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Jun 10, 8:27 AM
#1

Offline
Nov 2011
130588
They saved the big game all the way for the second before last episode. Kinda makes sense to get fans excited lol. Motor Sun's first game with huge stakes on the line against another team with similar win record. Exciting.

Hell of a game, maybe not on same level as a World Series but still the biggest game of the season for Motor Sun.
Jun 10, 8:50 AM
#2

Offline
Feb 2019
11495
Man this was such an emotional roller coaster of an episode. I think pound for pound this has been the most surprising show of the season. I expected this to be your usual self insert Japanese office worker meets hot girl and romance ensues slop, but it’s so much more than that. It’s more of a story about the impact of sports on entire communities. Seeing all these people from different walks of life coming together to support the motorsons today was incredible. They might not have made the playoffs, but this community has forever been changed.

I really didn’t expect them to have our guys lose. Seemed like it was set up for a fairy tale ending for Kojiro, but you know, that’s life. Shit doesn’t always go the way you want it to and sports is a cruel mistress. She can give you the highest of highest and the lowest of lows. This was a culture shifting season for our guys tho. You can really feel the mentality changing in that locker room and now everyone knows this team has what it takes to make it to the next level. One more win is all that separated them this year.

Got chills when Ruriko started the chant to energise the stadium when it seemed like it was all over and done. The fight that the team and fans showed throughout was awesome. Seeing the whole stadium stand and raise their flags for the boys was incredible, really felt like watching a football match irl with the fans and players clapping one another. How can you “lose” when you have a support system like that behind you? The motorsons will be back. I believe in em.

One more episode next week :/
Marinate1016Jun 10, 1:06 PM
Jun 10, 10:09 AM
#3

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Mar 2021
2817
Such an intense game it's a shame the Motor sun's ended up losing the game. Really nice seeing Ruriko cheering the team on and motivating them.
Jun 10, 10:27 AM
#4
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Jul 2018
561912
Today is the decisive match for all of us! It’s the second-to-last episode! I feel like I’m going to cry! Ugh, I loved this anime with all my heart! I can’t imagine that next week I’ll have to say goodbye… I think this is the first anime in my life that I’ve stuck with for every episode at the exact release time! (When the Arabic subs dropped)

Roriko’s motivational speech was better than Erwin’s from *Attack on Titan*!!! Long live Roooooriko! Long live the beer seller! (Obviously a joke, since I haven’t even watched *Attack on Titan*.) Roriko was the undisputed queen of the episode—but sadly, they didn’t win!

Motor-sans was never the team that claimed victories since the beginning of the anime! But they were the team that made us fall in love with baseball—even though I know nothing about baseball! I literally got hyped during Kojirou’s final hit, but our team Motor-sans didn’t succeed!

One episode left! See you all next week in the comments for episode 12! I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey so far!
Jun 10, 10:38 AM
#5

Offline
Nov 2023
450
- Man, that was close! Unfortunate, but it's not over!
- Yeah, we just need to do better next time!
- The players fought hard until the end. We also need not to lose our faith!"
- It's all about next time!
- Yeah, it's true that our team loses a lot. But no matter how messy or bad we look, we're still fighting to get to the playoffs. Nobody has given up.
I personally think that's wonderful.
Jun 10, 11:01 AM
#6

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Jul 2024
1410
Welp, that was a game.
Lord Cruelty V
"But my Dreams they're not as empty, as my conscience seems to be"
Jun 10, 11:41 AM
#7

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Dec 2022
512
The action intensifies as the Motorsuns make their bid for the Climax Series against their rivals, the Styx. A lot of Side Character Shuffle in this episode, as is typical of Slice of Life finales. Ruriko sure has a lot of regulars.

The ball game itself was nicely done. It felt like you couldn't point at any one specific reason why the team lost, just a lot of little things going wrong from play to play. It's worth noting that throughout this whole season, various characters have alluded to the Motorsuns being thought of as this trash team with weak prospects, so really a fourth-place finish is phenomenal for them. My props have to go to the two old dudes who have been with the team thick and thin all these years. No room for bandwagoners.

