The BEST episodes of Big Windup! season 2
Every episode of Big Windup! season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Big Windup! season 2!
The series, set in Saitama, follows Ren Mihashi, who had previously excelled as his middle school baseball team`s ace pitcher, due to his grandfather`s connections as its manager. As he graduates to high school, whose baseball team his grandfather does not manage, he initially does not believe he is good enough to succeed at baseball, however, but assisted by his friends, he grows in stature, confidence and skill, helping his team excel with his own ability.
#1 - What's Next?
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/2/2010
The episode begins with a combo play by Tajima and Mihashi in a gym period soccer game. Meanwhile Shinooka is approached by her friends to become cheerleaders for the clubs quendan. During lunch break Mihashi, Izumi, Hanada and Tajima discuss the eventuality of making it into the news when Hanada brings up Momoe in the conversation over food. The team later attends a match between two schools, where the winner is scheduled to be Nishiura'a next opponent.
#2 - Sakitama
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/9/2010
The episode continues with the Nishiura team watching the Sakitama match and is set off with the arrival of Mrs. Hanai and Mrs. Abe. They speak with Momoe about the game recording, as well as little bit about Momoe's past, where its revealed that she was the Baseball Clubs manager in the past.
#3 - Important
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/6/2010
Nishiura meets the baseball members of Sakitama in the train and are asked for practice games. Abe tells Mihashi to stop practicing his pitches since there will be conseqitive games after their third game. The 'cheer girls' prepare their cheering outfits now that the team has won their second game. Nishiura arrives at the stadium, and sits in the bleachers.
#4 - Bottom of the 5th, 2 - 5
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/3/2010
Momoe is infuriated to learn that Mihashi has never shaken off a pitch call from Abe, but decides not to scold Mihashi until after the game to preserve Mihashi's focus on the game. Takenouchi, Bijou's first pitcher, is replaced by Kashima as pitcher. Takenouchi replaces Kitamura as left fielder. Kashima's pitches are faster than Nishiura is used to by players and they have difficulty hitting. To avoid stepping on Kurata's arm in a successful dive toward home, Abe sprains his left knee. Tajima replaces Abe as catcher. Nishihiro plays left field and Mizutani plays third. Mihashi and the team resolves to do their best to make up for Abe's absence. Fifth inning (1-2), sixth inning (0-0), seventh inning (1-x).
#5 - Because I'm the Ace
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/11/2010
At the bottom of the seventh, the Tajima-Mihashi battery gives up two runs. Bijou figures out that Momoe is calling out strikes or balls. After Mihashi easily acquieses to Abe's order to listen to Tajima's calls, Abe starts to feel guilty about Mihashi's absolute obedience to him and resolves to apologize after the game. Mihashi feels guilty that Abe is the only one to strategize and has to look after him. Eighth inning (0-1).
#6 - I Want to Play Baseball
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/29/2010
The fight between Nishiura and Sakitama continues. Nishiura tries to score, but loses in a called game (0-8).
#7 - Slow Change
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/13/2010
Nishiura's third game against Kounan starts. Bijou's coaches observe the game, and deduce that the catcher is deciding all of the pitches, and that Nishiura's pitcher has perfect control. Nishiura wins 6-3. Mihashi is approached by Abe's father, who asks him if he is scared of Abe. Mihashi says yes. Mihashi returns home, where his father is waiting. At home, Abe is questioned by his father about his relationship with Mihashi. Shimizu, a female reporter, finally gets the clear to cover Nishiura. Nishiura is about to start their next game with Bijoudai-Sayama.
#8 - 5th Match
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/20/2010
Nishiura's game against Bijoudai-Sayama starts. Knowing that Abe carefully considers each player's pitch preferences, the opposing team quickly gains runs. Mihashi questions why the opposing team seems to only swing on pitches that seem to be the opposite of what they like, and Momoe and Abe realise that Bijou must have gathered a lot of data on Nishiura. Momoe notices that even the defense against them is skewed toward Nishiura's tendencies. Abe and Mihashi create a sign for a fake refusal of a sign to throw off Bijou. First inning (3-0), second inning (1-0).
#9 - Doing Research
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/27/2010
Although Nishiura has discovered the extent of Bijou's planning against them, Abe decides to simulate ignorance to turn their information to Nishiura's advantage. Third inning (0-1). Suspicious, the senior captain that gave information about Nishiura to Bijou questions Bijou's coach Roka about Bijou's regular catcher's frequent glances at Roka, and decides to stay sitting next him to stop him from giving out signs from the benches and making the game unfair. Fourth inning (0-1). Although Bijou starts wondering if Nishiura has caught on to their strategy, they aren't quite sure.
#10 - 9th Inning
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/18/2010
Mihashi goes past his 100th pitch. Momoe realises Bijou has decoded Nishiura's signs. Momoe tells Tajima to decide pitches with Mihashi. After a three-run homer, Mihashi is badly shaken up and ends up giving up a walk to the next batter, unable to locate his pitches. Mihashi sees the importance of a pitcher's decision to follow the catcher's signs. Mihashi manages to strike-out the next batter, Kurata, the catcher, in that mindset. Bijou's Kashima is replaced by Takenouchi as pitcher. Moriya replaces Takenouchi in left field. Nishihiro, the reserve player, gets the last at-bat with two outs, but strikes out and the game ends with the ninth inning (4-1). Nishiura loses 11-6. Although they've lost, Momoe tells them to look forward to the Newcomers Tournament and the Fall Tournament.
#11 - We Start Again
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/25/2010
The newcomers tournament begins in two weeks. Captain Hanai suggests the team set goals for themselves. Everyone desires to go to Koushien, but the team lacks a consensus on how far they aim to go in the tournament. Only Mihashi and Tajima wrote winning the championship because the rest of the team lacked the resolve after losing their last game. Hanai asks Mihashi to explain what he wrote but Mihashi felt insecure about his reasoning, and says he didn't give it much thought.
#12 - 3rd Match
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/16/2010
The episode begins with catching practice among the players of Nishiura, where through Sakaeguchi's speculations, the reason for Mihashi's obsession with the pitcher's mound is revealed! Just before the game begins,with Sakitama having chosen offence, Momoe tells Hanai that he can be the hero today, a statement which slightly throws him off.
#13 - Baseball is Hard
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/22/2010
Nishiura and Sakitama's battle continues in a tight game. Both teams have to overcome their faults and strengths.