Major S4 · Episode 9: Challenger
Challenger
2008-03-0125 min
Sato is once again placed in the starting lineup. An early run seems to shake Toshi's confidence. Even when the Warriors tie it up Toshi seems to lack confidence. When he is forced to face an old teammate Toshi thinks he has an easy out. It is only when an easy hit is made that Toshi realizes he hasn't done enough research on film on how a catcher should start a game and how different a batter can become in the Pros with daily training. With a little help from Yanatabe Toshi begins to realize that in the Pros you battle everyday for an entire season, not just one batter at a time. With this…
1To the Home of Baseball2008-01-0525 minAfter learning Joe Gibson is still playing and that he has dedicated his 300th MLB win to his major league fans in Japan, Goro decides that he must fulfill the dream he had as a child of challenging Gibson on the world's grandest stage and so he tries out with the Anaheim Salmons.2Tryouts2008-01-1225 minDespite losing his bag, ball, and glove Goro has successfully made it to tryouts thanks to Ginumachi Yaginuma, a fellow Japanese who played in Koshien earlier. Goro's first batter is none other than Bolton, who homers off of him on his third pitch, but Goro is advanced in the tryouts. A challenge is given to the 7 rookies who tried out and passed the first test- if they can defeat the Salmons Single A team, they'll all advance to at least the Rookie League. Will Goro fare any better with these Minor League players, especially when only one member of his team can understand him?3I’ll Do It!2008-01-1925 minThe Battle between the tryout rookies and the Single A squad Tucson Red Rocks continues. Goro has slowly been gaining the trust of 5 of his teammates, but the final two just want to go for the big swing and don't think they can win with a 10-run deficit. Goro is determined to prove them wrong, but which team will ultimately win the game?4This Is Major!2008-01-2625 minGoro is shocked to learn that after shutting out the Single A squad he has been promoted to the Majors for at least Spring Training. Goro immediately determines he will get revenge on Bolton for that home run. At first he has problems, but thanks to a Salmons Triple A member named Fox he once again has a translator to help him get through the difficulties of communication. No sooner does Goro begin to warm up then he encounters Sanchez, the Salmons ace pitcher who won't tolerate Goro's inability to speak English. The two get into a fight. The winner will only be determined by a pitching…5Guide to the World2008-02-0225 minGoro makes his first start for the Salmons and gets a quick three outs. Things are looking good until he faces the middle of the order. The Dallas team begins getting easy hits off of Goro, causing him to face the crowds negativity for the first time in his life. How will Goro handle the outside pressure of pleasing others besides himself?6Unforgivable!!2008-02-0925 minAfter being demoted to Triple A Goro is asked to start for the Cougars on only one days rest. He agrees to do so and learns how to pitch a curve ball in addition to his fastball. The next day he holds the Falcons scoreless for 5 innings, but then Gibson Junior is brought off the bench. Junior hits a 3-run homer off of Goro on his first pitch, and so Goro is removed from the mound. Goro introduces himself to Junior and asks him to tell his father Honda Junior is here to take to the Majors and defeat both father and son. Junior calls Goro's father trash and causes Goro to get into a fight. The…7Courage, Full Score!2008-02-1625 minThe plane ticket given to him by the Cougars takes Goro to the Memphis Bats. When he arrives in Memphis his bag is once again stolen and he accuses a young girl who can speak Japanese. The girl ends up being none other than the owner of the Memphis Bats. Goro is admitted into a tryout during an exhibition game as the closer. Goro manages to strike out three batters, but the Bats defense makes him question whether he should be on their team until he sees their skills offensively. With an offer to tryout for other Triple A squads though, one must wonder where Goro will finally end up.8Debut!2008-02-2325 minGoro is officially made the closer for the Bats, meaning he could potentially pitch everyday. During his first save opportunity he strikes out the side and gets the win. Meanwhile back in Japan Toshi appears to have been working out. He is fielding defense with more precision than ever, and the ball is flying further. Still, Yatanabe doesn't wish to give up the catcher's position. The two are tried and tested through the exhibition season, but it isn't until they start the first regular season game that Toshi learns how much he truly needs to grow to succeed in Japanese Professional Baseball.9Challenger2008-03-0125 minSato is once again placed in the starting lineup. An early run seems to shake Toshi's confidence. Even when the Warriors tie it up Toshi seems to lack confidence. When he is forced to face an old teammate Toshi thinks he has an easy out. It is only