The upcoming anime adaptation of “The Catcher in the Ballpark!” continues to build its roster of voice talent, announcing the addition of Kiyono Yasuno and Atsuki Nakamura to the cast. This heartwarming baseball love comedy is set to premiere in April 2025, and anticipation is growing among fans of the manga series by Tatsuro Suga.
New Additions to the Ballpark Family
The latest casting news highlights the diverse array of characters that populate the world of professional baseball, from stadium staff to dedicated fans.
- Kiyono Yasuno will voice Nagisa, the announcer at Motorsun Stadium, the central location of the series.
- Atsuki Nakamura will play Hotaru, a new coworker of the protagonist Murata, who shares a love for baseball. Her arrival seems to stir up some jealousy in Ruriko, the cheerful beer vendor.
Meet the Characters
The anime focuses on the daily lives of those who work at and frequent a professional baseball stadium. The previously announced main cast includes:
- Fairouz Ai as Ruriko, a beer vendor with a surprisingly pure heart.
- Satoshi Inomata as Murata, an office worker who finds solace at the ballpark.
Other announced cast members include:
- Ikumi Hasegawa as Aona.
- Satoshi Tanaka as Omatsu.
- Yōji Ueda as Nakaizumi.
- Ayumi Mano as Kano Yamada.
- Momoko Seto as Kokoro.
- Jin Urayama as Ryuichi Igarashi, a veteran stadium security guard.
- Chiharu Sawashiro as Takimoto, a new stadium security guard.
- Hiroki Tōchi as Kojiro.
- Rika Tachibana as Yuki Takino.
- Kentaro Tone as Dennis Young, a former major leaguer and the Motorsuns’ third baseman.
- Kō Bonkobara as Brian, another overseas player.
- Mayu Sagara as Sara.
- Kazuhiro Nakaya as Retto Mitsui, a left-handed starting pitcher.
- Wakana Kuramochi as Kisa Kondo, Mitsui’s girlfriend.
The Talented Voice Actors
Kiyono Yasuno is a well-known voice actress and singer with a diverse range of roles in popular anime series. Some of her notable roles include:
- Megumi Kato in “Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend”.
- Kaname Buccaneer in “Macross Delta”.
- Charmy Pappitson in “Black Clover”.
- Nejire Hado in “My Hero Academia”.
Atsuki Nakamura has also lent her voice to several anime and video game characters, including:
- Roko in “THE IDOLM@STER Million Live!”.
- Poster Girl in “Makaishin Trillion”.
Production Details
“The Catcher in the Ballpark!” anime is being directed by Junichi Kitamura at studio EMT Squared. The series composition is handled by Shigeru Murakoshi, with Fumio Iida as the character designer and MONACA composing the music.
Storyline
The anime tells the story of Murata, a weary office worker who finds comfort in visiting the local baseball stadium after work. He develops a routine of buying beer from Ruriko, a cheerful and attractive beer vendor. Despite her gyaru appearance, Ruriko is secretly innocent and kind-hearted. The series follows their interactions and the various other people who work at and frequent the stadium, creating a heartwarming comedy about love, baseball, and the sense of community found in unexpected places.
Manga Origins
“The Catcher in the Ballpark!” began as a manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuro Suga. It started serialization in Kodansha’s Morning magazine in September 2020 and currently has 15 volumes released as of November 2025.
What to Expect
“The Catcher in the Ballpark!” promises to be a delightful and feel-good anime series. With its charming characters, engaging storyline, and talented voice cast, it is sure to be a hit with baseball fans and anime enthusiasts alike. The series is described as a “heartwarming baseball love comedy filled with smiles and tears,” dedicated to everyone involved in professional baseball.
