The appeal and reviews of "Bakuten!!": A youth anime depicting the world of rhythmic gymnastics

Bakuten!! - An anime depicting the brilliance of youth and rhythmic gymnastics

The TV anime series "Bakuten!!", which aired from April to June 2021, captivated many viewers as a youth story with a rhythmic gymnastics theme. The anime was produced by ZEXCS under the direction of Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, based on the original work by Yotsugi Enpitsu. The 12-episode series was broadcast on Fuji TV and Animax, delivering 30 minutes of emotion and excitement in each episode.

story

"Bakuten!!" is set at Sakaino Private High School in Saitama Prefecture. It depicts the story of the boys' rhythmic gymnastics club members, who grow together with their classmates and aim to compete in the national championships. The story begins when the main character, Masaki Takigawa, joins the rhythmic gymnastics club. At first, Masaki has no interest in rhythmic gymnastics, but through meeting his classmates and practicing, he comes to understand the charm and depth of rhythmic gymnastics.

The rhythmic gymnastics club is filled with a wide variety of characters. The club president, Wataru Shiraishi, guides his members as a strict but kind leader. Yamato Aoki, Masaki's best friend, is also an important presence in helping Masaki deepen his understanding of rhythmic gymnastics. In addition, there are new members such as Yoto Tachibana, a genius talent, and Kenta Yamamoto, a hardworking and earnest person. Although each member has a different background and goal, the story depicts them coming together as they aim for the national championships.

character

The main character, Masaki Takigawa, is not interested in rhythmic gymnastics at first, but joins the team after being invited by his friend Yamato Aoki, and gradually becomes drawn to the charm of rhythmic gymnastics. His growth and the bond with his friends are at the center of the story. Yamato Aoki is Masaki's best friend and a character with a passion for rhythmic gymnastics. His presence is what helps Masaki deepen his understanding of rhythmic gymnastics.

Shiraishi Wataru is the captain of the rhythmic gymnastics club and a strict but kind leader. Under his guidance, the members not only improve their skills but also grow as people. Tachibana Yoto is a new member who has genius talent and his presence stimulates competition within the club. Yamamoto Kenta is a hardworking and serious member whose efforts and growth raise the morale of the entire club.

Animation and performance

ZEXCS, the studio in charge of producing "Bakuten!!", spent a lot of time and effort to recreate the rhythmic gymnastics movements realistically. The rhythmic gymnastics performance scenes are animated with meticulous attention to detail, and are visually beautiful and powerful. In particular, in the scenes of the national championships, the movements of the athletes are depicted in a fluid manner, creating a powerful presence that draws the audience in.

Director Toshimasa Kuroyanagi also emphasizes the elements of a youth drama, carefully depicting the emotions and growth of the characters. Various scenes, such as the daily lives of the club members, practice scenes, and the tension during tournaments, are well-balanced, successfully allowing the viewer to empathize with the characters.

music

The music of "Bakuten!!" is an important element in expressing the brilliance of youth and the passion of rhythmic gymnastics. The opening theme "Seishun wa Suddenly ni" (Youth Comes All of a Sudden) is performed by King & Prince, and its refreshing and energetic melody enhances the atmosphere of the story. The ending theme "Kimi ni" (To You) is sung by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, and its gentle and warm melody will resonate in the hearts of viewers.

In addition, background music that accompanies the rhythmic gymnastics performances is used effectively in the film, further enhancing the movements of the athletes. In particular, the music that heightens the tension and excitement in the national championship scenes is impressive.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Bakuten!!" is a work that has a strong youth drama element, even though it is based on the sport of rhythmic gymnastics. It depicts various aspects of youth, such as the characters' growth, the bonds with friends, the efforts and setbacks, and the joy of success. In particular, the story of the growth of the main character, Masaki Takigawa, resonated with many viewers.

In addition, the rhythmic gymnastics performance scenes are depicted in realistic and beautiful animation, making the visual appeal a major point. It has been praised for not only conveying the technical difficulty and beauty of rhythmic gymnastics, but also for conveying the passion and effort of the athletes.

Furthermore, music is also an important element in bringing excitement to the story, and the opening and closing theme songs as well as the background music throughout the film play a role in evoking emotions in the viewers. Overall, "Bakuten!!" has been highly praised as a moving work that depicts the brilliance of youth and rhythmic gymnastics.

Recommendations and related works

For viewers who enjoyed "Bakuten!!", we recommend other anime with a similar youth sports theme. For example, "Haikyu!!" is a youth story themed around volleyball, depicting team bonds, hard work, and growth. Also, "Free!" is a work themed around swimming, depicting friendship and the brilliance of youth. Like "Bakuten!!", these works also allow viewers to experience the excitement of youth through sports.

We also recommend that viewers who are interested in rhythmic gymnastics check out footage of actual rhythmic gymnastics competitions and tournaments. In particular, you can see the beautiful performances of top athletes at competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships. Through these videos, you will be able to further understand the appeal and depth of rhythmic gymnastics.

summary

"Bakuten!!" is a youth anime with a theme of rhythmic gymnastics that has touched and excited many viewers. This is a wonderful anime that evokes the brilliance of youth, depicting the growth and bonds of the unique characters, including the main character Masaki Takigawa, as well as the beauty and power of rhythmic gymnastics. The music and animation are also important elements that add excitement to the story, and the series has been highly praised overall. We highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in youth sports anime or rhythmic gymnastics.