Battery
Synopsis
At only 12 years old, Takumi Harada is already hailed as a prodigious baseball pitcher. But when his family moves to the backwater town of Nitta, Takumi has no choice but to join his new school's unskilled baseball team. This development has little effect on the boy, as he believes it is more interesting if this no-name club becomes a powerhouse due to his presence. However, due to his overwhelming talent, Takumi is in need of a catcher able to keep up with his pitches. His worries are soon put to rest after meeting Gou Nagakura. As his fan and fellow student, Gou is eager to prove that he is not a simple braggart, but rather a player skillful enough to catch Takumi's pitches. Amid struggling to form a battery with Gou, Takumi comes into conflict with his new teammates due to his irreverent personality but grapples to find the true joy of the sport under his grandfather's guidance. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is divided. Some appreciate the show's focus on character drama, realistic tone, and art style, finding it a refreshing take on the sports genre. However, many are disappointed by the slow pace, lack of plot development, unlikeable protagonist, and minimal focus on baseball, leading to a polarized response.
Strengths
- Realistic portrayal of characters and relationships
- Beautiful art style with a soft color palette
- Well-composed soundtrack and fitting OP/ED themes
Weaknesses
- Lack of significant plot or character development
- Pacing issues and slow progression
- Main character's personality can be unlikeable or annoying
- Underutilization of the baseball aspect