Well, here’s a second sports anime on my line up for this season, but unlike Run With The Wind, this one I was actually looking forward to because I kind of wanted to see an anime about an archery club. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but I was certainly waiting for the first episode, and it has not disappointed (though Run With the Wind is kind of blowing my expectations out of the water so maybe this season is just a season for me to enjoy boys playing sport, who knows).
There’s nothing earth shattering about episode one. Minato is starting high school, a friend from middle-school is also going with him and they run into an old friend from elementary school. The school archery club is starting up again and they are getting roped into it but Minato has some past trauma that means he’s avoiding. When he finally gets dragged into shooting it becomes quite clear he’s got a bit of a psychological block going on.
All and all, exactly what you would expect from a first episode of a school club anime focused on a sport. The cast are pleasant enough if not yet fleshed out and the pacing was really well done.
So why am I so happy about this episode? Because much like a couple of other titles this season, this first episode is just oozing effort and attention to detail. The sounds particularly are beautifully done but there’s a real care and effort in shot composition and visuals going on in this episode that makes it a sheer delight to engage with even as it goes through the usual kind of set-up. While I stand by my overall opinion that good visuals and animation aren’t enough to make up for a poor story or characters, when the plot and characters are sound, it is amazing how much more vibrant the experience can become with a little care and effort on the other elements.
Really looking forward to more of this one and hopefully it can continue to be so beautifully put together.
- Episode 1 – On Target
- Episode 2 – Finding Your Target
- Episode 3 – It Isn’t Easy To Overcome Trauma
- Episode 4 – What Happens When Individuals Become A Team
- Episode 5 – How To Build Strong Camaraderie By Facing Adversity
- Episode 6 – The Best Revenge; Go Forth and Succeed Your Own Way
- Episode 7 – Why Strong Competition Caused the Need For Contemplation
- Episode 8 – Reaching the Target With Some Help From Your Friends
- Episode 9 – Shots Fired: Seiya Being Jealous and Lashing Out
- Episode 10 – Emotions Run High This Week and Are Handled Beautifully
- Episode 11 – You Have One Shot: Seize the Moment
- Episode 12 – Is It Time For The Team to Get It Together?
- Episode 13 – The Final Draw of The Match But Not The End
- Episode 14 – More of the same but different
- Images from: Tsurune. Dir. T Yamamura. Kyoto Animation. 2019.
Seems interesting, despite the rant.
Finally an archery anime. I will stop cringing on the bad archery for found in shounen or seinen anime! Hopefully.
Although form isn’t ‘PeRfEcT’
I did pro archery for a while.
If you’re wondering why it isn’t perfect, it’s the hands. Maybe it’s a different style because of the gloves, but I doubt it. Why is he pinching the bowstring+arrow? It’s not practical cuz I don’t think that he is that strong. Also, why is his hand so low? How can he aim? Whatever. I’ll stop the rant.
I have the same issues when watching characters play various musical instruments. I just can’t help but nitpick how they are sitting/holding/positioning hands etc. Eventually you just have to either just go with it or move on to a different story.
Thank you for pointing this series out! Probably going on my watch list.
It is such a late premiere that I think it might get overlooked a bit. The only reason I checked it out was because I’d been waiting for it but my watch list was already full with other shows that had come out. I do think it is worth checking out though. While it isn’t doing anything new it does put together a very nice first episode.
Yeah this fall my top two are really the sports anime.
You are right the sound and the small details really set this up so well. I’m excited to see the next episode and I’m so happy it came to crunchyroll.
I’m really looking forward to what this one does. Hopefully it maintains this kind of quality.
KyoAni makes Cute Boys Go Shoot Things <3
Well, there’s the final review title.
As usual kyouto animation is amazing…. I actually didn’t even read the story first. I saw kyouto animation and just dropped it in my watch list. The story is also looked to be good so I am not regretting it…. Does kyouto animation doesn’t have many fails I think….
As usual kyouto animation is amazing…. I actually didn’t even read the story first. I saw kyouto animation and just dropped it in my watch list. The story is also looked to be good so I am not regretting it…. Does kyouto animation have any fails I wonder….