The Emotions and Challenges of "RE-MAIN": Rebirth of Youth Depicted through Water Polo

A comprehensive review and recommendation of RE-MAIN

overview

"RE-MAIN" is an anime series that aired on TV Asahi from July 4 to October 3, 2021. It consists of 12 episodes, each of which lasts 30 minutes. This work is original to the anime, and the original work is by Masashi Nishida, Bandai Namco Arts, and MAPPA. Masashi Nishida also served as general director, and the production was carried out by MAPPA. Copyright belongs to the RE-MAIN Project.

story

The story of "RE-MAIN" depicts the youth and growth of high school students who aim to rebuild their swimming club. The protagonist, Shimizu Tamio, was a swimmer who competed at national championships in middle school, but an accident caused him to stop swimming. However, after entering high school, he struggles with his friends to rebuild the swimming club, which is on the verge of being disbanded. The story is based on themes of failure and recovery, friendship and hard work, and is sure to inspire and encourage viewers.

character

Each character in "RE-MAIN" has their own unique personality and plays an important role in adding excitement to the story. Below are the main characters.

Tamio Shimizu

The protagonist. He was once a swimmer who competed at national championships, but an accident caused him to stop swimming. He enters high school and struggles to rebuild the swimming club, which is on the verge of being disbanded. He is a serious and hardworking person, but the weaknesses and conflicts he sometimes shows paint a deep picture of his humanity.

Naoki Serizawa

Captain of the swimming team. A bright and positive person, he has the leadership skills to bring the team members together. He is an important presence in supporting Tamio's recovery and plays a role in encouraging his growth.

Ryo Takahashi

Ace of the swimming team. Although he is talented, he is also very proud and sometimes causes conflicts within the team. He grows through competing with Tamio and becomes aware of his role as a member of the team.

Shinya Yamamoto

Manager of the swimming club. A kind and caring person, she strives to support the members. She provides emotional support to Tamio and encourages him to make a comeback.

Animation and performance

MAPPA, the studio responsible for producing "RE-MAIN", has worked on many popular works in recent years, and their high quality is well-known. This work has also been praised for the realistic depiction of the swimming scenes and the detailed expressions of the characters. In particular, the use of CG technology to realistically reproduce swimming movements is impressive, making a great visual impact. Director Masashi Nishida's direction is also skillful, effectively portraying the development of the story and the feelings of the characters.

music

The music in "RE-MAIN" is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "REMAIN" is a powerful song that sings of the passionate feelings of youth, inspiring the hearts of viewers. The ending theme "Next to You" has a gentle and warm melody that enhances the moving story. The background music is also used effectively to match the swimming scenes and dramatic scenes, improving the overall quality.

Ratings and Recommendations

"RE-MAIN" has been highly praised as a coming-of-age anime. In particular, the story of character growth and friendship depicted through the sport of swimming has touched many viewers. The realistic swimming scenes and beautiful animation have also been praised.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

Those who want to experience the excitement of youth

"RE-MAIN" is a youth story with themes of failure and recovery, friendship and hard work. Through the growth of the main character Tamio and his friends, viewers can look back on their own youth and feel moved. It is especially recommended for those who like works that depict youth through sports.

People who like realistic sports scenes

The swimming scenes in this work are very realistic, and the depictions using CG technology are worth watching. It is especially recommended for people who like sports anime and those who are interested in swimming. You can also learn about swimming techniques and tactics, so sports lovers can deepen their knowledge while having fun.

People who want to enjoy beautiful animation

The beautiful animation produced by MAPPA is a visual treat. The attention to detail in the characters' expressions, movements, and backgrounds is a sight to behold. This is a must-see for anyone who cares about the quality of animation.

Comparison with related works

"RE-MAIN" has been highly praised in the youth sports anime genre, even when compared to other works. Below we will introduce related works and compare them with this work.

"Haikyu!!"

"Haikyu!!" is a youth sports anime centered around volleyball. It follows the protagonist, Hinata Shoyo, as he and his teammates aim to compete in the national tournament. Like "RE-MAIN", it is a work with themes of friendship and hard work, depicting growth through sports. However, it differs in that "Haikyu!!" focuses on the growth of the entire team, while "RE-MAIN" focuses on the protagonist's personal comeback and growth.

"Free!"

"Free!" is also a youth sports anime themed around swimming. It depicts the protagonist Nanase Haruka as she takes up swimming with her friends. Like "RE-MAIN", it is characterized by realistic depictions of swimming scenes, but "Free!" differs in that it places more emphasis on the freshness of youth and the bonds of friendship. "RE-MAIN" also has a strong theme of the protagonist's comeback, so there are many dramatic developments.

"Yowamushi Pedal"

"Yowamushi Pedal" is a youth sports anime centered around bicycle racing. It depicts the protagonist, Sakamichi Onoda, as he and his friends aim to enter the national championships. Like "RE-MAIN," the theme is growth and friendship through sports, but "Yowamushi Pedal" emphasizes more intense competition and strategic elements. On the other hand, "RE-MAIN" focuses on the protagonist's personal recovery and growth, so there are many dramatic developments.

What viewers say

"RE-MAIN" has been highly praised by viewers. Below are some comments from viewers.

An inspiring story

"I was moved by the story of Tamio's recovery. The scenes of friendship and hard work with his teammates really touched my heart. I couldn't watch the race scene in the final episode without crying."

Realistic swimming scenes

"I was surprised at how realistic the swimming scenes were. I could sense the evolution of CG technology, and the movements of the swimmers were truly vivid. This is a film that anyone who likes swimming should definitely see."

Beautiful animation

"MAPPA's artwork is superb as always. The attention to detail in the characters' expressions, movements, and background depictions was impressive. I would recommend this to anyone who values ​​animation quality."

summary

"RE-MAIN" is a highly acclaimed youth sports anime. It depicts themes of failure and recovery, friendship and hard work through the protagonist Shimizu Tamio's struggle to rebuild the swimming club that is on the verge of being disbanded. The realistic swimming scenes and beautiful animation are also points of praise, making it a work that inspires and encourages viewers.

The reason we recommend this work is because it is perfect for those who want to experience the excitement of youth, those who like realistic sports scenes, and those who want to enjoy beautiful animation. In addition, by comparing it with related works, we can gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics and appeal of this work. Viewers' comments also show that the moving story, realistic swimming scenes, and beautiful animation are highly praised.

Please watch "RE-MAIN" and feel its inspiration and courage.