The appeal and reviews of "The Rifle is Beautiful": What is the beauty of sniping?

"The Rifle is Beautiful": The charm of unknown sports and the brilliance of youth

"Rifle is Beautiful" is a TV anime series that aired from October 13, 2019 to January 18, 2020, and is based on a manga by Salmiakki. It was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11, and consisted of 12 episodes, 30 minutes each week. Animation was produced by Studio 3Hz, directed by Masanori Takahashi, series composition and scriptwriting by Tatsuya Takahashi, character design and general animation direction by Ken Mukaigawahara. The series centers around a little-known sport called beam rifles, and depicts the youth and growth of high school girls who belong to the shooting club at Chidori High School.

story

"Rifle is Beautiful" is set in the shooting club of Chidori High School. Four high school girls, including the main character Ogura Hikari, Shibusawa Izumi, Meihama Erika, and Igarashi Yukio, enjoy their youth through beam rifle competitions. Beam rifle is a grueling sport in which participants shoot 60 bullets at a 1mm diameter target at a distance of 10m in 45 minutes. This sport requires more willpower than it looks, and since it is not well known, it is difficult for people to understand, but Hikari and her friends still work hard every day to aim for the world championships.

The story follows Hikari and her friends as they meet in the shooting club and grow together. Each episode depicts their struggles as they aim for the national tournament, their matches against strong athletes from other schools, and the friendships and rivalries they forge through club activities. There are many scenes in which the individual personalities of the characters shine, particularly when Hikari shows off her national-level skills when she concentrates, and when Yukio's taciturn and expressionless personality gradually changes.

character

The appeal of "Rifle is Beautiful" is, above all, its unique characters. Below are the main characters.

Hikari Ogura

Voice actor: Machico

Hikari is a first-year student at Chidori High School, and is a girl with a passion for beam rifles. Although her usual shooting performance is below average, when she concentrates she shows national-level skill. She has the ability to get along with anyone, and with each tournament she makes more shooting friends. Hikari grows through her activities in the shooting club, and aims to compete in the national tournament with her friends.

Izumi Shibusawa

Voice actor: Akane Kumada

A first-year student at Chidori High School, she was invited by Hikari to start using beam rifles in elementary school. Although her shooting skills are average, she has a very caring personality and is sometimes bossed around by Hikari. Izumi, who lives with her father, deepens their friendship through club activities.

Erica Meihama

Voice actor: Saki Minami

Erika is a first-year student at Chidori High School, has excellent grades, is an all-around athlete, is half-Japanese, beautiful, and comes from a wealthy family. When it comes to shooting, she is a hard worker and has a strong will, and she is competitive with the strong Hikari and the talented Yukio, but she also has a caring side for her friends. Erika grows together with her friends as they aim for the national tournament.

Yukio Igarashi

Voice actor: Anna Yamaki

A first-year student at Chidori High School, he is one of the best shooters in the country. In junior high school, he was a regular athlete who won top prizes in competitions, but he is seen as an oddball by those around him because of his silent and expressionless personality. He actually likes cats, and gradually opens up to them through club activities.

Yuko Tsurumaki

Voice actor: Yukiyo Fujii

She is a new teacher who has become the advisor for the shooting club at Chidori High School. She is a shy person and does not have much confidence in herself as a teacher. She is single, loves anime and manga, and has a driver's license. Yuko grows together with the students through club activities.

Akira Shinonome

Voice actor: Natsumi Fujiwara

She is a third-year student at Asaka Gakuen High School and the captain of the shooting club. She has experience as a member of the All Japan Junior National Team and is one of the few air rifle athletes in the prefecture. She is Erika's cousin and thinks of her as a younger sister. She has a straightforward personality and aims to compete in the national tournament with her friends through club activities.

Misa Kuroi

Voice actor: Reina Ueda

She is a third-year student at Asaka Gakuen High School and the vice-captain of the shooting club. Her trademarks are glasses and a headband, and she is a sensible person who manages the Asaka Gakuen High School shooting club while supporting the laid-back Akira. Misa grows together with her friends through club activities.

Sakashita Karen

Voice actor: Takahashi Minami

Karen is a first-year student at Asaka Gakuen High School, and was in the basketball club in junior high. When she visited the clubs when she was entering high school, she was inspired by Akira holding a rifle, so she joined the club. Although she is not very skilled yet, she is expected to be the first-year ace. Karen will grow together with her friends through club activities.

Ryoko Mochizuki

Voice actor: Manaka Iwami

She is a first-year student at Asaka Gakuen High School and has a serious personality. She is often together with fellow first-year student Karen. Although she was not good at sports, she improved her skills thanks to the enthusiastic guidance of Misa, the vice-captain. Ryoko grows together with her classmates through club activities.

Asakura Rei

Voice actor: M.A.O.

Rei is a third-year student at Kiritani First High School and the captain of the shooting club. He is an air rifle competitor and may seem unapproachable, but he actually has a sensitive personality and concentrates in the bathroom before a match. He is also known as the "toilet guardian" and is passionate about shooting. Rei aims to compete in the national tournament with his teammates through club activities.

Enomoto Komachi

Voice actor: Arisa Sakuraba

A second-year student at Kiritani First High School, she is strong-willed and outspoken, but is actually nervous inside. There is no special meaning or secret behind the mask she wears all the time, but for some reason, she cannot take it off because people around her have high expectations of her. Komachi grows together with her friends through club activities.

