This episode was about a strange little side-story, featuring… Risa, the manager, of all people. In this episode, we see her trying to audition for a part in a local movie that seems to be getting shot. She ended up auditioning, and got through to the next round. There is just one problem: the character she auditioned for is supposed to be a female pitcher.
So a lot of this episode is spent on her, trying to actually throw a pitch. It’s far from a pointless filler though, because this episode really gave a totally new dimension to her character. We’ve come to know her as that stuck-up princes whose purpose as a manager never really was clear, but in this episode we finally see her working for something she really wants to do. And surprise surprise, but she actually turns out to have a huge amount of motivation and will power. While that last part was a bit exaggerated to say the least, it was definitely good to see her finally with a goal in mind. It’s good that she finally quit being a manager, to chase her own dreams.
Oh, and her random confessions were hilarious to watch. Especially since you had no idea what was going on at the time. It’s really typical of this series’ humour.
I just have one question: how long are the creators going to continue with that cat drawing at the beginning of each episode? Is it to keep the interest of the little kids that are watching this series? Is it to fill up time? Is it some sort of homage I don’t get? I could understand how it might be a good gimmick for one episode, but we’ve had this going on for what? Four weeks already?
Rating: * (Good)]]>
Cross Game – 18
It seems like this is the first episode that is quite different from the manga btw.
With 26 episodes listed (anime news network), it seems odd to be adding side stories. It was good but I really wonder were the series will end. The animation quality also seems to have gone up.
Anime News Network really needs to start thinking of a different lay-out in terms of the episode count. This is the umpth time I’ve seen someone confused by this. The thing is that the 26 episodes only mean that there are 26 episodes known, not that that’s the total amount of episodes for the the entire series. If the total amount of episodes was known, you’d see this:
“Number of episodes: 26”
I read that Cross Game will 51 episodes.
> I just have one question: how long are the creators going to continue with that cat drawing at the beginning of each episode?
This reminds me of the Zetsubo Sensei’s drawing song x°°°D
Well they ask kids to send their drawings and there’s a few winners who are chosen,so i guess we’ll see the song as long as the contest exists
The reason I haven’t started Cross Game yet is because it has been confirmed to be 4 cour long.
The drawing songs are a cultural thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oekaki
The repetition just serves to help them memorize it.
As for the episode. It came really close to being bad filler, but I Risa managed to redeem herself and her character with her determination. The blood may have been a bit over the top though.
I love laughing at the awful drawings of 4 year olds. ‘Cause I’m evil like that.
psgels: I do understand how ANN addresses the chapters. It’s why I mentioned the source. I also did read somewhere it was going 52 but hadn’t found that reference again.
Given the shows natural pace, it would be pretty unfulfilling to end this at 26 episodes. I found the same problem with Chrome Regios. Adding too many filler episodes and tangent stories. Eventually having to conclude the story in a rushed and uninspiring way.
For those reading the manga, it’s getting interesting. I wonder if it’s going into a home stretch.
@Kuroba
Er, what? The first episode was rather different than the manga.
@psgels
You’ve never seen this sort of thing before? It’s just aimed at the kids to participate. Cross Game is a “family” show, thus the kids drawing bit at the beginning,and the high school baseball girl interviews near the end.