(L) Ookiku Furikabutte (Big Windup!)

[Seleria]

Originally Posted by leongsh

Spoiler for Episode 4 - Tajima:

Yes, that seems to be my understanding too. He has got great all round baseball sense and ability but he does not have the body mass to really belt it for home runs. However with what he has though, he is an asset in being able to do what's necessary, especially getting the hits and RBIs.

The Nishiura team is shaping to be really a very interested balanced team.

Spoiler for Regarding Tajima:

I agree with your conclusions. Tajima is a very good player, but he is small and does not have the bulk and power to hit home runs, as you guys have mentioned.

This makes the team less reliant on just a handful of characters, which makes it more interesting because the main players really NEED the support of the other players to win the games. ^^

[masama]

hmmm, am I the only person who thinks episode 4 is

Spoiler:

kind of boring? Seeing Mihashi strikeouts Mihoshi's players is quite frankly dull, a bit too "normal" for my liking.
I can see the originality with this show and I did enjoyed it. I thought the slow pitching with good control would be interesting to watch but it lasted only 3 episodes unfortunately.

This is by no means dissing Ookiku Furikabutte, its just this type of anime that depicts a sport in a "normal" way just doesn't work well on me.

I still think the character's interactions are very well done though.

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by masama

This is by no means dissing Ookiku Furikabutte, its just this type of anime that depicts a sport in a "normal" way just doesn't work well on me.

I'm the opposite in which I prefer it when they do adhere to a bit more realism. Ookiku Furikabutte does very well in this respect. There's a good bit of attention given to the game itself in the little things that it shows in comparison to the others where the game is given a more serious look. Examples of good attention to detail, Abe's thoughts as he strategises the pitches he wants from Mihashi to take into account each batter that comes to the plate, and watch Tajima in Episode 4 as to how he deals with batting a forkball. You seldom see that in a baseball anime. Props to them for giving the attention to the game and its mechanics rather than overwhelming and washing over the technicalities with spectacular action and performances. This is not to say that I don't enjoy those (e.g. Major) either (as I do treat those as guilty pleasures) but it's not my preference when you can weave in more realism as Ookiku Furikabutte has done.

[mooshishi]

I'm an avid baseball fan, and so far have thoroughly enjoyed the one episode that has been brought to us by Saizen/Entropy. However, I felt the baseball "science" was total BS. Does anyone else agree?

They translate "massugu" and "straight" interchangeably, which makes me think they're talking about a fastball. So essentially, "There isn't a straight among Mihashi's pitches" means Mihashi doesn't throw a fastball (or at least, a straight [little movement] pitch); so far, that makes sense, since we see Mihashi's 'floating fastball'. But then Ren says "A straight is a breaking ball. A straight is a ball that you apply a clean backspin to when you throw. According to the list, it's a breaking ball. Normally, that way of throwing would be drilled into you, but Mihashi hasn't received that coaching."

...

That makes no sense. What is a "straight" exactly in American baseball terms? It sure as hell isn't a four seam fastball, which is what Mihashi's not-fast fastball seems to be-- an illusory "rising fastball" (it appears to float because his other pitches are slower and he applies a clean backspin on the ball, making it drop less than a two seamer) that he combines with great breaking pitches and superb control (a la Maddux).

But you simply cannot call a four seam fastball a breaking pitch. Anyone want to explain what is going on with Ren's explanation?

PS I found that the manga explained it better, but still not totally clearly.

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by mooshishi

I'm an avid baseball fan, and so far have thoroughly enjoyed the one episode that has been brought to us by Saizen/Entropy. However, I felt the baseball "science" was total BS. Does anyone else agree?

I disagree with it being called total BS. It's a bit off from what I understand but it does get some of it right. They are calling a glass half-filled with water as being fairly filled with water. Not exactly true and neither is it false. However, your calling it total BS is like calling that glass half-filled with water as being totally empty.

