Kurosu gêmu

First off I haven't done many reviews at all. In fact this review want even be a review when it is all said and done. I am not going to review the fact that this anime has a truly wonderful soul/plot. I am not going to talk about how the characters are all awesome from the main characters to the comic relief characters. I am not going to throw accolades at how incredible the growth of each character is. Not going to tell you about how some the dramatic songs are now ring tones on my phone.

No i am not going to review Cross Games, what I am going to do is offer a testimony. There are very few movies, shows, songs, or any other form of entertainment that impacts me. Of course documentaries on the horror of what humanity can be and of the joys that we capable of, "Girl U for me" by Silk since this was the first song I ever slowed dance to with a love that she will be forever lost to me, Final Fantasy 7 since well it is final fantasy 7... Point is this the list is not abundantly filled with media. And the things that manage to make earn a spot on the list are truly special.

This anime sat on my to watch list for years and when I started to watch it I devoured all 50 episodes in 24 hours. I stopped my life literally. I didn't' want to cook because that was the time i could of been watching episodes. Thank goodness for Papa Johns and Chinese food delivery. I did the pee-pee dance till i reached the obligated have to go third time and proceeded to run to the bathroom then. I took 10 min military style showers as if water was being rationed out. My heart was invested in this. I fought emotions through out this film like a prize fighter. One minute I had my opponent on the ropes ready for that joy, that sense of exuberance of the championship belt to be placed around. Then I would be knocked down to the mat trying to stand before the count of ten and i will tell you I have been TKO to this anime as far as the many emotions that it can touch in you. All the while you are taking the cheap way out by just saying it is some cartoon to yourself in order to prop yourself up more because i promise you it is hard to make it off the mat before the count of Ten. I was saved by the bell many times (pause button).

I want to thank the author Adachi Mitsuru for this wonderful story. I will not ever look at the time spent watching this a waste of my time. I believe, no I know that this show some where in my soul, being, or heart has augmented something and has made me better for watching it. I implore you to watch it and laugh. Watch it and you will be entertained. Watch it and cheer. Watch it and get off the mat. Watch it and change.

I want to marry Wakaba. Okay I guess that won't work because I am already happily married and she is an anime character in fifth grade, but other than that the writers and animators do an amazing job of establishing Wakaba's character in such a way that is is clear that any guy would be pretty much putty in her hands.

With that said this anime explores a lot of questions with perhaps the key question being - what impact can a 5th grade girl have on the lives of her friends and family? Well if you invest the time to watch this series you will find out she can have an influence far beyond her years.

This is a charming, well-written series that has great characters, a strong plot and if you are so inclined gives you an opportunity to think about and discuss the dynamics of friendship,family and romance.

While liking baseball will be a plus in how much you enjoy this drama, even if baseball is not your thing you will still enjoy this series.

Because of a main plot development this might be a little intense for younger viewers, especially the first few episodes, but after that this is a family friendly drama that can can enjoyed by the whole family. (I think upper elementary and above would be fine.)

While this series is pretty much ecchi free, male characters do exhibit a normal, healthy, and non-exaggerated interest in the female form, but I would argue that the way it is done is tasteful and if it was not there would actually detract a bit from the story. (this aspect is a very small part of the series and I only mention it to point out that it is appropriately done and makes the characters more real.)

There are positive portrayals of both male and female characters and in particular "Cross Game" ends up giving a strong plug to the value of girls being involved in sports.

On a negative note, the stereotype of adult males only being able to have fun by drinking to excess and making fools of themselves is used in this story as a form of comic relief. This is a still pretty minor and should not stop you from enjoying the story.

At the first I didn't like to watch because of the characters appearance. It seems like both the leading character's look alike.(like brother and sister). But when I'm in it , it doesn't bug me much.. I just felt my self attracted to their way of hardworking and Thier goal even at tough situations. I'll really recommend you to watch this.. Even though there are few Anime series where the ending wouldn't be satisfied. But this is kinda different and I promise you will enjoy this.

I will have to say that even if it feels like a romance anime and it is the sports take a major part but the tension of romance is always there the story has many twists from the beginning of the anime the story is properly developed and has taken a proper time to blossom you might feel some mixed feelings I personally felt the ending was a little rushed but the story will hook you up all the time don't expect any particular genre from this anime and it is quit good it has many elements like family bond, relationship, etc and every character has his own POV but at the end the it is really a good story the ending is little fast you might not get to enjoy it fully.