Baseball has always been a cornerstone of sports anime and manga, from classics like Kyojin no Hoshi and Touch to modern hits such as Major, Ookiku Furikabutte, and Ace of Diamond. This season introduces us to another baseball anime, featuring a unique twist—a main character grappling with amnesia.
Boukyaku Battery, or Oblivion Battery, is a captivating baseball manga by Eko Mikawa. Serialized on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ app, it combines thrilling sports action, rich character development, and a storyline that mixes humor with serious themes. It currently has an anime adaptation courtesy of MAPPA, and if you like sports anime, this one is definitely up your alley.
The Dynamic Duo: Haruka and Kei
Kaname Kei and Kiyomine Haruka as the strongest battery in junior high.
In the competitive world of middle school baseball, the Kiyomine Haruka and Kaname Kei battery, known as a peculiar but exceptional pitcher-catcher team, stands out. Haruka’s unparalleled pitching, characterized by incredible speed, precision, and consistency, has the potential to dominate any batter. However, such extraordinary pitching requires an equally skilled catcher to harness its full potential. This is where Kaname Kei comes in, a childhood friend and baseball prodigy who complements Haruka’s abilities perfectly. Together, they effortlessly defeat one team after another, garnering attention from prestigious private schools like Teitoku and seemingly securing their future careers in baseball.
But fate takes a turn when Kei loses his memories in a traffic accident, altering the dynamics of the duo and setting the stage for the compelling story of Oblivion Battery.
A New Beginning at Kotesashi High School
The main cast of Oblivion Battery.
Yamada Taro, a student with little faith in his new school's baseball team, finds himself at Kotesashi High School, a low-profile public institution. To his surprise, the renowned Kiyomine-Kaname battery has also joined the same school. However, the duo is not the same. While Haruka remains a stoic and professional player, Kei has not only lost his memories but also regressed mentally, becoming a whiny and childish individual who despises baseball. The discipline and passion for the sport, once instilled in him through rigorous training, have vanished along with his memories.
Coincidentally, two other talented baseball players, Second Baseman Chihaya Shunpei and Shortstop Todo Aoi, who were previously defeated by the Kiyomine-Kaname battery, also attended Kotesashi High. Both Shunpei and Aoi have decided to distance themselves from baseball due to past traumas and disillusionments. Despite their resolve, subtle habits reveal their lingering attachment to the sport. Encouraged by Yamada, this unlikely group starts to form a new baseball team, slowly rekindling their passion for the game.
The Enigmatic Amnesia of Kaname Kei
(Kei’s amnesia hasn’t been explained in detail yet in the anime, so spoilers for the manga from here onwards!)
Haruka and Kei’s first meeting post-amnesia. Kei doesn’t remember Haruka or anything about his past.
Despite Haruka being the protagonist, the narrative often centers around Kei, whose memory loss and personality change form the crux of the story. Kei's amnesia is initially portrayed as a consequence of a traffic accident, but as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that his memory loss is more complex. In the anime, Kei experiences a brief return to his former self, "General Kei," a disciplined and strategic persona. This shift occurs before a practice match but soon fades, raising questions about the true nature of his amnesia. Through the discovery of the "Zettai Notebooks," Kei learns about his past baseball techniques and begins to understand his previous play style. These notebooks serve as a diary of his middle school baseball journey, helping him reconnect with his former self.
Kei finds his stash of “Zettai Notebooks” which he used to document his baseball journey.
The revelation that Kei's amnesia is caused by a split personality rather than an accident adds another layer of depth to the story. The current Kei represents his original, untainted personality, while "General Kei" embodies the disciplined and competitive side that emerged due to the pressures of baseball.
The current idiotic Kei vs. General Kei, who exudes such a strong, perfect ikemen vibe.
Despite returning to his goofy self, Kei still manages to see through his teammate’s condition and even offer solid advice, which is typical of his General Kei persona.
Haruka, who once thrived as Kei’s partner, grapples with the realization that their past success might have contributed to Kei's mental fragmentation. As Kei slowly regains his memories and skills, he learns to balance both sides of his personality, ultimately integrating the qualities of "General Kei" without losing his true self.
