I follow the “Japan Earthquakes” Twitter account, and I’m a bit upset I didn’t get a tweet before that episode.
There were a couple of major bombshells (no pun intended) dropped in this week’s episode of Major 2nd (and these qualify fully as bombshells, especially the second). One of them I predicted, but one of them caught me completely off guard. As I noted last week I had a suspicion about who the Tsujidou head coach would be, and that turned out to be correct. He was indeed the prospective head coach of Fuurin who bailed on them, as last week’s episode hinted – and he certainly seems to have walked into a more immediately attractive situation. As to the other thing, I certainly didn’t see that coming.
As it turns out, the Tsujidou coach is Mario’s father. There’s another Kunitomo on the squad as well, Mario’s smaller big brother (it would be great if his name is Luigi). Father and son have something of the same manner. Mario is quite apologetic to Daigo about the way Yoneyama (the assistant coach) has treated the Fuurin team, and when Coach Kunitomo arrives he’s very polite as well. Politeness and arrogance are not mutually exclusive, and I suspect coach and pitcher have both, but the father doesn’t give us any immediate reason to dislike him.
As it happens Kunitomo has ordered Yoneyama to turn over the field, as the A-team has finished their game early (slaughter rule no doubt). He’s prepared to cede defeat but not to accede to the prior agreement for a rematch if Fuurin won, and he orders the boy keeping score to falsify the box score to not look so pathetic. When the big boys arrive the head coach immediately apologizes and orders his A players to take over, which means Fuurin at least gets a game. But the impact of the new blood (at least one additional foreigner among them) is explosive to say the least, and Sakura is immediately roughed up both physically and mentally.
It’s Akira who has the most personally at stake here, of course. It was Kunitomo-san who screwed him over – and indeed, screwed the whole Fuurin baseball program, but Akira got the worst of it. He’s keen to take over on the mound but Sakura is keen to try and least gut out the inning. The problem is, Tsujidou’s hitters are simply too good for her stuff. And this is symptomatic of a larger issue that Mitsuda is going to have to face head-on sooner or later or risk losing all verisimilitude with Major 2nd – at the highest level, a team made up mostly of girls simply cannot compete on even terms in junior high school baseball. It’s really only Sawa who can (as Kunitomo himself notes).
Akira manages to get out of the inning, thanks to a great catch by Chiyo (who’s earlier misplay led to the six runs that scored). And then Mario begins to display what are apparently very familiar patterns on the mound – overthrowing, ignoring his catcher, generally getting too worked up. He is a first year after all, and his father seems content to let him twist in the wind, hoping he’ll learn from it. Eventually the bases are loaded and Sawa just misses a home run – though Fuurin loses a run when Chiyo forgets how to tag up. Kunitomo doesn’t send for a relief pitcher though, but a relief catcher – Sakaguchi, who’s inputting game data in the computer lab.
When did I know? Well, as soon as I heard the voice, certainly, but I seem to think I suspected as soon as we saw the boy at the PC from the back. Names can change, after all, especially when a child is in the custody of the mother after a divorce. Having Hikaru back is a huge shakeup for Major 2nd, of course. But this was not a happy reunion, even in the context of happening in the middle of a game. Something felt off, right from the start, and that feeling only got worse after Hikaru and Daigo started talking.
What exactly is the deal here, I wonder? Hikaru not saying he was back in the area (and had been for a year) comes off as pretty rude to Daigo, frankly. But the way Hikaru says he can no longer pitch “because of that injury” fills one with foreboding. Despite his words at the time of their previous meeting, does Hikaru now blame Daigo for what happened? That would really suck, honestly – especially since while it was an accident and not really anyone’s fault, in baseball terms it was- well, Hikaru’s fault. I’ve come to feel so proud of Daigo for the way he’s grown up, and even though it would be character development, it would hurt a lot to see him regress because of a cruel emotional blow like that.
leongsh
October 24, 2020 at 11:35 pmWas keeping quiet about the two bombshells. One which you predicted, the other.. mwhahaha. I find Hikaru guilty tripping Daigo is a bit malicious. and also playing mind games. As you wrote, it came in the course of the match and really it was more Hikaru’s fault since the ball is closer to the catcher Daigo to make the catch.
