Ace of the Diamond

S01E44: Best Pitch

Sawamura faces off with Hino in a match-up that come determine the end result of the game. In the showdown Sawamura develops a new pitch, the crossfire pitch. Seido advances with an 8-3 win after Nori gives up an additional run. Sawamura gets to meet briefly with his friends before the team heads inside to watch the other semifinal match. This episode covers the second half of chapter 131 through the first half of 134.

Overview

Eijun Sawamura is a pitcher who joins an elite school with a brilliant catcher named Kazuya Miyuki. Together with the rest of the team, they strive for Japan's storied Koushien championships through hard work and determination.

Episodes

The One Pitch

S01E01 The One Pitch

October 6, 2013 24 min
Game set. Eijun Sawamura, the pitcher of a novice junior high baseball team, meets with a bitter walk-off loss. For Sawamura, that became his last game in junior high, so he sets a new goal...
Partner

S01E02 Partner

October 13, 2013 24 min
Kazuya Miyuki becomes the catcher for Sawamura in a contest against Seido's dangerous clean-up batter, Kiyokuni Azuma. As Eijun tries to pitch down the middle, he finds himself tense and unable to control the ball....
Not Qualified to Be a Pitcher?

S01E03 Not Qualified to Be a Pitcher?

October 20, 2013 24 min
Eijun is nervous about rooming with older teammates, but they make him feel a too little at home on his first night. Eijun ends up oversleeping and shows up late when it's time to meet...
Are You Like Me?

S01E04 Are You Like Me?

October 27, 2013 24 min
Seido faces off against Ichidai Third High School, the school that beat them last year. While their top-level offense rakes in runs, the ace Tanba struggles, and the game turns into a batting contest. However...
A Clash

S01E05 A Clash

November 3, 2013 24 min
Coach Katoka, or Shades as Onoda calls him, organizes a game between the first years and the non-starters on the second and third year teams. The goal is to determine who will join the starters...
Head to Head

S01E06 Head to Head

November 10, 2013 24 min
Thanks to the words of fellow first year Haruichi Kominato, Eijun makes it on base. Next Haruichi promises to bring him home and get the first years a run. Haruichi proves to be a brilliant...
The Two Batteries

S01E07 The Two Batteries

November 17, 2013 24 min
The game concludes, and Furuya and Masuko are promoted to varsity while Eijun and Haruichi are promoted to JV. Along with the promotion comes additional pitchers training for Furuya and Eijun. However their training can...
The Truth About Chris

S01E08 The Truth About Chris

November 24, 2013 24 min
Chris continues to leave practice early and give Eijun additional workouts. Eijun believes Chris is slacking off and has given up on making the first string, but what makes him the most mad is when...
With Chagrin in His Heart

S01E09 With Chagrin in His Heart

December 1, 2013 24 min
Sawamura begins to follow Chris every where to try and learn more about baseball. He also sits out of some practices so he can learn how the communication of a team works. Chris finally gives...
Hone Your Moving Fastball

S01E10 Hone Your Moving Fastball

December 8, 2013 24 min
Chris finally tells Eijun what sets him apart is his moving fastball. He reveals all the training he's given Eijun could make him the ace if he does it regularly for one year. However Eijun...
Chris to the Field!

S01E11 Chris to the Field!

December 15, 2013 24 min
Eijun appears to have greater speed on his moving fast ball than ever before. However his control has gone hectic. After walking the bases loaded with no outs, Coach Katoka signals for a change. Most...
Target

S01E12 Target

December 22, 2013 24 min
Chris has Miyuki join him and Sawamura in the bullpen as they try to master Sawamura's new pitching form and get him to start throwing strikes with it. Chris's father Animal shows up at the...
You're in the First-String

S01E13 You're in the First-String

December 29, 2013 24 min
To stop the attacks on Chris, Sawamura reverts back to his original pitching form while maintaining the wall against the dangerous Naoyuki Zaizen. The results not only improve Sawamura's speed, but they start putting pressure...
Training Camp Begins!

S01E14 Training Camp Begins!

January 12, 2014 24 min
Sawamura continues to train hard, but when Chris notices he is overworking, he has Miyuki pul lhim into the indoor training facility for some pickoff training and leg positioning training so he won't get hurt....
Lead with Your Plays!

S01E15 Lead with Your Plays!

