When watching any type of media it’s easy for viewers to form expectations based on past experiences. This can lead to an uneasy feeling when a show doesn’t meet expectations. This is not the case with Cross Game, a shounen that shows that a wonderful story can be found in a simple story of romance and baseball.
The main characters of the show are each memorable, from the four street sisters to Ko’s best pal Daiki. This small cast makes the show memorable. They can add the feeling of a persona and ambiance to every scene. Their characterisation also enables them to tackle the themes of death and love with ease giving them a more empathetic feel than you would think of from a standard shonen.
What makes Cross Game really stand out is the fact that it understands the best place to focus its attention. The characters are well-developed and there aren’t many dramas or twists in each episode. This allows the viewer the opportunity to enjoy the development of their relationship without being distracted by the need to create emotional tension or a plot which is constantly trying to surprise readers with new twists and endings that leave a cliffhanger. The fact that it steers clear of these pitfalls is what makes Cross Game so wonderful, and something that the genre could really benefit from more of.
