Sports Anime and Manga Discussion (Round 2)

[Chloe]

Finished off the last ten episodes of Fighting Spirit, and the Champion Road special. About the only annoying things I can find with this show is the ability of them to always find out that the next opponent is suddenly the most dangerous opponent Ippo has ever faced, or maybe it just seems that way. Oh, and the bits with his girlfriend, tell her you like her already, GEEZ!!

Other then that, it was just excellent. Ippo is such a drug, the way it sucks you into everything. Just leaves you hungry for more. Now I have to actually try to do some research to see if I can get the manga, I just can't leave this title alone! :sd:

[leongsh]

Finished off the last ten episodes of Fighting Spirit, and the Champion Road special. About the only annoying things I can find with this show is the ability of them to always find out that the next opponent is suddenly the most dangerous opponent Ippo has ever faced, or maybe it just seems that way.
In the world of boxing, it's an elimination competition for challengers. With each opponent you defeat, a stronger one lies waiting for you in the next step up. Ippo has always been the challenger until after Episode 75. Did you notice the use of the 1st ED whenever Ippo wins a fight against opponents worthy of respect? That's one of the reasons why it's the only song in Hajime no Ippo that I consider worthy of the series. Did you also notice the near fatal flaw/conceit with Hajime no Ippo?

Oh, and the bits with his girlfriend, tell her you like her already, GEEZ!!
It's one of the running jokes in the series but does get annoying.

Other then that, it was just excellent. Ippo is such a drug, the way it sucks you into everything. Just leaves you hungry for more. Now I have to actually try to do some research to see if I can get the manga, I just can't leave this title alone! :sd:
While Hajime no Ippo is a very good "drug", there's a few more out there worth a try. Would you be interested? :)

[BWSUQ]

08-02-07 01:31 AM - Post#505167

Watched the raws of episodes 44-52 of Capeta and am looking forward to the subtitled versions. It is too bad that the series may end there. It seems the manga is at volume 13, but I don't know where the anime stopped, or if the ratings warrant another season or two of anime. Also, no one is scanlating the manga so there is no way to find out what happens next.

As far as the saizen Aoki Densetsu Shoot! marathon goes, up to episode 45 was animated. Nice action there, but I just can't get into the show (even though I've seen every episode out). I don't like the main character as he is the too-often-seen idiot teenager that can't say he likes someone and instead acts like a butt to them. Then there is also the too-often-seen pouting sessions when something goes wrong in a game. I have played several sports my whole life, and not once has an incident caused my to space out and start pouting like is seen in some anime. I can understand being surprised at times, but to have to have someone talk to you to get you back into the game...well maybe when I was 9, but... I can excuse Ippo considering he's actually in physical danger of getting the crap kicked out of him and possible severely injured.

Bring on Season 4 of major please. Good thing time flies when school starts. It will be january before I know it.

[Helschadenfreude]

You may want to try Ookiku Furikabutte where it tries a different tack with respect to lead characters.

Oh, I want to... I want to :cry: But it's just sooo far behind.... whether the manga or the anime.


Based on the little history that we are informed about him, he came to the game late. He spent most of his time training on technique but not the physical fitness aspect. It's quite common at the start - you work on what you can achieve fastest. If you find yourself being good technically in the beginning, you are inclined to practice that more. Whereas if you are not good technically but have good physical fitness, you will be inclined to practice the physical and stamina side to cover for lack of technique.

Well, what I meant was, this teammate could not really figure out what was wrong with Mr. technique..and Tanaka and them had to be told the secret!(well that I can somewhat forgive). Eh, it's alright though. I kept thinking that if Kubo was there, he'll kick everyone's butts and there really would be no competition. Thus far anyway....


Quite often you cannot have the luxury of having a player on the field rest. What Shimizu did was to move Serizawa to play sweeper while they attacked to keep Kakegawa at bay and hope to score to equalise (which they did) and get ahead. When Kakegawa breaks through, Serizawa is left to do the final interception to prevent shots at goal. Minimal action to let him recover physically.


The part in which I'm questioning is, when you see the opposite team resting a player, shouldn't a good stragety be to kill time on your side of the field or in the middle of the field or something. I don't remember when the equalizer shot was hit though, that's was afterwards, and made everyone really impatient.

