Cross Game
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Episodes (50)
1 / 3- 1EP 1
Ko Kitamura and Wakaba Tsukishima share a childhood bond that deepens through shared experiences and tragedy.
Apr 5, 2009Ko Kitamura and Wakaba Tsukishima were born on the same day in the same hospital, leading Wakaba to treat him as her boyfriend. During summer vacation, Ko takes Wakaba to swimming lessons on his bicycle. To avoid Osamu Akaishi, who likes Wakaba, Ko joins a sandlot baseball game organized by Daiki Nakanishi. Despite never playing before, Ko hits a game-winning home run using skills practiced at the Tsukishima family's batting cages. After their joint 11th birthday, Wakaba gives Ko a schedule of birthday presents for him to give her through age 20. Shortly after, Wakaba drowns while saving a younger girl at an overnight swimming camp. Ko struggles with grief until he sees Akaishi weeping outside Wakaba's house, realizing he must cry. The credits show time passing until Ko and Wakaba's younger sister, Aoba Tsukishima, are in junior high school.
- 2EP 2
Aoba resents Ko's dominance over her sister's memory while Senda's failed date and Ko's home runs fuel their rivalry.
Apr 12, 2009Four years later, during the fall of her second year at Seishu Junior High School, Aoba serves as the baseball team's pitcher. She continues to harbor hatred toward Ko for monopolizing the time of her deceased sister. Keiichiro Senda, a starting pitcher who believes he is popular, asks Aoba on a date without waiting for an answer. When she fails to appear, Senda visits her home but is scared away by the family cat. Meanwhile, Ko, now in his third year at Seishu Junior High, delivers baseballs to the Tsukishima batting cages and hits four home runs. This performance irritates Aoba, particularly because she cannot replicate his success. A flashback reveals Wakaba once told Aoba about Ko's potential to throw 100-mile-per-hour (160 km/h) fastballs. Aoba had previously stated this was her ideal in a man but vowed she would not let anyone take him from her. Inspired by Aoba's pitching, Ko has been following Wakaba's instruction to adhere to her workout routine.
- 3EP 3
Nakanishi challenges Ko to a sandlot rematch while Aoba and Akaishi investigate Seishu High rumors.
Apr 19, 2009Nakanishi recruits Ko for a sandlot rematch from fifth grade, assigning him to right field despite Ko’s warm-up pitches. Aoba discovers her sister Momiji can handle her hardest throws because Momiji assisted Ko in practice. Akaishi, now junior high captain, observes the game and recalls Wakaba’s claims about Ko’s skills. Ko leads his team to a narrow victory with strong fielding and batting. Nakanishi later learns Ko avoided the baseball team because Nakanishi was expelled for fighting. Meanwhile, Aoba and Akaishi discuss troubling rumors regarding Seishu High School’s consecutive losing seasons. Acting Principal Shido expresses satisfaction with a man dressed as a coach regarding his ongoing plans at the school.
- 4EP 4
Aoba and Ko stop a burglar, leading to secret training under Akaishi and a mysterious record-breaker.
Apr 26, 2009Aoba and Ko thwart a burglary by striking the perpetrator with a baseball, yet Senda claims the achievement. Akaishi doubts Senda’s account and discovers from Aoba that she threw a ball Ko carried, while Nakanishi reveals their secret training regimen. Akaishi agrees to supervise Ko’s practice on the condition that Nakanishi rejoins the baseball team. At the Tsukishima batting cages, an unidentified boy shatters Ko’s home run record and criticizes the pitching machines’ speed. This boy later visits Seishu High School for a prospective player tour. Senda questions Aoba at the Clover Cafe about Ko’s training, but she feigns ignorance. During practice, Akaishi recounts Wakaba’s dream of Ko and himself playing as a battery at the Koshien national tournament.
- 5EP 5
Aoba cares for sick Momiji while Ko cooks and stays the night
May 3, 2009On New Year's Eve, Aoba’s father and sister Ichiyo visit their grandmother, leaving Aoba to look after Momiji, who has a cold. Ko arrives with ingredients for rice porridge and assists Aoba in lowering Momiji’s fever. Ko’s cooking skills surpass Aoba’s, producing porridge reminiscent of Wakaba’s preparation. Momiji shares a memory of Ko playing with her when others would not, prompting Aoba to express her insecurity about not being a good sister like Wakaba. She becomes upset when Ko rejects her self-deprecating comment. Ko prepares New Year soba for himself and Momiji, while Aoba eats instant noodles. Ko remains overnight to monitor Momiji. As the group falls asleep watching television, Aoba hugs Ko, mistaking him for Wakaba. The following morning, Momiji comments on their comfortable sleeping arrangement before Ko departs to practice pitching with Akaishi and Nakanishi. A montage depicts the main cast training through the changing seasons until spring arrives.