January 19, 2014 24 min
The training camp continues. The first-years can barely keep up with the harsh training. As Sawamura improves little by little, he is called to Miyuki's room for some reason. There, he found his upperclassmen waiting,...
Challenge

S01E16 Challenge

January 26, 2014 24 min
The practice game between Seido and Osaka Kiryu begins with Furuya determined not to give up any hits after remembering the coaches words, "go get obliterated today." The first batter nails his fastball deep to...
Games Are Fun

S01E17 Games Are Fun

February 2, 2014 24 min
Kiryu's ace, Hiromi Toshi, continues to dominate Seido's batters as his speed increases as the game goes on. Miyuki decides to play a game with Toshi and has Furuya pitch full out with the goal...
I Hate It, But...

S01E18 I Hate It, But...

February 9, 2014 24 min
Miyuki continues to try to get Sawamura to pitch inside and gain additional control, but his motivational speeches seem to have little to no effect on Sawamura. Sawamura begins to try to trust in his...
Fate

S01E19 Fate

February 16, 2014 24 min
A 3-set of matches takes place to end the training week of hell as Inashiro Industrial vs. Seido, Inashiro Industrial vs. Shuuhoku, and Shuuhoku vs. Seido on Seido's field. Kawakami pitches the game vs. Inashiro...
Emergency

S01E20 Emergency

February 23, 2014 24 min
The second half of the Seido, Shuuhoku match begins with Tanba unveiling his fork ball. Combined with his fastball and his curve ball Seido seems to have a new found sense of confidence. As Tanba...
To the Dream Stage

S01E21 To the Dream Stage

March 2, 2014 24 min
Kanemaru helps Sawamura get ready for the exams. Until Sawamura passes all his exams, he will be ineligible to play in a game. After a few practices, he manages to get a 30, two 35's,...
Calling for Attention

S01E22 Calling for Attention

March 9, 2014 24 min
Seido shows Maimon West that they are underestimating anyone in the tournament. After being retired 1-2-3 in the top of the first, Seido manages to score 3 in the top of the second. Meanwhile Furuya...
Official Game Debut

S01E23 Official Game Debut

March 16, 2014 24 min
With a 15-0 lead in place, Seido brings in Sawamura to pitch inning 4. The game ends up being called, and Seido advances with ease. Seeing how high Furuya's ball was, Chris takes Sawamura aside...
Precision Machine

S01E24 Precision Machine

March 23, 2014 24 min
The match between Seido and Puplic Murata East ends with Seido getting another called game, 10-0 after 5 innings. Seido sticks around to watch the next game and sees Akikawa Academy's Shunshin Yeung and his...
Anti-Furuya Strategy

S01E25 Anti-Furuya Strategy

March 30, 2014 24 min
The night before the game, Coach Katoka stands in the batters box and has Sawamura pitch to him. Sawamura's pitch decides his fate for the Akikawa game. As the game begins, Furuya once again pitches...
Miracle Akikawa

S01E26 Miracle Akikawa

April 6, 2014 24 min
In the top of the first, Shunshin Yeung comes to the plate and forces Furuya to throw a meat ball which he nails to left, giving Akikawa a 2-0 lead early on. With the lead...
I'm Not Running

S01E27 I'm Not Running

April 13, 2014 24 min
As the heat continues to increase, Coach Katoka declares that if Furuya even lets one batter on base, he will switch him out. At first this declaration provides Furuya the motivation he needs to get...
Path, Eijun Sawamura to the Scorching Mound

S01E28 Path, Eijun Sawamura to the Scorching Mound

April 20, 2014 24 min
This episode serves as a recap of the first 27 episodes, showing how Eijun Sawamura joined the Seido High School Baseball team, his struggles with the JV, and his eventual rise to play in the...
Neck and Neck

S01E29 Neck and Neck

April 27, 2014 24 min
Sawamura's moving fastball and four seamer continue to cause problems for Akikawa's batters. As Seido's batters start to get on base, Miyuki comes to the plate and is able to predict the pitches Shunshin Yeung...
Winner and Loser

S01E30 Winner and Loser

May 4, 2014 24 min
Ichidai continues to watch the game between Seido and Akikawa, declaring the next team to score will win in this 2-2 tie. Coach Katoka inserts Haruichi as a pinch hitter, and he responds by getting...
Dark Horse

