I started _Moshidora_, thinking I couldn't care less about the cliched characters and the application of Drucker's writing is strained, to say the least. _Moshidora_ doesn't have great production values - for example, the stock sick-girl-in-hospital is a clear rip of Chiaki in _Minami-ke_ except for the green eyes. The animation is mediocre and the music completely forgettable; the OP and ED are nice, but that's about it. I did appreciate how they brought in good examples for Drucker's stuff (I was afraid the first two episodes would be representative), which was a definite strong point. I was angry when I realized the twist people hadtalked of was the lame trope of the sick-girl getting worse, but mollified when she actually *died* and they didn't pull the EPIC LAME stunt of having her get better after the victorious game. Then they used her death well and tied it all together! This shouldn't be impressive - an honest end which plays straight? - but it is. Overall, while I feel like this is a 7.5, I had to round it to 8 - I didn't expect to like a baseball anime at all, much less one with a business theme. So, well done _Moshidora_, well done.