2011 is surprisingly short on sports series. Moshidora was pretty much the only new one we got here. But at the very least, it did come up with a really interesting premise: instead of being just another group of high schoolers, it focuses on a “what if?”-scenario: what if a high school girl got her hands on a business management guide and applied that to the management of a high school baseball team?
Throughout the series, we see a high school girl apply the basics of management to high school baseball, and succeeds at this pretty well. It takes a look at things as marketing, innovation, performance, and yet it also criticizes itself, and doesn’t take everything for granted. It’s quite an inspirational work, and the series also doesn’t forget to give some colours and development to the characters themselves. It’s a short series with only 10 episodes, but it makes optimal use of its time.
Now, this show was produced with a really small budget, though: the animation is simple and full of distorted faces. You really don’t want to watch this for the eye candy. But on the other hand, it’s not like this gets in the way of the storytelling. Instead, this series’ biggest flaw is its cheese. It really tries to pull at your heartstrings without restraint at times, but fails due to either insufficient build-up, acting, or questionable coincidences.
The baseball matches in this series also suffer from these coincidences: from start to finish, they feel completely directed and unnatural. It’s clear that the major focus of this show are management and its characters, and the baseball is just something that they happen to have as a common goal. It’s not the most believable at times, but definitely an interesting watch.
| Storytelling: | 7/10 – Makes good use of its time, but can’t control its own cheese. |
| Characters: | 8/10 – They’re cheesy at times, but still remain surprisingly likable and developed for a 10-episode series. |
| Production-Values: | 8/10 – Nothing special. Does what it needs to do to not get in the way of the other parts of the series, though. |
| Setting: | 9/10 – An original idea surprisingly well fleshed out. |
Suggestions:
– Cross Game
– Ookiku Furikabutte
– Touch
I don’t typically like baseball anime, though I have watched a few. Cross Game definitely beats this hands down. And just like in this review, the animation quality doesn’t kill the anime, but it definitely does hinder its appeal.
I really like Moshidora. It’s very surprising how much development and characterization they’ve put in a 10 episode anime. You can definitely see why this sold so much in Japan.
I do agree with the cheese a bit but it’s not so big that it took out the enjoyment of the series. Also the animation really is a bit bland. Then again, it also doesn’t detract from the viewing pleasure of this series.
I’m going to pick up on the 10 episode theme. Never before has so few episodes done so much for so many .. or something like that. I was surprised to find out that Moshidora had a decent story, with some interesting characters, as I expected no more than an illustrated guide to the management concepts. The premise is unique. The character designs are one of the weaker aspects of the show, but they do a good job, considering the size of the cast, and the mostly realistic depiction of high schoolers.
I say well done, and well worth watching!
I really liked the story. They made the story move along very well for so few episodes. I wish other shows would learn from this how to tell a story.
The drawback to the short episodes was to end up being pushed and not gently led by the emotions of the story.
Which is a shame since with a bit more time those moments where we could connect our emotions into the story would have been right on target.
I would rate this show highly even with its small flaws. It still shines with a very interesting story.