- 6EP 6
Ko joins the prefab team while Azuma recognizes him from the batting center.
May 10, 2009Ko, Akaishi, and Nakanishi join Seishu High’s prefab baseball team under former coach Maeno. New head coach Daimon recruits top players like power hitter Yuhei Azuma, promising to reach Koshien in three years. Aoba, now captain of the junior high team, visits a high school practice and is surprised to see Ko playing. He explains she inspired him. In class, Azuma fails to recognize varsity player Senda but remembers Ko from the batting center. Azuma tells Daimon he only remembers faces of significant people, noting four on the team. Later, Maeno has Ko pitch at full strength on the junior high field, away from varsity players. Aoba witnesses this and realizes Ko is Akaishi’s secret weapon to leave the prefab team.
- 7EP 7
Aoba pitches against Azuma while Daimon exploits her as a disposable practice pitcher for the varsity team.
May 17, 2009Akaishi informs Ko and Nakanishi that Daimon prioritizes results over player well-being, urging them to oust him. Daimon reveals to Azuma that he selected Senda and Aoba solely as disposable pitchers for practice. He dismisses concerns about Aoba’s workload, claiming her gender prevents tournament play. During her turn, Aoba insists on Akaishi as catcher and pitches at full speed, nearly striking out Azuma. After Akaishi criticizes Azuma for lacking masculinity due to a foul ball, Azuma hits a home run, causing Aoba to collapse from exhaustion. Despite her physical pain, Aoba tells Ko she will continue pitching for the varsity team to analyze their batting weaknesses. She also expresses a desire to believe Wakaba’s claims about him, maintaining her commitment despite the team's toxic environment.
- 8EP 8
Aoba pitches for Ko while Momiji’s resemblance to Wakaba unsettles Akaishi.
May 24, 2009Akaishi is startled by Momiji’s resemblance to Wakaba, who died at Momiji’s current age. Ichiyo reminds Aoba that she resented how Ko monopolized Wakaba's time, and both friends note that Aoba and Ko share competitive traits. In the park, Momiji plays catch with an old man who frequents Akaishi's family liquor store. Daimon informs Shido that an upcoming scrimmage between varsity and prefab teams will highlight the varsity players' superiority. Rumors that strong prefab players might be promoted drive the third-years to train intensely. Before the game, Ko has Aoba catch his pitches since he lacks real-game experience. She calls them okay, which pleases him as the best compliment she can give. He bets he will hold the varsity team to ten runs, but she changes it to five after inspecting her bruised hand. Upon arriving, Momiji’s friend reveals Shido ordered the audience to cheer only for the varsity side.
- 9EP 9
Daimon tests fielding while Ko pitches and faces fatigue as scores shift.
May 31, 2009During the scrimmage, Daimon uses Senda as the starting pitcher to evaluate his team's defensive capabilities. The prefab team quickly finishes the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Ko retires the first three batters, a feat Daimon dismisses as luck while Azuma acknowledges it stems from Aoba's batting data and Ko's skill. Senda allows three runs in the top of the second inning, including home runs by Ko and Akaishi, leading Daimon to remove him from the varsity roster and replace him with Maeno at shortstop. Ko then throws fastballs down the middle to Azuma, who hits a home run despite Aoba's criticism. The prefab team struggles to score against the top varsity pitcher, managing only one run in the third inning after Daimon reprimands them. With the prefab team leading 3 to 2 after three innings, Ko expresses fatigue.
- 10EP 10
Ko struggles with control while Azuma dominates with home runs in a tense scrimmage.
Jun 7, 2009During the fourth inning, Ko hits a triple but fails to score, allowing Azuma to hit a two-run homer that gives the varsity team the lead. Third-year prefab players insist that winning is secondary to securing promotion. Daimon reprimands center fielder Miki for disobeying orders by bunting strategically. By the sixth inning, a fatigued Ko admits to catcher Akaishi that he cannot maintain both speed and control, prompting Akaishi to prioritize speed. After Azuma hits another home run, Akaishi notes the pitch was weak because it is Ko's first real game. When third-year player Makihara is thrown out running home, Senda explains that Daimon refuses to promote anyone to avoid admitting error. In the bottom of the seventh, Miki realizes that intentionally walking Azuma would have resulted in a 1 to 3 loss instead of the current 5 to 3 deficit.
