A demoted pitcher's humiliation becomes his superpower. The curveball that changed anime sports forever.
Hyuma joined the glorious giant army. However, while he was happy, he revealed his fatal weakness, the lightness of the ball, and was demoted to the second army. In his humiliating farm life, he finally completes the changing ball "Big League Ball No. 1". And whereabouts of the confrontation with his fateful rival, Mitsuru Hanagata, Toyosaku Samon ...
Direction
Nagahama's kinetic baseball action still feels visceral
Writing
Sports psychology before sports psychology existed
Director
Tadao Nagahama
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Star of the Giants defined the 'sports anime' template: the tragic backstory, the impossible technique, the tears. Every Haikyuu and Kuroko owes it rent.
The 'Big League Ball' pitch was based on actual illegal spitball techniques—Japan's censors let it slide because it's animated suffering, not real cheating.
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