Next week, the final episode. I made some great picks for this season, and Ballpark is definitely one of them.
MALoween 2024 Candy: ///
Jun 10, 12:06 PM
#8
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Aug 2020
621
Wow that was one hell of episode. Even tho they lost which i love better cuz its more realistic i loved ruriko she is mvp everytime. Damn this show i may be hype most in week, cuz i never know whats goinf to happen. Ruriko x murata 😘
Jun 10, 12:15 PM
#9
Offline
Sep 2015
8259
This episode is a big statement that this anime can be very serious if it want to, but no matter how intense the match is, it never forget that human is the center of the sports event.

PS: At risk of betraying Motor Sun, but Araiba Shin from Styx is very hot!
Jun 10, 12:39 PM

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Jul 2024
1101
Not exactly what I would have expected, but once again they depict what it's like at the ballpark magnificiently. Go get 'em next year, MotorSuns!!
Jun 10, 1:25 PM
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Nov 2018
1715
This series is so full of emotions. I can't think of a bad episode where I cringe or got bored of watching.
Jun 10, 1:47 PM

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Jul 2024
907
DAMN! What a great episode! It feels exactly like we are currently in our country, hoping to go to the World Cup.



What we were expecting from Kojiro



Ruriko can be a manager, haha!



Quick edit: Can we agree that we're all now fans of the Chiba Motorsuns?
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Jun 10, 2:46 PM

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Jul 2017
16646
The Climax Series' Clincher game for the Chiba MotorSuns in securing 3rd place...that is, if they manage to win against the Fukuoka Styx and make it to the playoffs for the very first time. And everyone is all hyped, except for a girl who's as plain as she looks as she looks to assist with instrumentals for the pivotal game.

It's a full house to see the exciting 3rd place match, but it feels as if the MotorSuns took one step forward and two steps back with their approach as always, and they're not making any mistakes this time to ensure their spot, which looks to be the case here. And with one shout from Ruriko after seeing their advantage slipping from their hands, the crowd give it their all for the cheering for the MotorSuns not to give up, only to feel depressed when key players leave the pitch, which ultimately shed their hands off for what could be their potential postseason playoff.

Still, if anything, the camaraderie in the ballpark, is the strongest it has ever been, uniting both fans and players together.
Try again next season! The crowd will have your back, MotorSuns!
Jun 10, 3:33 PM
Deadhead

Offline
Dec 2018
5209
It really feels like the entire show was building up to this episode, everyone we met at the ballpark, all the relationships, and what it’s like being a fan of the MotorSuns, it all came to a head right here, it’s just a shame they lost lol, but I had a feeling that might happen. While it would have felt good to see them win after every fan came together to support them, the loss is the more realistic answer, your team doesn’t always win when it feels like the time is right, I’m not even a sports fan but seeing my family watch American Football or Basketball has shown me that, and even I have gotten kinda invested lol.

But man it really was something to see the stadium come alive for these guys, I especially liked the moments focusing on Mitsui’s girl Kisa and the middle school girl from the rain episode, and of course I can’t forget Ruriko fighting for Mitsui which rallied the whole stadium behind him, I can nitpick and ask how she spoke loud enough for everyone to hear her but the moment was so good that I can’t complain lol. The Styx may have won the game, but the MotorSuns have some golden fans behind them, they turned a sad ending into a heartwarming one, it honestly had a final episode feel but I’m glad there’s at least one more, I’m not ready for this one to end.

And one last thing, did those old guys say “Chiba Purple Haze”? Add it to the list of music references in this show lol.
Jun 10, 4:45 PM

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Jun 2019
7781
I wasn't surprised at all that they ended up turning out a loss in the end, but I was a little surprised that the series, for the sake of building suspense and stakes, didn't drag out a part of the game and the reveal of the final result and outcome until the next and last episode, the season finale. But especially because next episode is the season/series finale, I'm relieved that they didn't do so as it would be nice and preferable for that to just exist as a cooling and calming down episode basking in the downtime of the aftermath of this one, which was more tense than usual.
Jun 10, 4:51 PM