S01E31 Dark Horse

May 11, 2014 24 min
After winning their match, Seido stays behind to watch Manaka's pitching in hopes of gaining a slight advantage in the quarterfinal game. Tanba remembers his past ties with Manaka and swears to return in that...
Summers

S01E32 Summers

May 18, 2014 24 min
Raichi returns to the batters box for a second match against Manaka. While Manaka gets some good pitches in and appears to have the advantage, and unfortunate bounce leads to an injury to Manaka. Without...
Money Tree

S01E33 Money Tree

May 25, 2014 24 min
The episode begins with Chris coaching the team on Yakusi's batting power and their true ace, Sanada, who comes out of the bullpen and throws a shootball. Seeing their methods, Katoka decides to take action....
Reliable Teammates

S01E34 Reliable Teammates

June 1, 2014 24 min
Raichi faces Furuya and manages to get a double. The next batter hits a single allowing Raichi to score and give Yasuki a 1-0 lead. Miyuki quickly reminds Furuya that he has reliable teammates behind...
Potential

S01E35 Potential

June 8, 2014 24 min
Furuya comes up to bat in the 7-spot and hits a solo homerun to make it 4-1 in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom of the third inning Coach Katoka decides to make...
The Ace Takes the Mound

S01E36 The Ace Takes the Mound

June 15, 2014 24 min
Sanada comes on and reveals he has a dangerous cutter, shutting down Seido's batting strength. Chris tries to figure out why Sanada isn't being used from the start of games. Ichidai players continue to slowly...
Burst!

S01E37 Burst!

June 29, 2014 24 min
Sawamura is given the role of pitching one more inning. After two outside pitches to Raichi, Sawamura finds himself up in the count. Miyuki calls for a high, inside four-seam fastball to get Raichi out,...
Roles

S01E38 Roles

July 5, 2014 24 min
After the captain hits a home run off Sanada, Seido once again leads by two runs. We reach the bottom of the eighth inning, and Kawakami is struggling. He insists on connecting to Tanba in...
Expectations of an Ace

S01E39 Expectations of an Ace

July 13, 2014 24 min
Tanba takes to the mound. After two fastballs Tanba has an 0-2 count lead. Miyuki calls for a curveball, but the curve proves to be low and inside, coming close to a past ball. Miyuki...
The Winning Shot

S01E40 The Winning Shot

July 20, 2014 24 min
The top of the ninth takes place as the battle between Seido and Yakusi reaches its climax with a battle between Tanba and Raichi. Tanba makes the count 2-2 when Miyuki finally calls for the...
It's the Semifinal

S01E41 It's the Semifinal

July 27, 2014 24 min
The results of the quarterfinals are shown. Seido learns they will be facing a giant who is a curve ball specialist in the semifinals. Furuya is informed he won't pitch in the semifinal. Instead they...
The Giant Looks Down

S01E42 The Giant Looks Down

August 3, 2014 24 min
The battle between Sensen and Seishun gets underway. Sawamura's friends arrive in the fourth inning to see that Seido trails 1-0. In the fourth Seido begins to make contact with Hino's curve ball. Seido manages...
Revenge

S01E43 Revenge

August 10, 2014 24 min
Haruchi replaces Tanba in the batting lineup with the bases loaded in a 1-1 game in the top of the sixth. Haruchi falls behind 0-2, but Hino gets greedy and throws a curve ball which...
Best Pitch

S01E44 Best Pitch

August 17, 2014 24 min
Sawamura faces off with Hino in a match-up that come determine the end result of the game. In the showdown Sawamura develops a new pitch, the crossfire pitch. Seido advances with an 8-3 win after...
Fantasy

S01E45 Fantasy

August 24, 2014 24 min
After defeating Sensen Academy, Sawamura enjoys his time with his junior high friends. The second game of the semifinals is between the tournament favorite, Inashiro Vocational High, and a dark horse, Sakurazawa High. Coach Kikukawa...
Pitching of Despair

S01E46 Pitching of Despair

August 31, 2014 24 min
As Nagao takes on Inashiro with his knuckle ball, Sakurazawa wait for their chance to score. However, Sakurazawa slowly lose their cool experiencing Narumiya's untouchable fastball. Their calm defense evaporates and errors inevitably follow. Unfortunately,...
That Summer

