I'm an MLB fan and I find this anime a good reflection of Japanese baseball compared to Major. It's more realistic to see an Eijun than Goro in the MLB.
Anyway, as I watch the anime in progress, I appreciate how the role of other players are shown. In MLB or baseball in general, pitchers wont be able to do many feats without the support of his fielders. Take for example Yadi Molina (StL) and
...
I'm an MLB fan and I find this anime a good reflection of Japanese baseball compared to Major. It's more realistic to see an Eijun than Goro in the MLB.
Anyway, as I watch the anime in progress, I appreciate how the role of other players are shown. In MLB or baseball in general, pitchers wont be able to do many feats without the support of his fielders. Take for example Yadi Molina (StL) and Buster Posey (SF), the success of their pitchers are based on their game calls and pitch out plays. Miyuki Kazuya sure does a good job drawing out all the pitchers' potentials while on the mound. The superb plays of the seniors in Seidoh is a classic example of paid off hard work. All players entering MLB are outstanding players in the minors yet they had to go through secondary priority, lots of training, losses, injuries and boos before earning their rightful places as starting member. MC Eijun Sawamura had to go through a lot before earning his place and it takes time, especially that he has a formidable rival within his team. Of course, I would understand coach kataoka not making him as starter because his role doesn't fit him currently. Mariano Rivera is one one of Yankees all time best pitchers, not as a starter but a closer.
With over 50 episodes and over 390 chapters, it may seem that the mangaka is making Eijun suffer so much. I'm not sure about the author's intention but I would be very surprised if he becomes the ace given the fact that he's still polishing his skills and there are Furuya and Kawakami who can pitch like him. The take for example Adam wainwright, during his minors, he was always the starter. When he stepped up in the big leagues, he had to go through being reliever, closer then eventually the ace. It took him at least 7 years before he Became the Ace of Cardinals. Of course, HS baseball is much shorter, but given only five months in the entire timeline of the manga, it is but proper that Eijun has his current order as mid reliever. If he were real, he needs another six full months to master his signature pitches. Well, their former ace Tanba took three years and two potential pitchers to compete before he finally understand what is meant to be an ace.
BUT HE IS THE MAIN CHARACTER! Yeah obviously, but I don't want to watch another Goro Shigeno in a different anime. We're done with the "only pitcher in team" story-line. Hey, I love Major and have watched it until the end. Let's be patient with Eijun and try to study how baseball really works, you will appreciate DnA more than ever.
Here's more to appreciate in this series:
Baseball terms and plays both offensive and defensive, it's worth researching.
Individual stories of supporting characters
Collective skills and talents properly sorted to players not only of Seidoh but also of their opponents.
The feels of each team's struggles to win.
OSTs
Individual talents such as Miyuki Kazuya, Mei Narumiya, Yuki Tetsuya, Kominato Haruichi, and many more.
Hey, DnA is also promoting Mizuno brand.
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