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Jun 2024
901
What a disappointing end to their season, they tried so hard and were so close to making it.
The support from the fans was a great scene to end this episode with.
I have enjoyed this anime from ep1 and I am looking forward to the final episode.
Jun 10, 5:19 PM
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Jul 2024
4781
Of course we got the Japanese version of the Mighty Casey At Bat. ROFLMAO. It still got my hopes up to das them at the end! How many college ball games did I sit through? LOL
Jun 10, 5:39 PM
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Nov 2022
4
Is this real? I'll give this episode a very poor rating for not getting the Motor Suns into the playoffs.😒
Jun 10, 6:27 PM
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Jan 2017
509
That was a bit disappointing. Got me all invested in this team and then, all over in an instant. Next year for sure.
Jun 10, 6:30 PM

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Jul 2022
1472
I didn’t see this coming. It’s a shame that the Motorsuns didn’t win and won’t make it to the playoffs. Still, I feel like Mitsui and Shishio were partly to blame—Mitsui was distracted, and Shishio played despite knowing he was injured. But that’s just how the game goes.

Like Ruriko, I don’t really understand baseball rules, but it was impossible not to get excited watching them give it their all.

It feels unfair that, after all their efforts, they won’t qualify—and with only one episode left, things are getting tense. I’m especially curious whether Mitsui will propose to his girlfriend, even though he promised he’d do it only if they won. And what’s going to happen with Ruriko and Murata?

One thing’s for sure—the Motorsuns have the best fans and the most iconic mascot.
Jun 10, 6:34 PM
Offline
Oct 2018
215
One of the things I like about anime is that you don’t always get the “Disney ending”. Sometimes you do, but quite often you don’t. And since a SOL show is supposed to reflect real life, that means things don’t always go the way you want.

But even though they lost the game, they became a stronger team, and a whole bunch of other people in the stadium had their lives changed too, maybe just a little.

What will the final episode be about?

Jun 10, 6:53 PM

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Jul 2024
835
It was all very Motorsuns for them to give everything and just come up short in the end. We still love them though.
Next year is definitely going to be our year!
Jun 10, 7:06 PM
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Jan 2019
27
This is the reason why I'm intrigued when the series premiered, very well entertaining and funny. Not only a fan of Anime but a loyal sports fan. This is no doubt, the best damn Anime sports series I have ever came across. In a big game, win or lose, you will have fans supporting them no matter instead of ripping them. Although I'm not a baseball guy but this series knocked it out of the park. I'm so looking forward to the final episode next week and who knows, I hope they might get a second season or not.
Jun 10, 8:22 PM
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Mar 2015
14436
The Motosuns lost but the fans still supported them
Jun 10, 8:44 PM

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May 2016
1545
They should've called an error on Shishio; Mitsui would've still taken the L, but at least he wouldn't think it was soley his fault. I hope he proposes!
"Genki is Life, Genki is Love"
Jun 10, 10:57 PM

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May 2019
3331
I liked how this episode was dedicated to a clincher high stakes game and how we have been following the MotorSuns throughout their season with all kinds of characters. Even though the animation wasn't the greatest it was still an intense game although they ended up losing but at least the fans were loyal. With one episode remaining and the season over for the MotorSuns I think the finale will end on various characters saying goodbye to each other.
Jun 11, 2:11 AM

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Jan 2024
3516
I don't like when the focused athletes/teams are made to lose where winning makes more sense and better.
But in this case I am kinda ok with it they shown how a mediocre team has overachieved this season and even if they lost they gave a good shot.

And the episode really delivered a as fully dedicating to a do or die game. Except the Ruriko shouting cringe(cringe is cringe how good the intention is) it was very good. Sad for Mitsui though..

One of the best sports anime easily...
Jun 11, 5:49 AM

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Apr 2008
718
Well that was silly. Why would this show think I'm interested in seeing a baseball game?
Jun 11, 6:55 AM

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Nov 2020
598
Why can't they just give them a win !? 😭😭💔
Jun 11, 1:48 PM

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Jan 2018
515
For this weeks episode I'm not as drunk as previous ones because I decided to drink together with grilled chicken wings I cooked today, so I can share more of my thoughs other than Rurkiko = wife. And I'm glad I did because fortunately this week's episode was special. Unfortunately they lost :(