S01E47 That Summer

September 7, 2014 24 min
After the game, Narumiya bumps into Miyuki. "Remember the last time all of us got together?" Carlos asks, as everyone Narumiya invited to Inashiro was present. That is of course, Miyuki included.
At the Dorm

S01E48 At the Dorm

September 14, 2014 24 min
As Seido finish reviewing Narumiya's pitching, Yuki talks about the confidence he has toward the final. His words were backed by the hard work everyone has put in. At Inashiro, they are also carefully preparing...
A Nostalgic Face

S01E49 A Nostalgic Face

September 21, 2014 24 min
The day before the final, Sawamura says he wants to learn a breaking ball to overcome his weakness. Azuma, an alumnus of the team stops by with great timing to show his support. Sawamura begins...
Footsteps to Tomorrow

S01E50 Footsteps to Tomorrow

September 28, 2014 24 min
The current third-years were called "the hopeless year" when they joined. Their upperclassmen had lost all hope for them, but they diligently practiced, continuously encouraging each other. Their hard work changed their rivalry for each...
The Battle Begins!

S01E51 The Battle Begins!

October 5, 2014 24 min
Sakai is shocked from being taken off the starting roster for the final, and Coach Kataoka gives him some words of encouragement. Being one victory away from going to nationals, everyone at Seido can't seem...
I Don't Want to Lose

S01E52 I Don't Want to Lose

October 12, 2014 24 min
Narumiya strikes out Yuki, and Seido is reminded of Narumiya's strength. Furuya takes the mound in the bottom and starts off with three consecutive strikeouts. Narumiya matches Furuya's performance with three strikeouts as well. It's...
Change Gears

S01E53 Change Gears

October 19, 2014 24 min
After three innings, it's still a close final. Next up is the cleanup, Yuki, and Narumiya changes his gears. Baiting with the changeup, he strikes out Yuki with a fastball, creating momentum for Inashiro. Seido...
Entrusted Faith and the Courage to Perform

S01E54 Entrusted Faith and the Courage to Perform

October 26, 2014 24 min
In the top of the fifth, Furuya gets a hit off Narumiya. It's the perfect chance to tie the game, and Shirasu, batting ninth, hits Narumiya's fastball. Will Shirasu make first base? And in the...
Strong Men

S01E55 Strong Men

November 2, 2014 24 min
When Inashiro has two outs with the bases loaded, Tanba pulls through to get Seido going. However, Narumiya and Harada change their pitching pattern to keep Seido away from the bases. As the innings change...
Decision

S01E56 Decision

November 9, 2014 24 min
Seido's loss seems imminent against the mighty Inashiro. To make things worse, Tanba's leg cramps at the bottom of the seventh. Coach Kataoka decides to switch him out and puts Sawamura on the mound. The...
Reliable Underclassmen

S01E57 Reliable Underclassmen

November 23, 2014 24 min
Sawamura strikes out Narumiya with three pitches. Miyuki's bold strategy and Sawamura's strong heart lift the tension in the air. Seido High School is back in their usual offensive attitude. Furuya is up to bat,...
The Three-Hole

S01E58 The Three-Hole

November 30, 2014 24 min
Seido scores a run. Haruichi stands in the batter's box in place of Ryosuke as a pinch hitter. Seido has high expectations for the lucky kid. On the other hand, Inashiro can't give anything up....
Fearless

S01E59 Fearless

December 7, 2014 24 min
It's Yuki versus Narumiya. Yuki hits Narumiya's changeup with his unparalleled concentration, and Seido turns the game around! Tanba finds himself tearing up at Yuki's hit, while Narumiya can't keep his cool. Going into the...
Lonely Sun

S01E60 Lonely Sun

December 14, 2014 24 min
At the top of the ninth, Inashiro is behind by a run. "I can't picture us losing," says Narumiya as he reflects on the loss at nationals and the hardships he's overcome. The Inashiro team...
Determined

S01E61 Determined

December 21, 2014 24 min
The unique experience of pitching in the last inning of a tournament final pressures Sawamura like never before. Carlos stands crouched over the plate, trying to get hit by a pitch. Can Sawamura resist his...
Victory or Defeat

S01E62 Victory or Defeat

December 28, 2014 24 min
With a runner in a scoring position, Inashiro's cleanup, Harada, stands at bat. Victory is one step away, but the challenge of a lifetime stands in its way. Using the last available time out, the...
Lingering Feelings

