Ep 1. Hayakawa Ryou, Age 15
- April 8, 1998
- 25 min
In the first episode of Princess Nine, titled Hayakawa Ryou, Age 15, we are introduced to the main character, Ryo Hayakawa, a determined and talented young girl who dreams of playing baseball professionally. However, her school, Kisaragi Girls' High School, doesn't have a baseball team and discrimination against girls playing sports is rampant in Japan. Despite this, Ryo convinces the school principal to allow her to create a baseball team for the school.
Ryo is a dedicated and hardworking student, but she faces opposition from her classmates as well as the other members of the school's sports teams. Ryo's determination and passion ultimately win over a handful of girls who decide to join her team. The group of girls that form the team is initially made up of Ryo's three friends, Tomoka, Yuki, and Izumi, along with a female athlete from another school, Koharu Hotta, and two other students, Yoko and Seira.
As the team trains and prepares for their first game against a rival school, they face many obstacles and criticisms from other schools and even their own families. However, the girls remain resilient and work hard to prove themselves on the field. One of the biggest challenges they face as a new team is finding a coach that will take them seriously as a female baseball team.
Throughout the episode, we also see glimpses of Ryo's home life and her relationships with her father and younger sister. Ryo's father is a former professional baseball player, and he disapproves of Ryo's decision to pursue the sport. Despite this, Ryo is determined to prove herself and make a name for herself in the baseball world.
The episode ends with the team's first game against their rival school. Though they are nervous and intimidated by their opponents, the girls put up a good fight and ultimately win the game. This victory marks a turning point for the team and sets the stage for future challenges and triumphs.
Overall, Princess Nine season 1 episode 1, titled Hayakawa Ryou, Age 15, is a heartwarming and inspiring introduction to the series. The episode sets up the premise of the show and introduces the main characters while also highlighting the challenges faced by female athletes in Japan. The themes of determination, hard work, and overcoming obstacles set the stage for an exciting and emotional journey for the Kisaragi Girls' High School baseball team.