Major S1

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A young boy's dream of baseball intertwines with his father's professional aspirations, facing both joy and sorrow as they navigate life and the sport they love.

📖 SYNOPSIS

A young kid named Gorou Honda loves baseball more than anything, mostly because his dad, Shigeharu, is a professional player. The thing is, Shigeharu isn't exactly living the dream — he's stuck on the second-string team, his wife has passed away, and he's doing his best to hold it together for his son. Gorou doesn't care about any of that though. To him, his dad is the coolest player alive, and he wants nothing more than to follow the same path.

This 26-episode TV series starts with that father-son dynamic and builds from there, layering in real emotional weight alongside the baseball. The sport itself is portrayed with genuine care for technique and strategy, but what keeps you watching is how personal everything feels. Gorou's journey isn't just about getting better at throwing a ball — it's about loss, stubbornness, and refusing to quit when things go sideways. The storytelling earns its emotional moments instead of forcing them.

If you liked Cross Game's blend of sports and heartbreak, or Diamond no Ace's dedication to depicting competitive baseball, Major scratches a similar itch but starts from childhood, so you grow up alongside the main character across multiple seasons. Big Windup fans will also appreciate how grounded the baseball feels here. Fair warning — this show will get you invested in a kid's dream and then test your composure more than once. Bring tissues, just in case.

✨ MUST WATCH IF...

You love underdog baseball stories — Gorou's childhood arc is packed with heart and grit
Father-son dynamics hit hard for you — Gorou and Shigeharu's bond drives the emotional core
You want a long-haul sports series — this 26-episode season kicks off a massive multi-season saga
Realistic baseball mechanics matter to you — pitching and fielding feel authentic and well-researched

❌ SKIP IF...

Studio Hibari's 2004 animation style feels too dated — don't expect modern visual polish
You prefer stories that stay in one time period — this season fast-forwards through Gorou's early years
Baseball doesn't interest you at all — the sport is central, not just a backdrop

🎬 EPISODE GUIDE

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MANGA BRIDGE

This season covers Chapters 1-46 of the manga. Continue reading from Chapter 47.

Manga cover

🎭 CHARACTERS

Gorou Honda

Gorou Honda: Talented baseball pitcher/batter, known for his gyroball and dedication to the sport, achieving MLB and World Cup success.

Portrayed by Kim Jang, Kumai Motoko, Morikubo Shoutarou

Kaoru Shimizu

Kaoru Shimizu, Gorou's childhood friend and eventual wife, is a passionate softball player, supporting Gorou's baseball dreams.

Portrayed by Han Chae Eon, Sasamoto Yuuko

Daisuke Komori

Honda's longtime catcher, Komori, became a rival in Seishuu, eventually losing to Gorou.

Portrayed by Yeo Min Jeong, Miyata Kouki, Jeon Tae Yeol, Kugimiya Rie

Ryouta Sawamura

Initially a bully, Ryouta befriends Goro after a baseball incident, joining his team and abandoning soccer.

Portrayed by Sasajima Kaoru, Nojima Hirofumi, Hong Beom Gi

Major Series

Major S2

TV · 2005 · Studio Hibari

Major S2

Several years after his initial journey, Goro returns to his hometown, reconnecting with old friends and navigating the familiar yet changed landscape of his past.

Major S3

TV · 2007 · Studio Hibari

Major S3

Returning home after a promise, Goro strives to reunite with his former teammates, only to discover that re-integrating into his old life presents unexpected challenges.

Major S4

TV · 2008 · SynergySP

Major S4

After leaving his team behind, Gorou embarks on a new baseball journey in the USA's Minor League, facing unfamiliar challenges and rivals.

Major Movie: Yuujou no Winning Shot

Movie · 2008 · Xebec

Major Movie: Yuujou no Winning Shot

Fresh from success in the US, Goro returns to Japan, revisiting Fukuoka, the town where a pivotal moment in his childhood baseball journey unfolded.

Major S5

TV · 2009 · SynergySP

Major S5

Following the conclusion of his baseball season, Goro returns to Japan, where he discovers the upcoming Baseball World Cup, set to be held in the United States.

Major S6

TV · 2010 · SynergySP

Major S6

Following the World Cup, Goro finally achieves his dream of playing in the Major Leagues, but his debut is just the start of unexpected challenges.

Major: Message

OVA · 2010 · SynergySP

Major: Message

A decade after a career-altering injury, a determined Goro seeks to return to professional baseball as a fielder, facing family struggles and personal sacrifices.

Major: World Series

OVA · 2011 · SynergySP

Major: World Series

The "Major" anime series concludes with a new OVA adapting the World Series chapter, bringing the story of a dedicated baseball player to its final pitch.

MAJOR 2nd

TV · 2018 · OLM

MAJOR 2nd

Following in his father's footsteps, a young boy struggles with baseball until a new transfer student, the son of his father's friend, reignites his passion.

MAJOR SECOND Season 2

TV · 2020 · OLM

MAJOR SECOND Season 2

Following a promise, Daigo leads an all-girls baseball team at Fuurin Academy Middle School, striving to build the strongest battery and reignite his passion for the sport.

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Major S1

Studio

Studio Hibari

Season

Fall 2004

Start Date

2004-11-13

End Date

2005-05-21

Episodes

26

Type

TV

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