- 11EP 11
Maeno's seniors quit trying until Tubu Ōkubo reveals Daimon's injury, sparking Makihara's effort and Ko's clutch hitting.
Jun 14, 2009Maeno's third-year players cease effort after realizing they will not be promoted. Prefab team manager Hiroko "Tubby" Ōkubo informs Makihara that Daimon injured Maeno's head while Maeno pleaded for a third-year spot. Motivated, Makihara plays with renewed vigor. By the end of eight innings, Ko notes that a 5 to 3 score secures his bet with Aoba. In the top of the ninth, Makihara advances runners via sacrifice bunt. Ko singles to tie the game. Azuma criticizes Ko's pitching, prompting Ko to express surprise at being hit. In the bottom of the ninth, Azuma fouls out twice before striking out against Ko. Azuma silently tells Ko to stop smirking. The next batter scores the winning run. Ko later visits Wakaba's grave to share his debut news, discovering Aoba had already been there.
- 12EP 12
Aoba faces a batter challenge while Ko serves Risa for a teapot gift
Jun 21, 2009Aoba’s teammates propose dates based on game performance, but she dismisses their ambitions as insufficient. Seishu Junior High secures a victory in a called game despite Aoba holding back. Senda encounters his cousin, Midori Koganezawa, who is irritated that he skipped practice to watch the match. Midori demands a batting challenge, which Aoba initially refuses. At the Tsukishima batting cages, Ko explains that machines cannot match Aoba’s speed. He assists Risa Shido, the spoiled varsity manager, with shopping and takes her to the Clover Cafe, where he requests Aoba charge the bill to his tab as a birthday favor. Aoba eventually agrees to pitch, striking out Midori. She reveals her plan to attend Seishu High School, foregoing tournament play, rather than joining a school with a girls' baseball team. Friends later inform Aoba that Ko acted as Risa’s servant for a day to obtain a teapot, which is the sixteenth item on Wakaba’s birthday gift list.
- 13EP 13
Prefab team trains in mountains while Aoba gets lost and Miki faces benching
Jun 28, 2009Ko, Akaishi, and Nakanishi observe Seishu’s varsity team defeating an opponent in the prefectural summer baseball tournament, realizing their own strong performance. Miki disobeys Daimon by shifting positions to secure a win, resulting in her ban from the school field. Maeno leads the prefab team to a secret intensive training camp in the mountains. Ko forgets his suitcase, and Aoba becomes lost while delivering it due to incorrect directions from his father. Senda criticizes Maeno’s strictness at the bus stop, while Ko expresses a preference for staying busy. After a storm, the group searches for Aoba, finding her shoe near a swollen stream reminiscent of Wakaba’s drowning site, before locating her at a woodcutter’s house. Daimon removes Miki from the lineup for insubordination. Aoba stays overnight, learning Maeno trains hard to match Ko’s level as his fans. She departs whispering, "prefabs, fight."
- 14EP 14
Aoba assists a fan, Ichiyo pursues affection, and Ko and Aoba recall memories at the pool.
Jul 5, 2009During a training camp, Akaishi and Maeno observe that Seishu’s defense has weakened due to third-year retirements. Without Miki, the team loses in the round of 16. Afterwards, Aoba hits a thief with a baseball while helping a fan, discovering he is Junpei Azuma, Yuhei Azuma’s older brother. Junpei gives her a ride home and becomes infatuated with Ichiyo, frequently visiting as a suitor. Later, Ichiyo asks Ko to deliver forgotten clothes to Aoba at the swimming pool in exchange for bringing his suitcase. At the pool, Ko encounters boys rejected by Aoba, including Senda and a despairing boxer, who are surprised by Ko and Aoba’s familiar argument. The pair reminisces about visiting the pool with Wakaba, and when Ko asks what her sister saw in him, Aoba admits she wants to know as well.
- 15EP 15
Shido disbands prefab team after five losses, leading to a high-stakes rematch with job consequences.
