Happy Opening Day for all the baseball fans all over the world! The long-awaited MLB season is finally here, and for the next six months, we’re in for an exciting ride leading up to the postseason. This year is shaping up to be massive, and we can’t wait to see our favorite teams and players go head-to-head. But beyond the competition, there’s something even more captivating — the Heroes of the Game.

Heroes of the Game reimagines some of baseball’s biggest stars as anime superheroes. This creative endeavor aims to celebrate the exceptional skills and athleticism of players like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Paul Skenes by portraying them in a dynamic, animated format. ​The campaign features a series of short films, ranging from 30 to 75 seconds, each highlighting the “missions” of these athletes for the 2025 season. And let’s be honest, we just can’t take our eyes off them!

MLB’s latest Instagram post proves it. The trending video spotlights some of the biggest superstars in baseball, including Shohei Ohtani, Paul Skenes, and Aaron Judge. It’s a fresh and exciting way to showcase their talent and get fans hyped for the season. And judging by the reactions, it’s working—fans are already buzzing with excitement. So, what’s everyone saying?

Well, MLB recently worked with some anime artists, mainly credited for anime series like Fullmetal Alchemist and One Piece, and even well-known director Hiroshi Shimizu. And it’s basically a gift to all the baseball fans, as every scene depicts the strengths of the star players, bringing life into the world of baseball. This new project continues to engage the Japanese fans as the video showcases Shohei Ohtani’s dual pay, Aaron Judge, and Paul Skenes hitting it big, really big. One of the happy fans commented on the post, “This Is Actually So Cool.”

This indicates how much they are happy with the way MLB has been working their way to present something new. The anime backdrop of the campaign is unique, and the visuals are flawless, all thanks to the Japanese animation, which is always known for its impressive visuals, great character building, and expressions along with distinct storytelling. Amazing, isn’t it?

Absolutely! The video clip featured the four superstars along with their mission for the 2025 MLB season. However, keen-eyed fans also spotted other big names, like Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, and Bryce Harper. Since its release, the video has been flooded with positive reactions. Let’s check out what fans are saying!

Fans react to MLB’s Heroes of the Game

When MLB teamed up with Wieden+Kennedy, Echelle Studios, and Passion Pictures Japan, expectations were sky-high. And they delivered. Fans are loving the video, though some had playful critiques. One Instagram user commented, “Bro, can Skenes play a full season before he’s labelled a hero?” A fair point— in the video, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes is shown as a hero; however, he was out due to a serious knee injury that resulted in sidelining him for a good amount of time. But love it or debate it, the reactions keep rolling in!

One of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ fans is all excited, watching Shohei Ohtani in the video clip. “Ohtani pitching to himself is so bada**!” the user was quoted saying. That’s true! Just as in the video, the animators seem to have perfectly aligned the visuals with the way every player performs. To be precise, Shohei Ohtani has been a two-way player, and his pitching and batting skills tell it all. So, Ohtani pitching the ball to himself and then smashing the ball, it’s the kind of surreal, high-energy scene that only anime could pull off. Incredible, isn’t it?

Definitely! Echoing a similar statement, another user on Instagram posted, “The Shohei Ohtani effect.” It’s Shohei Ohtani’s world, and we all are just living in it. He’s one of the modern-day greats in MLB, and his stats are enough to prove it—50 home runs and 50 stolen bases—a great display of perseverance, intrigue, and power.

One fan summed it up best, “Ok. Anime has officially taken over baseball.” And honestly? They’re not wrong. MLB’s partnership with the Japanese anime creators has surely been a game changer. Not only has it drawn the attention of people all over the world, but it has also instilled a great deal of interest among them to watch the game. Another anime fan chimed in with a crucial detail, “For anyone wondering, the song in the background is ‘Show’ by Ado.” The incorporation of a J-Pop soundtrack by artist Ado further enhance the authenticity and appeal of the campaign.

With MLB blending the worlds of baseball and anime, this campaign is a home run. It’s not just about the game anymore—it’s about storytelling, emotion, and making baseball feel bigger than life. Whether you’re a die-hard MLB fan or someone who loves anime’s ability to turn anything into an epic saga, this video has something for you. And if this is just the beginning, imagine what’s next!