S01E63 Lingering Feelings

December 28, 2014 24 min
An unbelievable turn of events happens at the bottom of the ninth. Inashiro's ace, Narumiya, turns the game around with his bat. Seido players fall to their knees. They were one step short of making...
Restart

S01E64 Restart

January 11, 2015 24 min
After losing the final, things are looking grim at Seido. Haruichi has locked himself in his room. "Somewhere in my heart, I was waiting for this day." Maezono tells him how he feels. After Maezono's...
In The Sun

S01E65 In The Sun

January 18, 2015 24 min
As the new captain, Miyuki tells the team his will, "I want to be greedy about winning." The second-years who were overshadowed before by the third-years show their potentials for the new team. However, Kawakami...
Outsider

S01E66 Outsider

January 25, 2015 24 min
The night before the national final, Narumiya lowers his head to his teammates and surprises everyone. Next day, Narumiya walks on to the Koshien mound, motivating Sawamura to practice harder as he watches it on...
The Kick

S01E67 The Kick

February 1, 2015 24 min
The new team at Seido isn't meshing well just yet. The result of the practice games has been 8 wins and 4 losses with no explosiveness from the batters. Coach Kataoka accepts the practice game...
The Ace Title

S01E68 The Ace Title

February 8, 2015 24 min
To everyone's surprise, the game against Yakushi is a pitcher's game. Furuya takes Raichi out going three for three that inning, and the Seido team sees Furuya's growth. In the bullpen, Sawamura feels threatened as...
Can't Lose

S01E69 Can't Lose

February 15, 2015 24 min
Furuya closes six innings without conceding any runs, and the crowd is excited to see the making of a true ace at Seido. Yakushi brings out their ace, Sanada, to the mound, and his presence...
Next Stage

S01E70 Next Stage

February 22, 2015 24 min
After conceding three runs without getting any outs, Sawamura is switched out of the game. "If I walk off here, I'll never..." Memories of the summer final resurface. Contrary to Furuya putting on a show...
September Sky

S01E71 September Sky

March 1, 2015 24 min
Sawamura isn't himself anymore with the yips, but everyone still has faith in him that he'll be back. While the team is worried for him, he continues his running exercises on his own, and slowly...
The Final Lesson

S01E72 The Final Lesson

March 8, 2015 24 min
Coach Ochiai and Coach Kataoka have conflicting opinions, but the fall tournament is going well for the team. While Sawamura continues to struggle with the yips, Chris shows up like a knight in shining armor....
Inheritance

S01E73 Inheritance

March 15, 2015 24 min
The third years are left speechless hearing about the resignation of the coach. Coach Kataoka puts the current team through the off-season training menu, and Maezono gives words of wisdom to the players who are...
Guiding Light

S01E74 Guiding Light

March 22, 2015 24 min
The first and second-years find out about Coach Kataoka's resignation, and they are flustered. Isashiki doesn't feel any pressure from their plays, so he gives them a piece of his mind.
In Pursuit

S01E75 In Pursuit

March 29, 2015 24 min
Maezono hits a home run at the top of the ninth, evening out the game at 3-3, and at the bottom of the ninth, Sawamura finally gets his chance on the mound. From the third-year...

Cast

Ryota Osaka
Ryota Osaka
Eijun Sawamura (voice)
Nobunaga Shimazaki
Nobunaga Shimazaki
Satoru Furuya (voice)
Takahiro Sakurai
Takahiro Sakurai
Kazuya Miyuki (voice)
Natsuki Hanae
Natsuki Hanae
Haruichi Kominato (voice)
Shintaro Asanuma
Shintaro Asanuma
Yoichi Kuramochi (voice)
Daiki Yamashita
Daiki Yamashita
Takuma Seto (voice)
Shunsuke Takeuchi
Shunsuke Takeuchi
Masashi Yuki (voice)
Yuma Uchida
Yuma Uchida
Koshu Okumura (voice)
Ayumu Murase
Ayumu Murase
Kaoru Yui (voice)
Tasuku Hatanaka
Tasuku Hatanaka
Hirofumi Asada (voice)
Jun Fukushima
Jun Fukushima
Kazuto Kotari / Yuto Kotari (voice)
Yuuichirou Umehara
Yuuichirou Umehara
Soichiro Mima (voice)

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