We are finally at the end of this wonderful series. It goes back to its slice-of-life roots for this final episode for some closure, though leaving enough room for a possibility of a second season.

Ookiku Furikabutte 25 – One Win 「ひとつ勝って 」 (Finale)

It was winter when Kanou confronted Mihashi about moving to Saitama and the possibility of quitting baseball. The baseball that he had been playing at Mihoshi, was not really baseball. That was why Kanou urged him to trudge on and that he must absolutely continue baseball, no matter what. Though thoughts of quitting baseball filled Mihashi’s mind, not once did he ever step down from the mound during middle school. It never occurred to him that he would pitch as seriously as Kanou.

The next day after their first round match, Mihashi is absent from school. Abe meets Izumi and tells him of his plans to visit Mihashi with Hanai over lunch break. It seems that Hanai has something to give Mihashi. Tajima comes running and is happy to announce that they too will be going to eat lunch! Abe doesn’t know what he is talking about. Izumi explains that Tajima messaged Mihashi earlier and Mihashi invited them to eat curry for lunch. Tajima comments on how easily Abe gets angry. Some girls pass by and tells them they saw the game. The girls even know that Tajima plays clean-up.

Abe inquires as to what Izumi and his class do during lunch breaks. Tajima answers that they end their packed lunches. However, eating it too fast, especially when they eat their favorite food, it makes them sad because it ends too soon. Abe finds out from them that they talk about food during lunch breaks. Izumi adds that they take a quick nap, if they are not eating.

Tajima is already salivating from the image of curry, but Izumi reminds him that they still have to go see Hamada. The boys go to cheer for Hamada in his basketball game. Then, another set of girls cheer for Hamada, calling him the “cheering squad guy”. Abe predicts that when Mihashi comes to school the next day, people will also recognize him. It may just give him a boost of confidence or make him more timid. His thoughts wander to why Mihashi did not reply to his email. It might be because Mihashi thinks he is angry with him, though he quickly dismisses the idea.

A still groggy Mihashi goes to check his mobile phone. Ruri messaged him that if she should tell Kanou about their win. Mihashi intends to tell Kanou himself and extends his thanks her for coming to watch him yesterday. Then, he receives a message from Abe. Panic-stricken over the possibility of Abe and Hanai scolding him, he contemplates on escaping. However, the doorbell rings, outside waits Abe, Hanai, Izumi, and Tajima. Tajima informs that their final test results are in making Mihashi wobbly. Mihashi recovers quickly after knowing that he did not get any red marks.

Abe orders Mihashi to weigh himself, while Izumi volunteers to stir the curry since Tajima’s right hand is sore. Tajima shares that he exerted himself too much during the last time he was at bat, when he hit Junta’s sinker after several failed attempts. Abe silently remarks that without Tajima’s hit, they would have lost.

After finding out that Mihashi dropped three kilos and now only weights 50 kilos, Abe gets on the verge of giving him a good scolding. He manages to stop himself in time, realizing that it would be best to say it in a nice manner. Abe tries another point of conversation and inquires what Mihashi ate last night. It does not help as Mihashi starts to fear that he might have eaten something he shouldn’t have. Izumi saves Mihashi from an annoyed Abe and asks him to set the table as they’ve finished reheating the curry. Hanai gives Mihashi a CD and newspaper.

With the sports news on the background, Hanai leads them, saying how good the food looks! They gobble up the food with much gusto. Abe is glad that Mihashi seems to have retained his appetite, but losing three kilos is still very alarming. The news mentions Haruna’s team winning, renewing Mihashi’s admiration for him. Mihashi is happy, since they won as well.

Abe asks for Mihashi’s take on why they won. Mihashi starts to get emotional as he remembers the events that took on their game against Tosei. He remembers getting yelled for not stepping down from the mound when he felt that he couldn’t throw any more. He justifies that it was because he believed that he had truly become Nishiura’s ace. In the end, Mihashi gets filled with his own thoughts and is unable to finish uttering his answer to Abe. While getting another serving of curry, Hanai also recalls the the game, remembering how Mihashi went up against Tosei’s clean-up batter to clinch the win and how they supported him during this time.

