Dodge Danpei: The Charm and Evaluation of Hot-Blooded Dodgeball

Welcome to the world of hot-blooded dodgeball - Dodge Danpei, the fiery ball boy

The TV anime series "Dodge Danpei: The Ball Fighter of Flame," which aired from 1991 to 1992, is based on the manga of the same name by Koshita Tetsuhiro. This anime was loved by many fans as a passionate sports anime set in the sport of dodgeball, depicting the growth of the main character, Ikki Danpei, and his teammates. Below, we will introduce detailed information and the appeal of this work.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

October 14, 1991 - September 21, 1992 Every Monday 19:00-19:30

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo series

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 47

■Original Story

・Original work: Tetsuhiro Koshita ・Shogakukan CoroCoro Comics and others

■ Director

・General Director: Hiroshi Sasagawa ・Director: Seitaro Hara

■ Production

・Production: Animation 21
Produced by TV Tokyo, Tokyu Agency, Shogakukan Shueisha Productions

■Works

©Tetsuhiro Koshita/Shogakukan・ShoPro

■ Story

The lively protagonist, Ichigeki Danpei, has loved playing with balls and round things since he was a toddler. Every morning, it is his daily routine to play catch with his father's gravestone.

On the day before the entrance ceremony for Tamagawa Elementary School, Danpei saves a baby from a dog by throwing a ball to him, and the captain of the Tamagawa Elementary School dodgeball club sees his strength and encourages him to join the club. Danpei joins the dodgeball club as soon as he enters the school, but he is subjected to strict training from Captain Mikasa and his seniors, known as the Four Heavenly Kings, and experiences the horror of dodgeball. Danpei realizes that his natural strength alone will not suffice, so he retreats to the mountains and begins special training. With the help of his best friend Chinen's friends and the seniors, he gradually grows into a central member of the team.

Time passes, and Danpei becomes a fourth-grader in elementary school...

■Cast

・One-Geki Danpei/Noriko Hidaka・Kobutsu Chinen/Masako Nozawa・Misato Todo/Satoko Kito・One-Geki Haruka/Rumiko Ukai・Tokuji Priest/Kaneta Kimotsuki・Captain Mikasa/Kiyoyuki Yanada・Taiga Nikaido/Toshihiko Seki・Principal/Toshiya Ueda

■ Main staff

・Series Composition / Yamada Takashi ・Character Design / Hashimoto Katsumi, Go Toshiharu ・Art Director / Nakamura Yasushi ・Director of Photography / Shirai Hisao ・Sound Director / Yamada Tomoaki ・Music / Katsumata Ryuichi ・Screenplay / Mizuide Koichi, Yamada Takashi, Inoue Mihoko ・Sound Effects / Inoue Yutaka ・Sound Adjustment / Abe Toshiaki ・Recording Studio / Tokyo Television Center ・Sound Production / HALF H.P.
・Cooperation: Japan Super Dodge League ・Producers: Shinsuke Kurabayashi, Shunsuke Okura, Hajime Tachihara, Mikio Seto

■ Main Characters

・A first-grade member of the Tamagawa Elementary School dodgeball club who is passionate about dodgeball. He's not good at studying, but his guts and power are unmatched. The more he's in a pinch, the more he shows his strength, a true dodgeball player.

・Misato is Danpei's classmate. She is a lively and strong-willed girl, but does she have a secret crush on Danpei?

・Chinen Danpei is a good friend of his and is a first-year member of the Fighting Ball Club who is passionate about Fighting Ball with him. He also puts his body on the line to help out with Danpei's intensive training.

・Haruka Itsugeki's mother. A former water polo star and now a swimming school coach. She has a bold personality.

Captain Mikasa is the captain of the Tamagawa Elementary School Fighting Ball Club. He quickly recognized Danpei's talent for fighting ball and encouraged him to join the club.

The Four Heavenly Kings are the elite members of the Tamagawa Elementary School Fighting Ball Club. They teach Danpei the rigors of fighting ball.

- Nikaido Taiga: Captain of the Saint Arrows Academy's baseball team. A genius boy who has mastered high techniques. Danpei's destined rival.

Tamako is Danpei's pet dog. He is a smart dog who sometimes helps Danpei with his training.

