22 minSeason 1 • Episode 25
LatestThe other team's attempt to sabotage Tokuchi is turned against them when Tokuchi and Ideguchi place the planted evidence on the batter instead. Forced to kneel down and apologize to Tokuchi to avoid exposing the team's cheating, the Lycaons are able to continue and win the game. However, the victory is just another step to achieve Kojima and the Lycaons' goal to win the championship.
Hiromichi Kojima, the star batter of the Lycaons, heads to the southern Japanese island of Okinawa to train and find a new pitcher for the team. There, he meets Toa Tokuchi, a 134-kmph pitcher and the undisputed king of a gambling form of baseball called "One Outs". At Kojima's urging, Tokuchi signs up with the Lycaons under an unusual contract: he gets 5,000,000 yen for every out he pitches, but loses 50,000,000 yen for every point he gives up. A high-level psychological game of baseball, gambling and logic is about to begin..
Writing
Every pitch is a con, every inning a heist
Acting
Hagiwara's deadpan delivery makes sociopathy sexy
Direction
Tension builds like a noose tightening, frame by frame
Creator
Shinobu Kaitani
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shinobu Kaitani also created Liar Game, explaining the shared obsession with zero-sum psychological combat.
The One Outs contract satirizes Japan's exploitative athlete payment systems, where even pro baseball players often earn less than office workers.
JP
