Big Windup! Special Edition: A deep look into the moving baseball story and character growth

"Big Windup! Special Edition": A story of youthful brilliance and failure

Big Windup! Special Edition is an original video animation (OVA) released on February 27, 2008, based on the manga of the same name by Higuchi Asa. The special edition is included on the DVD Big Windup! Vol. 9, distributed by Aniplex. It is directed by Mizushima Tsutomu and produced by A-1 Pictures, with the production committee including Aniplex, A-1 Pictures, TBS, Kodansha, Movic, and MBS. Each episode is 23 minutes long and delves deeply into the world of the original work.

story

The protagonist, Ren Mitsuhashi, was favored as the ace pitcher in his junior high school days because he was the grandson of the company's owner. However, as a result, he refused to give up the mound for three years, which led to his teammates hating him and leading to a sad time in junior high. Feeling guilty that he was the reason the baseball team kept losing and that his teammates couldn't enjoy baseball, Mitsuhashi completely lost himself and fell into distrust of people. After graduating from junior high school, he left the escalator-style Mihoshi Gakuen and enrolled in Nishiura High School, prepared to quit baseball, but his feet naturally found themselves heading to the baseball team's grounds.

Commentary

"Big Windup! Special Edition" is a work that will captivate not only baseball fans, but also those who know nothing about baseball. In his junior high school days, Mitsuhashi Ren was the ace pitcher at Mitsusei Gakuen, favored by the school's owner because he was the grandson of the school's owner, but he spent his junior high school days sadly, as his teammates hated him for refusing to give up the mound for three years. After graduating from junior high school, he enrolls in Nishiura High School with the determination to quit baseball, but is promoted to the hardball baseball team and once again plays as a pitcher. This special edition depicts Mitsuhashi's past and present struggles, and delves deeply into his growth and the bonds he has with his teammates.

cast

The cast includes Tsubasa Yonaga as Ren Mitsuhashi, Yuichi Nakamura as Takaya Abe, Kisho Taniyama as Azusa Hanai, Hiro Shimono as Yuichiro Tajima, Yudai Sato as Kazutoshi Oki, Chihiro Suzuki as Hayato Sakaeguchi, Makoto Yasumura as Shoji Suyama, Kenichiro Kado as Fumitaka Mizutani, Jun Fukuyama as Kosuke Izumi, Ryohei Kimura as Tatsutaro Nishihiro, Risa Hayami as Maria Momoe, Takehiro Murozono as Takeshi Shiga, Misato Fukuen as Chiyo Shinooka, Jun Watashiichi as Ryoro Hamada, Takashi Hikita as Keisuke Umehara, and Masaya Matsukaze as Motoki Haruna. The cast portrays Ren Mitsuhashi's youth and failures realistically, deeply moving the viewers.

Main Staff

The series is based on Higuchi Asa's "Ookiku Furikabutte" (serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon), directed by Mizushima Tsutomu, series composition by Kuroda Yosuke, character design by Yoshida Takahiko, chief animation directors Takada Akira and Yoshida Takahiko, action animation director Taniguchi Junichiro, prop design by Suzuki Takuya, art director Shibuya Yukihiro, color design by Sato Miyuki, director of photography Oihira Hide, editor Nishiyama Shigeru, music by Hamaguchi Shiro, sound director Kikuta Hiromi, research cooperation with Saitama Prefectural Urawa Nishi High School baseball club, cheer songs performed by Hosei University Second High School brass band, producers Oyama Ryo, Ochikoshi Tomonori, Tanaka Go, Hariu Masayuki, Kanba Kozue, Maruyama Hiroo, animation producer Iwata Mikihiro, animation production by A-1 Pictures, and production by the Oofuri Production Committee (Aniplex, A-1 Pictures, TBS, Kodansha, Movic, MBS). All these staff members came together to complete the "Big Windup!" Special Edition.

Main Characters

Mitsuhashi Ren of Nishiura High School is a pitcher wearing the number 1 uniform in class 9. His birthday is May 17, his blood type is AB, his height is 165 cm, his weight is 52 kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his father and mother. Abe Takaya is a vice captain and catcher wearing the number 2 uniform in class 7. His birthday is December 11, his blood type is O, his height is 170 cm, his weight is 55 kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his father, mother, and younger brother. Hanai Azusa is a captain and outfielder (center fielder, right fielder) wearing the number 9 uniform in class 7. His birthday is April 28, his blood type is A, his height is 181 cm, his weight is 67 kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his grandmother, father, mother, younger sister, and younger sister (twins). Tajima Yuichiro is a third baseman and catcher wearing the number 5 uniform in class 9. His birthday is October 16th, his blood type is B, his height is 164cm, his weight is 53kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his great-grandfather, great-grandmother, grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, sister-in-law, older sister, older sister, and older brother. Oki Kazutoshi is a student in class 3, first baseman and pitcher wearing number 3. His birthday is July 20th, his blood type is A, his height is 172cm, his weight is 60kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and older sister. Sakaeguchi Hayato is a student in class 1, second baseman wearing number 4. His birthday is June 8th, his blood type is O, his height is 169cm, his weight is 54kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his father, older sister, and younger brother. Suyama Naoji is a student in class 1, first baseman and third baseman wearing number 6. His birthday is April 6th, his blood type is A, his height is 175cm, his weight is 64kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his grandmother, his father, his mother, his older brother, and his younger brother. Mizutani Fumitaka is a student in class 7 of the first year, and is a second baseman and outfielder (left fielder) wearing the number 7. His birthday is January 4th, his blood type is B, his height is 172cm, his weight is 57kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his father, his mother, and his older sister. Izumi Kosuke is a student in class 9 of the first year, and is an outfielder (right fielder and center fielder) wearing the number 8. His birthday is November 29th, his blood type is O, his height is 168cm, his weight is 55kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his father, his mother, and his older brother. Nishihiro Tatsutaro is a student in class 3 of the first year, and is a substitute (left fielder) wearing the number 10. His birthday is February 10th, his blood type is O, his height is 170cm, his weight is 60kg (at the time of enrollment), and his family consists of his grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and younger sister. Maria Momoe is the baseball team coach at Nishiura High School, and is a left-handed batter and pitcher (softball). His birthday is April 18th, his blood type is B, his height is 163cm, his weight is unknown, and his family consists of his grandmother, father, mother, and younger brother. Tsuyoshi Shiga is the head teacher of the baseball team at Nishiura High School, and his birthday is November 26th, his blood type is A, his height is 180cm, his weight is 79kg, and his family consists of his wife, daughter, and son. Chiyo Shinooka is a student in class 7 of the first year, and a shortstop (softball). His birthday is March 25th, his blood type is AB, his height is 154cm, his weight is 42kg, and his family consists of his grandmother, father, mother, and younger sister. Ryoro Hamada is a student in class 9 of the first year, and the cheerleading squad leader. His birthday is December 19th, his blood type is B, his height is 183cm, his weight is 70kg, and his family consists of his father, mother, and younger brother.

