Touch follows the twin brothers Tatsuya and Kazuya Uesugi and the girl next door they grew up with and both grew to love, Minami Asakura. As they move from middle school to Meisei High School Kazuya devotes himself to being the ace pitcher of the baseball club and bringing the team to the Koshien, the national high school baseball tournament, fulfilling a childhood promise to Minami. Tatsuya leads a more frivolous life, avoiding conflict with his dear brother in sports or over their shared affection for Minami. In their first year, on the morning of the final game of the prefectural tournament, Kazuya is struck and killed by a truck in a traffic accident. In the second half of the story, Tatsuya takes up his brother's place in the baseball team and tries to fulfill his brother's goal.
Tatsuya Uesugi (上杉 達也, Uesugi Tatsuya)
The main character. The elder of the Uesugi twins, seemingly selfish and lazy, he is actually very altruistic and reluctant to compete against others, especially his brother, Kazuya. A naturally talented athlete, he could be successful in baseball or most sports if he put in the effort but lets his younger brother succeed in his place. Like Kazuya, he loves Minami Asakura, the girl next door and their childhood friend, but initially cedes this relationship to his brother as well. When Tatsuya starts high school he nearly joins the baseball club but, when he hears that Minami has joined as the club manager, he can't go through with it. Instead, Harada cons him into joining the boxing club with him. After Kazuya's death, he joins the baseball club as their ace pitcher.
Voiced by: Yūji Mitsuya Played by: Shota Saito, Tatsuki Shibuya (young)
Kazuya Uesugi (上杉 和也, Uesugi Kazuya)
The younger of the Uesugi twins. Serious, hard working, and seemingly confident in everything he does, he seems to be the complete opposite of his older brother, Tatsuya. His pitching skills, perfect manners, and perfect grades makes him the idol of his parents, his schoolmates, and the neighborhood. He and everyone else sees himself and Minami as the perfect couple who will eventually marry. He strives to lead Meisei to win the prefectural tournament and advance to the national tournament at the Koushien, fulfilling a childhood promise to take Minami there. Though he projects an image of confidence he is actually always wary of his brother, knowing that, if Tatsuya tried, he could be a better athlete than he is and also steal Minami away. On the verge of fulfilling Minami's dream, while walking alone to meet up with the team on the day of the prefectural tournament's final match, he is struck and killed by a truck in a traffic accident.
Voiced by: Keiichi Nanba Played by: Keita Saito, Itsuki Shibuya (young)
Minami Asakura (浅倉 南, Asakura Minami)
The Uesugi twins' neighbor and childhood friend. A responsible, attractive, athletic and intelligent student who also has to help her father with house chores and at the family coffee shop since her mother died at a young age. Her interests match up more with Kazuya, whom she cares for very deeply and supports completely on his road to the Koushien, but her heart mainly lies with Tatsuya. Like Kazuya, she see Tatsuya's true potential and kind heart. Althhough she wishes to focus on being the baseball teams manager, she is eventually convinced to join the school's rhythmic gymnastics team and becomes a star athlete on her own.
Voiced by: Noriko Hidaka Played by: Masami Nagasawa
Shingo Uesugi (上杉 信悟, Uesugi Shingo); Haruko Uesugi (上杉 晴子, Uesugi Haruko)
Tatsuya and Kazuya's parents. Always seen flirting and teasing each other despite the boys' presence. Mr. Uesugi sometimes puts on a straight face, usually to tell off Kazuya but soon turns back to teasing with his wife. Mrs. Uesugi is always seen smiling, sometimes giggling behind her hand. They live very carefree lives, often at the cost of their sons. (Shingo)
Voiced by: Shigeru Chiba, (Haruko)
Voiced by: Kazue Komiya Played by: Fumiyo Kohinata
Punch (パンチ, Panchi)
Punch is the Uesugi family Samoyed. She has puppies in part 2 of the manga. In the anime, Punch is a male dog and the puppies are instead adopted strays.
Voiced by: Shigeru Chiba
Toshio Asakura (浅倉 俊夫, Asakura Toshio)
Minami's father and owner of the Minami Kaze ("South/Southern Wind") coffee shop. A widower, his wife died when Minami was very young but he remains faithful to her, never interested in remarrying. Despite this, he maintains an upbeat, positive attitude, looking forward to the day he believes Minami and Kazuya will marry. For a while, he also employs Tatsuya part-time and sees what a good worker he can be. After Kazuya's death he realizes that Minami loves, and had always loved, Tatsuya and supports both of them.