The Intricacies of Character Development
Oblivion Battery excels in its character development. Each character, from the main duo to the supporting cast, is given ample time to grow and evolve. As the story progresses, the formation of the new baseball team at Kotesashi High becomes a focal point. Each member brings their own baggage and insecurities, but through mutual support and understanding, they begin to overcome their fears. Aoi, who developed the yips, a condition where he loses control of his throws, and Chihaya, who quit baseball due to his small stature, slowly rediscover their love for the sport. Yamada, haunted by memories of being defeated by Haruka and Kei, finds new motivation to improve and contribute to the team.
Chihaya crumbles as he succumbs to his insecurities after being envious of other people’s assets despite all his efforts to overcome his limitations.
The series delves into the darker aspects of competitive sports, highlighting the pressures on young athletes. Kei’s split personality and his journey to reconcile his fragmented self highlight the mental health challenges such pressures can bring. It encourages the readers to consider the significance of mental well-being and a supportive environment. Kei's dual nature gives dimension to the story, contrasting his innocence with the strategic brilliance of "General Kei" and resulting in an engaging character development. The series explores the psychological impacts of trauma and intense pressure, revealing how these factors can shape a person’s identity.
Haruka also underwent a significant realization after Kei's apparent amnesia. Despite Kei's previous cheerful demeanor, he stopped smiling while playing baseball in junior high, suggesting that the sport had caused him suffering. The immense pressure stemming from Haruka's exceptional talent led Kei to sacrifice his own identity to groom Haruka into an outstanding pitcher. This dynamic, coupled with Kei feeling overshadowed by Haruka's talents, ultimately contributed to his development of a split personality. Realizing this, Haruka was riddled with guilt, which almost led him to self-destruct during an official match.
After all his realizations, Haruka feels as if he killed Kei, which caused him to self-destruct during a match.
The Anime Adaptation
The anime adaptation by MAPPA brings Oblivion Battery's story to life with stunning visuals and dynamic animation. The anime maintains the balance of humor and seriousness that defines the manga, making it accessible to both sports anime enthusiasts and those new to the genre. The animation excels in capturing the intensity of baseball matches, the subtle nuances of character interactions, and the emotional depth of the narrative.
One of the standout aspects of the anime is the voice acting, particularly Miyano Mamoru's portrayal of Kei. His performance brings a unique charm to Kei's character, capturing both his childlike innocence and his moments of profound insight. The humor derived from Kei's interactions with other characters, his eccentric behavior, and the reactions he elicits contribute to the series' overall appeal.
Miyano Mamoru’s voice acting even gets mentioned in the anime itself.
Oblivion Battery has been compared to other popular sports anime, such as Haikyuu!! for its emphasis on character development and teamwork. Haruka, on the other hand, is very similar to Ace of Diamond's Furuya Satoru, both in terms of baseball abilities and personality. It does, however, stand out for its exploration of memory and identity, which provides a unique perspective within the genre. The series adeptly balances its lighter comedic moments with more serious, introspective scenes, making it a well-rounded and engaging story.
Kei turns into a Super Saiyan, which is clearly a parody of Dragon Ball.
It's disappointing to see Oblivion Battery remain underrated among English-speaking anime fans, possibly due to its manga not being released in English despite its long run on Jump+. An English release could attract a larger audience eagerly awaiting its anime adaptation. Thankfully, the anime has boosted the manga's sales, increasing hopes for a second season. With so much left to explore—like Kei's amnesia, General Kei, and his Zettai notebooks—a single course feels insufficient for this promising series.
“Oblivion Battery” Opening Movie
"Oblivion Battery" Opening Movie Ver.2
"Oblivion Battery" teaser trailer presented on April, 2024
Oblivion Battery is more than just a sports story. It explores friendship, trauma, and self-discovery, capturing the essence of sports anime: thrilling competition, strong bonds, and the joy of rediscovering passion. As Haruka, Kei, and their teammates tackle high school baseball challenges, they show that true strength comes from resilience and personal growth.
And while we’re waiting for the possible second season to arrive, you can buy the manga here at ZenPlus, shipped to you straight from Japan!
What do you think?
Why did Kei suddenly lose his memories?
Will Kei eventually revert to his General Kei persona or will he stay as he is now despite his increasing baseball knowledge and skills?
What caused Kei to have a split personality?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook! We’d love to hear from you!
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You can watch Oblivion Battery on Ani-One Asia, Prime Video, Netflix and Crunchyroll.
About the Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