Sanada Shio

Voice actor: Daichi Yoh

She is a second-year student at Kiritani First High School and is a dignified girl with an impressive ponytail. She is the ace of the second-years, recognized by Komachi, and it seems that her gun is more stable when she is full, so she eats two bento lunches before a match and a banana during the match. Shio aims to compete in the national tournament with her friends through club activities.

Konno Kozakura

Voice actor: Saya Aizawa

A third-year student at Iseoka High School, Kozakura is the captain of a weak school that has not been able to select a representative for the national team for five consecutive years. He is doing his best in his final high school tournament so that he can spend as much time as possible with his team members. His handle name on social media is "Kozakku." Kozakura grows together with his teammates through club activities.

Maho Komori

Voice actor: Keiko Watanabe

Maho is a third-year student in the Minezumi High School shooting club and the captain of the Minezumi High School shooting club, also known as the champions. Last year, she won the national team championship and also won the All-Japan Selection Championship, earning her the nickname "Iron Heart" as a high school student. Maho aims to compete in the national championships with her teammates through club activities.

Sayu Kaijima

Voice actor: Akiho Suzumoto

A third-year student at Minezumi High School, Sayu has a love for beautiful girls and is a habitual offender of skinship with club members and picking up girls from other schools. She is especially fond of Erika, and was born into a family of Japanese dance masters, and has the philosophy that "shooting is beauty." She is one of the most skilled in the country. Sayu aims to compete in the national tournament with her friends through club activities.

Nitta Serena

Voice actor: Sayumi Suzushiro

Reina is a second-year student in the shooting club at Minezumi High School, and although she is not particularly friendly, she is more enthusiastic about shooting than anyone else and will participate in the national competition. She is a fan of the band Evil Eden, and is troubled by sexual harassment from her senior, Sayu. Reina grows together with her friends through club activities.

Ruri Hachigo

Voice actor: Aoi Koga

A second-year student at Saiga Girls' High School, Ruri was invited by her classmates Hayamine Yayoi and Kayamori Ruri to join the shooting club. She is often misunderstood because of her mean look, but she is actually quiet and timid. She is a kind girl who loves nature. Ruri grows together with her classmates through club activities.

Nakagawa Tae

Voice actor: Karin Isobe

Tae is a first-year student at Akita Third High School and the only high school student in Akita Prefecture who does beam rifle shooting. She almost automatically got a ticket to the national tournament individual competition. When she panics, she ends up speaking in Akita dialect. Tae aims to compete in the national tournament with her friends through club activities.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• 01/What is Beam
• 02/"Club Activities are Funny"
• 03/ "Opponent is a strong opponent"
• 04/"Advisor is a Beginner"
• 05/"Qualifying is exciting"
• 06/"Target is National Convention"
• 07/"Study is Hard"
• 07.5 / "National Tournament is Just Around the Corner"
• 08/"Battlefield is a battlefield"
• 09/"King Is Minezumi"
• 10/ "Princess is Crisis"
• 11/ "Shooting is a Dream"
• 12/"The Final is the Beginning"

Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Let's go! Life Ring 4!!!!", with lyrics, composition, and arrangement by KOH. The ending theme is "Yuyake Friends," with lyrics by Mayu Miyazaki, composition and arrangement by KOH, and string arrangement by Yuma Bando. These songs are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work.

Production Staff

Many staff members were involved in the production of "Rifle is Beautiful." The director was Takahashi Masanori, the series composition and scriptwriting was Takahashi Tatsuya, the character design and general animation director was Mukaigawahara Ken, the prop design and art design was Ishiguchi Juu, the art director was Onishi Tatsuro, the color design was Inoue Akiko, the editing was Sadamatsu Tsuyoshi, the cinematographer was Someya Kazumasa, the HOA was Tryslash, the graphic art was Araki Hirofumi, the sound director was Aketagawa Jin, and the music was Takano Satoshi. The animation was produced by Studio 3Hz, with the cooperation of the Japan Rifle Shooting Association, Koto Electronics Co., Ltd., Ginza Gun Shop Co., Ltd., and the Chuo University High School Rifle Shooting Club.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Rifle is Beautiful" is a story about youth and friendship, centered around the little-known sport of beam rifles. The characters' personalities shine, and their growth and deepening friendships in each episode are moving. In addition, the charm and rigors of the sport of beam rifles are depicted realistically, making it enjoyable as a sports anime.

This work is especially recommended for those who like youth anime and sports anime. In particular, it is a must-see for those who like stories that focus on the growth and friendship of unique characters. It will also be a good opportunity for those who are interested in the sport of beam rifles to learn about the appeal and rigor of the sport.

Furthermore, the realistic depiction is another highlight of the work, thanks to the cooperation of actual shooting clubs and related organizations, such as the Japan Rifle Shooting Association, Koto Electronics Co., Ltd., Ginza Gun Shop Co., Ltd., and Chuo University High School Rifle Shooting Club. The character of Tsurumaki Yuko, a teacher who loves anime and manga, is also depicted through her growth as a teacher and her relationships with her students, making it enjoyable for anyone interested in teachers and education.

"The Rifle is Beautiful" is a wonderful film that depicts the brilliance of youth and the charm of a little-known sport. I hope many people will see it.