Genres: Drama, Historical, Sports

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When baseball first took hold in Japan, the automobile had yet to transform the streets and byways of the country. While few teams existed in it’s entirely, two girls in 1925 decided they wanted to play with the boys; to start the first girl’s team. These two friends: Akiko Ogasawara and Koume Suzukawa set about recruiting a team of nine girls to that they can begin.

Koume is driven by her desire to help her friend, while Akiko attempts to shield her reason for it, only initially letting on that their first opponents will be a boy’s team. Later in the episode she admits to a young baseball player telling her that women belong in the home, and that even an education is above them. With the addition of their new coach, a teacher named Anna Garland, set out to fill their team.

A widely assorted cast of girls from the school eventually come around to the requests of the two girls and the team of 9 is filled. Their last challenge, however, is to overcome the social stigma (along with their parents and school) that girls trying to play the “game that boys play” will soon receive.

This series is rather cute, and uses language that fits the time period (Taisho period)… but otherwise falls short of being a series I would recommend. It’s not bad; it’s just not in my need-to-see list. Check out a clip after the jump.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Here is the first 1/3 of episode 1 via YouTube (sorry no subtitles):