Voiced by: Hiroshi Masuoka (voice actor) Played by: Shin Takuma
Kōtarō Matsudaira (松平 孝太郎, Matsudaira Kōtarō)
Meisei's portly catcher and clean-up hitter. He is Kazuya's best friend and is always paired with him. Initially, he is vehemently against Tatsuya joining the baseball team but eventually warms to him and becomes as close to him as he was to Kazuya. He occasionally expresses his jealousy of his friends' greater talent and ability to attract Minami and other girls.
Voiced by: Shōzō Hayashiya (9th) Played by: Shinsuke Hiratsuka
Shōhei Harada (原田 正平, Harada Shōhei)
A big, intimidating schoolmate at Meisei. Introduced as a street brawler and bully, he actually proves to be kindhearted and very loyal to his friends, especially to Tatsuya and Minami, who he often gives sound advice to on various matters. He is a member, and eventual captain, of the boxing club and initially had Tatsuya join him, forcing him to toughen up and exercise.
Voiced by: Banjō Ginga Played by: Rikiya
Akio Nitta (新田 明男, Nitta Akio)
A star slugger for Sumi Tech, the two time winner of the prefectural tournament and runner-up at Koshien. Akio became seriously devoted to baseball when he played against Kazuya in middle school. He has a crush on Minami and is a friend of Harada's from junior high, when they were both delinquents. After Kazuya dies he wants Tatsuya to take his place and show him "Kazuya's pitches" again.
Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue Played by: Seiji Fukushi
Yuka Nitta (新田 由加, Nitta Yuka)
Akio's little sister, she is unusually close to her brother, and somewhat childish besides. She enters Meisei under the pretense of spying for her brother but really is there to try to seduce Tatsuya into being her boyfriend. She is very good at observing and analyzing baseball players. Despite her bratty behavior, she is also a very good student who scores even higher in history exams than Sakata.
Voiced by: Miina Tominaga
Isami Nishimura (西村 勇, Nishimura Isami)
A somewhat conceited pitcher who refuses to acknowledge Tatsuya's skills and considers Akio Nitta to be his true rival. He has the best curve ball of any pitcher in their prefecture but no one will rise to his boasting. He also has a crush on Minami and constantly asks her out on dates. Due to overusing his curve ball he suffers damages his elbow and can no longer effectively pitch in his final tournament.
Voiced by: Ryūsei Nakao
Shigenori Nishio (西尾 茂則, Nishio Shigenori)
Coach of the Meisei High team. He becomes ill in the brothers' senior year, and must stay in the hospital throughout the prefectural tournament. He assigns an interim coach, Eijiro Kashiwaba, to fill his position, touting him as a "kind, gentle man who loves baseball from the bottom of his heart," unaware that he had gotten him confused with his elder brother, the more popular Eiichirō. Coach Nishio returns at the end of the prefectural tournament.
Voiced by: Kōichi Kitamura
Eijirō Kashiwaba (柏葉 英二郎, Kashiwaba Eijirō)
A brutal and spartan substitute coach that fills in while Coach Nishio is ill. Nishio meant to recommend his brother, Eiichirō, but either he or the school got the names mixed up. On his first day, he fires Minami as manager and ruthlessly beats Tatsuya. His training consists of further beatings, humiliation, and working the players beyond exhaustion. Most first year members of the team quickly resigned. He holds a grudge against Meisei's baseball team because of some events that occurred when he attended. He also compares the Uesugi twins' relationship to his own poor relationship with his own brother.
Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka
Sachiko Nishio (西尾 佐知子, Nishio Sachiko)
Daughter of Coach Nishio, girlfriend of Kuroki, and early manager for the Meisei High team. Early on, she mistakes Tatsuya for Kazuya and recognizes his athletic ability, encouraging him to join the team as well.
Voiced by: Hiromi Tsuru
Takeshi Kuroki (黒木 武, Kuroki Takeshi)
Upperclassman of Kazuya who initially scouts him and finds his pitching so incredible that he unselfishly gives up his position as Meisei's ace the following year. He moves to third base and becomes team captain. He and his girlfriend Sachiko see talent in Tatsuya as well as Kazuya, and try to get him to join the team, especially after Kazuya dies.
