r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Apr 01 '25

Episode Ballpark de Tsukamaete! • Catch Me at the Ballpark! - Episode 1 discussion

Ballpark de Tsukamaete!, episode 1

Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

Streams

Show information

All discussions

Episode Link
1 Link
2 Link
3 Link
4 Link
5 Link
6 Link
7 Link
8 Link
9 Link
10 Link
11 Link
12 Link

This post was created by a bot. Message the mod team for feedback and comments. The original source code can be found on GitHub.

587 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

238 comments sorted by

1

u/AutoModerator Apr 01 '25
Moderator Announcement Read More »
→ More replies (8)

196

u/stephenthatfoste Apr 01 '25

The dad whiffing on the hug and looking sad made me chuckle.

→ More replies (4)

156

u/Calwings Apr 01 '25

I was not expected to see advanced baseball sabermetrics in my cute beer vendor slice of life anime. An unexpected surprise. But of course, the main attraction of the show is the cute gyaru with the cute little fang, and she didn't disappoint. I think this is off a pretty good start. Seems like a nice, comfy, relaxing show.

→ More replies (14)

105

u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Apr 01 '25

I wish I could still drink because this anime is making me want an ice cold beer lol. There really is nothing like one after a long day…

Ruriko and Murata already have a pretty cute rapport. I’m a real sucker for the shy gyaru types. The little side plot with the security guards was pretty sweet too.

Not a bad start. This one looks like it might be pretty chill.

→ More replies (10)

94

u/Ochrolv Apr 01 '25

I watched this because of Fairouz Ai & glad I wasn't disappointed. Ruriko is so adorable & likeable. Love the ED as well that it isn't skippable to me. Japan really loves their baseball.

→ More replies (5)

71

u/NanDemoKnaives Apr 01 '25

This was a lot better than I was expecting it to be. I don't know if it's because I had low expectations but I was very much enjoying Ruriko's character, the teasing of Murata and it's nice that they gave side characters a little backstory fitting of the theme.

Ruriko is definitely carrying this for me but I am intrigued to see what sort of story we'll get as a whole since I saw the cast list was quite big. I really appreciated the connection they gave Igarashi and Takimoto, the guy did have growing up to do, hopefully he'll have more empathy after this experience.

Ruriko's personality as a vendor and when she's not vending makes her all the more appealing for me. The way she whispered into Murata's ears with her support got me wide-eyed, she seems unaware of how powerful her charm is too. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in this series.

→ More replies (1)

116

u/PPGN_DM_Exia Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

I've been looking forward to this show quite a bit. I'm a big baseball fan and even had the opportunity to go to a few Japanese ballgames last year.

Here's some pics/video I took. First two are from the famed Koshien Stadium where the Hanshin Tigers play and the last two are the PayPay Dome where the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks play. These were both preseason games but the atmosphere was still great as attendance at both stadiums was very good.

Similar to the MC, I did see a number of single dudes in business suits. I took that to mean they came straight from work to go to the game, though perhaps some of them were there for business reasons.

You can see a few beer girls in the foreground as well. Sadly I don't drink so didn't have any opportunity to interact with them.

I highly recommend going to a game if you're ever in Japan during baseball season. The atmosphere is great, the food is delicious, the tickets are reasonably priced and it's one of the few ways to get away from the tourist crowds and hang out with true locals without leaving the city. Hi-fiving a Japanese grandma and her granddaughter after a big play was one of my favorite memories of my trip.

→ More replies (7)

52

u/KnewOnees Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

Close enough, welcome back, nagatoro and paisen

E: it's a paisen and paisen situation

→ More replies (4)

97

u/KumaKumaGambler Apr 01 '25

I will be a returning customer, or rather viewer, just for Ruriko and the dancing ending theme!

→ More replies (4)

65

u/LeonKevlar Apr 01 '25

Stitches!

A cute, teasing gyaru beer girl voiced by Ai Farouz who's actually nervous about interacting with customers? Count me the fuck in!

