Cross Game

Ko Kitamura grows up beside his family’s sporting goods shop, while the Tsukishima sisters live nearby. The Tsukimas run a batting center and a cafe, and four daughters shape every day: Ichiyo the responsible eldest; Wakaba the sunny best friend; Aoba who clashes with Ko; and Momiji the energetic youngest. When Ko enters high school, his dream is to pitch his team to the Koshien National Championship and, with it, make Wakaba’s wish come true. The story follows friendships, rivalries, and first love as Ko learns what it takes to grow up and balance ambition, loyalty, and the surprises of youth.

Based on Mitsuru Adachi's beloved baseball manga Cross Game, this 2009 anime was created by Michihiro Tsuchiya and Mitsuru Adachi as a television adaptation of the source material.

Critics praise its patient, character driven storytelling that blends sports drama with romance and family life. The show examines perseverance and memory, showing how friendships and loyalties shape a young athlete as he grows, all treated with a quiet, empathetic tone.

Fans view Cross Game as a faithful extension of Adachi's style with memorable scenes focused on family meals, conversations, and hopeful baseball moments. Its balance of humor and heart leaves a lasting impression on viewers who crave grounded, human stories in sports anime.