Touch
Retro time! Touch is a 101-episode sports-drama anime based on the manga of the same name by Adachi Mitsuru. It also spawned three feature films, two TV specials and several live action versions in addition to the anime since its incarnation in 1981. Famous 80s j-pop star Iwasaki Yoshimi performed most of the openings and endings for the show, the first of which was recently covered by Bleach ending artist Younha.
The story of Touch revolves around twin brothers Kazuya and Tatsuya, and their childhood friend Minami. It’s generally accepted that Kazuya, a handsome, personable, intelligent up-and-coming baseball star who dreams of going to Koushien, will eventually end up engaged to Minami, to his twin brother’s annoyance. Tatsuya, despite his own hidden talents, consistently steps back to allow Kazuya to take the limelight, but little by little he finds himself unwilling to give up so much for Kazuya, especially when it comes to Minami. When he starts reaching for his own place in the world, though, everyone is going to sit up and take notice!
Touch is considered to be one of the best sports animes out there, and continues to be spoken of some 25 years after its first publication. It has never been licensed for North American distribution (there are fansubs available, however), but it has been dubbed into French, Spanish and Italian at points.
If you’re going to give Touch a look, though, start with the beginning of the anime – the movies take place much later on in the series, I’ve been warned, and will spoil some major plot points. Otherwise, enjoy!
- 
