I normally don't like sports animes, nothing against fans of the genre but for me, I dislike the unrealistic depictions of the games and how a single game spans many episodes, often to the detriment of character development. In "Moshidora" I was even more apprehensive because the premise (a girl inadvertently buys a business book about management, but sticks with it to find guidance in managing a baseball team) seemed like the "it's funny because she's cute and therefor dumb but look she's trying to do smart stuff" subgenre, which I don't really like. What I actually found in this series was pretty decent. The episodesfollow Minomi as she incorporates lessons from the management bible to running a baseball team, with interesting results. All the while she is reporting back to, getting advice from, and at times at odds with the team's original manager, her friend who is in a hospital with a mystery ailment.

Okay so it's not the most original story. It does however treat Minomi with respect, she's highlighted for her intelligence, resolve and sincerity - nary a shot or scene seems to treat her like a mindless little thing just there to be cute. The baseball is quite realistic, which for me was refreshing. The only foible was that I seriously doubt the team's central strategy would be a good idea at all (it ain't Moneyball that's for sure) but who knows, maybe it would kill in Japanese high school baseball.

The end result was just a well-executed sports anime with a refreshing balance between on-field action and character development. It's not that it was the most moving story or deepest characters I've ever seen, but it was just good fun to watch.