Major: Episode 11

How’s that for continuity, character development, and plot advancement? As if these were not enough, the episode is completed with a cliffhanger. I never knew a sports anime can be *this* engaging.

The Dolphins are reinstated yet something is amiss. To provide Goro a better chance at pro-baseball, the Dolphin’s coach selflessly encourages the nine-year-old to seek a better and supposedly more suitable Yokohama team. Goro initially balks at the idea. When informed about his father’s previous participation during Little League for this seeded team, he immediately shifts gears and prepares to abandon his friends. But an alarming scenario jolts the lad into the right path and forces him to mature even for just a bit.

Another solid performance from Major (thanks to MJN and F-B for this release) especially the brief but unexpectedly intense scene coming from Goro on his way to the hospital. Arguably somewhat a manipulative set-up but one remembers tragedy of losing his birth parents at such a young age. Even though Goro is a well-adjusted kid, the traumatizing experience is undoubtedly engraved in his memories. Just the mere thought of losing Momo-sensei is too much to handle.

Man, remembering Honda’s death is getting too depressing.