Takase Junta of Kirisei High School is a pitcher in class 2-4. His birthday is February 2nd, his blood type is O, his height is 177cm, his weight is 69kg, and his family consists of his father, mother, and younger brother. Kawai Kazumi is a catcher in class 3-6. His birthday is June 15th, his blood type is B, his height is 180cm, his weight is 78kg, and his family consists of his grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, younger brother, and younger sister. Nakazawa Rio is a catcher in class 1-4. His birthday is November 7th, his blood type is O, his height is 186cm, his weight is 68kg, and his family consists of his father, mother, and older brother.

Sansei Gakuen's Kanae Shugo is a first-year student in the Tsuta class, and is a right-handed batter and thrower. His birthday is July 12th, his blood type is B, he is 169cm tall, weighs 54kg, and his family consists of his father, mother, younger brother, and grandmother. Hata Atsushi is a first-year student in the Tsuta class, and is a right-handed batter and thrower. His birthday is August 9th, his blood type is O, he is 179cm tall, weighs 82kg, and his family consists of his grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and older brother. Oda Hiroyuki is a first-year student in the Tsuta class, and is a right-handed batter and thrower. His birthday is February 21st, his blood type is O, he is 186cm tall, weighs 80kg, and his family consists of his mother and younger sister. Mitsuhashi Ruri is a first-year student in the Matsu class, and is Ren's cousin. Her birthday is June 26th, her blood type is A, her height is 152cm, her weight is 40kg, and her family consists of her grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and younger brother.

Haruna Motoki of Musashino Daiichi High School is a pitcher (right fielder) in class 2B. His birthday is May 24th, his blood type is AB, he is 182cm tall, weighs 75kg, and his family consists of his father, mother, and older sister. Akimaru Kyohei is a catcher in class 2A. His birthday is March 12th, his blood type is O, he is 176cm tall, weighs 67kg, and his family consists of his father, mother, older sister, and older sister. Kaguyama Naoto is a pitcher (right fielder) in class 3C. His birthday is January 3rd, his blood type is A, he is 170cm tall, weighs 62kg, and his family consists of his grandmother, father, mother, older brother, and younger sister.

subtitle

The special edition's subtitle is "The Basics" and was released on February 27, 2008.

Related Titles

"Big Windup! Special Edition" is related to "Big Windup!", "Big Windup! Summer Tournament Arc" and "Big Windup! Summer Tournament Arc Episode 12.5". These works are part of a series that depicts Mitsuhashi Ren's growth and passion for baseball, and the special edition is an especially important episode in the series.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "Seishun Line," was written and composed by Yoshiki Mizuno, arranged by Ryo Eguchi, and sung by Ikimonogakari. The ending theme, "Arigato," was written and composed by Junzo Ishida, arranged by Daichi Suzuki, and sung by SunSet Swish. These songs have beautiful melodies and lyrics that symbolize Ren Mitsuhashi's youth and failures, and they touch the hearts of viewers deeply.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Big Windup! Special Edition" is a moving work that depicts the brilliance and frustration of youth. Mitsuhashi Ren's past and present conflicts are portrayed realistically, and his growth and the bonds with his teammates are explored in depth. The powerful acting and production by the cast and staff allow the audience to share Mitsuhashi's pain and joy. This work is recommended not only for baseball fans, but for everyone who loves stories of youth. It is a must-see, especially for those looking for a work that depicts the pain and growth of youth.

In addition, "Big Windup! Special Edition" delves deeper into the worldview of the original work, making it an important episode for understanding the entire series. By watching it together with the other works in the series, you will be able to feel Mitsuhashi Ren's growth and passion for baseball more deeply. Furthermore, the opening and ending songs are also wonderful, helping to deepen the afterglow after watching.

This special edition is a moving work that depicts the brilliance and frustration of youth, and is recommended not only for baseball fans, but for everyone who loves youth stories. I hope that you will feel the growth of Mitsuhashi Ren and the bond with his teammates through this work.