[Helschadenfreude]

Okay this is getting kind of ridiculous... they dead balled again?? What kind of things are you teaching them Goro? How is that in the spirit of baseball? That's halfway like cheating... I mean it hurts and is advantageous and is another strategy but still... is the third freshman going to try it in the Kaido game? I know they're desperate; but this is looking like everyone is basically deadweight. A surprise hit would be better, or one of the other fielders accidentally losing the ball somehow.... I don't know.. it just doesn't sit right for me for the story to take this tack.

And this school should be named the Kaido reject school.. .and they definitely wouldn't have stood a chance against Kaido.

[Helschadenfreude]

Oh this episode made me so nostalgic like it did Capeta. Although I'm kinda surprised Capeta made it to the final qualifer(unless it's just to show the other F1 operators how he drives and not passing Capeta in the end).. because I thought he wouldn't qualify at all, moving the storyline along a little. Monami's new desire/hobby/job sorta came as a surprise.. but I guess not really.

The next episode seems interesting: No one will give Shibu(sp?) a break? Autohouse messing with them ?

Anyway it's really nice of Autohouse offering once again a way for Capeta to race, even if he was going to turn it down. I wonder what would've happened if F1 didn't work out at all, no money to get a new cart... would he have sucuumbed?

Also didn't Capeta have to pay for repairs? What happened to coming up with the 2 million yen or whatever from crashing the car?

[Helschadenfreude]

Okay I fail in the spelling of it.

And for the first time, I actually really liked the anime version a whole bunch more... usually it's 50/50 or I veer toward the manga.. but I don't know, Mihashi just seems so much cuter in the anime. Those expressions when the catcher reads his minds is amusing.... Also, the pacing is just right that I'm surprised when an episode ends. Sometimes when watching Major, I want to skip a tad, because I'm slightly bored, but not here. Could be that I'm really really early into the episodes, so we'll see.

I forgotten why Kanou thought Mihashi was better though.

[guyver83]

Also didn't Capeta have to pay for repairs? What happened to coming up with the 2 million yen or whatever from crashing the car?

should of made that fuckface kid who got all nervous pay for it. From how it was shown, there is no way Capeta could of avoided it so not really HIS fault. Capeta should of beaten the fuck out of that guy but ahah that won't happen. I also liked how Capeta sticks to his guns and refuses Autohouse's help.

[Helschadenfreude]

Also didn't Capeta have to pay for repairs? What happened to coming up with the 2 million yen or whatever from crashing the car?

should of made that fuckface kid who got all nervous pay for it. From how it was shown, there is no way Capeta could of avoided it so not really HIS fault. Capeta should of beaten the fuck out of that guy but ahah that won't happen. I also liked how Capeta sticks to his guns and refuses Autohouse's help.


I do find it interesting how easily was resolved. Oh wells. Anyway, it's interesting how Capeta refuses Autohouse help, but Narumi is sort of pissed that he doesn't but Shiba does.... so does this mean Capeta doesn't have a car to practice in or he does and just has to come up with more money?

[Helschadenfreude]

*squeals* Mihashi is so cute! Ahem... but he is different from Goro. Goro would have told the catcher whatever and did what he liked. Mihashi needs to learn how to say no. In a game of pitchers, does control win over speed? If just one of each.. because obviously then the either pitcher would lose to one with both. In just thinking about Abe-kun way of leading, say in Cross Game, where the main guy likes to bat EVERYWHERE... how would they stick him out with slow balls?

[leongsh]

*squeals* Mihashi is so cute! Ahem... but he is different from Goro. Goro would have told the catcher whatever and did what he liked. Mihashi needs to learn how to say no. In a game of pitchers, does control win over speed? If just one of each.. because obviously then the either pitcher would lose to one with both. In just thinking about Abe-kun way of leading, say in Cross Game, where the main guy likes to bat EVERYWHERE... how would they stick him out with slow balls?
Oofuri presents a different dynamic - a pitcher with no confidence but with great control - compared to the usual confident, self-assured pitcher in almost all baseball anime/manga which has a pitcher as the lead character. Mihashi values Abe's guidance and does not want to lose it. It's the first time that he had a catcher who helped him through a game. Yet when the chips were down at the end of the episode, instead of just shrivelling, we get to see another side of Mihashi that underlined how he was able to continue pitching in middle school games - he has determination too.

