Welcome to Cozy Anime Corner , your go-to place for finding the perfect anime to brighten your day! Every month I’ll highlight a comfy series with low stakes, calm vibes and people I wish I knew in real life. Nothing says summertime like baseball, and Catch Me At the Ballpark! wants to take you — yes, you — out to the ballgame! But this isn’t an edge-of-your-seat sports anime with bombastic action sequences. Catch Me At the Ballpark! is a slice-of-life anime about the people in the stands cheering on their favorite players, and the people who work hard to make sure they all have a fantastic time — like the tireless uriko, or beer girls, who pour drinks in the stands with a smile. RELATED: Cozy Anime Songs for a Summer Night Catch Me At the Ballpark! not only captures the feeling of a baseball game on a bright day, but gives you just as much appreciation for the fans as the players. Warning: You’re going to want to catch a ballgame after you watch this series! Opening Number "Hurray!!," performed by GENIC, has all the energy of a cheering section at a baseball game. A chorus of different voices joins the lively main singer, making it feel like all kinds of people are coming together to be a part of the excitement — almost like the variety of fans whose personal stories we get to discover in Catch Me at the Ballpark! are singing along. RELATED: Catch Me at the Ballpark! Star Fairouz Ai to Throw out First Pitch at May 17 Baseball Game Even though most of the characters shown are at their respective jobs, there’s a sense of anticipation in both the animation and music that sets up the fun they’re about to have in the episode that follows. Here's the Story Salaryman Murata gets through his longest days at the office by looking forward to catching a baseball game at the nearby stadium after work. He’s a fan of the Chiba Motorsuns, which might be a small-time team, but they have big-time fans. Murata grabs a chair in the open seating area and loves to lose himself in the game. One evening he meets Ruriko, a gyaru selling beer, and she gets a kick out of teasing him. Murata becomes her first regular customer and she gets to know some of the fans in the park. There’s a pair of older gentlemen, a family, a trio of flirts, and players’ significant others. Ruriko also makes friends with the other uriko, vendors, and the announcer, and even catches the eye of a player or two. Everyone works hard to make sure the fans have a good time! Coziest Character Sun-Shiro is the MotorSuns’ team mascot, a giant salamander. He might be wearing a huge round head that’s always smiling, but Sun-Shiro’s emotions come through every movement and handwritten sign. The mascot wordlessly cheers on fans and ballpark staff alike and helps clean up the stadium. He even offers tips to the players to improve their game. Just who is this guy?! RELATED: The Baseball Anime Not About Baseball Best of all, Sun-Shiro lends an ear to anyone who needs one. He only has his sketch book to pass along his thoughts, but when he does, they’re strangely insightful. Who wouldn’t want to get a morale boost from a big, bright salamander? Ending Notes The uriko cast performs "Ballpark de Shake! Don't Shake!" together. Their charm and energy makes it feel like they’re cheering just for you. Combined with the bright and colorful animation and the dance their characters are doing, this ending theme is one you’ll never want to skip. RELATED: Catch Me at the Ballpark! Anime Gets Dancing in Creditless Ending Sequence Catch Me at the Ballpark! isn’t a perfect cozy anime for summertime just because it’s about baseball — although that’s certainly part of its charm and uniqueness. It’s because the focus is on the characters, who are doing their best for the sake of other people. Whether they’re serving food, swinging a bat, or watching from the stands, the people in the ballpark share a common love despite their different backgrounds. Just like Murata, during a long day you’ll find yourself looking forward to the time you get to settle in and catch an episode of this genuine and heartwarming anime. Join me in the Cozy Anime Corner next month for my latest pick!
