Ookiku Furikabutte Episode 24 – "The final battle"

Finally, we are coming close to the conclusion of the series. This match is going to end very soon, with Nishiura leading 5-4. With the game going to the last inning, it is make or break for Tosei. However, their fourth batter is waiting in the lines to end the trip. Will he be able to smash apart the defence of Nishiura, as well as the fast weakening Mihashi?

Or will Nishiura hold out and grab the win by the narrowest of margins? The answer is within.

Episode summary

It’s the bottom half of the ninth inning. Mihashi was worried that he was unable to keep this inning scoreless but convinced himself after wishing to win their first match together with his teammates. Nashiba (no. 17) was the next batter as Mihashi threw two fastballs. Nashiba tried to bunt but missed. In Mihashi’s mind, he was worried that his fastball would be hit like in middle school, but Abe threw the ball back at him very fast, as though realizing what Mihashi was thinking. He continued to stone at the pitcher’s mound, and Abe decided to teach him a lesson by asking him to hit a shuuto.

Nashiba bunted and advanced to first base after Mihashi slipped. Mihashi was shell shocked that his shuuto was bunted. As everyone was kept silent, Abe screamed that Mihashi should go off the pitch if he could not pitch anymore. Hanai or Oki could replace him. Mihashi looked at Momoe, who nodded hesistantly. Momoe was commenting how Abe was a good actor, considering that there was no intention to drop Mihashi. Mihashi also stared at Oki, and Oki lamented that he could not prove his innocence due to what Abe said.

It was clear Mihashi was scared, but he still wanted to pitch. Nevertheless, he did not want to give his place up to anyone and he calmed down. Abe was glad his message got through, and Mihashi knew that in order not to be substituted, he had to pitch his best fastballs. As he pitched, the first base stole second base. Abe knew that Mihashi’s fastball slowed down by 80%. With that, Mihashi struck one out. Shinozaki (no. 4) hit two foul balls, with Abe nearly picking one up. As the third fastball was thrown, it was hit to the third base, and Tajima could not get it. A series of mistakes meant that there was a runner at third base.

It was Aoki, the fourth batter. Aoki had never hit a fastball, and hence Abe knew they had to throw a fastball for the first ball. Mihashi was at the mound, and said he would follow instructions even though he wanted to escape by throwing a curveball. It was then he realized that no matter what he threw, there was a chance it would be hit because he was now predictable. He felt that if he continued to pitch, everyone would lose because of him. Nevertheless, he did not want to leave the mound, but everyone encouraged him with words.

Hanai shouted that Mihashi did not have to worry about anything and leave everything to them. He only needed to concentrate on pitching. Mihashi was extremely touched as he threw. Aoki hit the pitch, and Izumi dived just in time to catch it. With the third base runner booming back to base, Izumi passed the ball to Hanai, who threw the ball back to base. As Abe tried to make the third out, the whole stadium went silent until the referee shouted “OUT!”. Nishiura won the game as everyone celebrated with great joy!

Nishiura went over to thank the supporters. Kawai was starting to pack his things while thinking over the things that were said to his parents, and about his coach. Everyone was depressed, but Kawai told everyone to go. Junta was crying badly, sorry that he was unable to win the game for Tosei. Junta wanted so badly to win, and Kawai said that he was sorry he was unable to do better for the pitcher. As Nishiura’s team got ready to pack up and return to training after their narrow win, their parents said that they would send the players back.

Kawai brought the paper cranes made by Tosei’s manager, and wished them well for the regionals. Hanai realized that such a mature person like Kawai was red with tears, and felt that they did something impressive to win. Mihashi, on the other hand, was completely asleep after his exhaustion. Attempts by Tajima to wake him up was unsuccessful. Abe said that Mihashi was extremely on form today and that was the reason for their win. Tajima and the reserve catcher for Tosei also exchanged mail addresses, with him wondering how Tajima could hit the slider. Mihashi was given the day off by Momoe, and he was completely drained out in the car as he had a very ugly look while he slept.

Thoughts

I do not know about you, but I cried after watching this. It is not because Nishiura won that I cried, but the scene of loss when Junta and Kawai started to cry. That is perhaps the most significant scene for this episode for me, rather than the victory after Hanai’s wonderful throw back to the base. I guess it is perhaps a soft spot for me, especially when I felt the agony of loss before in my schooling days. It is extremely painful to lose a game that you are expected to win with ease, and extremely painful when you are knocked out by the narrowest of margins. I do sympathize so much with Tosei.

That is not to say that I did not want Nishiura to win at all, but this is perhaps the greatness of Ookiku Furikabutte. It is a sports show where you not only support the team that you want to (Nishiura), but even the enemy is very appealing as the main team. In a way, this makes the show much more human compared to the other exaggerating sports series such as Eyeshield 21 and Prince of Tennis. It becomes less of a sports shounen, but becomes pure sports anime. Ookiku Furikabutte, to me, has changed sports anime to more than a stereotype for shounen powers. I actually like it just as much as Over Drive, but that is another story.

The fear of Mihashi is really relieved. As much as he fears that his pitches would be hit, I admired his courage and resilience to stay in the pitcher’s mound no matter what. I do not see it as a negative thing (like how he thinks everyone will hate him), but it is in fact a good thing that he never gives up his spot to anyone. I believe that in a sport where the pitcher is very important and crucial to the victory of the team, he has to be extremely competitive. No matter what happens, he has to keep his place and fight hard to remind there. That is the sign of a winner, and I am glad that he found a team that appreciates him.

Now, to the winning play, I am really glad that HANAI gets his chance to shine as the leader. I mean, he has been a total background fodder for most of the game. He did not hit any really good hits, he did not have any chance to play any wonderful plays at all too except for the early episode where he caught an out ball. I am also happy that all the players are given their chance to shine, even players like Mizutani in the previous few episodes. It’s very rarely in a series that even weaker players get their chance to hit a nice ball. That is perhaps only possible with baseball, where a weak batter has a good chance of hitting the ball if he guessed the right pitch.

Now, my only wish is this. Give us a second season. Ookiku Furikabutte has been the best sports anime I have watched. Yes, I said it. Considering the dearth of good sports anime, this show has given us a glimpse of hope for the genre, and I truly hope that it will be given some consideration. I can dream, can I, considering the possibly open-ended ending.