One Outs Review: The Baseball Thriller That Changed Anime

One Outs

Gambling and anime haven't had the best relationship in modern times. Back in the day, we had “Kaiji” and “Akagi” define this relatively unexplored genre, and we were happy with that. Then came “Kakegurui,” and it's not that I'm saying that show is terrible; it's just not on that level if you ask me. However, one anime people seem to have forgotten is One Outs. Most people were unaware of One Outs from the start, as the title has remained a mystery for unknown reasons. But that's just the reality of things, no matter how sad or unrealistic that sounds. But today, we're here to change that. I firmly believe that if One Outs had been released in this era, it would have quickly revolutionized the anime industry. So today, let us introduce you to an eccentric pitcher, one who's mastered the art of manipulation and mind-bending, someone who can genuinely give Johan Liebert, the proclaimed number-one psychopath in the anime industry, the competition that he's always wanted.

Prodigies Have it Nice

Regular protagonists have never been the norm in the anime industry. We either have overpowered characters ready to wreak havoc like no tomorrow or weak crybabies who aim to deliver that zero-to-hero story that almost no one wished for. Right in the middle is a category where the character does not like to brag and does not always put on a good performance. But as someone says, behind a mask is another mask, which can't be more accurate when it comes to One Outs.

Toua Tokuchi resembles a Slytherin, possessing the eyes of a ferocious serpent. However, what truly distinguishes him are his unparalleled pitching abilities, often eclipsing even professional baseball players. As brilliant as he is, he's found a way to utilize his talent best: playing One Outs, the game where baseball meets gambling. One Outs is a one-on-one showdown between a batter and a pitcher, and the one who wins takes home the money. It seems straightforward, doesn't it? Well, our guy Toua Tokuchi has an unfathomable record of 499 wins, so one's sure to think that the guy is cheating in one way or another. However, this raises the question: given his exceptional skill, why hasn't he secured a multimillion-dollar MLB contract? The show also explores many aspects, but it's still too early. Hiromichi Kojima, the ace batter for the Saikyou Saitama Lycaons, encounters the man after learning much about him from the streets. After playing on his home ground, he endeavors to recruit Toua Tokuchio to the team, realizing that his talent is precisely what they need to bring their team back to its former glory.

The recruitment didn't go smoothly, and turbulence and dissonance defined the air in the room regarding Toua Tokuchi and the team. But, being the master manipulator that he is, the guy proposes a deal in which he receives 5 million yen for every out he gets and 50 million for every run he gives. It sounds exactly like something a guy with his face would say, and thus begins the never-ending game of psychological warfare between Toua Tokuchi and the best Japan has to offer.

Bland Characters

It is not wrong to say that the show has just one character: our protagonist. The other characters accentuate his brilliance and demonstrate his exceptional talent, a quality that Japanese baseball has yet to embrace. That might be a problem for some people, given how, in a team sport like baseball, having these different players, each with their own unique set of skills, is a treat to watch. Take “Ace of Diamond,” for example; every other character has so much to them; even the minor teams that last a couple of episodes or so have one or two players that stay with the show for the long run, and in my opinion that's one of the strongest points of that show.

But when it comes to One Out, that just isn't the truth at all since Toua Tokuchi's selfish ass is here to hog away all the glory for himself. But who can even blame him? If you're that good at what you're doing, why let anyone else take away even a second of the spotlight? Nevertheless, kudos to him for anchoring the show throughout its entire duration; I doubt anyone could claim boredom from even a single minute of the show's content, considering how he not only infuses baseball with a fresh perspective but also ensures that the psychological battles played on the field remain a lasting memory.

The Blue Lock of Baseball

You know the problems people have with Blue Lock. No, I'm not referring to the animation department, as they've already faced significant criticism. However, I would like to draw attention to the fact that many viewers find Blue Lock unappealing because the sport it showcases is not "not really" soccer. It's just a bunch of strikers making their ego do the talking for them, just edgelords making sure the teens get that dose of emo that they've been craving for. I won't lie, but the same can be said for One Outs here. The show isn't baseball most of the time, even when the format of the games in the latter part of the series is exactly what baseball is all about. But you get my point after that analogy, right? So, bear that in mind before you dive headfirst into this series since I don't want you to come back to me and say how it's nothing but a budget blue lock. No, it's not! It's a lot better if you ask me.

Furthermore, the manga significantly enhances the series by introducing elements that fundamentally alter it. I'd highly recommend the manga, too. It's not that long and just keeps getting better. But after an adaptation like this, you'll pick up the manga no matter what. Don't believe me? When you've finished the series, you can judge for yourself. It's like an addiction that's hard to fight, like gambling—because we know we can't quit gambling!

Madhouse did a fantastic job with One Outs. Do bear in mind that this adaptation is more than 15 years old at this point, even when that doesn’t seem to be the truth, given how it looks excellent in every way there is. I know the opening and ending sequences can be very unusual for apparent reasons, but let’s not diss the song just because of that. It’s a great one, isn’t it? The opening theme is "Bury" by Pay Money to My Pain, and the ending is "Moment" by Tribal Chair. You will love this series if you like shows like Blue Lock, Kakegurui, and Kaiji. Given how One Outs masterfully executes this setting, it's nearly impossible for viewers to abandon the show once they pick it up for the weekend or something similar. Seriously, don’t miss out on this one.

For the rating, I’ll quickly give it an 8/10. I still remember how excited I was when I first watched it, and even after rewatching it recently, that feeling didn’t fade away. The adaptation can leave you wanting a bit more, given how it doesn’t wrap up well, but that’s what the manga is for, right? Let’s check that out for sure and see how the story unfolds. I have already done so and can’t spoil it for you guys. It gets even better later; you surely don’t want to miss out on that. So go and check it out; you’ll find it challenging to put it down once you’ve tuned into the first episode!