Oblivion Battery
Synopsis
Haruka Kiyomine and Kei Kaname were once recognized as the most formidable pitcher-catcher duo in middle school baseball. Known as the "General," Kaname paired his expert strategies with Kiyomine's explosive pitches, crushing the dreams of many starry-eyed players who hoped to one day make it to the big leagues. High school freshman Tarou Yamada is one such former player. Having given up on competing, he enrolls in Kotesashi High School—a completely average public school with no baseball team to speak of—where he discovers that his new classmates are the legendary pair who once destroyed his dreams. Adding to this shocking revelation, he learns that amnesia has reduced the once level-headed General to a vulgar class clown. Having lost all interest in baseball, Kaname dragged a disappointed Kiyomine to Kotesashi simply because the school was close to where they live. As Kotesashi forms a fledgling baseball club, Yamada meets other players he once admired who also left baseball behind. While they might be unwilling now, Yamada believes that if he can convince such talented athletes to start playing again, it might be possible to achieve their dreams and win the national championship—as long as they can put up with Kaname's incessant joking. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is generally positive, with many considering 'Oblivion Battery' a hidden gem. The show is praised for its character development, humor, and animation quality, particularly in later episodes. However, some find the initial episodes slow and the main character annoying, leading to mixed opinions on the overall experience.
Strengths
- Strong character development with genuine and realistic team dynamics.
- Excellent animation quality, especially in Episode 11.
- Balances humor with serious themes like amnesia and trauma effectively.
- Voice acting is exceptionally well-done.
Weaknesses
- The initial episodes are slow and may deter viewers.
- Main character Kei can be overly obnoxious and annoying.
- Comedy may not appeal to everyone and can be lost in translation.
- Story is simple and fairly standard, lacking depth in certain aspects like amnesia.