The appeal of "I'll/CKBC": A thorough analysis of the crazy basketball club story

I'll/CKBC I'll Crazy KOUZU Basketball Club - I'll/CKBC

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

December 18, 2002

■Release and sales

SME Visual Works

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 2

■Original Story

Hiroyuki Asada

■ Director

Itsuro Kawasaki

■ Production

MSC

■Works

©2002 Hiroyuki Asada/Shueisha・ANIPLEX

■Explanation

The long-awaited OVA adaptation of the hugely popular comic "I'll" currently being serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump. The jacket features an original illustration by Asada-sensei, and the popular story is set in a high school basketball club. This OVA (2 volumes in total) is based on the episode "Kozu High School vs. National Athletic Meet Training Camp Team" and tells an original story centered on the emotional bond between Tachibana and Hiiragi. It is a must-have edition for fans, packed with the fun that only an anime can offer, such as the scenery that is characteristic of "I'll", such as the tower at Shonandai and the sea at Kozu, the realism of the basketball scenes, and the musical expressions.

The first episode, "Crossroads, a Scene from Someday Standing Cross Road," was released on December 18, 2002. The original comic, "I'll," is currently available in 11 volumes, and is a hugely popular series that has sold over 3 million copies. The official Jump fan book, "CKFC," is also now on sale and has been met with great acclaim. The second episode, "The Day the Boys Looked Up at the Sky, Primitive Rude Flowers," was released on March 26, 2003, and is the final episode of the OVA. The cover of this episode also features a beautiful original illustration by the original author, Asada Hiroyuki.

■Cast

・Tachibana Akane／Kaneko Noboru・Hiiragi Hiiragi／Kamiya Hiroshi・Yamazaki Yoshio／Miki Shinichiro・Higashimoto Akihiko／Yoshimizu Takahiro・Kanemoto Koji／Saiga Mitsuki・Shibuya Osami／Waichi Jun・Minefuji Kyoko／Hisakawa Aya・Yoshikawa Sumire／Yuzuki Suzuka・Horii Mika／Kobayashi Sanae・Kondo Yuki／Sato Hiroyuki・Hiiragi Kento／Kishino Yukimasa・Hiiragi Takuya／Nojima Kenji・Takayanagi Manabu／Sakurai Takahiro・Obata Shigeru/Yanagisawa Eiji

■ Main staff

・Original work: Hiroyuki Asada・Director: Ichiro Kawasaki・Character design: Kanami Sekiguchi・Art director: Kotomi Yagi・Color design: Yumiko Katayama・Director of photography: Ryuji Hirano・Editor: Seiji Morita・Sound director: Keiichi Momose・Music: Yoshihiro Ike・Producer: Mamiko Namazue・Animation production: MSC
・Production: SME Visual Works

■Subtitle

・#1／Crossroads, a Scene from Sometime Ago (2002/12/18)
#2: The Day the Boys Looked Up at the Sky Primitive Rude Flowers (2003/03/26)

■ Theme songs and music

・ED1
・Right hand・1
Lyrics: Takeshi Hosomi; Music: Takeshi Hosomi; Singer: ELLEGARDEN

・ED2
・Windy Day・2
Lyrics: Takeshi Hosomi; Music: Takeshi Hosomi; Singer: ELLEGARDEN

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"I'll/CKBC I'll Crazy KOUZU Basketball Club" is an OVA based on Hiroyuki Asada's popular manga "I'll". A total of two episodes were released from 2002 to 2003, and the story of youth through basketball captivated many fans. We will explain in detail the appeal and evaluation of this work.

Story and Characters

"I'll" is a youth sports manga set in the basketball club of Kozu High School. The story centers on the main characters Akane Tachibana and Hiiragi Hiiragi, and depicts their growth, friendship, and passion for basketball. The OVA will be based on the original episode "Kozu High School vs. National Athletic Meet Training Camp Team" and will feature an original story that delves deeper into the emotional bond between Tachibana and Hiiragi.

Akane Tachibana is the main character, with a passion for basketball and compassion for his teammates. His growth and struggles are at the heart of the story, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. Meanwhile, Hiiragi Hiiragi is Tachibana's best friend and rival. Their relationship symbolizes the pain and joy of youth. Other unique characters, such as Yoshio Yamazaki and Akihiko Higashimoto, add excitement to the story.

Animation and performance

Itsuro Kawasaki, the director of the OVA, succeeded in bringing out the realism of the basketball scenes to the fullest. The tension of the game and the movements of the players are depicted so realistically that viewers can feel as if they are standing on the court. Kanami Sekiguchi, the character designer, also provided beautiful visuals that enhance the appeal of the work.

Don't miss the backgrounds created by art director Kotomi Yagi. Scenes typical of "I'll", such as the towers of Shonandai and the sea of ​​Kozu, are carefully drawn in detail, realistically recreating the setting of the story. The colors by color designer Yumiko Katayama also enhance the atmosphere of the work.

Music and Sound

The music was composed by Yoshihiro Ike, and the beautiful melodies expressing the elation and sadness of youth are memorable. In particular, the ending themes "Migite" and "Kaze no Hi", written and composed by Takeshi Hosomi of ELLEGARDEN, are loved by many fans as songs that symbolize the theme of the work. The sound effects by sound director Keiichi Momose and the performances by the voice actors also enhance the realism of the story.

Impact and evaluation of fans

"I'll/CKBC I'll Crazy KOUZU Basketball Club" has been highly praised not only by fans of the original work, but also by anime fans. In particular, the original story depicting the friendship and growth of Tachibana and Hiiragi struck a strong chord with viewers. In addition, the realism of the basketball scenes, the beautiful visuals, and the quality of the music have also been highly praised.

This work can be said to be a monumental achievement in youth sports anime, and has inspired and inspired many viewers. Although it is a short OVA, "I'll" is depicted with deep themes and beautiful images, and will remain in the memory as an eternal youth story.

Recommended points

The reasons we recommend "I'll/CKBC I'll Crazy KOUZU Basketball Club" are as follows:

• A story of youthful emotion : The story of the friendship and growth of Tachibana and Hiiragi depicts the pain and joy of youth in a realistic way. Viewers can feel the emotion of their growth.
• Realistic basketball scenes : The tension of the game and the movements of the players are depicted realistically, ensuring satisfaction for even the most passionate basketball fans.
• Beautiful visuals : The character designs and background art are beautiful, making it very visually appealing.
• Emotional Music : Yoshihiro Ike's music and ELLEGARDEN's ending theme deeply express the theme of the work.
• An original story that fans must see : The original story based on an episode from the original work is a must-see for fans.

"I'll/CKBC I'll Crazy KOUZU Basketball Club" is a work recommended for everyone who loves youth sports anime. Please enjoy the charm of basketball and the excitement of youth to the fullest.