Voiced by: Kaneto Shiozawa Played by: Fuuma Uehara
Takeshi Yoshida (吉田 剛, Yoshida Takeshi)
Transfer student to Meisei High who initially idolizes Tatsuya. He joins the team in their second year to be close to him and to try to gain self confidence. As his skills increase as a pitcher, being able to effectively mimic both Tasuya's fastball and Nishimura's curve ball with great control, he grows from confident to over-confident, conceited, and condescending. He challenges Tatsuya in a pitching contest for the ace position but before the duel can be held he has to move to South America due to his father's job. He returns in his third year as a cocky and ill-mannered pitcher of another team to play a game against Meisei.
Voiced by: Yoku Shioya →
Voiced by: Ryō Horikawa
Sakata (坂田)
Voiced by: Minoru Inaba
In the same class as Yuka Nitta and top student of their year. Despite being timid and not athletic, he joins the team and sticks with it even after the majority of the other new students quit. He falls in love with Yuka and tenaciously tries to win her affection.
Eiichirō Kashiwaba (柏葉 英一郎, Kashiwaba Eiichirō)
The brother of Eijirō, and the one who Coach Nishio thought he was hiring. He might not be the model baseball hero that many believe him to be.
Voiced by: Kenji Utsumi
The series was collected in 26 tankōbon volumes. It has been reissued in 11 wideban volumes, 14 bunkoban volumes, and then again in 17 "perfect edition" volumes in the original magazine size with color inserts.
Original release
Volume 1, December 1981, ISBN 4-09-120651-4
Volume 2, March 1982, ISBN 4-09-120652-2
Volume 3, July 1982, ISBN 4-09-120653-0
Volume 4, October 1982, ISBN 4-09-120654-9
Volume 5, January 1983, ISBN 4-09-120655-7
Volume 6, April 1983, ISBN 4-09-120656-5
Volume 7, July 1983, ISBN 4-09-120657-3
Volume 8, October 1983, ISBN 4-09-120658-1
Volume 9, December 1983, ISBN 4-09-120659-X
Volume 10, May 1984, ISBN 4-09-120660-3
Volume 11, July 1984, ISBN 4-09-121131-3
Volume 12, September 1984, ISBN 4-09-121132-1
Volume 13, November 1984, ISBN 4-09-121133-X
Volume 14, December 1984, ISBN 4-09-121134-8
Volume 15, January 1985, ISBN 4-09-121133-X
Volume 16, April 1985, ISBN 4-09-121136-4
Volume 17, June 1985, ISBN 4-09-121137-2
Volume 18, September 1985, ISBN 4-09-121138-0
Volume 19, October 1985, ISBN 4-09-121139-9
Volume 20, December 1985, ISBN 4-09-121140-2
Volume 21, April 1986, ISBN 4-09-121451-7
Volume 22, May 1986, ISBN 4-09-121452-5
Volume 23, August 1986, ISBN 4-09-121453-3
Volume 24, October 1986, ISBN 4-09-121454-1
Volume 25, November 1986, ISBN 4-09-121455-X
Volume 26, January 1987, ISBN 4-09-121456-8
Wideban release
Volume 1, May 1992, ISBN 4-09-123741-X
Volume 2, July 1992, ISBN 4-09-123742-8
Volume 3, February 1992, ISBN 4-09-123743-6
Volume 4, November 1992, ISBN 4-09-123744-4
Volume 5, January 1993, ISBN 4-09-123745-2
Volume 6, March 1993, ISBN 4-09-123746-0
Volume 7, May 1993, ISBN 4-09-123747-9
Volume 8, July 1993, ISBN 4-09-123748-7
Volume 9, September 1993, ISBN 4-09-123749-5
Volume 10, November 1993, ISBN 4-09-123750-9
Volume 11, January 1994, ISBN 4-09-123751-7
Bunkoban release
Volume 1, April 1999, ISBN 4-09-193251-7
Volume 2, April 1999, ISBN 4-09-193252-5
Volume 3, April 1999, ISBN 4-09-193253-3
Volume 4, May 1999, ISBN 4-09-193254-1
Volume 5, June 1999, ISBN 4-09-193255-X
Volume 6, July 1999, ISBN 4-09-193256-8
Volume 7, August 1999, ISBN 4-09-193257-6
Volume 8, October 1999, ISBN 4-09-193258-4
Volume 9, October 1999, ISBN 4-09-193259-2
Volume 10, November 1999, ISBN 4-09-193260-6
Volume 11, December 1999, ISBN 4-09-193261-4