Tajima tries to make small talk and asks Mihashi why he transferred to Nishiura. Mihashi reasons that it is because his mother used to study there, also there’s the bicycle and uniform. Additionally, it seems their family does not have money. In order for him to get into Nishiura, Mihashi put in the extra hours to stud for the entrance exams. The guys cringe at the thought that Mihashi was that bent on transferring that enabled him to study really hard. On the subject, Tajima shares how his grandfather got sick one day. He went home after practice to find the house empty because everybody else was tending to his grandfather at the hospital. He will never forget how scared he was. That is why he lives closely now, so it will not be a problem. The others also share their reasons.

The sports news mentions Mihashi’s name, though Mihashi believes that it was not his doing. Without the others, the game wouldn’t have been as fun as it was. Emotion gets the best of him as tears start to fall from his eyes. He apologizes to everyone for how he did as he pleased during the game, mentioning how Abe wanted to get him substituted. Abe corrects him that the problem was hesitating to throw the ball home. As long as Mihashi understands, then Abe is willing to let it slide. Abe suggests for Mihashi to get himself massaged, Tajima mentions that there is a doctor nearby and he’d be happy to accompany Mihashi there.

Izumi gives Mihashi a piece of paper, written are comments of the other Nishiura players about the game. All of them mentioned Mihashi’s superb and passionate performance. Mihashi trembles a bit as he reads it. After, Abe helps Mihashi do some stretches. Soon after, the guys leave.

Mihashi receives a mail from Shuu-chan (Kanou) that they won. He informs Kanou that they also won and gives him his thanks. Back at Mihoshi, a big smile is painted on Kanou’s face for being called “Shuu-chan”, it seems like they were back in grade school again.

Clutching a baseball, Mihashi smiles as he sleeps…

Thoughts

The final episode… NOOOOOO… I want more TT__TT

On the last episode

During the part when Mihashi was reading the note Izumi gave him, I couldn’t help but be moved. It was really touching, knowing how the others felt about Mihashi and how they acknowledged his efforts. It is the first time that Mihashi felt like he was really part of the team, so reading something like that must have been made him really happy. After all, each one of us craves for acceptance. I am happy that Mihashi finally has a set of friends who truly accepts and appreciates him ^__^

Ah… the wonders of brotherly love. Can’t help but get this warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

Technically, the art and animation on this one was better than other episodes. The lines were crisp and the colors were bright. Also, I did not notice the guys’ faces being deformed. It happened a lot on previous episodes. Guess A-1 put in a lot of time and care in preparing this last episode.

It was anti-climatic though. I was wondering if it was better to have ended the series last episode, serving more of a cliffhanger to lure people into the second season, if there is one. Though, I liked this easy-going episode and it gives the viewers more closure.

Second season?

I know I want one! We’re still at the budding stages of the Summer Tournament and the anime ended at the 30++ chapter of the manga and there are about 40++ chapters released, if I am not mistaken. Not to mention that the series is really popular in Japan, so the possibility of a second season is high. I still want to know more about the guys and Mihashi is a unique lead. I hope A-1 decides to do another season.

Start to finish

From the moment Momoe squeezed the juice out of those pomelos with her bare hands, I knew right then that Ookiku Furikabutte was going to be special. Finally, after watching the last episode, this series is definitely going to my “all-time favorites” anime list. Episode after episode, it succeeded in bringing something different to the table. From the unique character designs, Shiga’s weird science and meditation talks, to boys’ non-generic personalities, and Asa Higuchi’s different perspective and presentation of baseball, and a lot more of good things, made this series special.

The series kept it fresh and exciting all the way to the end. I can’t help but sing praises. The characters are very relatable and the jokes easily understood.

It shows the high school baseball at its purest form, where it is played for the joy of playing. Witnessing the team grow and bond as a unit was wonderful. Seeing their efforts awarded was very satisfying.

Not only did it score in character development, but as well as presenting baseball. It never dumbed down baseball for non-baseball fans. Yet, it still presented it in a manner that most can appreciate. A-1 did a terrific job in animating this series. Hats off to Asa Higuchi, author of the manga, and to A-1 for bringing this wonderful series to life!

Final Thoughts?

It was fun, exciting, heart wrenching, exhilarating, amazing, excruciating, and heart-warming. It was made out of the same things that real life is made of. I loved every minute of it and I am craving for more.

I would like to thank the readers and the commentators who accompanied me in watching this series. Thank you for being patient with me and for sharing your insights. I am planning to make more Oofuri posts. Hope to see you then or in another series.

Update: Corrected some translation mistakes in the summary and added a few details as well.

Note: Will probably add more information on the summary and my thoughts later on.