Principal: The principal of Tamagawa Elementary School and also serves as the advisor for the baseball club. He is a good friend of the club members.

Itsuku Danjuro: Danpei's father. His whereabouts are unknown.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Birth of the Fiery Ball Fighter (1991/10/14)
Episode 2: The Fearsome Thousand Ball Dodge (1991/10/21)
Episode 3: Intense training on the burning mountain (1991/10/28)
・Episode 4/Overthrow! Ball Small Four Heavenly Kings (1991/11/04)
Episode 5: I see the flame mark! Defeat the mysterious baseball player! (1991/11/11)
Episode 6: The Fearful Fighting Ball Dome: Let's Dodge the Iron Ball (1991/11/18)
Episode 7: Surpassing Danpei! Chinen and the Flame Balance Beam Competition (1991/11/25)
Episode 8: I'm Not Scared! The 7 Meter Challenge (1991/12/02)
Episode 9: Get a regular spot! The fastball from the injured finger (1991/12/09)
Episode 10: Let's go, Taiga! Will Danpei's first battle bring victory? (1991/12/16)
Episode 11: Fierce Overtime: Break the Enemy's Deadly Formation! (1991/12/23)
Episode 12: Clash in the Rain: An Amazing Double Hit (1992/01/06)
Episode 13: Unlimited Overtime: Super Shot Showdown (1992/01/13)
Episode 14: National warrior training: The amazing team from Tosa (1992/01/20)
Episode 15: 10 Seconds Left: The Miracle Curveball (1992/01/27)
Episode 16: Australian Baseball Showdown! Super Dodgeball vs. Soccer (1992/02/03)
Episode 17: Stop the Powerful Kick Attack! (1992/02/10)
Episode 18: Farewell! Eternal Rivals (1992/02/17)
Episode 19: Danpei's ball is caught! A mysterious transfer student appears (1992/02/24)
Episode 20: Fierce Battle! Settle the Fighting Dodgeball (1992/03/02)
Episode 21: Friendship's Special Move: Double Shot (1992/03/09)
Episode 22: Super Dodge vs. American Football (1992/03/16)
Episode 23: Farewell Captain! Farewell Four Heavenly Kings! (1992/03/23)
Episode 24: A new rival appears (1992/04/06)
Episode 25: The Fearsome Enemy, the Black Armors (1992/04/13)
Episode 26: The Return of Taiga: Skyshot (1992/04/20)
Episode 27: Decide with a Combat Dodgeball! The Fighting Ball Club vs. the Super Fighting Ball Club (1992/04/27)
Episode 28: Training for victory: Defeat the Black Armors (1992/05/04)
Episode 29: Stormy Ball Battle! The Black Armors Strike Back (1992/05/11)
Episode 30: A Hard Battle! Defeat the Enemy's Killer Shot! (1992/05/18)
Episode 31: Close Call! A concentrated storm attack (1992/05/25)
Episode 32: Storm's Tornado Shot! (1992/06/01)
Episode 33: The Final Showdown of Flames: Danpei Kiryoku's Double-Handed Throw (June 8, 1992)
Episode 34: The Ultimate Special Move: Flame Shot (1992/06/15)
Episode 35: A new nemesis, Rikuo the Power Shot, appears (June 22, 1992)
Episode 36: Don't Cry, Chinen! This is a Double Shot of Friendship (1992/06/29)
Episode 37: The Destructive Power of Fear: Rikuo, I'm Going to Challenge You (1992/07/06)
Episode 38: Tears of Intense Training: The Secret of Rikuo's Power Shot (1992/07/20)
Episode 39: Crushing the Storm! A Direct-hit Power Shot (1992/07/27)
Episode 40: The Legendary Flame Shot: Who is the King of Fighting Ball? (August 3, 1992)
Episode 41: Big Crisis! Danpei Suspended (1992/08/10)
Episode 42: Suspension lifted! Danpei's full power comeback (1992/08/17)
Episode 43: The chaotic finals: The counterattack is about to begin! (1992/08/24)
Episode 44: Call for a Miracle! The Legendary Flame Shot (1992/08/31)
Episode 45: Mysterious Masked Athlete: Challenge from Europe (September 7, 1992)
Episode 46: The Final Showdown: Defeat the Eternal Rival (1992/09/14)
Episode 47: The Strongest Rival! The Final Go-Fight! (1992/09/21)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period / Episodes 1-47 ・Go Fight of Flame ・Lyrics / Akitani Ginshiro ・Music / Baba Takayuki ・Arrangement / Akasaka Touji ・Singer / Tokugaki Tomoko with HOLDME Squad