Jul 12, 2009Shido informs Daimon that the prefab team lost five unauthorized practice games, prompting him to order the squad disbanded. Azuma discovers the opponents from Tubby, while Maeno suggests a decisive rematch where the losing coach loses his job, a plan Daimon accepts. Meanwhile, Momiji’s grandfather visits practice, introduced by Tubby as her relative. Azuma assures his brother Junpei of reaching Koshien, receiving advice to enjoy baseball. Miki transfers schools due to conflicts with Daimon. The prefab team recruits Aoba to replace a retired player, with Akaishi training her for center field against Ko. Azuma then self-injures to skip the scrimmage, challenging Daimon to prove he has sufficient talent to reach Koshien without him.
- 16EP 16
Daimon confirms job security while Ko dominates the game with strategic pitching
Jul 19, 2009Prior to the scrimmage, Daimon assures Azuma that Shido will not terminate his employment regardless of the varsity team's performance, a claim Shido verifies. The school chairman, Tubby’s grandfather, subsequently ratifies the wager with Maeno. Ko loads the bases in the first two innings before striking out three batters, with Akaishi urging him to pitch as if the game were late. The score remains zero until the sixth inning. Azuma reveals to Daimon that Ko pitched easily for six innings to provide fielding practice against top prefectural teams. In the seventh, Aoba scores via Senda’s sacrifice fly. Azuma later notes Ko is the best pitcher faced all year as Ko strikes out the final three batters. Aoba informs Wakaba of Ko’s achievement as the prefab team celebrates.
- 17EP 17
Azuma advises Ko to jog, while Aoba dates five boys to deter suitors.
Jul 26, 2009Following a scrimmage, Shido and Daimon are dismissed, leading most varsity players to transfer. Yuhei Azuma remains and moves in with the Kitamuras due to dorm closure. Noticing Ko’s declining stamina during the fall prefectural tournament, Azuma mandates jogging to school instead of train travel. When a boy requests an introduction to Aoba, Ko congratulates him as the 100th person to do so. Azuma questions Ko about a photograph of Wakaba, prompting Ko to admit his past love, to which Azuma remarks on their difficulties. Aoba dates five persistent boys simultaneously to stop their advances. Junpei asks about his pitching form, which Ko admits is based on Aoba’s. Aoba reveals Junpei’s pitching career ended by injury before Koshien, while Yuhei aims for Koshien in his stead. Ko declares his own determination to reach Koshien to fulfill Wakaba’s final dream.
- 18EP 18
Aoba declines an audition while Risa trains with Midori and improves her pitching skills.
Aug 2, 2009Aoba’s friends encourage her to audition for the lead in an Idol Ace movie adaptation, but she refuses. Risa auditions and becomes a finalist, prompting Ko to help her practice pitching. Meanwhile, Midori attempts to recruit Aoba for her school’s girls’ baseball team. After Aoba declines a rematch, Midori demonstrates her hitting at the Tsukishima cages, where she encounters Risa practicing batting and offers coaching. Despite a week of pleading, Aoba only agrees to pitch again after Risa’s improvement remains limited to a kindergarten level. At the school field, Aoba strikes out Midori in three pitches. Witnessing this, Risa successfully throws a ball over the plate for the first time. Risa subsequently secures a supporting role as a spoiled team manager, resigns from Seishu, and thanks Aoba, accepting a smaller part to pursue her fame.
- 19EP 19
Ko visits grandparents in a snowstorm and discovers Mizuki, Wakaba's son, moving in with the Tsukishimas.
Aug 9, 2009Ko accompanies the Tsukishima family to their mountain grandparents' home, where a snowstorm traps them inside. During this time, Ko and Aoba reminisce about Ko's late friend Wakaba. While examining a photo album, Ko identifies Aoba's uncle, a renowned climber, but fails to recognize his son, Mizuki, who is Aoba's age. The next morning, Ko ventures into the snowy woods to find a tree where he and Wakaba once carved their names, which Aoba had previously defaced. After getting lost, Aoba guides him to the spot, revealing that she had carved new names to replace the old ones. Later, at the start of spring, Ko and Nakanishi witness a strange boy retrieving a hat from a drain spout. Ko subsequently learns at a batting center that this boy is Mizuki, who is moving in with the Tsukishima family.
- 20EP 20
Aoba and Mizuki begin their Seishu High School life with baseball and romantic confusion.