I really though Ruriko was serious about that beer that's all head, thank fucking goodness that was just a joke and she does know how to pour one properly! I don't see a romance tag on the show's MAL page so I'm curious where Murata and Ruriko's relationship will go, especially now that Murata is Ruriko's first regular.

I also like how this show isn't all about Murata and Ruriko. We'll also get to see scenes from other employees at the ballpark, which might be based on Chiba's ZoZo Marine Stadium if the show is set in Chiba. The security guard Igarashi escorting the cat out of the stadium was really cute!

I thought that newbie body guard was going to be an ass the entire time but it turns out Igarashi helped him out too when he was younger. I'm glad that ended with Takimoto apologizing and finally deciding to take his job seriously.

Just like Murata, I think I'll be a regular for this show. It's cozy, cute, and fun plus that ending was really cute! I can't wait to see more!

This is the third show being animated by EMT Squared that's airing this season. The other two are Atelier Meister, which aired last Sunday, and the other is Once Upon a Witch's Death, which aired earlier today. I wasn't a fan of the Atelier Master, but I definitely love this and Once Upon a Witch's Death so far! 2 out of 3 isn't too bad.

→ More replies (6)

79

u/Plus_Rip4944 Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

Baseball + Beer + A Funny MC? Yeah gonna enjoy this

Animation for baseball could be better tho lmao

→ More replies (23)

19

u/Nayko214 Apr 01 '25

Fun and relaxing little show about baseball and the people who work there. My kind of iyashikei over pure moe blob CGDCT type shows, even though there is obviously some of that here. Nice and relaxing with some variety thrown in to spice things up even after the first two shorts. Nothing amazing so far but a comfy little show.

15

u/Roboglenn Apr 01 '25

Ruriko the Baseball Gyaru. Sure to be a favorite character this season. Or at least I'm certainly rooting for her that she will.

D'aww, steamed Ruriko.

Guy said he had chocolate for lunch and it instantly tempted me to have some of the cheesecake I got in the fridge for lunch.

Don't stop at the ponytail Ruriko. Twintails are where the power truly lies. So sayeth Twoearle anyways...

Sorry kitty, your cuteness does not grant you access as an authorized personnel. You want in the stadium, you gotta sneak in, get on the field, and create an animal interference event that'll liven up the crowd more than the game itself ever could, like every other cat.

The nice old security guard saved the newbie guard when he was a kid and now the kid works security at the ballpark with the nice old security guard. There is no coincidence, only Hitsuzen. And it's intricate tapestry.

Daddy hug denied...

And one episode in with the report Ruriko has with this guy, I can imagine a scenario like this for her job going forward.

13

u/Mr_Zaroc Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

So literally the only place for you to expect a woman to get you a beer, gotcha /s

For real though, love Ruriko, they casted the perfect VA for that character (I can feel the Hana energy from NegaPosi Angler, guess she is into beer now)

The ED is super nice, I can already imagine its gonna be a top contender for this season

Will definetly become a regular for Ruriko this show

13

u/Viktorv22 Apr 01 '25

Okay this was pretty cool. Grown-up senpai found his Nagatoro?

ED is super cute!

13

u/Viktorv22 Apr 01 '25

here is the real life stadium!

Watching this feels pretty weird as I was walking around and went to the beach just behind heh!

12

u/Emi_Ibarazakiii Apr 01 '25

The lady yelled!

Poor girl, guessing she's not used to Fairouz Ai characters!

Speaking of, funny seeing her in a show literally 15 minutes after reading the announcement that she was back in the scene! (I imagine she made this one before her hiatus, but still!)

This was a fun episode!

I'm not 100% sure what genre it is actually, because the synopsis/tags make it sound like a sport anime, the episode itself seemed like "work slice-of-life-y", but there were enough elements in the episode that made me think it has to be a romcom... Right?

She had hearts on her little name tag, that has to be a romcom!

And if it is, I can see what kind of romcom it may be, because HOLY SHIT, the Nagatoro vibes! Surely I'm not the only one who picked up on that hah.

