The series follows the unforgiving money-and-statistics-centric world of professional baseball,[4] in a similar concept to Moneyball, but through the eyes of players: a relief pitcher and left-handed specialist, Bonda Natsunosuke, and Tokunaga, a retired pitcher turned color commentator.

[11] A second series, titled Gurazeni: Tokyo Dome-hen (グラゼニ 〜東京ドーム編〜), was serialized in Morning from September 25, 2014,[12] to February 15, 2018.

[16] A third series, titled Gurazeni: Pa League-hen (グラゼニ 〜パ・リーグ編〜), was serialized in Morning from March 29, 2018,[17] to August 19, 2021.

[26] A spin-off manga, titled Gurazeni: Natsunosuke no Seishun (グラゼニ 〜夏之介の青春〜) , written by Yūji Moritaka and illustrated by Yōsuke Uzumaki, was serialized in Kodansha's Evening from March 10, 2020,[27][28] to November 8, 2022.

[31] Another spin-off by Kawa, titled Shōwa no Gurazeni (昭和のグラゼニ), serialized its first part in Morning from October 7 to December 2, 2021.

[5][45] Produced by SKY Perfect JSAT, Kodansha and Studio Deen, the series is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with Hideo Takayashiki handling series composition and writing the scripts, Kenichi Ohnuki designing the characters and Akifumi Tada composing the music.

[48] Well known actor and film director 'Beat' Takeshi appeared as a guest star in the final episode of the first season.

[49] A second season aired from October 5 to December 21, 2018,[50] which included baseball player Masahiro Yamamoto and comedian Yuki Iwai in cameo roles.

In a rare chance to play as a starter Bonda becomes over-eager and breaks his right-hand wrist when trying to perform a double-tag-out by himself.

Itsuki has been staying at a hotel and thinks this helps his concentration but Bonda tells him to go home to his family.

Bonda gives up a home run in the 8th inning but Itsuki saves him with a pinch home-run in the bottom of the ninth and the game ends in a draw.

Akemi is not happy with the idea but sees this as an opportunity to leave her rather seedy work as a hostess in a club in Roppongi.