Originally Posted by mooshishi

They translate "massugu" and "straight" interchangeably, which makes me think they're talking about a fastball. So essentially, "There isn't a straight among Mihashi's pitches" means Mihashi doesn't throw a fastball (or at least, a straight [little movement] pitch); so far, that makes sense, since we see Mihashi's 'floating fastball'. But then Ren says "A straight is a breaking ball. A straight is a ball that you apply a clean backspin to when you throw. According to the list, it's a breaking ball. Normally, that way of throwing would be drilled into you, but Mihashi hasn't received that coaching."

...

That makes no sense. What is a "straight" exactly in American baseball terms? It sure as hell isn't a four seam fastball, which is what Mihashi's not-fast fastball seems to be-- an illusory "rising fastball" (it appears to float because his other pitches are slower and he applies a clean backspin on the ball, making it drop less than a two seamer) that he combines with great breaking pitches and superb control (a la Maddux).

But you simply cannot call a four seam fastball a breaking pitch. Anyone want to explain what is going on with Ren's explanation?

Let me take a stab at it...

Abe (not Ren as Mihashi's given name is Ren, i.e. Mihashi Ren) is in a certain literal manner correct in calling a straight a breaking ball. Hear me out first. A straight does fall in its trajectory due to gravity - thus actually breaking when you consider that a breaking ball is one that moves sideways or downwards and the straight does technically move downwards (especially so when not thrown at speed). When a straight is thrown at faster speeds - hence, "fastball" - the downwards/gravity effect is minimised over the same distance. With Mihashi's slow pitching, the straights are slow enough that it would be subject to gravity even more over the same distance. Thus, with Mihashi's slow pitching, the straight is not a straight as in a fastball but one that breaks downward more than usual.

If you read further ahead in the manga, Kanou draws a diagram to show Oda the flight path of Mihashi's straight. A part of it was show when Kanou was explaining the difference between a fastball and a change-up in Episode 4.

I do not know whether Mihashi is throwing a four-seam fastball when he throws his "straight". Your assumption is that because it is an illusory "rising fastball", it is common understanding that it is a 4-seam fastball pitched at a faster rate which thus gives the perception of a "rising fastball" due to prior pitches which are slower and thus drops more sets up the mind to be tricked into thinking that the faster 4-seam fastball is actually rising. I'm thinking that it has the same effect that when Mihashi throws so many slow pitches and then a straight with lots of backspin that it would seem to drop slower and thus the illusory effect arises of a rising/floating ball. [However, I did do a slow-motion check and it does look like they drew a 4-seamer.]

[mooshishi]

I didn't re-read my post, I definitely did not mean "total BS" (which came off as sounding aggressive when I didn't mean to) nor did I review names for a show I watched 2 weeks ago , hence the name confusion. My bad.

As for what Abe meant, I agree with you; the problem with his definition is that he's just too literal. With his definition, every pitch would technically be a breaking ball. Think about this-- even a sinker, like Derek Lowe's, is still considered a fastball, because the considerable break on it is still much less than that of a curve ball (a traditional breaking ball). My other problem is that it would be completely impossible to add enough backspin to a 62 mph fastball to make it float-- even a 95 mph four-seamer drops only slightly less when tons of backspin is applied (4 seams = more friction = more spin). So how do you throw a really really slow pitch that floats and doesn't drop at the end?

In the end, trying to make sense of his explanation is hard because you have to draw the line somewhere as to what to call a breaking pitch and what not to.

But I guess the explanation makes sense, IF you allow for the fact that they don't explain why or how Mihashi's straight floats. Maybe a weird knuckleball? Magic? Hehe, I don't know, but it would be really hard to hit when you think about his other breaking pitches and great location.

[blu chocobo]

I've only watched the first episode so far.... and I'm already loving it! I've never wanted to watch something this badly! XD Gosh! The boys are so adorable!! *.*

Ah... everything is so beautiful

[Seleria]

The Ookiku Furikabutte manga won in the Kodansha Manga Awards! XD

If you guys are interested, you can read more here.