・ED1
・Period / Episode 1-47 ・Dream Ball ・Lyrics / Akitani Ginshiro ・Music / Baba Takayuki ・Arrangement / Akasaka Toji ・Singer / Mizuki Ichiro

・IM1
・Super Dodge ~ Theme of Fire ・Lyrics by Tetsuhiro Koshita ・Composition by Itaru Watanabe ・Arrangement by Itaru Watanabe ・Singer by Ichiro Mizuki, Mori no Ki Children's Choir

・IM2
・Dad's Letter・Lyrics by Ginshiro Akitani・Music by Toji Akasaka・Arrangement by Toji Akasaka・Singer by Ichiro Mizuki

・IM3
・SHOOTIN' THE DESTINY
Lyrics: Akitani Ginshiro; Composition: Baba Takayuki; Arrangement: Ishida Katsunori
・Song by Toshihiko Seki

・IM4
・Dodge Dodge ・Lyrics by Tetsuhiro Koshita ・Music by Takeshi Ike ・Arrangement by Toji Akasaka ・Singers by Noriko Hidaka and Masako Nozawa

・IM5
・Cheer song for the Fiery Fighting Ball Club ・Lyrics by Ginshiro Akitani ・Music by Takayuki Baba ・Arrangement by Katsunori Ishida ・Singer by Tomoko Tokugaki with HOLD ME Squad

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Dodge Danpei: The Blazing Ball Boy" is a work that depicts the passion, friendship, effort, and desire to win of dodgeball, a sport that may seem minor at first. The protagonist, Ikki Danpei, starts out by using only his strength to challenge the ball, but it is moving to see him gradually learn techniques and strategies and grow together with his teammates. It is also full of elements that will draw viewers in, depicting various human dramas such as confrontations with rivals, friendships within a team, and ties with family.

Particularly impressive is the story of Danpei's growth. He starts off playing with simple brute force, but the process of gradually honing his skills and learning the importance of fighting together with his teammates is depicted in a realistic way. His battles with his rival, Nikaido Taiga, are always worth watching and capture the hearts of viewers. Danpei's mother, Itgeki Haruka, also plays an important role, as her support and strictness help Danpei grow.

The animation quality is also high, and the dodgeball game scenes in particular are very impressive. The character designs are also unique, with each character's facial expressions and movements depicted in detail, conveying the changes in their emotions well. The music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and the opening theme "Go Fight of Blazing Fire" in particular has the power to ignite the hearts of viewers.

■ Recommendation points

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

1. **A monumental example of passionate sports anime**: While the theme is the sport of dodgeball, this work depicts passion, friendship, effort, and the desire to win. In particular, the story of the protagonist, Ippei's, growth is deeply moving and leaves a strong impression on viewers.

2. **Unique characters**: The characters, including Danpei, are all unique, and their growth and human drama are depicted. In particular, the confrontation with his rival, Taiga Nikaido, is worth watching and will grab the hearts of viewers.

3. **Powerful game scenes**: The dodgeball game scenes are powerful, with high animation quality, and have the power to draw the viewer in. Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and the opening theme "Go Fight of Fire" in particular has the power to ignite the hearts of the viewers.

4. **Family Ties**: Danpei's mother, Itchika Haruka, is also important, and her support and strictness help Danpei grow. The family ties and friendships are depicted, which move viewers.

5. **A moving story**: The story depicts various human dramas, such as Danpei's growth story, confrontations with rivals, and friendships within the team, and is full of elements that draw viewers in. In particular, the touching conclusion of the final episode is a must-see.

■ Summary

"Dodge Danpei: The Blazing Ball Fighter" is a passionate sports anime set in the world of dodgeball, depicting the growth of the main character, Ippei, and his teammates. It is packed with many charms, including unique characters, powerful match scenes, and a moving story. In particular, it is a work that will move viewers deeply with Danpei's growth story, confrontations with rivals, and the bonds he forms with his family. Please watch it and experience the passion and excitement for yourself.