The series, set in Saitama, follows the story of Ren Mihashi. Mihashi was the previous ace pitcher in his middle school's baseball team, but it seems that he only got the position because his grandfather was the owner of the school. His teammates (especially the team's catcher, Hatake) hated him, and they always lost their games. Mihashi is thoroughly convinced that he is a lousy baseball pitcher, and feels guilty because he believes that he is responsible for all the losses. Mihashi graduates through middle school with extremely low self-esteem. But in truth Mihashi is really a hardworking and skillful pitcher, and the main reason why his team always lost all the games is because... more>> of bad cooperation, because his teammates never talked about the game with him, and they did not try to come up with a plan or strategy to fight against their rivals. Mihashi then transfers to Nishiura High School with plans of quitting baseball because he thinks he is not good enough to succeed at it, though he still loves the game deeply. However, he is dragged into Nishiura's baseball team by their coach, Momoe, while watching the team training outside the field. Assisted by his new teammates (and especially the catcher, Takaya Abe), he grows in stature, confidence and skill, helping his team excel with his own abilities.

Won the Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 2007. Won the Creative Award at 10th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2006. <<less

Seriu meets Yae, an older woman in the photography club, who’s also a celebrity at her university known for her free-spirited speech and mannerisms—especially her... more>> magnificent travels from man to man! What’s intriguing, though, is their relationship. Frustrated and formerly part of the tennis club, Seriu thinks that his girlfriend is just a bit of heavy baggage, but he unexpectedly gets off to a good start with her! Even though they hurt each other with their honest confessions, they grow with each other. Yasashii Watashi is essentially a compassionate romantic drama set in a university setting. <<less

Chiisaku Furikabutte, lit. “Small Windup”, was published in Afternoon between the tankobon publications of volumes 15 and 16 and during the 2011 hiatus, and it... more>> is a series of specials about the lives of Oofuri characters. (Nice Pitching!) <<less