[leongsh]

Ooo... just watched Episode 5. Enjoying it a lot.

Spoiler for Episode 5:

Abe plots a safe route for Mihashi through the 3rd inning and past Kanou's determined batting. This has Mihashi perfect through 3 innings.

Then taking advantage of a winded Kanou, Momoe plots an attack plan that puts pressure on Kanou. Kanou walks the first Nishiura batter in the 4th inning. Abe is directed by Momoe to do a sacrificial bunt to advance the player on 1st base to 2nd. Then just as Mihoshi adjust their outfielders for Tajima, Tajima's quick thinking has him spotting a gap and getting his second 2-base hit with his second at-bat. This is enough to bring home the first run from the player at 2nd base. An RBI for Tajima.

Rattled, Kanou pitches to Hanai but his forkball falls a bit ahead and the catcher Hatake couldn't get a clean catch. While Hatake scrambles for the ball, Tajima steals 3rd base. With directions from Momoe, Hanai hits it long and high for an outfield fly to bring Tajima home. 2 runs in the 4th inning!

Kanou is facing a meltdown at the mound. Oda at first base, seeing what's happening, calls for a talk at the mound. Kanou's frustrations boils over and an argument ensues among Kanou, Hatake and a couple of infield players before Oda knocks some sense into them. Kanou gets back his composure and closes the top of the 4th inning.

It's now Mihashi's turn to face the 2nd round through the Mihoshi batting order. On the pretext of helping Abe make some adjustments to his leg guards, Momoe shares some thought with Abe and gives instructions to Abe to take care of Mihashi on the mound. What a difference a few innings does with Mihashi really fully trusting Abe.

[Seleria]

It is kinda late, been busy with work. Anyway, just posted details of episode 04. ^^

[Maceart]

Having watched up to episode 5 in Chinese of this anime, I have to say it presents a completely different way of portraying baseball compared to Major. It's quite unique in the fact that there are no skipped innings in baseball, and each on bat carries a lot of feelings and emotions behind it.

The BL tendencies make me wonder if this is drawn by a woman.

[Katapan]

Originally Posted by Maceart

The BL tendencies make me wonder if this is drawn by a woman.

Yes, Asa Higuchi is a woman. I've also recently learned that she graduated from Hosei university where she studied psychology, more precisely sports psychology if what I read is correct. That probably partly explains how the character development can be so interesting and well-done, she clearly knows what she's doing.


Onto episode 05: I couldn't resist and spoiled myself to the manga up to chapter 4 the other day, so any possible surprise was gone. But I enjoyed this part in the manga, there's no reason not to like the adaptation when it's done so well.

Spoiler for Episode 05:

I liked seeing Ren sympathizing with Kanou (well, he said he only sympathized "a little" ). I was a bit surprised that there was no true hate between the two (actually I don't think Ren can actually hate anyone except himself, but I wasn't expecting Kanou to think highly of Ren and stand up against the biased view of the rest of Nishiura, even though he used not to be able to pitch because of him. The "mean"-looking guy actually ends up being somewhat nice and honest.

On a sidenote, I wonder why Chiyo (the manager) is shown here and there in the episode. I mean, I don't mind her (hearing Misato Fukuen is always nice), but she doesn't appear much in the manga at all. Maybe that's a way to get the viewers to like her character earlier. Or maybe it's a simple way to keep certain watchers who might not like the lack of girls in the show...

I'll be looking forward to ep06 since it starts off where I stopped reading. I suppose the match should be ending sometime soon, so I wonder where the following will lead us (are we going to be shown a little bit of their school life?).

I'm glad to see that there is no drop in animation/art quality. The characters never look off, everything moves nicely. The backgrounds also get more enjoyable if you get to watch the show in 16:9. Too bad the BS-i broadcast happens 2 weeks after the TBS one.

[Impz]

Originally Posted by leongsh

Ooo... just watched Episode 5. Enjoying it a lot.

