# The beauty that is "Touch" >"Not all memories are fond ones. Ones that make us feel lonely, ones that make us cry, ones that frustrate us- They're all part of our memory." - Asakura Minami
"Touch" By Mitsuru Adachi was a fond memory, and an anime I'll forever find hard to forget.
I originally didn't want to write a review on Touch because I quickly found out that why I love this show is rather hard to put into words, so I guess I'll just start at the beginning. Scrolling through the endless anime titles on the endless anime sites out there, I came across a rather intriguing show flooded with that old school charm you can't find anywhere else. I do a little more of searching around the good old World Wide Web and find out that it's created by Adachi, the same mastermind behind one of my favorite anime, Cross Game. And to the play button I went.
The story revolves around 3 childhood friends: Our main sleezy protagonist Tatsuya Uesugi, his athletic, determined, and polished twin brother Kazuya Uesugi, and the two's adolescent sweetheart, Minami Asakura. It's hard to categorize Touch. There's just so much that this anime is about.
By definition, this show would be considered a classic romantic comedy, or Rom-Com, which uses baseball as a setting. And the first 26 episodes are seamlessly just that. However, these first 26 Episodes (I guess you could call these first 26 a prologue) serve an underlying purpose of creating a bridge and connecting you with it's characters, understanding their behavior, aspirations, tendencies. All of it. The dynamics between the characters (especially Tatsuya and Kazuya) continue to amaze me with almost every piece of spoken word they exchange having some sort of value to either the story or their respective characters. I found the 'Prologue' to be rather enjoyable and it did a damn good job of welcoming me into Tatsuya Uesugi's world.
After the prologue ended, without spoiling anything, Touch was set up to be a grand awe-inspiring coming-of-age story, with it's potential (and my expectations of it) high as Travis Scott (sincere apologies to those who don't get this reference). I can say that it exceeded my expectations, and I'm sure if you're coming in with either low or high standards, this one will cater to your liking.
Seeing Tatsuya, who ultimately became one of my favorite characters in all of anime, develop from a questioning and wandering high schooler, one that often lost the will to reach his full potential, to a resolved strong-willed figure was one of the most natural and inspiring things that I'll never forget.
This show is best enjoyed watched. No matter how many words I type on this review, you'll never grasp the beauty that is "Touch" unless you set yourself down to watch it.
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Extra Details:
Plot: All too simple but so profound. Masterfully constructed narrative that bridged together the characters Adachi's written to the audience he targets so well. The plot consistently builds from what it's previously established, whether that's a baseball match or a dilemma the characters are facing. Something as simple as owing money to a fellow classmate is carried on and unforgotten. This show feel natural and realistic to come and punch you with its impact. Touch's story can be seen as a simple disputed love story about growing up, but the show is so much greater than that, and such is clear to those who've seen it.
Characters: Aside from the phenomenal dynamics between the main 3 (Tatsuya, Kazuya, and Minami), Touch has amazing side characters that compliment the entire cast. It also includes one of the favorite written side characters (and antagonist) I've seen in Eijirou Kashiwaba. I'd also like to mention Nitta, who serves as Tatsuya's 'rival', although the show doesn't set him up to be a cliche anger-issue antagonist, but rather a friend of Tatsuya, making the moments where these two meet on the field just THAT much better. Tatsuya and Kazuya's parents are also always there to make you crack a smile. Love those 2 freaks. There are many other side characters I'd reallyyyy like to expand on but I'm feeling as if this is enough to give you the broad idea.
Music: Yes. Touch utilizes music profoundly.
Animation: Has a sort of Charm to it and I'd recommend you find an HD version of this amazing classic.
All I can say is...I'm glad I found Touch. It's a show that tugged at my heart, made me laugh, and at times, made me frustrated.
