My Hero Academia's announcement that it will be releasing a special baseball-themed episode called "Hero League Baseball" has the fandom curious. While the idea of a non-sports anime having a baseball-driven special might seem weird on paper, it is actually quite common due to the sport's popularity in Japan. The Nippon Professional Baseball league, the highest level in Japan, draws massive crowds and has a dedicated fan base.
In fact, baseball anime episodes can serve many purposes within a series: helping writers develop characters, world-building or simply blowing off steam between more dramatic story arcs. So for those MHA fans looking to warm up before "Hero League Baseball", here are five of the best baseball episodes from non-sports anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen: "Jujutsu Koshien" (Episode 21)
The mega-popular Jujutsu Kaisen is full of creative elements and scenarios, but Episode 21 "Jujutsu Koshien" shows how its character dynamics can be just as memorable as the more exciting moments. This episode focuses on a baseball game between Tokyo's Jujutsu High and Kyoto's Jujutsu High, acting as part of the school's annual Sister School Goodwill Event.
"Jujutsu Koshien" is fascinating because it comes after a moment of intense grief and turmoil for many of the characters, allowing both them and viewers alike to process what happened. It also gives time for characters to talk with each other, leading to plenty of powerful moments. This shows how random sports episodes are a great framing device for character development.
Jujutsu Kaisen is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Assassination Classroom: "Ball Game Tournament Time" (Episode 12)
Assassination Classroom's "Ball Game Tournament Time" sees Class 3-E taking on the school's baseball team as part of the Kunugigaoka Junior High School ball game tournament. One of the most intriguing aspects of this episode is how it blends a more traditional sports narrative into Assassination Classroom's largely fantastical premise.
Most of the match is focused on both teams' loophole abuse, allowing them to get away with several unsporting but legal plays. This allows the episode to show off the skills of several characters while also helping get over how cunning the class and the school's leaders are.
Assassination Classroom is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Samurai Champloo - "Baseball Blues" (Episode 23)
Samurai Champloo is no stranger to unusual episode premises, as the series rejoices in subverting viewers' expectations. "Baseball Blues" is no exception as waitress Fuu and her traveling companions, the ronin Jin and outlaw Mugen, encounter a man in need of a baseball team. This man has agreed to play an American squad -- with the Americans' ability to trade in Japan on the line.
The resulting match is hilarious as both teams cheat in increasingly ludicrous ways that perfectly fit Samurai Champloo's over-the-top tone. This is also a rare example of an anime episode with a sport-related death, though it is played for laughs.
Samurai Champloo is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dorohedoro - "The All-Star ☆ Dream Game" (Episode 7)
Dorohedoro is known for its strange world packed with odd characters, and its baseball episode doesn't shy away from these elements. When Vaux laments that the hospital's baseball team lacks a player for an upcoming inter-hospital game, Thirteen steps up to the plate -- but this leads to Fujita joining the rival team in the hopes of progressing their mission. However, the baseball game soon becomes strange as both teams start to cheat.
One team drugs most of the opposition pitchers. The other has a reanimated corpse, kept under control via electroshock therapy, as a player. Episode 7 of Dorohedoro shows how sports episodes are great world-building tools. By subverting a well-known sport, the writers can draw attention to how the show's world differs from ours, which can help draw viewers into the setting and its mysteries.
Dorohedoro is now streaming on Netflix.
Dragon Ball Super - "A Challenge From Champa! This Time, a Baseball Game!" (Episode 70)
Any combination of Dragon Ball and sports is guaranteed to be a memorable time, and Dragon Ball Super Episode 70 is no exception as Champa and Beerus arrange a baseball match that pits Universe 6 against Universe 7. Naturally when Vegeta and Goku are on the teams, one would expect the game to get out of hand -- and it quickly does. Part of this episode's appeal is that characters use their powers in unexpected ways to get ahead in the game, from energy blasts to manipulate the ball to using Super Saiyan Blue form to improve their pitching.
This episode is packed full of classic Toriyama humor, including a memorable joke where Yamcha ends up in a re-creation of an iconic Dragon Ball moment. It proves that, when handled correctly, a sports episode can develop characters and be a fun time in its own right.
Dragon Ball Super is now streaming on Crunchyroll.