Big Windup: Part One (Episodes 1-13)

Plays fine on my Xbox series x

My son loves it

Was recommended the series. It's what you'd expected from a baseball anime.

this show seems like it was as much about if not more about the mental aspects of the game and not watching a group of teens play ball. I actually liked all the psycological aspects they talked about that are inthe game. But the pithcher on the time is so wimpy and shy that it took away alot the fun of the show. Also alot of the charecters looked very simular from one team to the next. To me it was a good one time veiwing show.

I hadn't watched an anime in a while and this popped up on netflix so I decided to check the first disc out. Although Ren's character is way over the top with the self esteem issues, he was a lovable character especially as he is being brought around by his catcher Abe. Though not entirely "healed" by Abe, Ren also is helped out by the rest of his team and his woman coach Momoe. If any of you guys have a thing for women athletes then Momoe is for you. Only a few years outa school, she lends really the only eye candy in the series. But don't let the body fool you she can coach and the boys fall in line quick! The first disc was great as the team learns to play and get to know each other (ep 1-3) and play a practice game against Ren's old team (ep 3-7). The strategy and inner thoughts spoken was really what made the game great and intriguing. I then bought the collection and watched the next disc and though it wasn't bad it didn't move as well. It ended up being what I call "building" episodes, not much action, not even a game played, it was more backround on home life and groundwork for future episodes, but it did end good enough leading into what is obviously the meat of the show: The High School Summer Tournament. I am happy the concluding box set is only a month released from the first so I will wait patiently. In conclusion, this show has heart along with just enough comedy and meanness that I was transported back to my childhood playing sports with my friends. This may be considered a guy show but ladies my wife liked it and like a reviewer previously said, its more about the characters than the game, but don't worry fellas these guys do play to win!

good

I looked into this series hoping to find a decent Sports Anime to add to my collection. I liked Fighting Spirit and Eyeshield 21, but decided I wanted to look into something completely new. So, I caught a few episodes of Big Windup streaming on Funimation's website, and liked it well enough to add it to my collection.Now I own it, and even though the first half of this DVD set was enough to win me over, the second half made me fall in love with the series.Firstly, Big Windup is a Seinen Series, based on a manga aimed at older teens and young adults for the more intelligent consumer. Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, and Mushishi were all seinen series. If you're looking for the "Heart of the Bat," "Zen Baseball," or "Anything Goes Baseball Marshall Arts" you bought the wrong DVD. What I'm trying to say is that it's a methodical view of the game and it's players focusing on the tension between the pitcher, the batter, and the catcher, not just about hitting homeruns. In between games, the players do what real players do: practice.What initially drew me to Big Windup is the low-key characters and character designs. If you ever seen Eyeshield 21, or other Shonen series, they have characters that are 8ft tall, look like Koalas, and explode at the drop of a hat. The players of Nishiura High look like ordinary highschool students. Because they lack the bombastic qualities of Shonen characters, the cast doesn't leave a strong impression at first. I only know half the characters names at this point. But, the series makes me WANT to know the rest of the players on the team. It's that good.Yes, this series can be called "a little gay." But, nowadays, any type male bonding is instantly labeled "GAAAAY!!!" So, if that stuff weirds you out, then I guess this series ain't for you. It never gets worse than hand-holding and crying in episode three, though, so decide for yourself if you can handle that.I love this series, and I'll review the second half as soon as I'm done watching it. Yeah, I already own it.EDIT: Okay, one this has come to light that I should mention. I'm not a stickler for voice acting, I'm happy to get anything in english, but I was watching Oofuri in japanese and there was some voices worth noting. Mr. Shiga has a very different Japanese voice, but the english VA still seems to have that "teacher" quality. Secondly, in my opinion, Abe sounds better in English than Japanese. Yuichi Nakamura sounds way too old compared to the other teenagers, while Greg Ayres sounds more natural. Finally, but most damning, Mihashi, the main character, sounds WAY better in Japanese than English. Mihashi has one of those voices that's hard to cast, it's my experience. In the original Japanese, Mihashi's voice could be described as "not manly." But the English VA plays it as "wimpy." And a wimpy Mihashi is very annoying.Still, it doesn't change my opinion of this show, and I still firmly believe this series deserves a perfect score.If I had to dock it for anything, I'm sorely disappointed in the lack of extras. There's no commentaries or bloopers. Just the clean opening and ending, plus trailers. Kind of a let down.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this anime. I'm so completely and desperately in love with each of the characters - of course, particularly Mihashi & Abe-kun. Deliciously suspenseful, packed with action, and yet not lacking the sentimentals - I can watch the episodes over and over and over again. In fact, I HAVE watched the episodes so repeatedly that I've decided to buy the DVD set, lol. There are only 26 episodes in total to this anime series, split into 2 DVD sets. I'm extremely disappointed in the shortness of the series, but hope [with all of my being] that with enough fans and supporters, they will make a second season!! I STRONGLY recommend the Japanese audio/English subs, as the voice acting of the characters is crucial to their distinctive qualities.From the mass of anime titles available, I definitely think that Big Windup (or 'Ookiku Furikabutte') is one worth owning. Though an underrated series, not as well known as my other favorite animes (e.g. Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, FMA, Ouran HS Host Club..), it is just as addicting and wonderfully satisfying to watch!! In addition to the great story and inspiring character interactions, the artwork is actually extremely good and wonderfully pleasing to the eyes - an attribute that is often overlooked in anime these days.