God forbid if if these people were Bri*ish they would've destroyed the stadium, threw obhects to the field, shived random people, and invented new insults, instead of continuing to encourage the team after the lose. Meanwhile Japanese fans are so well behaved they get to have girls serving them beer during games.
Jun 11, 6:46 PM

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Feb 2025
499
second last episode intense ahh game
Jun 13, 5:22 AM
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Mar 2016
142
Bro this episode…

I know how it feels as a Baseball fan when your team’s THIS CLOSE AND I MEAN REALLY CLOSE to getting to the Playoffs by just One run. But the wholesomest thing was the fans cheering for them on their way back.
Jun 13, 8:25 PM
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Dec 2019
919
Go Fukuoka. Its interesting that all the teams kept their basic uniform colors/designs (Fukuoka is literally just wearing SoftBank Hawks colors) but I wonder how they came up with the team names. There's no obvious connection between Styx and Hawks or Marines and Motorsuns.
Jun 13, 11:30 PM

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Jan 2021
174
Only one episode left 😭
Jun 14, 7:24 PM

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Nov 2012
2575
I figured the Motor Suns would lose, but was hoping they wouldn't. I was waiting for the mascot to grab a bat. It was still upsetting when they lost. The ending was nice.
Jun 14, 10:56 PM
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Jun 2019
24
I can deal with the Motorsuns losing, it fits for the show, but they could have at least let Mitsui retire the rest of the inning after Ruriko's encouragement.
Jun 15, 12:06 AM
Offline
Nov 2024
1
Reply to Marinate1016
Man this was such an emotional roller coaster of an episode. I think pound for pound this has been the most surprising show of the season. I expected this to be your usual self insert Japanese office worker meets hot girl and romance ensues slop, but it’s so much more than that. It’s more of a story about the impact of sports on entire communities. Seeing all these people from different walks of life coming together to support the motorsons today was incredible. They might not have made the playoffs, but this community has forever been changed.

I really didn’t expect them to have our guys lose. Seemed like it was set up for a fairy tale ending for Kojiro, but you know, that’s life. Shit doesn’t always go the way you want it to and sports is a cruel mistress. She can give you the highest of highest and the lowest of lows. This was a culture shifting season for our guys tho. You can really feel the mentality changing in that locker room and now everyone knows this team has what it takes to make it to the next level. One more win is all that separated them this year.

Got chills when Ruriko started the chant to energise the stadium when it seemed like it was all over and done. The fight that the team and fans showed throughout was awesome. Seeing the whole stadium stand and raise their flags for the boys was incredible, really felt like watching a football match irl with the fans and players clapping one another. How can you “lose” when you have a support system like that behind you? The motorsons will be back. I believe in em.

One more episode next week :/
@Marinate1016 couldn't agree more with every single word you said.
Jun 17, 10:14 AM
Offline
Jan 2024
11
This was a good episode all the way to the boring, bad and stupid writing-troupe that was used in the end where they lost the match for no reason. It made the whole episode up to that point change from great to borig and was the wrong choice by the author.
Jun 17, 5:50 PM

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May 2021
2142
That was pretty cool when that one batter broke his bat when he hit the baseball. It sucks that the Motor Suns lost their game.
Jun 19, 10:02 PM

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Jan 2019
33
Damn why do all the sports anime I watch love the losing cliche 😭
Jun 21, 8:25 PM
elk sensei

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Oct 2013
8776
You know, I don't mind a loss like that, but in this situation, it was really stupid. It's why sports anime should be avoided
Jun 22, 6:21 PM

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Dec 2022
1549
They lost but fans are still supportive
Jun 24, 9:56 PM
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Dec 2017
324
Apparently the Motor Suns' catcher must be the fastest player in the league, because he managed to first jump up from the squatting position and then run all the way down the first base line PLUS an extra ten-ish feet or so (because the ball was thrown to the left of the base) and caught it while sliding? That means he almost certainly got there at least ten feet ahead of the hitter, which is insane.

What is going to happen in the next episode, since their season is apparently over now?
Jul 5, 7:42 AM

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Jan 2023
112
well as season is coming to end I think it would have been better if this match was in mid of the anime. really wanted to see them win this one
Jul 9, 12:45 AM
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Oct 2024
1151
Amazing game and we got the first EN back!! I wonder how this will end.

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