question on) and he said that sometimes you can be too close to someone to fully recognize them (evasive as usual) or something close to that. Kou seems to be getting more and more popular and Aoba is taking notice. I would say those are about the highlights of the current episode.

But I'm also curious to know if someone is reading the manga and the anime exactly where are they at in comparison (close or a ways apart?)

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Feb 2 2010 02:41 PM
It was awesome to see Daimon lose yet again because of his brimming overconfidence when playing a "no name" school... and to Miki, a player he benched, of all people. Can't wait for the upcoming matchup of Seishu vs. Sena.

Also, yes, I do think Akaishi is Kou's rival for Akane (if he decides to pursue her). This episode just reinforced it. When Akane came over to give Kou some stuff, instead of letting Akane wake Kou up, Akaishi told her to let him sleep and offered to walk her back home. While considerate, it could also be seen as a bit manipulative as well.

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Feb 2 2010 02:22 PM

Are we really supposed to believe that Akaishi is gonna be a major player for Akane? I suppose that it is possible with the whole Wakaba connection when they were kids. I guess he's like the feel good back-up option if Kou and Aoba get together. But his character is so bland to me that I barely pay him any attention at all. I did think it was interesting in eppy 43 how Aoba questions Kou saying does he really not want to date her that bad (the whole 10 strike thing in only 5 innings). I'm getting the impression she might be opening up more. Plus she seems to really be interested in how he feels about Akane. Though he's still kinda evasive on the topic. It was also amusing that Daimon (err the jerkoff coach, I think that was his name) made a brief appearance in the tournament and partly because he refused to pitch his ace to start against a no name team. So much for the rematch, ah well.

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Jan 25 2010 08:49 PM
It should be noted as well that in the splash for the opening theme (just before the title is shown at the end), it has Akaishi staring at Akane now instead of Azuma staring at Aoba.

Since this past episode also featured quite a bit of Akane talking with Akaishi I don't quite think Kou is going to be the only one after her, and yet somehow I know that he's going to end up with Aoba. Anyways, it'll be interesting to see the struggle finally bear some fruit.

I look forward to the tournament. Interesting that Miki will be showing up once more. I was wondering when it would happen since Adaichi had given him a name after all.

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Jan 25 2010 06:43 PM
So the guys are in their third year now and this is the last chance they'll have at koshien. So I'm assuming the anime might end sometime soon? Not that I'm hoping that it will or anything like that. I'm wondering if the romance angle between Kou, Aoba, and Akane is going to actually come to a head before the end of the series. Aoba has already told Kou about Akane's feelings and we didn't get any real reaction from him. Somebody needs to make a move at some point.

The only issue is that Kou and Aoba are the two most unlikely people to take "romantic type" action so it might be left in the hands of Akane or possibly Azuma to force their hand in some way. I used to think Azuma was rather lame and bland at first but his character has grown on me. The way he half-confessed to Aoba showed he had balls and just doesn't have baseball on the brain. Somehow I respect him more for that. I still find it amusing that the cousin character still holds out hope he's gonna get with Aoba. If ever someone should just give it up...

Ichiyo-nee's koshien proposal to get her hand in marriage was pretty pretty stingy. All be it she never technically said they have to get there for there to be a wedding in the future. If his brother was smart he would realize it's not like he's competing with any other suitors lmao. Oh well, it's amusing watching him rally the team during practices.

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Nov 2 2009 07:42 PM
It's nice that there are more people discussing on the thread.

I don't really mind the sentimental scenes about Wakaba, although I would have to admit it becomes melodramatic. But then basing on Adachi's past works (at least compared with H2 and Katsu) Cross Game has a more mature theme and mood to it. Or you can just call it drama. I would even venture to say that baseball just plays second string to the characters and the interpersonal conflicts that they go through. Which is not really bad, IMO.

As for the Akane (the new Wakaba), I'm anticipating how she would mix the whole gang up. Especially for Akaishi, you know how hard hit that guy was.

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Oct 25 2009 10:25 PM

I have to agree with Barbobot. This is definitely one of the series that I eagerly await every week just not that much to discuss I guess.

Episode 30 was pretty much a copy of episode 1 one with a little sprinkle of "New Wakaba" in the beginning and near the end of the episode. I have to say that having watched those scenes once already does not make them any easier to watch again. Everyone's reaction to wakaba in the first episode is just so sentimental. From disbelief to acceptance.

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Oct 23 2009 05:39 AM
Hmm are you talking about episode 29 Megiddo? I'm not there yet waiting for a certain subgroup to get there. This is definitely still one of my fave ongoing shows, right under FMA. I'm even getting into the baseball, can you believe it?! Me who hates sports is watching the baseball game in the anime and enjoying it

I hope Wakaba's dream with Aoba playing center does come true. It seems like such a waste for her to be cheering on the sidelines.... but rules are rules. It would be interesting to see if it's in anyway possible that she could get to play in the official games.

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Oct 22 2009 10:40 PM
I love this series. I love it so much. I was worrisome that Kou was going to turn into another recent anime baseball pitcher (Honda Goro from Major), but how he went for a sac bunt to just get on base, that was just great.

I also liked how Seishu put up a good fight, but just wasn't able to beat Ryuuou .

Also, who thinks that Wakaba's dream of Aoba playing center ends up coming true?

This new character who just showed up should be an interesting catalyst for Kou. I'm curious about how he's going to react.