Episode 7 should be out. Catch that. Especially towards the end of the episode ;)

[Kawada]

I'm a bit disappointed in this... I was hoping for a remake that was closer to the original manga storyline than the first anime was. It turns out that it just continues where the last "season" left off. The opening song is almost exactly the same too, though I'm glad for that (I got used to hearing it episode after episode).

The first episode started the season off slow. There wasn't much in the way of real basketball action (a game was shown for about five minutes); the episode revolved around a disagreement between Hideyoshi and Rose. I guess most of the series is filler anyway, so the director is free to come up with plot-lines as he wishes.

I should be glad that the series is going the way it is, as the manga never had the team play in the minor league. The original reason for that was hinted at in the first season, and I'm hoping it's included at the end of this season. That twist really blew me away... But while I'm waiting for that episode to come around, I hope to see some good action!

Has anyone else been following Buzzer Beater?

[leongsh]

Has anyone else been following Buzzer Beater?
Unfortunately, I'm not following this season. I couldn't get past the first 3 episodes of the first season :sd:

It would be appreciated if you could post your thoughts on the show on an episode-by-episode basis. This would at least give people an idea of how the show is so that they can decide on whether to pick this up to follow.

[guyver83]

I'm a bit disappointed in this... I was hoping for a remake that was closer to the original manga storyline than the first anime was. It turns out that it just continues where the last "season" left off. The opening song is almost exactly the same too, though I'm glad for that (I got used to hearing it episode after episode).

The first episode started the season off slow. There wasn't much in the way of real basketball action (a game was shown for about five minutes); the episode revolved around a disagreement between Hideyoshi and Rose. I guess most of the series is filler anyway, so the director is free to come up with plot-lines as he wishes.

I should be glad that the series is going the way it is, as the manga never had the team play in the minor league. The original reason for that was hinted at in the first season, and I'm hoping it's included at the end of this season. That twist really blew me away... But while I'm waiting for that episode to come around, I hope to see some good action!

Has anyone else been following Buzzer Beater?

so IT is the continuation of the 1st season... interesting. I thought the first season was ok... nothing really that great but I'll have to watch this to see if i really really hate it or if it will grow on me.

[Evil_Moon]

Hey there!

Just finished watching Capeta and I still can't get rid of my aggitation!!! Arg! I really really hated the ending! Not only didn't Capeta and Minamoto have their match cause this guy just went to Italy!!...No the writer of the last anime ep puts them in karts again during the last few mins and let them have their so called race!As if he wanted to make fun of me for hoping for a real race..... Come on, what was that?! I really wanted to see the race between them finally. I felt like punching someone when Minamoto didn't take part in the race. And now what....that was the last ep of the anime...I will never get to see a race between the two of them!

Not only that....no the manga isn't licensed and I am not able to get my hands on any of the japanese manga volumes!!!

So..I know. With me being new here, it might be a bit rude to ask...but..

Does anyone of you have the japanese scanlations vol 11-14 (I think there are 14 out so far) and could sent them to me....or upload them for me so I can download them?! Please sent me a PM if you do and you will make me eternally happy!;)....well ok that sounded a bit... ;))But I really want to read the manga.

Greetz,Lena

[Zeta26]

Speaking of MAJOR it's really heating up, with the recent episode 72 of the 3rd season. And Seishu's really in a bind with Kaido Gakuen (Kido High School for westerners :D). At this point it can be anybody's game.

Like when you think that Seishu has it all in the "bag" -- Kaido comes up with a new plan of theirs.

As for Okiku Furikabutte. It's like the baseball version of Whistle!. Because in Whistle! Sho, at the start of the manga, has a slow learning curve, which his teammembers have to constantly remind him or show him. As compared to Goro of MAJOR.

[Helschadenfreude]

Speaking of MAJOR it's really heating up, with the recent episode 72 of the 3rd season. And Seishu's really in a bind with Kaido Gakuen (Kido High School for westerners :D). At this point it can be anybody's game.

Like when you think that Seishu has it all in the "bag" -- Kaido comes up with a new plan of theirs.

As for Okiku Furikabutte. It's like the baseball version of Whistle!. Because in Whistle! Sho, at the start of the manga, has a slow learning curve, which his teammembers have to constantly remind him or show him. As compared to Goro of MAJOR.

I envy you people whom are so far ahead. Anyway, I think it's a interesting comparison for Whistle. Although Sho main point is that he works and practices really hard, and never gives up while Mihashi has some talent but his never give ness doesn't really extend past the mound and disobeying the catcher.

