Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudoubu – Anime First Impressions

Studio: Kyoto Animation

Episodes: 4 (Ongoing)

Director: Takuya Yamamura

Original creator: Kotoko Ayano

Genre: Drama, School, Sports

Summary

Minato Narumiya is beginning his freshman year at the local Kazemai High School. Mr. Tommy, adviser to the Japanese archery Club, is keen to recruit Minato, as well as his childhood friends Seiya Takehaya and Ryohei Yamanouchi. Ryohei convinces the reluctant Minato to attend the Club’s orientation, where he also meets Kaito Onogi and Nanao Kisaragi. Singling Minato out, Mr. Tommy introduces him as a rare Japanese archery talent and asks him to demonstrate in front of everyone. However, Minato’s arrow fails to hit the mark because he is afflicted by a serious condition. (Source: Anime News Network)

Our thoughts on Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudoubu

1. This anime gives us a closer look into the culture of Japanese archery and allows us to learn the sport while witnessing the growth of five youths with different personalities come together into a great team.
2. The animation is fluid and includes many shots that showcases the beauty of the sport, e.g. the way they draw back their bow and point-of-view shots of the arrow speeding towards its target.
3. It still does not escape the normal themes we can find in every sports anime, e.g. past trauma from the sport, a no-name school against a powerhouse school, and an ex-teammate now an opponent just to name a few.
4. As the series progresses, there’ll be some different and interesting themes to witness, especially with Minato battling with his condition.
5. As archery is more of a calm sport compared to fast-paced sports like basketball and volleyball, do not expect to see any matches that will give you that adrenaline rush.

Trivia about Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudoubu

1. Tsurune shares the same studio as another well known sports anime which is Free! Iwatobi Swim Club.
2. Tsurune was a Japanese light novel series which has won the Special Judge Award in the Kyoto Animation Award competition in 2016.
3. The title of the anime ‘Tsurune’ means the sound the bowstring makes when an arrow is fired.

Verdict: Watch it!

If you are interested in learning more about Japanese archery through anime and love watching characters grow to their greatest potential, plus beautiful and soothing visuals, I would highly recommend it. However, if you are in search of something fast-paced and action-oriented, this anime might not be the one for you.