This episode essentially confirms Tsujidou as the team that Fuurin has to beat in the larger scheme of the story. It’s an uphill climb for Fuurin team with no coach, a barebones team that nearly couldn’t field a team for the practice match, a team of mostly girls who would get outgunned in power, etc. They are need to catch a break.
With the pace the show is covering/adapting the manga chapters, the season end will be… interesting.
Anchen
October 25, 2020 at 12:48 amWell this episode, especially the reveal at the end was pretty big. It’s interesting that if just read matter of fact-like, what Hikaru said doesn’t seem bad, he compliments Daigo’s swing, and seems friendly enough to start. In many ways you could say it is similar to the coach and Mario, polite, but there’s underlyings of something else going on. With the way the music and then the way they panned up to his face but hiding his eyes when he says he can’t pitch because of that injury frame the scene much more ominously. It was a nice bit of directing.
The fact that he has been hiding out here in the region but not contacting anyone is sorta telling that he is gonna be an antagonist and has some issues with Daigo. I wonder if Toshiya has any influence on this? Given that he switched his last name, presumably to his Mother’s, I am guessing this is maybe mostly her doing? Unless Hikaru is mad at both his Dad and Daigo as kinda a pair. He didn’t give up on baseball though so I wonder.
Lastly, and this is just a sorta thought I’ve had going this whole season, and really doesn’t have anything to do with this episode, but really, when did Mutsuko become such a poor hitter. I don’t think she’s had a single clean hit this entire season. i remember her being an above average hitter on the Dolphins (Michiru even compliments her swing in episode 20), and admittingly little league and middle school are pretty different, but it just seems like she is basically the worst hitter on the team. Even Chiyo seemed got a hit in her first AB and maybe is actually pretty talented, Kandori at least has her niche, and with Tanba gone, I’m not sure if there is actually anyone worse currently.
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2020 at 8:47 amIf Toshiya had any influence, I would think he would be telling Hikaru it wasn’t Daigo’s fault. He knows Daigo is a good boy, first of all. He was also a catcher and understands that was the catcher’s play to make. It’s also notable that unable to pitch Hikaru has switched to his father’s position, suggesting there’s still a relationship between them.
As for Mutsuko, I honestly think it all comes back to what’s kind of the central dilemma of Major 2nd. As a girl who’s not an exceptional talent (like Sawa), it would get increasingly harder for her as she progresses through middle school playing against the guys. That applies to her pitching obviously, but to her hitting as well.
Anchen
October 25, 2020 at 9:21 amYeah I get that it was gonna get harder for her but I guess I kinda thought she had more talent. Like on the Dolphins despite having almost no experience, she was probably at the least their 5th best player, behind Andy, Urabe, Daigo, and Hikaru, but most likely a solidly above average player for little league. And on a team full of girls, I guess I just find it weird that she is just that far down the totem pole that she hasn’t gotten a single clean hit. I’m hoping unlike Tanba she gets at least a decent moment as a batter, because thus far she has looked hopeless. Her “glory”/guts moment against Michiru was hitting a routine grounder to 3rd base and getting on via error. I guess that’s better than Tanba’s weird intentional walk but still…
I guess maybe that just says how much better Yokohama Little was? Since most of the other girls came from there and all seemed to be better than her except Kandori. I guess could also argue that all the effort she has put in trying to become a competent pitcher may have cost her as a batter? I dunno. I just quite like her as a character so was a bit sad for how things have gone for her as a player.
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2020 at 9:46 amDolphins was basically an average little league team, and Sakura was an average player on that roster. And at 11-12 it’s a lot more of a level playing field for girls physically than 13-15.
Anchen
October 25, 2020 at 10:10 amYeah I get that. I guess I’m just basically saying, I’m more disappointed in her relative level on the team that is almost all girls, that she is clearly below Sawa (everyone on the team is) but also well below Chisato, Anita, and Tao as hitters, and just as hopeless as Kandori against righties without having her niche against lefties. Even Chiyo has gotten a hit and a walk already in this game alone. Maybe Yokohama Little was just that good I guess. It seemed like Nishina and his friends were impressed when he heard that Sawa/Tao were from Little, so I guess in the current time they are not just a strong little league team but a true powerhouse.