when an easy hit is made that Toshi realizes he hasn't done enough research on film on how a catcher should start a game and how different a batter can become in the Pros with daily training. With a little help from Yanatabe Toshi begins to realize that in the Pros you battle everyday for an entire season, not just one batter at a time. With this…10It’s Not Impossible2008-03-0825 minGraduation day arrives for Goro and all of his friends, but Goro is missing to continue Triple A play with the Memphis Bats. In Japan Goro's friends from Seishuu remember what drives Goro and remind us of some of his best memories up to this point from High School. After the graduations are done, the regular season starts for the Japanese baseball League and the Triple A Bats. Toshi starts on the bench, Mayumura starts in the bullpen, and Goro is the closer for the Bats, but which of them will emerge to become the stars of their respective squads early on?11Try and Aim for It2008-03-1525 minGoro and Saunders have the goal of taking the Bats to the Triple A Championship. However Saunders is worries that the rest of the team and the Bats manager are just worries about being promoted. Realizing that Goro and Saunders realize the only way they can change the minds of their teammates is by giving it their all on defense out on the field. Can the Bats get their mindsets changed before it's too late to contend?12Liar!2008-03-2225 minKomori tries out for his University baseball team, but he is relegated to backup duty. When he is on his way home he sees the Dolphins getting ready for their next game. Coach Ando thinks Komori has grown to be a successful player and asks Komori to be the assistant coach. However one of the Dolphins learns that Komori is a bench boy and accuses him of lying to the entire team. Determined to prove him wrong Komori invites all of them to his game, and with additional practice Komori is finally put in where he gets a hit. Seeing Komori's determination sparks the young Dolphins as they prepare…13A Stupid Bet2008-03-2925 minThe Hornets promote the Golden Rookie Jeff Keene from Double A to the Bats forcing Saunders to the bench. Goro doesn't agree with Keene's attitude, so he makes a bet that could cause Goro to stop pitching the way he wishes to permanently, or at least while Keene is present.14Keene’s Past2008-04-0525 minWhen Keene has the pitchers walk the #4 man three times in one game despite being up 12 to 0, the rest of the team begins to doubt his leadership at truly knowing what is best during a game. Goro challenges him to another match to show that a pitcher's pride can help the team just as much as his data baseball. In the end it could be Keene that learns another aspect of the game or it could be Goro that is fired for defying his catcher.15Hero2008-04-1225 minAfter costing the Bats their winning streak and after seeing Keene's outstanding plays, Saunders decides he is going to retire after the current series. Goro is against the idea, but Saunders says he's doing it so he can be close to his family and to his son, whom has never seen a game. Goro talks the to the Hornets management and gets Saunders son and wife flown out for what he claims will be his final game, but can his son and wife convince him to stay or has Saunders truly made up his mind to leave?16I’m Fed Up!2008-04-1925 minHow well can Seishuu do after Goro has left and is now the closer for the Bats? Taiga has been training them hard day in and day out, and they have a confident pitcher who thinks he deserves to be in Koshien. However the team still has a limited number of players and a lack of experience against other teams. Taiga begins t get depressed when his teammates won't listen to him. How well can they perform in the newest tournament? Will they even manage to make it to a rematch with Kaido?17Where to Aim2008-04-2625 minAfter struggling to gain control of some of his fast ball pitches Goro decides to attend a Major League game on his day off. While there he sees the Japanese sensation Itao but is also shocked to see Gibson on the mound. Meanwhile Shimizu's friends fear for her love life and set her up on a blind date, but can she stop thinking of Goro?18Alice’s Dream, Everyone’s Dream2008-05-0325 minWhen Alice's Grandfather has his health deteriorate, her parents decide they want to sale the team to a person in Memphis and move to New York. At the same time the Bats find themselves on a four game losing streak needing only 1 win to win the Division and make the playoffs. Now Alice must try and find some way to let her parents know not only how she feels but how the fans of Memphis feel if the Bats are to stay in Memphis and win their first division title in 15 years.19Responsibility2008-05-1025 minThe day before the Triple A playoffs are scheduled to begin 6 Memphis Bats are called up as the Majors expand their rosters. Goro is one of the six, but when he learns Gibson Jr. and the Falcons are whom the Bats will face if they make the Finals he fakes an injury so he can pitch in the Triple A playoffs.20Get Out!2008-05-1725 minBoth the