So, Who’s Watching Cross Game?
The title of best anime of the current season is basically a two-horse race, IMO. And while Eden of the East seems to be reasonably widely recognized, Cross Game has flown under the radar. In a lot of ways it’s a show that hearkens back to an older style of romance, and the thing that really impresses me is the way it seamlessly mixes a compelling romance/drama with an emphasis on the similarities and differences of its main characters with an absorbing shounen plotline. There’s probably nothing new about Cross Game itself, and Adachi fans will probably attest that he’s been writing excellent stories like these for years (I wouldn’t know, for some reason this is my first experience with an Adachi work), but its strength is in its simplicity (and execution). By keeping it simple, and all the characters unambiguous and easy to read, it emanates a down-to-earth quality, which is the complete opposite of the mystery-driven Eden of the East, which is all about intricacies and subtleties, to be interpreted, analyzed and speculated about. So, which one is better? Well, I’m not going to make that call until both shows are finished.
The thing that Cross Game has done really well to this stage is how it’s developed its characters. It forgoes the idea that character development is like a spotlight that transfers from one character to the next over the course of an episode or so. Flashbacks are the instrument of choice, but the character development is about revealing new character traits and defining events little-by-little over time. It’s a bit like Lamune in that the characters and their relationships at the beginning of the story are largely defined by what happened between them in the past, but the exposition of these events isn’t as rigidly structured. We can have a look at a character like Akaishi who, in his first appearance, is portrayed as a brute. It was in his reaction to Wakaba’s death, his silent, tearful prayer, that we see a more sensitive, good-natured side to his character, which makes for a seamless transition to the sympathetic, committed and just character that we see now. The other scene that really defines Akaishi’s character is the one where he describes Wakaba’s final dream to Ko. It portrays a more humble side to his character, but also a loyal side, again more qualities which make him a sympathetic and easy-to-understand character. Again, there’s nothing revolutionary about this approach to character development, but it shows an understanding of what makes a good character.
There’s more complexity to Tsukishima Aoba. There’s been a bit of debate about whether one can categorize her as a tsundere character, and a lot of her stronger proponents argue that such a tag oversimplifies her, but I disagree. It’s not that long ago that, when we were talking about tsundere characters, we were talking about some of the most headstrong and down-to-earth characters in romance anime: Chidori Kaname (FMP!), Caska (Berserk), Otanashi Kyoko (Maison Ikkoku), Tohsaka Rin (Fate/Stay Night), for example. It’s a sad sign that the concept of tsundere-ism has been watered down to the extent that it’s now associated with so many cheap moe-pandering characters (as Shirashi Minoru points out in one of Lucky Star’s most insightful moments). I think it’s a consequence of the fact that anime makers have become aware that the “dere” is the big pay-off in following a tsundere character, and have therefore made them generally go “dere” a lot quicker and easier, despite the fact that, in the older days, the transition from “tsun” to “dere” was something that happened gradually over the course of a series. You knew, with tsundere-kos, that you were going to get character development, even if it was formulaic, because it was built in to the very archetype. There have been eleven episodes of K-On! and we’ve barely seen an iota of character development in Mio, who is arguably the embodiment of the new-type tsundere.
Aoba is someone who resembles the older type of tsundere and there’s certainly been a lot of character development in her. The way they’ve developed her relationship with Wakaba in the past has been almost as fascinating as the way they’ve developed her ongoing relationship with Ko, and there’s no doubt that the stories of all three are closely intertwined. At this stage, though, there’s only been hints of “dere” in her attitude towards Ko, but most of the time she’s neither “tsun” nor “dere”… she’s a person who shows a lot of sympathetic character traits past a switching attitude that can be described with two modes. She’s resilient, competitive but also emotionally affected by the death of her sister. These traits, and the events in the past shared by the two people who are most important to her story (Wakaba and Ko), culminate in a character with depth, but one who is also accessible to the audience, and there’s no question that there’s a fair bit more background and growth and steady changes to come. As is the case with a lot of the best romance stories in anime, we’re going to see the main characters, and probably Aoba in particular, grow up.
It’s the execution that makes this anime particularly good. The more recent episodes have shifted the focus away from character introductions and the beginning of their analyses and moved onto the sports anime trope of a multi-episode sports match. But they’ve got the basics right: they’ve allowed the audience to connect with and, by extension, care about what’s going to happen to the character involved in the match, and, just as importantly, they’ve maintained the atmosphere. There’s a fair argument that too much focus on the baseball matches could be a weakness in this anime, but I think that, as long as they don’t get in the way of plot progression, there shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, a good writer will find ways to weave plot (and, more importantly, romantic) progression into the matches themselves. And, based on the little I’ve seen and heard, I have no reason to doubt that Adachi is a good writer.
After watching 3-4 episodes of Cross Game I downloaded and read 12 vols of the manga, I really want to to it all animated.
This is one of the top anime of the season.
This is absolutely my favorite anime this season.
Like many other anime I’ve watched, I’m planning to marathon this one. It helps to keep up my momentum to watch anime, especially the long ones such as Cross Game.
