Touch｜Anime

2024.10.25

Touch is a classic sports and romance anime created by Mitsuru Adachi, one of Japan’s most celebrated manga artists. His work is known for its unique blend of sports, everyday life, and heartwarming drama. The anime was directed by industry veteran Gisaburō Sugii and produced by Group TAC.
The original manga series ran in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from 1981 to 1986, spanning 26 volumes (tankōbon). Following its massive success, Touch was adapted into an anime series that aired from 1985 to 1987 on Fuji TV. Additionally, Touch was also adapted into three anime films, which were released between 1986 and 1987.
Besides the anime and films, Touch also spawned live-action adaptations and several OVAs, further expanding the influence of this classic story. The legacy of Touch in Japan remains strong, as it represents an iconic era in sports anime.

Synopsis

The story of Touch revolves around twin brothers, Tatsuya Uesugi and Kazuya Uesugi, and their childhood friend Minami Asakura. Both boys are talented in sports, but Kazuya is the hard-working baseball ace, while Tatsuya is more laid-back and seemingly less ambitious. Despite his apparent indifference, Tatsuya harbors a secret desire to surpass his brother, especially as they both develop feelings for Minami.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Kazuya tragically passes away in an accident, leaving Tatsuya to step up and fulfill his brother’s dream of taking their high school baseball team to the Kōshien, the prestigious national high school baseball tournament. The story is a blend of emotional struggles, sports drama, and the deep bonds of friendship and love.

Touch | Recommendations

Emotional Depth

The story offers much more than a typical sports anime. It delves into the complexity of relationships, particularly the love triangle between Tatsuya, Kazuya, and Minami, while also addressing themes like loss, grief, and the journey toward self-realization.

Character Growth

One of the most compelling aspects of Touch is the growth of Tatsuya from a carefree slacker to someone who takes responsibility for his brother’s dreams and his own life. Watching his character evolve is one of the most rewarding aspects of the series.

Realistic Sports Drama

The baseball scenes in Touch are not overly exaggerated like in many other sports anime, making the games more relatable and engaging. The tension during key matches builds naturally, keeping viewers invested without relying on unrealistic scenarios.

Beautifully Crafted Slice-of-Life Moments

Mitsuru Adachi is renowned for his ability to create intimate, slice-of-life moments, and Touch is full of them. The balance between the quieter, everyday scenes and the intense emotional and sports-related moments is one of the series’ biggest strengths.