Falcons and Bats advance to the Finals, but before they can ever meet each other on the diamond Goro and Gibson Junior run into each other face-to-face. The horrible reason behind why Gibson hates Goro is finally revealed.21Trouble from the Start2008-05-2425 minGame 1 of the Championship between the Falcons and Bats takes place with Yaguinuma in the stad to see who will prevail in the bet between Goro and Gibsion Junior. Junior has promised if Goro strikes him out even once, then he will return to Japan to apologize at the feet of Honda's grave, but if he homers off of Goro even once, then Goro must leave America permanently as soon as the series is over. Which side will prevail, and what will happen if they should both prevail?22The Single Ball of Fate2008-05-3125 minAn early 6 to 0 deficit has been reversed thanks to Goro coming on in the third inning to strike out the side an spark the Bats bats. However when Goro is hit by a pitch it makes him lose all control of his pitches. With no other choice Goro must pitch straight down the middle against Junior with nothing but 100+ mph pitches, a speed which Junior has never seen before. Who will prevail, and will the Bats be able to take a 1-0 series lead? With Ginumachi in the stands rooting for Goro, anything seems to be possible.23One More Deciding Match2008-06-0725 minAs Ginumachi returns to Japan he learns he has arrived just in time for the Japanese finals. After a slow start Toshi has become the every day catcher for the Warriors, and the Warriors find themselves in the finals against the Blue Oceans. Making things more interesting is the knowledge that the rookie of the year could be decided in this series as Toshi battles his former battery Mayumura. Who will win Japan's championship?24A Great Man2008-06-1425 minJunior is called up to the Majors after the Texas Raiders lose their third baseman to injury. When he learns that Goro recovered from his injury and pitched in Game 3 to put the Bats up 2-1 he determines to win the Division Championship for the Raiders quickly so he can face off with Goro in Game 7 of the Triple A Championship. Trailing 3-2 the Bats bring in Goro in Game 6 to close it out, and the series evens up at 3-3. Junior returns for Game 7, and Goro is able to get him to fly out, but when Junior learns his father has come to watch Goro and not him he puts his pride on the line to try…25A Truly Worthy Rival2008-06-2125 minWhen Goro comes up to bat he manages to hit a double and cut the score to 2-1. After stealing third base Junior reveals to Goro that his father is in the VIP Suite watching. When Goro learns of this he is determined to not lose at all costs. On a fly ball he tags at third and ties the game. Junior slowly realizes Goro plays not for revenge but for the love of the game. He also begins to realize that his father has always been watching his game. Junior finally swallows his pride and heeds to his fathers advice allowing him to hit an inside the park homerun off of Goro. The top of the ninth…26An Oath2008-06-2825 minGoro's efforts send the game into the 10th inning, and a surprise awaits everyone when Goro manages to hit a homerun and put the Bats up 4 to 3. The bottom of the 10th quickly begins with the Bats getting two outs, but the Falcons aren't dead quite yet as they follow up with two consecutive hits leading to a showdown between Goro and Junior to decide the game. Goro calls for the walk, but every fielder on the Bats comes and talks him out of it. Goro winds up despite the runners being on base and allows them to steal second and third. Now any hit will win the game for the Falcons, but Goro's…
Major S4★ 80%Synopsis
Next season of Major. After the final game of his Seishuu team against the goal he set himself, Kaidou - the team he left to play against, Gorou has no feelings of remorse anymore. Again he decides to take a step forward and challenge himself. Saying one more time good bye to Shimizu and his friends, he leaves for the USA, where he plans on competing in the Minor League. This is where Season 4 starts, in a country that`s foreign to him, a baseball style that`s unknown to him and new friends and strong rivals who share the same love to the game as him. Accompany Gorou in his neverending quest for new challenges. (Source: AniDB)
Characters & Voice Actors
Gorou HondaMain
Shoutarou MorikuboJP
SandersMain
Kouji IshiiJP
Hayato YaginumaSupporting
Kenichi SuzumuraJP
FoxSupporting
Kenta MiyakeJP
Chiharu ShigenoSupporting
Tomoko KanedaJP
Jeff KeaneSupporting
Toshiyuki MorikawaJP
Toshiya SatouSupporting
Masakazu MoritaJP
Ken MayumuraSupporting
Makoto YasumuraJP
Masataka OobayashiSupporting
Ayumu HasegawaJP
Ichirou YamadaSupporting
Kenyuu HoriuchiJP
TashiroSupporting
Norihisa MoriJP
Shuuichi KashimotoSupporting
Taiten KusunokiJP
Staff
Reiko YoshidaScript
Takuya MitsudaOriginal Creator
Kenichi KasaiAssistant Director
Toshinori FukushimaDirector
Kenichi OonukiCharacter Design
Ace of the Diamond
Ace of the Diamond Second Season
Oblivion Battery
One Outs
Shin Kyojin no Hoshi
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