The appeal and reviews of Monkey Turn: A new perspective on the world of anime

"Monkey Turn" - Youth and challenges in the world of motorboat racing

1. Overview of the Work

"Monkey Turn" is a TV anime series based on the popular manga "Weekly Shonen Sunday" (published by Shogakukan) by Kawai Katsutoshi. Broadcast on TV Tokyo from January 10 to June 26, 2004, the 25-episode series depicts the growth and challenges faced by the protagonist, Hatano Kenji, in the world of motorboat racing. Animation was handled by OLM, and the motorboat racing scenes are depicted in full CG, making it a visually appealing series.

2. Story

Ever since he was a child, Hatano Kenji dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. However, in the summer of his third year of high school, during a regional tournament aiming to qualify for Koshien, he followed the coach's signs to try a squeeze play, but failed, and the team was defeated. Tsutsui, the baseball team's coach and homeroom teacher, discovered Kenji's talent for boat racing and introduced him to professional boat racer Hagiwara Makoto, ushering him into the world of boat racing. Kenji enrolls in a boat racing school, and after undergoing rigorous training, makes his debut as a professional racer. Together with his friends, he begins his days of striving to become the best racer in Japan.

3. Characters

The protagonist, Hatano Kenji, is a cheerful and competitive man who is fascinated by the excitement of boat racing and aims to become the best racer in Japan. The story is filled with a variety of unique characters, including his childhood friend and girlfriend, Ubukata Sumi, his friend Jogasaki Arisa who is knowledgeable about boat racing, and his classmates at the same boat racing school, Aoshima Yuko and Horaguchi Yudai. Other important characters who help portray the world of boat racing realistically include Furuike Kanichi, who becomes Kenji's mentor, and Horaguchi Takeo, a legend in the boat racing world.

4. The World of Boat Racing

"Monkey Turn" delves deeply into the sport of motorboat racing. It depicts in detail the basic rules and terminology of motorboat racing, race strategies, and the lives and struggles of the racers, conveying the appeal of motorboat racing to viewers. In particular, specialized knowledge of motorboat racing, such as the advanced technique of the monkey turn, false starts, turn marks, and motor lotteries, is sprinkled throughout the show. This allows viewers to not only experience the world of motorboat racing in a realistic way, but also to feel the appeal of motorboat racing as a sport.

5. Animation and Production

The racing scenes in this film are rendered in full CG, with the splashes of water and the movements of the boats being reproduced realistically. This visually conveys the sense of speed and tension of the races, drawing the viewer in. The character designs and background art are also carefully drawn, and the direction is superbly coordinated with the progression of the story. In particular, there are many scenes in the training scenes at the motorboat racing school and the climax of the race where the music and images come together to move the viewer deeply.

6. Theme Songs and Music

The opening theme "Kokoro ga Tomaranai" (Will Never Stop) is sung by JEWELRY, and the ending theme "Hikari to Kaze to Kimi no Naka de" (Light, Wind and You) is sung by Ai Takaoka, enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In addition, the later ending theme "Kimi wo Kagaru Hana wo Sakusou" (Let's Make You Bloom) is sung by GARNET CROW, expressing the brilliance of youth and the beauty of challenge. The music is by Daisuke Ikeda, and is used effectively in the racing scenes and dramatic scenes.

7. Evaluation and Impact

"Monkey Turn" was highly praised as a coming-of-age drama, even though it was based on the minor sport of motorboat racing. The protagonist's growth, his bonds with his teammates, and his passion for motorboat racing captured the hearts of viewers, creating many fans. Many viewers were also inspired to deepen their knowledge of motorboat racing, making the series highly significant as a sports anime. Furthermore, it also had the effect of raising interest in the motorboat racing world, so it can be said that the work had a great influence.

8. Recommended points

"Monkey Turn" is a work that depicts the brilliance of youth and the beauty of challenge through the sport of motorboat racing. The protagonist Hatano Kenji's growth, his bond with his teammates, and his passion for motorboat racing will capture and inspire the hearts of viewers. The series is also full of visually enjoyable elements, such as fully-CG race scenes, meticulous character design, and musical interplay. This series is recommended not only for those who are interested in motorboat racing, but also for those who like youth dramas and sports anime. We hope you will experience the world of motorboat racing and the brilliance of youth through this work.

9. Related Works

A related work to "Monkey Turn" is "Monkey Turn V". This is a sequel to the original manga, depicting further challenges and growth of Hatano Kenji. It is a work that fans of the anime version should definitely check out.

10. Conclusion

"Monkey Turn" is a work that depicts the brilliance of youth and the beauty of challenge, set in the sport of motorboat racing. The protagonist Hatano Kenji's growth, his bond with his teammates, and his passion for motorboat racing will capture and inspire the hearts of viewers. The series is also full of visually enjoyable elements, such as fully-CG race scenes, meticulous character design, and musical interplay. This series is recommended not only for those who are interested in motorboat racing, but also for those who like youth dramas and sports anime. We hope you will experience the world of motorboat racing and the brilliance of youth through this work.