Gurazeni (2018)

"Gurazeni: Money Pitch," also known as "Money Diamond," is a Japanese baseball manga series written by Yūji Moritaka and illustrated by Keiji Adachi. The manga was serialized in Kodansha's *Morning* magazine from 2010 to 2014, followed by multiple sequel series. An anime adaptation by Studio Deen aired its first season from April to June 2018, and the second season from October to December of the same year, each consisting of 12 episodes. The story revolves around Natsunosuke Bonda, a relief pitcher for the Spiders team. Unlike typical baseball manga, *Gurazeni* focuses on the harsh reality of professional baseball where players' salaries are directly tied to their performance. Bonda is always motivated by money, striving to excel in the highly competitive environment. The series is known for its realistic portrayal of professional sports and its unique protagonist's perspective. The *Gurazeni* series extends beyond just the games, exploring aspects like players' careers, contract negotiations, and post-retirement life. Its unique perspective and reflection of social realities has attracted a wide audience. The series also depicts the hard work and challenges baseball players face in their careers, as well as their competition and struggles driven by money.