Aug 16, 2009Aoba and Mizuki start at Seishu High School, where Mizuki gains popularity among girls, annoying Senda. Aoba joins the baseball team as a pitcher, motivating teammates to avoid losing to her. Mizuki and Aoba discuss Wakaba, leading Mizuki to realize Ko is Wakaba’s boyfriend and wonder about his pitching speed. Momiji questions Aoba about Mizuki’s attractiveness, then recalls Ko and Wakaba, silently apologizing to Wakaba. Mizuki rejects several girls by claiming love for Aoba and denies rumors about Aoba and Ko. During practice, Ko reveals Aoba’s hidden twisted ankle, prompting Aoba to expose Ko’s stiff left arm. Mizuki helps Aoba home, affirming his serious feelings for her.
- 21EP 21
Rumors of Mizuki and Aoba spread while Seishu plays its first game.
Aug 23, 2009School flyers label Mizuki and Aoba as a couple, prompting Ko to remove one only for Mizuki to replace it. After eating a meal Aoba cooked at the Clover Cafe, Ko learns from Ichiyo that she tried hard for him. Ko reveals he rejected a girl Aoba introduced, leading Ichiyo to note Wakaba’s indifference and her own serious feelings for Junpei. During Seishu’s first practice game, Aoba starts as pitcher, but Akaishi warns Ko not to overexert himself when he relieves her. Ichiyo observes the pair squabbling in the dugout, noting their similarities. Seishu wins, and Mizuki fulfills his promise to take Aoba to a movie, though she denies it is a date. On the way home, they encounter Ko and Aoba arguing again, which Mizuki observes has lifted Aoba’s spirits.
- 22EP 22
Aoba Agrees to Pitch for Satomi Girls' School Against Oka University
Aug 30, 2009Before the prefectural summer tournament, Aoba trains Ko in slider techniques. Midori invites Aoba to pitch for her high school team against national champions Oka University, but Aoba initially declines due to her commitment to Seishu. After overhearing teammates attribute her difficult pitches to gender bias, she recalls Wakaba’s encouragement to pitch at Koshien. Following Meano’s refusal to join Oka, Aoba watches their victory over a boys' team and agrees to play for Satomi Girls' School. Although captain Matsuyama denies her starting pitcher role, Aoba enters the game as a substitute center fielder after an injury. Her successful defensive play earns her teammates' acceptance, though Oka leads 3 to 0 at the end of the first inning.
- 23EP 23
Aoba pitches for Satomi against Oka, leading to a narrow loss and national team consideration.
Sep 6, 2009Satomi pitcher Kojima switches positions with Aoba after surrendering a fourth run in the second inning. Aoba’s 80 mph fastball surprises Oka players and strikes out their top batter, Ozaki, irritating Oka’s pitcher, Sawaguchi. In the fourth inning, Aoba drives in two runners with a double. After Ozaki deciphers Matsuyama’s signals to score a fifth run, Aoba takes over as catcher. In the sixth inning, an error by Sawaguchi allows Aoba to score, followed by a second run for Satomi. In the final inning, Aoba is caught out by Ozaki with two outs and runners on first and second. Oka wins 5 to 4. Post-game, Oka’s coach invites Aoba to try out for the women’s national team in the spring, while Satomi’s captain thanks her. Back at Seishu practice, Aoba strikes out players who avoided hitting her, and Akaishi notes they still need her.
- 24EP 24
Ko scouts Ryuo Academy and supports Aoba on Wakaba's seventeenth birthday
Sep 13, 2009Ko, Akaishi, Azuma, and Nakanishi observe a practice match by Ryuo Academy, a team favored to win the prefectural tournament. During this scouting trip, they encounter a former teammate who transferred to Ryuo. Ko is impressed by Mishima, a non-starter batter, while Azuma recognizes him from a previous meeting. Azuma also speaks with Miki, who is scouting Ryuo for a different school; both express no regret regarding their decisions to leave or remain at Seishu. On Wakaba's 17th birthday, Ko purchases a shiny pendant as a scheduled gift. When the tournament bracket is revealed, Ryuo is seeded first, placing them against Seishu in the third game. Seishu’s opening match is scheduled for the fifth inning. Later, Ko catches pitches for Aoba, who was excluded from playing due to her gender, and encourages her not to abandon baseball as darkness falls.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many episodes does Cross Game have?
- Cross Game has 50 episodes.
- When did Cross Game come out?
- Cross Game came out in 2009.
- Which studio made Cross Game?
- Cross Game was produced by SynergySP.
- Who directed Cross Game?
- Cross Game was directed by Osamu Sekita.
- Is Cross Game finished?
- Current status of Cross Game: Finished.