16/05/2020: Summer Sports Anime

Summer’s finally here, yet it seems that we are likely to be cooped within our houses for the next few weeks at the very least. The post COVID world is likely to have numerous implications on sports. There is no clear sign as to when and how professional sports tournaments such as the NBA, MLB or the football leagues in Europe are to return. It is equally unclear when and how we can go back to playing team sports with our friends in Singapore. Despite this gloomy forecast, there are a number of sports focused anime with well-developed narratives that may offer a short but very needed respite.

The list below tries to include a variety of different types of sports, and accounts as much as possible to focus on shows that are easily accessible.

1. Haikyuu!!

Haikyuu!! is an incredibly refreshing and dynamic volleyball anime.

Haikyuu!! follows the dynamic duo of Hinata and Kageyama in Karasuno High School’s volleyball team. Hinata though having great agility and athleticism, struggles for being somewhat short in a sport that at times rewards players with height. Kageyama, though being naturally gifted in the sport (even being called the “King of the Court”), has his own challenges with being a somewhat self-centred player in a sport that requires a very high level of coordination and teamwork. The story also follows the journey of the Karasuno team as a whole. Karasuno, being a former powerhouse team but having since fallen in recent years, the anime shows the revival of the once great team.

If you are anything like me and lack volleyball “knowhow”, Haikyuu!! can also be a great educational opportunity (though with the caveat that the anime may occasionally fudge or dramatise the explanations). The anime explains the different roles and positions in volleyball such as the setter and the libero. The story explores the unique challenges the main and side characters face in their specific roles.

Another notable characteristic of Haikyuu!! is that it avoids the classic anime tropes of overpowered characters and superhuman traits. The depiction is somewhat realistic (well, at least as realistic as it can be in anime). Yet, despite this, the show does not look or feel dull for a second. The production and animation are incredibly dynamic and alive. From the way the ball moves and seeing the players in motion, to the camerawork, the show looks and feels amazing.

Haikyuu is also evidence of how a TV show or anime can have a genuine real world impact. Following the release of the Haikyuu manga, participation in highschool volleyball clubs in Japan steadily increased, being a reversal of the decline in participation in the years immediately prior.

Available on Netflix: Yes

2. Kuruko’s Basketball

If Haikyuu!! was to be the realistic take on sports in an anime, Kuroko's Basketball is the exact opposite and takes the overpowered characters and superhuman traits into overdrive. Not that this gets in the way of being an enjoyable show. It's so ridiculous that it's actually fun.

The two main characters in this show are Kuruko and Kagami. Both are incredibly capable players, though they could not be more different. Kagami has great natural talent and physical poweress in basketball. Kuroko on the other hand is weak and lacking in stamina. Yet the reason why Kuroko is the main character is because of his “power”, being his lack of presence that allows him to be undetected on the court. He uses this ability of being unnoticed by the opponents to specialise in misdirection and passes.

Kuroko was part of a former All-Star team in his middle school known as the “Generation of Miracles” who members each individually possess ridiculous powers (and equally ridiculous hair colours too). For example, the green-haired Midorima can make half-court, and even full-court shots, with consistent accuracy. The blonde-haired Kise can copy the power and abilities of any other player. The “Generation of Miracles” serves as opponents of, and a foil to the main duo of Kagami and Kuroko in their highschool basketball journey.

Kuroko’s Basketball is an adrenaline and action packed show that, despite defying the notions of common sense and logic, remains incredibly fun to watch.

Available on Netflix: Yes

3. Major

Major’s a great anime (and a personal favourite), though it does come with many flaws. For one, it is a little old having mostly come out in the mid 2000s. Its animation and production quality can’t compare to other shows on this list. Yet the thing about sports anime and its character-driven stories is that the narrative remains incredibly enjoyable.

Major is unique from all the other sports anime on the list in that it follows the main character’s journey in baseball through numerous parts of his life. Starting in kindergarten, moving to the little league, then middle school and then highschool. Where other anime would stop after high school, Major continues the story into the Minor Leagues, Major Leagues and the Baseball World Cup.

The show, in its several seasons, follows the main character Goro through the various stages of his life and the challenges he faces as a pitcher on the baseball field. Goro is in many ways the classic anime protagonist - talented, persistent and a bit overpowered (though not to the point of being unreasonable). Despite his natural talent, the challenges Goro has to overcome are hardly ever seen as easy.

Major is an old school sport anime that is still fun to watch even today.

Available on Netflix: No

4. Chihayafuru

Chihayafuru is a sports anime that may not seem at first glance to even be focused on a sport. This show revolves around the sport of competitive “karuta”, which is a traditional, but competitively played Japanese card game based around poetry.

When I first watched this anime, I didn’t actually believe that karuta was a real sport. But it is in fact a very real and legitimate sport!

Regardless of the fact that I knew nothing about the game of karuta, nor did I have any interest in the sport, I really came to like the anime. The anime looks and feels so flowery, rich and colourful.

You may ask how a card game functions as a sport? Well, karuta in the anime is portrayed as being a physically and mentally demanding sport, requiring several skills - from quick reflexes, sustained concentration over long durations of time, proper form, etc. Despite being so different from a traditional sport, Chihayafuru and its portrayal of the sport of karuta has all the elements of a quintessential sports anime - personal growth, training arcs, development of teamwork, and incredibly tense matches.

Chihayafuru is an incredibly refreshing sports anime and worth the watch.

Available on Netflix: No

- Hideyoshi :)