The appeal and reviews of "Iwa Kakeru! -Sport Climbing Girls-": A youth anime depicting the world of climbing

The appeal and evaluation of "Iwa Kakeru! -Sport Climbing Girls-"

"Iwa Kakeru! -Sport Climbing Girls-" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Asahi and AT-X from October 4 to December 20, 2020. It is based on a manga by Ryudai Ishizaka and was animated by BLADE. It was directed by Tetsuro Amino and aired in 12 30-minute episodes. The series is a coming-of-age story with a sport climbing theme, and depicts the growth and friendship of girls in the climbing club at Hanamiya Girls' High School.

Story and Characters

The story of "Iwa Kakeru!" begins when the main character, Kato Kasumi, enrolls at Hanamiya Girls' High School and joins the climbing club. Kasumi's talent for climbing is discovered and she and her friends aim to compete in the national championships. The story not only focuses on the technical aspects of climbing, but also contains many elements of a coming-of-age drama, such as the individual growth and friendships of the club members and their confrontations with rivals.

The main characters include the protagonist Kasumi Kato, the climbing club's captain Misaki Sakuraba, vice captain Shiori Fujisaki, and new member Makoto Tachibana. Each character is unique, and their passion for climbing, worries, and growth are carefully depicted. In particular, Kasumi's growth from a beginner to aiming for the national championships will move viewers.

Animation and Music

BLADE, the animation production company, depicted many climbing scenes in detail to realistically recreate climbing movements. Not only the technical aspects of climbing, but also the characters' expressions and movements are depicted in detail, making this a visually appealing work. In addition, the climbing scenes often feature scenes that create a sense of tension and thrill, drawing the viewer in.

In terms of music, the opening theme "Climb Up!" and the ending theme "We Are Climbing!" are memorable. The opening theme is an up-tempo song that evokes the energy of climbing and the passion of the girls, while the ending theme features a gentle melody that evokes friendship and growth. These pieces of music enhance the atmosphere of the story and enhance the emotions of the viewer.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Iwa Kakeru!" deals with the niche theme of sport climbing, yet manages to fully bring out its appeal as a coming-of-age drama. By carefully depicting the technical aspects of climbing, it conveys the appeal of a new sport to viewers, while at the same time providing a moving coming-of-age drama by depicting the characters' growth and friendships. This balance is excellent, and the show has garnered support from a wide range of viewers.

In particular, the climbing scenes, with their realistic movements and tension, have the power to draw the viewer in. In addition, the characters' personalities and growth are carefully depicted, evoking empathy from the viewer. In addition to the technical aspects of climbing, the film also contains a wealth of elements of a youth drama, making it a moving work for the viewer.

Recommendations and related works

For those who enjoyed "Iwa Kakeru!", we recommend other anime with a similar sports theme. For example, "Haikyu!!" is a youth sports anime with a volleyball theme, depicting team growth and friendship. Also, "Free!" is a swimming-themed anime that depicts friendship and confrontations with rivals. These works also offer the charm of sports and the excitement of youth drama, and will be enjoyed by fans of "Iwa Kakeru!".

We also recommend that anyone who is interested in climbing actually try it out. Climbing gyms offer courses that even beginners can enjoy, allowing you to experience climbing safely. Climbing is a sport that trains not only your body but also your mental strength, and as depicted in "Iwa Kakeru!", you can feel the joy of challenge and growth.

summary

"Iwa Kakeru! -Sport Climbing Girls-" deals with the niche theme of sport climbing, but still manages to bring out its appeal as a coming-of-age drama. By carefully depicting the technical aspects of climbing, it conveys the appeal of a new sport to viewers, while at the same time providing a moving coming-of-age drama by depicting the characters' growth and friendships. This balance is excellent, and the show has garnered support from a wide range of viewers.

The climbing scenes are drawn with realistic movement and tension, and have the power to draw the viewer in. The characters' personalities and growth are also carefully depicted, evoking empathy from the viewer. In addition to the technical aspects of climbing, the film also contains a wealth of elements of a youth drama, making it a moving work for the viewer.

If you enjoyed "Iwa Kakeru!", we recommend watching other sports-themed anime or trying out rock climbing yourself. Through these experiences, you will be able to feel the appeal of sports and the excitement of this coming-of-age drama even more deeply.