Spoiler for Episode 5:

Abe plots a safe route for Mihashi through the 3rd inning and past Kanou's determined batting. This has Mihashi perfect through 3 innings.

Then taking advantage of a winded Kanou, Momoe plots an attack plan that puts pressure on Kanou. Kanou walks the first Nishiura batter in the 4th inning. Abe is directed by Momoe to do a sacrificial bunt to advance the player on 1st base to 2nd. Then just as Mihoshi adjust their outfielders for Tajima, Tajima's quick thinking has him spotting a gap and getting his second 2-base hit with his second at-bat. This is enough to bring home the first run from the player at 2nd base. An RBI for Tajima.

Rattled, Kanou pitches to Hanai but his forkball falls a bit ahead and the catcher Hatake couldn't get a clean catch. While Hatake scrambles for the ball, Tajima steals 3rd base. With directions from Momoe, Hanai hits it long and high for an outfield fly to bring Tajima home. 2 runs in the 4th inning!

Kanou is facing a meltdown at the mound. Oda at first base, seeing what's happening, calls for a talk at the mound. Kanou's frustrations boils over and an argument ensues among Kanou, Hatake and a couple of infield players before Oda knocks some sense into them. Kanou gets back his composure and closes the top of the 4th inning.

It's now Mihashi's turn to face the 2nd round through the Mihoshi batting order. On the pretext of helping Abe make some adjustments to his leg guards, Momoe shares some thought with Abe and gives instructions to Abe to take care of Mihashi on the mound. What a difference a few innings does with Mihashi really fully trusting Abe.

Considering that I don't even know there is such a term called Slider in terms of pitching and I am a total newbie in terms of baseball, this show really made me interested in baseball and the likes. I was really enjoying Episode 5, especially during the sequence when

Spoiler:

Abe went on a bunt, allowing Tajima to go into the second base. As he went to third base after a wild pitch, an outfield flyer by Hanae meant that there is yet another point in the bag. The whole sequence excites me and I cannot wait for the sixth episode already!

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by Impz

Considering that I don't even know there is such a term called Slider in terms of pitching and I am a total newbie in terms of baseball, this show really made me interested in baseball and the likes.

That's the great thing about most good sports anime (and Ookiku Furikabutte is shaping up to be an extremely good one so far) is that there is no real need to know much about the game when you start watching. Just watch as is and you'll pick it up via the story. The poor ones, in my book, though will really dumb down the sport, misrepresent the sport itself and make the it look ridiculously over the top - I'm looking especially at you both, Prince of Tennis and Eyeshield 21

In Ookiku Furikabutte's case, they are doing a very good job with the sport without sacrificing story, characters and believability - i.e. the key ingredients - to be woven in with the sport at high school level being the canvas for the show. It is giving out simple technical information about baseball as it goes along.

Originally Posted by Impz

I was really enjoying Episode 5, especially during the sequence when

Spoiler:

Abe went on a bunt, allowing Tajima to go into the second base. As he went to third base after a wild pitch, an outfield flyer by Hanae meant that there is yet another point in the bag. The whole sequence excites me and I cannot wait for the sixth episode already!

Spoiler for a minor correction:

Actually, Abe bunted to get another player onto first base. Abe can't bunt to get Tajima onto first as he is batting before Tajima I have to say I'm really liking the ebullient Tajima a lot - he really enjoys the game.

[leongsh]

Just had a chat with the [Saizen] project leader, Scab, on their release. They will be releasing Oofuri only on 16:9 (widescreen) now with the 4:3 (full screen) format set aside. Certain work done on the 4:3 format episodes are being redone for 16:9 episodes. I didn't ask when they will be ready for release as it's considered very impolite to do so.

[Kazuki`]

Originally Posted by leongsh

Certain work done on the 4:3 format episodes are being redone for 16:9 episodes. I didn't ask when they will be ready for release as it's considered very impolite to do so.

Karaoke needs some fixes, hence the 'delay'.

