The Pacific League pennant race continues to be fiercely contested. However, due to Tabuchi's continued poor performance, the Lions are on a losing streak. With Yasuda showing up at the stadium with his resume and Nomura suddenly becoming more energetic after being inspired by Dokaben's words, Tabuchi's presence is becoming less and less noticeable. Desperate, Manager Nemoto and Owner Tsumori try to highlight Tabuchi's charm by organizing "Tabuchi Day," but it ends in a complete failure. Just then, Mrs. Miyoko unexpectedly appears as a cheerleader.
Acting
Toshiyuki Nishida's voice work captures Tabuchi's pathetic desperation perfectly.
Production
Early 80s TMS animation with that distinct chunky character design era.
Writing
The 'Tabuchi Day' disaster sequence is cringe-comedy gold.
Director
Tsutomu Shibayama
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Dokaben was a massively popular 1970s baseball manga, so Nomura's inspiration is basically anime characters reading Marvel comics.
Real-life pitcher Tabuchi pitched until age 42; this film's anxiety about his decline is almost prophetically ironic.
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