An anime version of “Ookiku Furikabutte”, a popular manga running on monthly “Afternoon” (Kondansha), is scheduled. The rollout of this anime was held at Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 at Tokyo BigSight on March 23. Representatives of TBS, Kodansha, Aniplex, A-1 pictures and special voice actors joined to the rollout.

The original story received 10th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award: Creative Award and is chosen as best 25 manga by Japan Media Arts Festival. The manga books consist of seven series and sell 2.5 million.
The manga is so different from typical baseball story that many fans feel empathies with modern and individual characters.
A-1 Pictures was founded only one year ago as a subsidiary corporation of Aniplex, so this is the first anime they produce. Hideo Katsumata, the president of A-1 showed great commitment for this anime. He also said they focus on expressions of “moves” as well as character dramas. They have gloves and bats at the production studio and always study moves of baseball. He said they wanted this anime enjoyable for those who do not play baseball too.
“Ookiku Furikabutte” will start in April, and it will be an interesting work because of its story, animation, and junior voice actors.