[leongsh]

Speaking of MAJOR it's really heating up, with the recent episode 72 of the 3rd season. And Seishu's really in a bind with Kaido Gakuen (Kido High School for westerners :D). At this point it can be anybody's game.

Like when you think that Seishu has it all in the "bag" -- Kaido comes up with a new plan of theirs.
Unfortunately, the game against Kuriyama did not excite that much. It felt like going through the motions. Can't say that for the next game against Kaido - enjoyed the game a lot. Especially Episode 23 to 25 - sticking it to Egashira and the end of the match. *Goes to rewatch Episode 25 for the awesomeness again* :D

As for Okiku Furikabutte. It's like the baseball version of Whistle!. Because in Whistle! Sho, at the start of the manga, has a slow learning curve, which his teammembers have to constantly remind him or show him. As compared to Goro of MAJOR.
Not really that similar. Whistle!'s Sho is an optimistic hard worker who already has built up a store of self-confidence. In turn, Oofuri's Mihashi similarities with Sho are that he works hard and has the courage and backbone to fight for themselves. Other than those, he does not have the self-confidence after having it crushed in middle school and added to that, he is a fairly timid character.

[Helschadenfreude]

Okay, not another dead ball. What the hell.. is like the freshman can't do anything but get dead balls. I mean Fuji's randomness was a whole lot better. And I like how Toshi just eggs on Tashiro... I thought he wanted to win! :sd: :D I guess on a more even footing I guess.

[Chloe]

Going to inject my usual way off topic posts because I just started watching Princess 9 the other day. Yes, I consider it a sports anime, though Leongsh might think so.(I have no idea what he might think about it, actually. :sd:) HEY! Baby steps, you know!? :D

I like the themes and the look so far, they have done a good job early on with making the char. seem like pretty ordinary people, I like that. For some reason I keep wanting to compare this to the Bad News Bears, but I'll have to see how that pans out as I go along. More to follow...

[Helschadenfreude]

Oh man, Princess nine was THE anime to get me into sports anime , manga you name it. Plus I loved that show.

[Helschadenfreude]

YES YES YES!!! There's no way I could see Goro [hide] beating Kaido, because after a Father intervention, the girl he likes(I forgot her name... Taiga's sister), several team interventions, he bites the dust. Which I think is a good ending[/end] I really really hate the dead balls though. It's like the writer's couldn't think of anything else... Urgh. After I told my friend about the dead ball, and she's like huhhh... someone got a dead ball AGAIN. I'm surprised that Goro could heal after this though..... I mean the doctor said he could pitch 30 pitches but he pitched probably about 200.... not including all the running. What the hell...

[leongsh]

After what Goro has been through in the whole match against Kaido, the game ending is just the right touch needed to finish it. For a shounen sports anime, Goro not only took it to the limit but way past it in his desire, guts and courage on the mound. He's a monster, all right. Not in terms of playing ability but for the sheer desire and gutsy way that he gave it all he had and then some more.

There's one more episode for Season 3. It's the epilogue but for his time in Japan. Next season, it's a whole new world for Goro. Eagerly waiting for Season 4 to start in January 2008. This show is one of my guilty pleasures.

[Helschadenfreude]

Wow, I wasn't expecting that. I thought Goro was actually scouted, not he's going to go on his own Would he have to repeat school? (which I think would actually be awesome...but I guess too time consuming) What would he do if he didn't get in?! Oh man now I want to watch the next season. What manga volume are we up to now to match?

[leongsh]

Season 4 of Major is just round the corner. Official date of broadcast start is 5 January 2008. (link (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/major/kokuchi.html)). It's Goro starting his baseball career by playing in the Minor Leagues in America.

[Helschadenfreude]

Yeah, I had to go ahead and watch the raws. I was totally expecting Capeta to lose again.. but then again he really has only lost 3 times in his whole life or whatever.. and 1 of the loss was a tie so short though! I was expecting a certain scene due to spoilers, and it was just voiceover. I will totally miss this anime... GAH!

[leongsh]

Yeah, I had to go ahead and watch the raws.
Can't be helped when the end is oh-so-near and the racing action is fantastic.

I will totally miss this anime... GAH!
One of my guilty pleasures. Kudos to the excellent direction of the racing action in the anime. Fantastic to watch.