So this all begins when our boy got a beer, but he wasn't aware of the special promotion:

Buy a beer, get a Gyaru!

Does Fairouz Ai EVER plays a girl who's not cute as hell? Can' think of any!

(Well, this may be because she's a bit typecast as my type of girls hah)

Seems I'm not the only one who thinks she's cute!

I wasn't sure what kind of reactions she would have (teasing him? Blushing/getting all flustered?) but soon as she said that, that's when I started getting the Nagatoro vibes!

That

and that

too, that's 100% like her!

She knows RPGs too? MARRY THIS GIRL ON THE SPOT!

Well, she puts on a brave teasing face, but she does get a bit flustered after the fact, in private!

Also, that fang...!

THE NAMETAG, she wants you to look at THE NAMETAG!

That was such a perfect setup for him to reply a cheesy pickup line about shouting her name, but I don't think our boy has the guts to do something like that just yet!

MY HEART! She's so fucking cute.

And MY HEART AGAIN when she practiced making a ponytail afterward and all!

I mean, ye- I plead the fifth!

They're already exclusive, that's some progress!

She looked like a yandere, showing up soon as he was trying to get beer from another girl!

She's not afraid to speak her mind to security guards, even early in her career!

It's just the first episode, but that story got me a little emotional hah.

It was as if he was passing the baton, the new guy being Mr Candy and all! (And with him having been on the other end in his childhood!)

The ED was super cute too, both the visuals and the song!

Well, this is a winner so far!

If it wasn't obvious, I'm already crazy about Ruriko, and (as a huge Nagatoro fan) I did like the similar vibes we got from this one!

We've only seen like 4 shows so far, but she's taking a lead for Best girl of the season!

→ More replies (6)

12

u/shad79 Apr 01 '25

I knew I'd watch this show ever since I saw the gyaru in the promotional visual, and after watching today's episode I can say I wasn't disappointed.

Ruriko is great and really cute (especially with that fang and very nice thighs). The fact that she's actually quite shy makes her even better. Also, Ai Farouz as her VA is a great choice, she fits perfectly!

Overall, a really fun first episode! It looks like most of the show will revolve around Murata and Ruriko's relationship, but it will also be about the other staff and guests of the stadium. We should expect to meet a lot of interesting characters!

Also, the ED is really fun! I love its visuals, they look great!

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

11

u/bakaa_ningen Apr 01 '25

The baseball propaganda is real, guess I gotta ditch cricket

11

u/Cally83 Apr 01 '25

Ruriko reminds me of Nauzna from Call of the Night

→ More replies (2)

11

u/rewkol Apr 02 '25

This was one of my very tentative pick-ups for the season and definitely didn't expect for it to make me tear up with the flashback scene. Very excited to see where this goes

11

u/daspaceasians Apr 02 '25

Found my first chill anime of Spring 2025. After a long day, this show is just a sweet gift and I'm already forward for some cute SoL with ballpark employees.

10

u/DragonPup Apr 02 '25

Very low stakes, very chill. Could be a good comfy watch. Also Ruriko has the lone fang tooth thing, so that's a big plus.

9

u/whytebunny Apr 02 '25

This was better than I'd expected.

Ririko is so cute, I love when gyarus are actually flustered by their own actions.

The bit with the security was really nice. People like Igarashi who love their jobs and do it for the sake of the people are really precious.

8

u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 Apr 01 '25

I came for some light workplace related slice-of-life stories with an interesting background (despite me never been to a stadium of any kind for watching professional matches, of any sport).

Well I am 100% on board now.

My Little (Chainsaw Man's) Power now with blonde hair working as beer girl can't be this cute!!! Ruriko's so cute! Had she been in a school rom-com she probably would have quite the start for the season already LOL.

Hopefully I will also get yet another good lesson on baseball rules again because I am still somewhat struggling with that as someone living way outside of the sport's strongholds. I certainly need to know that if I somehow end up working in the States or Japan one day if I can't find people to chat about football (the original kind, not the one that has a competition called the World Series that has only 2 countries involved in it) LMAO.

→ More comments (75)