I’m watching this, but I find my early strong interest waning. It seems to develop so slowly. I guess they want to leave time for “character development,” but the idea of stretching these games out so much is pretty painful.
And I don’t really feel that close to the characters. I’m getting more of a surface feeling than I get in, say, Eden. Maybe it’s not angsty enough for me, lol. Or perhaps it’s the kiddy-cartoon characters that appear in it: the coaches, the principal, the pitcher/shortstop and the other manager. Anyway, the interest of the moment-by-moment events is not great enough for me to accept the slow overall development.
There are, however, certain aspects and events that are strong enough to overcome much: the late-night pitching test; Aoba’s scouting reports; the fact that Ko is not yet a world-beater. I found those all points of real interest.
Yeah, following Cross Game weekly is a real drag. I wish I had a bunch of episodes that I could string together in a marathon rather than wait weeks on end to see only a couple of innings played.
Also, like Mahjong for Saki, Cross Game is for people who understand the nuances of the game of baseball. Quite a bit of prior knowledge required.
Finally, I’m not really digging how the antagonists are characterized. Coach Daimon is just an arrogant jerkwad. Azuma is clearly more intelligent and baseball savvy, so it’s a mystery to me why he decided to join the guy’s team in the first place.
Despite those shortcomings, it’s still a quality title.
I’m with AC. I do not have the willpower to watch a long running anime without copious amounts of action or melodrama to keep my attention. As such, I’ll marathon it when it’s finished or nearly finished.
@dood
I’m not really a frequent manga reader, but I hear it’s also really good. But I’ve also heard that some of Adachi’s other works are even better.
@voodoomage
I can’t split it with Eden of the East myself. Both are excellent. I’ll make that call at a later date.
@AC
You might find it easy to watch in small weekly doses, maybe. It’s that sort of anime. The matches are easy to marathon, but the slower moments are probably better watched weekly. Not that I’m going to tell you how to watch your anime. :p Just keep it on to “to see” list.
@hashi
I kinda suspect you’d be the type that wouldn’t have as much interest in the sports-centred episodes. I do agree with your gripe about the portrayal of the “bad guys”. It is pretty simplistic. All round, the characters are fairly simplistic, though. There’s certainly no one in this as enigmatic as Eden’s Akira, for example. But, they’re likable. That’s what draws me to them. I care about what’s going to happen to the likes of Ko, Aoba, Akaishi and Nakanishi.
@kadian1364
Not sure about that. I’m from a place where there’s not much following for baseball. I mean, I know the rules, but I rarely watch matches on TV. So I can’t say I’m up with all the nuances of the sport. But the matches in this anime are still pretty engaging. As I said earlier, I’m almost certain it’s because the anime has built up the characters involved so that I care about what’s going to happen to them. Again, totally agree with your comments on the portrayal of the antagonists, but it’s probably part-and-parcel with an anime which isn’t prioritizing complexity. Ultimately, it’s only a minor gripe for me.
@Shadowmage
Definitely keep in on your “to see” list, though. From what I’ve seen to date, I’m fairly confident this is one of those anime that are worth the time investment.
To answer your question, I am watching Cross Game.
Excellent show, but still too early for me to write anything substantial about it. The fun is just beginning, or so it would seem…
@Sorrow-kun: Nah, I’m the type of viewer that needs momentum to watch something regardless of whether the show has its slow moments. In fact, the slow moments may be better to be watched in a marathon to me; it still remains slow but not draggy enough to be watched an episode a week.
And no, nobody can tell me how to watch my anime, but thanks for the tip ;]
To answer the question at the star: I’m watching Cross Game and I actually prefer to watch this type of anime weekly. The characters grow on you with each episode and watching weekly seems to be a far more effective way to let them do that. Plus, I find 50 episode shows impossible to marathon. I just lose heart around the 20’s.
As good as it is though, it just isn’t in the same league as Eden. I don’t think I’ve ever had an anime that I’ve spent so much time concocting crazy theories and ‘what-ifs’ as I have during Eden. Plus the animation is far better, those goddam ears in Cross Game…my gaze keeps being drawn to them
I thought that Puru/Puru 2 was the embodiment of the newtype Tsundere.
@Baka-Raptor
Certainly, early days on this anime. Given how long Adachi works typically are (and it’s current pacing), I’d be surprised if this show was less than 50 eps.
@Scamp
Cross Game isn’t exactly trying very hard as far as animation is concerned. That’s another thing which is really simplistic, but lends it a certain charm (even if it does look silly at times). Eden, on the other hand, is an aesthetic gem. It’s clear it’s had a lot of effort go into it.
@Kaioshin Sama
Derp de derp de derpidy derp.
Amazing anime, I’ve loved every minute of it. I would have to put this anime on the top of my favorites list.
I am Usually not a big fan of sitcoms but this one does hit the spot.
It is a slow developing anime, but who cares… I love it for the drama that goes between the regular puns about pitching, having or not having a boy/girlfriend and the memories of chararcter that seem to materialize later on in the show. Well worth the wait