[Seleria]

Originally Posted by leongsh

That's the great thing about most good sports anime (and Ookiku Furikabutte is shaping up to be an extremely good one so far) is that there is no real need to know much about the game when you start watching. Just watch as is and you'll pick it up via the story. The poor ones, in my book, though will really dumb down the sport, misrepresent the sport itself and make the it look ridiculously over the top - I'm looking especially at you both, Prince of Tennis and Eyeshield 21

I agree with you in that, it doesn't take a jock to actually appreciate this show. Lol @ comment on PoT. Though I only managed to watch a bit of PoT, I kinda enjoyed it, but treated it more like a show with superpower elements than a sports-themed one ^^

Originally Posted by leongsh

Spoiler for a minor correction:

Actually, Abe bunted to get another player onto first base. Abe can't bunt to get Tajima onto first as he is batting before Tajima I have to say I'm really liking the ebullient Tajima a lot - he really enjoys the game.

Tajima is really one of the things that make Oofuri fun. He just plays the game with much gusto. Although mostly he is there for comic relief, but not just that. He has mad baseball skills, yet he doesn't boast about it. He's always happy, but when he is on the field or on the plate, he really shines. I wonder if we'll see him sad or angry in future episodes, that would be interesting.

Spoiler for fun stuff in episode 05:

1. When Ren went back to get his glove, I found that really funny and cute.
2. Bathroom scene
3. Awkward moment between Hatake and Kanou (almost like they were having a lovers' quarrel XD)

Anyway, for those interested... episode 05 summary is out ^^

Now to await for episode 06 ^^

[Impz]

Originally Posted by leongsh

That's the great thing about most good sports anime (and Ookiku Furikabutte is shaping up to be an extremely good one so far) is that there is no real need to know much about the game when you start watching. Just watch as is and you'll pick it up via the story. The poor ones, in my book, though will really dumb down the sport, misrepresent the sport itself and make the it look ridiculously over the top - I'm looking especially at you both, Prince of Tennis and Eyeshield 21

In Ookiku Furikabutte's case, they are doing a very good job with the sport without sacrificing story, characters and believability - i.e. the key ingredients - to be woven in with the sport at high school level being the canvas for the show. It is giving out simple technical information about baseball as it goes along.

Spoiler for a minor correction:

Actually, Abe bunted to get another player onto first base. Abe can't bunt to get Tajima onto first as he is batting before Tajima I have to say I'm really liking the ebullient Tajima a lot - he really enjoys the game.

Spoiler:

Hahaha, gomen gomen...it's actually to get the walked player in. I think I have already watched the anime episode 5 so much that it scares me. I do wonder how it gets me so addicted to it. i am even playing a ps2 game right now called MVP NCAA baseball 07 and trying to whack home runs every single time. hahaha, it's sad though that we will never see a grand slam in this series (see, from a newbie to almost sounding pro) from the home team since no one currently looks like the type who can do a home run, except probably Hanae.

Even Hanae seems more big mouthed rather than having a tremendous ability, but he does have the will to win and compete a lot. I actually like him quite a bit and hope to see him improve and bat something cool for once rather than merely being a sacrifice for Tajima.

It's also a pity that the other players seem like token players, but I guess the good thing is that it's kept realistic

[Guardian Enzo]

Many thanks to Saizen for episode 2 - they clearly have the doubleheader of fansubs down, with Major. The two series make an interesting bookend - very different approaches to the baseball theme, with very different leads.

Ep. 2 was interesting. Some of the dialogue caught me a bit, er, by surprise ("Oh no - I forgot to masturbate!") and some of the pseudo-scientific brain chemistry stuff was on the bizarre side. Still, the characters are interesting and I'm curious to see how things progress from here.

[dieseltrain]

i've seen up to episode 6 raw and the first practice game is like watching a dragon ball z fight, the practice game, i believe started on episode 3 and still ongoing. i totally love this show, i hope the main character gain some guts soon though.