Volume 12, January 2000, ISBN 4-09-193262-2
Volume 13, February 2000, ISBN 4-09-193263-0
Volume 14, March 2000, ISBN 4-09-193264-9
Kanzenban release
Volume 1, June 2005, ISBN 4-09-127841-8
Volume 2, June 2005, ISBN 4-09-127842-6
Volume 3, June 2005, ISBN 4-09-127843-4
Volume 4, July 2005, ISBN 4-09-127844-2
Volume 5, July 2005, ISBN 4-09-127845-0
Volume 6, July 2005, ISBN 4-09-127846-9
Volume 7, 8 August 2005, ISBN 4-09-127847-7
Volume 8, 8 August 2005, ISBN 4-09-127848-5
Volume 9, 8 August 2005, ISBN 4-09-127849-3
Volume 10, 2 September 2005, ISBN 4-09-127850-7
Volume 11, 2 September 2005, ISBN 4-09-127861-2
Volume 12, 2 September 2005, ISBN 4-09-127862-0
My First Wide
Tatchan and Katchan (タッちゃんとカッちゃん, Tatchan to Katchan) (vol.1), June 2002, ISBN 4-09-162134-1
Though We've Made It to High School (高等部へきたけれど, Kōtōbu e Kita Keredo) (vol.2), June 2002, ISBN 4-09-162135-X
Twin Princes (双子の王子, Futago no Ōji) (vol.3), June 2002, ISBN 4-09-162136-8
A Walk or a Strikeout (四球か三振, Shikyū ka Sanshin) (vol.4), July 2002, ISBN 4-09-162155-4
Touch: Mitsuru Adachi Selected Original Works Collection (タッチ―あだち充自選複製原画集, Tatchi: Adachi Mitsuru Jisen Fukusei Genga Shū), November 1986, ISBN 4-09-199591-8
Touch: The Last Scene Once Again (タッチ もうひとつのラストシーン, Tatchi: Mō Hitotsu no Rasuto Shīn), 5 August 2005, ISBN 4-09-408045-7
The anime series of Touch premiered on 24 March 1985, and ran until 22 March 1987, comprising 101 episodes in total. It was one of the highest-rated anime television shows ever in Japan, with episodes consistently rated 30+ percentage points during parts of its run. In a 2005 poll by TV Asahi of the top 100 animated television series, Touch was ranked 9th.
A Laserdisc boxset of the series was released in Japan on December 10, 1995.
Planning: Tadashi Oka (Fuji TV) & Yoshirō Kataoka (ADK), in cooperation with Kiyoshi Usami (OB Planning)
Executive Producers: Yoshinobu Nakao (Fuji TV), Chihiro Kameyama (Fuji TV), Masashi Fujihara, Shigetsugu Tsuiki
Art Director: Shichirō Kobayashi
Backgrounds: Kobayashi Production
Photography: Studio Gallop
Music Director: Fusanobu Fujiyama
Music Work: Zack Promotion
Music: Hiroaki Serizawa
Assistant Animation Director: Minoru Maeda
Series Bungei Organization: Yumiko Takaboshi, Satoshi Namiki
Title Animation: Gisaburō Sugii, Minoru Maeda, Akinori Nagaoka
Animation Director: Tsuneo Maeda
Series Director: Hiroko Tokita
Assistant Director: Gisaburō Sugii
Production Assistance: Studio Junio, Studio Gallop, Kitty Films
Production: Toho, Group TAC, ADK
Opening
Episodes 1-27:
Touch, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Episodes 28-56:
Ai ga Hitoribotchi, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Episodes 57-79:
Che! Che! Che!, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Episodes 80-93:
Hitoribotchi no Duet, by Yumekojo
Episodes 94-101:
Jōnetsu Monogatari, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Ending
Episodes 1-27:
Kimi ga Inakereba, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Episodes 28-62:
Seishun, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Episodes 63-79:
Yakusoku, by Yoshimi Iwasaki
Episodes 80-101:
Kimi wo Tobashita Gogo, by Yumekojo
A live-action movie of Touch was released in Japan on 10 September 2005; Keita Saito starred as Kazuya Uesugi, Masami Nagasawa as Minami Asakura, and Syota Saito as Tatsuya Uesugi.
The manga has sold approximately 100 million of copies.
Kazuya Kamenashi of the J-pop group KAT-TUN was named after Kazuya Uesugi. Tatsuya Ueda, of the same band, was named after Tatsuya Uesugi.