Rio
October 25, 2020 at 2:09 amI’m surprised everyone is ignoring the obvious change in Hikaru’s appearance. Now that he lost his Satou name, he looks almost exactly like Toshi. He dyed his hair and lost his glasses. He became a catcher. He seemingly moved to Kanagawa? Seems Tsujidou to me is a dorm type of club. To me , that almost feels like a coping mechanism. His voice sounds a little melancholy, too. I suspected that Hikaru’s mother probably blamed Toshi for what happened and forbid them to meet, not to mention changed his name. Toshi was a little irresponsible, after sponsoring a 12-year old trips from Gunma to Kanagawa and not being there at the time of an accident……
Add to that and he seems he can’t pitch anymore? He probably suffered during his rehab. Probably, when he forgave him, he thought it wasn’t a serious injury. It’s natural for a kid to not think logically when he’s hurt so I do believe, he kinda blames Daigo after he started to truly love baseball. All that and add his mommy/daddy issues. I just hope he’s lying and he can pitch again. He’s too good of a pitcher…
I agree that coach Kunitomo doesn’t strike me as a bad person. I’m glad it wasn’t because of money that he didn’t go to Fuurin. Mario’s brother is there in that school so it’s probably family related. It’s natural for a kid like Nishina to feel betrayed though lol.
Overall, I like Tsujido as a team. A lot is going on for them from designs to characterization. I wonder what kind of pitcher is their Ace though. Not to mention, they are not as condescending as Kaido it seems (aside from the B tesm coach). Just a bunch of rowdy middle schoolers and gas the talent to show for it.
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2020 at 8:50 amYeah, I actually kind of like Tsujidou and Kunitomo, and I hope they don’t get cast as abject villains. But they’re certainly going to be Daigo’s white whale at the very least.
In Toshiya’s defense, this is a country where 1st-graders take the train to school themselves (in central Tokyo, even) and 2nd-graders are considered mature enough that they’re expected to watch out for them. A 6th-grader traveling by himself to play baseball, even long distance, isn’t remotely unusual.
elianthos80
October 25, 2020 at 7:36 am(HIK)AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH(R)UUUUUUUHHHHH
*ahem*
He’s baaaaaack T_T :,> but he’s now in the ominously purple team (#symbolism). It figures. 1) Sonnnnnn you sound hurt. This is giving me from stepford smiling trickster to nasty stepford smiler event horizon vibes. As in: effect –> 2) Daigo is gonna spiral because that’s some guilt tripping stiletto you slid. Softly. Between the ribs on the left. SOMEONE SAVE MY OTHER SON PLS. 1-2b) where the F is Toshiya. I need EXPLANATIONS here Daddy Boy – good lord this family. I can’t. – and some karmic compensation in the guise of coaching your son’s rival team friend please and thank you. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
– Ayyy Mutsuko :,>.
– Chiyo-nee might not wash her hand for a week now :°D
Emotional rant above notwithstanding, a bit of trivia that might entertain and that I only fully realized this week even it was just under my nose
– Anita is named after Giuseppe Garibaldi’s wife… like my grandma. Anita Garibaldi, much like his hubby, was a freedom guerrilla fighter both in South America and in Italy during our Independence Civil wars in the XIX century. In hindsight a pretty fitting name for our hafu blondie :D.
—
Waiting for next week is suffering however it goes. T_T
*howling*
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2020 at 8:51 amHow do you know she was named after Anita Garabaldi?
Elia Notari
October 25, 2020 at 9:24 amThere aren’t many Anita around, also the mangaka himself admitted that if I’m not wrong
elianthos80
October 25, 2020 at 9:52 amin short it’s a heritage thing. She’s one of Brazil’s national heroic figures (and as a girl’s name it was still rather popular in my grandma’s generation as she’s part of both Brazil and of our country’s history :> ) so even if the mangaka didn’t look her up it’s a significant name to give to a baby especially if you have South American or Italian roots because of her.
Ki
October 25, 2020 at 12:39 pmI have faith that however this plays out will be good, but it will honestly hurt my heart if there’s bad blood between Hikaru and Daigo moving forward. I’m hoping the name change is indicative of Hikaru’s sensitivity to his mother’s feelings and not bitterness towards Toshiya and Daigo on Hikaru’s part. I’d hate to see such a cheery kid become bitter, not to mention what it’d do to Daigo. Still… a lot of things just did not bode well.