Animation: 7/10
Animation is almost identical to the 4th season. The characters in funny scenes are given more deformed appearances and expressions, giving comedic relief a lighter atmosphere especially comparing the stiff first and second season. The direction has improved a lot, including some unpredictable cuts and amazing pacing like
Far better use of slow motion for dramatic effect compared to past seasons as well.
Sound: 8/10
There was a drastic improvement in BGM this season. Fully orchestrated scores, a somber piano solo, and other instrumental pieces are effectively used to complement the scenes for the first time. The use of BGM was scarce as usual, but the difference in quality is very noticeable compared to the weak first three seasons, and poor imitation of 'old west' style music in season 4. Not only that, the timing and choice were absolutely superb.
OP and ED were very poppish, and a lot catchier than any of the previous theme songs. Japanese rap is funny, but Kimura Kaela did pretty well matching it.
The voices for main characters match perfectly by now, I especially liked Shimizu Kaoru's voice, which didn't sound stupid even though she still speaks in the same boyish manner. Some of the foreign players' voices were really off though, and Japanese accent in English dialogue were annoying, but I guess it's unavoidable.
Story: 7/10
Gorou continues to work toward a Major League contract until a surprise announcement that he was selected as a member in Japanese team for WBC. Finally a chance for showdown with Gibson, Gorou and company try to beat all participating countries and face Team USA to fulfill his long time goal.
The story development is once again too convenient and pushing the limits on luck, but nowhere as severe as the ridiculous first and third season. Numerous flashbacks were used as deliberate tools to set up the story out of thin air again, but some of them did connect well with the previous stories.
Once again, lots of baseball action, excitement, and inspiration.
Character: 8/10
Regrettably, none of the characters matured after all these years. Gorou is still a hotheaded pitcher who follows the same pattern in every season: Cocky at first, gets embarrassed, and finally regains confidence after training. Toshi still weak-minded and unconfident, then snaps out of it after a word from Gorou. It's difficult watching such character behaviors for five seasons without feeling repetitive.
Fortunately, we finally get some romance mixed in to this sports drama, and many of the characters face deep inner struggles that they must overcome by themselves or with the help of friends. Unlike the disappointing filler-like use of high school teammates and rivals in season 4, side characters actually contribute to the story in believable circumstances (though there were disproportional amount of Kanagawa prefecture rookies in 'Young Japan' team...). It's an impressive feat to have so many side characters from all seasons appear and actually have a story where every one of them contributes.
Value/Enjoyment: 8.5/10
I've always loved lengthy anime series that follow through the protagonists' life from childhood to maturity. "MAJOR" season 5 in particular did a spectacular job in connecting the story with each characters' pasts. I feel the first 4 seasons consisted a lot of mindless baseball games driven by superhuman-like skills and unrealistic odds with better (and cockier) opponents appearing out of nowhere every season.
Although the past seasons weren't complete disasters, season 5 definitely is a MAJOR turnaround for the series. We are finally treated with some romance, character development, and a semi-believable story. At last, "MAJOR" seems like a sports drama.
