Filler episodes are the last things that anime fans want to see. They derail the entire plot and tend to interrupt pivotal moments during crucial story arcs. However, baseball episodes are always an exception. They aren't essential to watch, but many fans recommend giving them a chance.
They show the characters in a new light and test their teamwork in a classic sport. Baseball is one of the most beloved sports in Japan, and many series have collaborated with the Yomiuri Giants, such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, Attack On Titan, and even the beloved rom-com, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War.
10 The Boredom Of Haruhi Suzumiya Is An Adaptation Of A Light Novel Of The Same Name
In The Boredom Of Haruhi Suzumiya, the titular protagonist enters the S.O.S. Brigade in a baseball tournament. She wants to get their name out there, so she decides the tournament is the perfect choice because of how many people love baseball.
The perpetually snarky Kyon predicted they'd lose no matter what, so there was no reason for him to care about the game. Luckily, Yuki rigged the Brigade's baseball bat so it'd always hit a home run. Yuki hijacked the pitches in the next inning so the other team couldn't hit them. It's a pretty lighthearted episode full of the gang's usual shenanigans.
9 Michiru Joins A Baseball Team Of Bears In BNA: Brand New Animal
BNA: Brand New Animal's baseball episode occurs early in the series. Michiru is a human-animal hybrid. She ran away from her hometown to a city of beasts to get answers and hopefully find a cure. Despite its terrifying premise, BNA keeps things pretty lighthearted.
In "Greedy Bears," Michiro joins a baseball team of bears and helps them out of the dugout just when they desperately needed a pitcher. She uses her animalistic body parts to her advantage, such as her cheetah leg and gorilla arm.
8 Otonashi & Hinata Challenge Angel To A Baseball Game In Angel Beats!
"Day Game" is the baseball episode in Angel Beats!. Otonashi gains an understanding of the afterlife, but is still confused about why and how Iwasawa disappeared. Then, Hinata recruited Otonashi for her baseball team. She was specifically picking the most athletic people she could find.
Getting members on their team is the bulk of their struggle, but playing the game itself is just as hard. Plus, getting along with other teammates is challenging. Angel's team, though primarily composed of NPCs, won the match because of the squabbling on Hinata's team.
7 Casey Is A Baseball Enthusiast In Pokémon
"The Double Trouble Header" is Pokémon's baseball episode. Fans meet Casey, a total baseball enthusiast who also loves Electrabuzz. Ash, Brock, and Misty meet her and her Chikorita. They engaged in a friendly duel, but she didn't take the loss well.
Casey ran away, but Team Rocket caught up with her and convinced her to rematch Ash in a baseball tournament. Of course, their ulterior motive was to steal Pikachu. It was a failed plan, but fans nonetheless got a pretty entertaining episode out of it.
6 Samurai Champloo's Main Trio Got Hired To Play A Baseball Game To Pay Their Bill After They Left A Restaurant Without Paying
Samurai Champloo's main trio constantly finds themselves in all kinds of wacky adventures. In "Baseball Blues," the gang decided to high tail out of a restaurant without paying the bill.
They got caught, but the restaurant owner decided to make them play a baseball game if they wanted their tab cleared. After arriving on a ship, a bunch of arrogant U.S. officers challenged their village to a game. The villagers were desperate to recruit more members to at least give them some strength in numbers.
5 Dragon Ball Super's Baseball Episode Is Surprisingly Intense
Dragon Ball Super is packed with filler episodes, but a few are worth the viewer's time. The baseball episode, "A Challenge From Champa! This Time, A Baseball Game!," is surprisingly intense and entertaining.
Champa challenged Beerus to a baseball game. He claims it's a friendly competition, but as with all sibling rivalries in anime, the tension on the field quickly rose. It was also hilarious watching Goku struggle with pitching. The star of the show, however, was Yamcha. Though he's always a punching bag for everyone else and the ultimate meme, he saved the day and led his team to victory in the most Yamcha-esque way possible.
4 Dorohedoro Gave Its Characters A Break From The Constant Blood & Guts To Play A Game Of Baseball
Dorohedoro isn't exactly a light-hearted show. Most of the episodes are chock-full of gore and brutal fights. However, the series gave its characters a break from the constant doom and gloom.
In "The All-Star Dream Game," the cast of Dorohedoro hits the field and plays a good old-fashioned baseball game. Two rival hospitals decide to compete against each other. Both sides play dirty, but that's exactly why the entire episode was so entertaining and unpredictable. The Hole Peace Hospital team was good, but with Caiman on the opposing side, they had their work cut out for them.
3 Star Platinum & Atum Got Isekai'd Into A Baseball Video Game With Kakyoin's Soul On The Line In JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has some of the most creative battle scenes in anime. With Stands, anything could happen in the series. Towards the end of Stardust Crusaders, the Joestar group found themselves in a sticky situation against Terence T. D'Arby.
Jotaro had to play against him in a baseball video game with Kakyoin's soul on the line. Oh! That's A Baseball! suddenly transformed from a basic sports video game into a high-stakes Stand battle since Atum and Star Platinum were basically isekai'd inside of it.
2 My Hero Academia's Side Characters Had A Chance To Shine During The Hero League Baseball OVA
During My Hero Academia's Hero League Baseball OVA, some of the most beloved students from Class 1-A and Pro Heroes faced off on the field. The Gang Orca Agency Orcas versus the Shishido Agency Lionels played an intense game during the finals.
Nothing was off the table during the game, and players could even use their quirks to gain the upper hand. Unfortunately, the game's climax was rudely interrupted by a villain's untimely attack. Since the OVAs came out right before Season 6, it gave fans a lighthearted episode before the series takes an irreversibly dark turn.
1 Jujutsu Kaisen Ended Its Intense Goodwill Event With A Laidback Baseball Game
Jujutsu Kaisen's Goodwill Event was one of the most unique tournament arcs in shonen anime. It took a surprisingly dark and intense turn after Mahito's group infiltrated and derailed it, but it brought tons of great memories for fans and characters alike.
The Jujutsu High students had to fight for their lives during the event, so Gojo decided to let them kick back and have some fun with a laidback baseball game. In the end, the Tokyo students defeated Kyoto thanks to Yuji's home run.