Prestigious! Third Baseball Club - A thorough review of a baseball story of youth and passion

Prestigious! Third Baseball Club - Maimon! Daisan Yakyuubu

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

October 22, 1988 - September 29, 1989 Saturday 19:00-19:30

■Broadcasting station

Fuji TV Network

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 41

■Original Story

Mutsu Toshiyuki

■ Director

・Director: Hiroshi Fukutomi

■ Production

NAS

■Works

©Mutsu Toshiyuki/Kodansha・NAS

■ Story

Sakura High School's third baseball team is a weak team. After losing to the elite group of first string players, the team is forced to disband. They overcome various challenges and continue playing baseball, dreaming of participating in Koshien.

■Explanation

Even if you're bad at it or a dropout, you can do it if you try!

■ Main staff

Director: Hiroshi Fukutomi Series Composition: Takashi Yamada, Shigeru Yanagawa Character Design and Animation Director: Hiroshi Kanazawa Art Director: Jiro Kono Music: Yusuke Homma Sound: Hiroshi Yamazaki Animation Production: Studio Comet

Prestigious! Third Baseball Club - Detailed evaluation and recommendation

■Overview of the work

"Prestigious! Third Baseball Club" is a TV anime series that aired from 1988 to 1989, and is based on the manga of the same name by Mutsu Toshiyuki. The story is about Sakura High School's third baseball club, a weak team, who play against the elite first string and aim to participate in Koshien under the strict condition that if they lose, they will be disbanded. The series aired from October 22, 1988 to September 29, 1989, with a total of 41 episodes. It was available to watch on Fuji TV every Saturday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.

■ Story and Theme

The story of "Prestigious! Third Baseball Club" is simple, about an underdog team aiming to go to Koshien, but it is packed with many moving episodes. The main characters are depicted growing through baseball and deepening their bonds with their teammates. Particularly impressive is the message that even if you're no good or a dropout, you can make your dreams come true if you work hard. This theme gave great courage and hope to viewers at the time.

■ Characters

The members of the main character, Sakura High School's third baseball team, are all unique characters. In particular, team leader and captain Narita Kenichi is portrayed as a strong-willed character who inspires his teammates and never gives up even in difficult situations. In addition, each character, such as Yamamoto Daisuke, the team's mood maker, and Takahashi Shinichi, a hardworking and earnest person, are fascinating to watch as they grow while fulfilling their own roles.

■Animation and direction

The animation for "The Prestigious Third Baseball Club" was produced by Studio Comet. It was directed by Fukutomi Hiroshi, with character design and animation direction by Kanazawa Hiroji. While the animation reflects the technical standards of the time, it has been praised for the power of the baseball scenes and the detailed expressions of the characters. In particular, the camerawork and direction in the game scenes have the power to draw the viewer in. Additionally, the background art by art director Kono Jiro is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

■Music

The music was composed by Yusuke Honma, and many BGMs were used that matched the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the sound effects that heighten the tension in the match scenes and the melodies in the moving scenes have the power to stir the emotions of the viewers. In addition, the opening theme "Winds of Youth" and the ending theme "Beyond the Dreams" were widely loved by the viewers at the time.

■ Sound

The sound was handled by Hiroshi Yamazaki, who paid particular attention to the selection of voice actors for the characters and the direction of their lines. In particular, the passionate performance of the voice actor who played the main character, Kenichi Narita, touched the hearts of viewers. In addition, the cheers and cheers of the spectators during the match scenes were also an important element in enhancing the sense of realism.

■Influence and evaluation of the work

"The Prestigious Third Baseball Club" was popular with many viewers when it was first broadcast, and had a particularly strong impact on young people. The show's theme, "Even if you're no good or a dropout, you can do it if you try," gave courage to many people. In addition, the story of friendship and hard work depicted through the sport of baseball touched viewers' hearts and created many fans. Even today, there are many fans who love this show, and there are constant requests for rebroadcasts and DVD releases.

■ Recommendation points

"The Prestigious Third Baseball Club" is recommended not only for baseball fans, but also for those who like youth dramas and moving stories. It is especially recommended for those who like works with themes of effort and friendship. It is also recommended for those who want to experience the atmosphere of 80's animation. Furthermore, watching it with the whole family can be a good conversation starter between parents and children.

■ Related works and recommendations

Other anime works with a baseball theme like "Prestigious! The Third Baseball Club" include "Touch" and "Captain." These works also have moving stories about youth and friendship, and are must-watches for baseball fans. Other recommended works with themes of effort and growth include "SLAM DUNK" and "Haikyu!!." These works are also loved by many viewers as youth dramas depicted through sports.

■ Summary

"The Prestigious Third Baseball Club" is a moving story about an underdog team aiming for Koshien, and depicts the growth of its unique characters. The story of friendship and hard work depicted through the sport of baseball deeply touched viewers. In particular, the message that even if you're not good at it or a dropout, you can do it if you try gave courage to many people. This work is recommended not only for baseball fans, but also for those who like coming-of-age dramas and moving stories. Please give it a watch.