Taishou Yakyuu Musume

1925, Japan. The Taishou era is nearing its end, an era that increased the Western influence of the Meiji era. Among other things, the now ever-present "sailor uniform" was introduced in 1920. Another sign of the times was the feminist movement, which began to gain traction. However, Japan is still a very patriarchal society, and even running is seen as a vulgar thing for women to do.

It is to this backdrop that Taishou Yakyuu Musume (Taisho Baseball Girls) is set. A girl in middle school named Akiko Ogasawara is at a party held by her rich father, wherein the subject of feminism is brought up by her arranged fiancé, Sousuke Iwasaki. After he voices patriarchal views to Akiko, she becomes angry. She decides to beat Iwasaki at his own game - baseball. Together with her best friend Koume Suzukawa, she tries to gather an all-girls baseball team. However, there are many obstacles in the way - finding enough members, learning how to play, continuing in the face of humiliating defeats. . .

Based on a light novel by Atsushi Kagurasaka. Animated by J.C.Staff.

Compare with Princess Nine.

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Tropes in Taishou Yakyuu Musume include:

• Ahoge: Kyouko and Kochou.
• Arranged Marriage: Koume is told by her parents to marry Saburou, a young man who works in her family's restaurant. This seems to suit her just fine.
  • There is also a similar arrangement between Akiko and Iwasaki. She doesn't hate him, but after hearing his sexist comments she gets fired up and decides to make him change his mind and see her as his equal. (And he does)
• Betty and Veronica: Saburou (Betty) and Takahara (Veronica), for Koume. As said above, not only Saburou and Koume are arranged to marry but she actually likes him, while she's not that fond of Takahara.
  • Also, one can easily see Tomoe (Veronica) and Akiko (Betty) as this for Koume.
• Blush Sticker: Koume.
• Butt Monkey: Kyouko. She is thrown a bone once in a while, though.
• Clingy Jealous Sister: Shizuka acts like this towards her twin sister Tomoe. Most probably just being over-protective.
• Daydream Surprise: The first episode opens on Koume singing a cute rendition of "Tokyo Bushi" (a Japanese song set to the melody of "Marching Through Georgia") in a fashion reminiscent of a musical. It's all in her head.
• Dogged Nice Guy: Takahara, to Koume.
• Down to the Last Play
• Early-Bird Cameo: Kochou appears briefly playing with Kyouko in the first episode.
• Hair Decorations: The entire team.
• Hot Mom: Yae Suzukawa
• Exactly What It Says on the Tin: although the tin is in Japanese.
• Expressive Hair: Noe
• Expy: Koume looks and acts a lot like Yurie from Kamichu!. Minus the god-like powers, of course.
• Family Business: Yoichirou and Yae Suzukawa's restaurant.
• Flower in Her Hair: Koume
• Forehead of Doom: Kyouko
• Genki Girl: Anna-sensei has all the tale-telling signs of having been one. Age has mellowed her out... somewhat.
• Hime Cut: A lot.
• Hot Springs Episode
• I Have This Friend: Koume uses this to check her father's opinion on girls playing sports and to get a leatherworker to modify a baseball glove to fit her hand.
• I'm Taking Her Home with Me: Koume to Tamaki.
• Keigo: Used by most of the girls and many teachers as is demanded culturally and in their school environment. Special mention goes to Tamaki--although she uses more informal, masculine tenses, she also speaks in a particularly archaic dialect which is a throwback to times when surnames were uncommon and women were referred to by given name with the respectful prefix "o" (eg. Oyuki, Okoume).
• Lover Tug of War: Tomoe and Akiko, over Koume.
• Luminescent Blush: Often used in combination with Koume's ever present rosy cheeks.
• Martial Arts and Crafts: Tomoe's kendo skills make her a good batter.
• Meganekko: Noe
• Miracle Rally: Is that Mamiko Noto giving a (gentle, of course) Rousing Speech? Followed by a Theme Music Power-Up, even.
• Mistaken for Cheating: In episode 9, Yae finds a photo of one of Asaka's baseball players that fell out of Koume's drawer. She and Yoichirou assume that Koume is going out with someone other than her fiancê, Saburou. They approach Koume, who in turn assumes that they're talking about her secret baseball training. Hilarity Ensues.
• Nakama
• Onee-Sama: Tomoe and Shizuka, who have a huge fangirl following amongst the younger students.
• The Ojou: Akiko.
• Passionate Sports Girl: All of them evolve into this.
• Person Magnet: Koume is popular with boys and girls without even trying.
• Phenotype Stereotype: Anna Curtland, the girls' homeroom teacher and sponsor of the baseball team, complete with the occasional Gratuitous English. As far as the Eaglelander thing goes, she's a lot closer to a Type 1.
• Record Needle Scratch: All the time.
• Recurring Extra: "Natto, Natto, Natto"
• Returning the Handkerchief: Takahara
• The Roaring Twenties: The Taishou period stretches from 1912 to 1926, and the story takes place in 1925.
• Sailor Fuku: Most of the girls except Koume, Shizuka, Tamaki and Noe.
• Single Woman Seeks Good Man: Koume prefers Saburou not just because they're supposed to marry, but because he's a sweet guy who does support her baseball dreams. (By contrast, Takahara doesn't take her seriously)
• Schoolgirl Lesbians: It's implied Tomoe has a thing for Koume. She also has her own passionate fangirl, Kyouko.
  • Tomoe blushes while thinking of winning a date with Koume. She spaces out looking at her and gets all worried when Koume shows any interest in other girls (not to mention her reaction to Akiko and Koume "baseball marriage"). And then her reaction to Koume's fiance... Romantic Two-Girl Friendship, at the very least..
• Self Proclaimed Love Interest: Takahara, to Koume.
• Sibling Yin-Yang: The Tsukubae sisters, Shizuka and Tomoe, are characterized in this fashion.
• Spoiler Opening: The team's final composition is shown in the opening.
• Stay in the Kitchen: Akiko's fiance Sousuke thought this, and it was a major factor for her deciding to create a girls' baseball team. He does change his mind, however.
  • Also the principal of his school refused the challenge for this reason.
• Strong Family Resemblance: Koume resembles her mother, Yae.
• Tachi: Tomoe.
• Tsundere: Tamaki Ishigaki. Also Shizuka.
• You Go, Girl!: Pretty much the premise of the show.
• Yuri Fangirl: Noriko is aware of Tomoe's crush on Koume and tries to convince Shizuka to let her be.

Noriko: "Oh, I long to shower the lily's calyx with my impassioned feelings..."