OP: “Identical Blue” by official HIGE DANdism
As with Stylehere is one other adaptation of a manga I have been following for the reason that very first chapter. The similarities just about finish there (though quantity gross sales are fairly shut). Samu and I did a podcast episode about this some time in the past, and similar to with Style there was by no means a query Oh no Hako would get an anime. The manga has been an enormous success from the very first quantity (it has the added bonus of constructing it in). Weekly Shounen Soar) and that is a assure for an anime if there ever was one.
That mentioned, one of many issues I actually like Blue field is that it would not play like one WJ romcom. Not that I do not like it that a lot WJ sequence, however they are typically fairly formulaic, particularly on the subject of romcom. The tone right here could be very totally different (perhaps extra Shounen Sunday) – just a little extra subdued and bittersweet. Oh no Hako is, after all, additionally a sports activities sequence – one which balances the 2 genres about as evenly as potential. As a sports activities novel, it naturally attracts comparisons to Adachi Mitsuru. I can completely see it – I completely can did see it instantly – however over time these grow to be superficial slightly than substantive.
Make no mistake: the power of this sequence is the ability couple on the coronary heart of it. He’s Inomata Taiki (Chiba Shoya), a first-year highschool scholar engaged on constructing the badminton group. She is Kano Chinatsu (Ueda Reina), a 12 months earlier than him and the star of the basketball group. Taiki has beloved her from afar ever since she witnessed her wrestle via tears as she withdrew from the highschool group by coaching within the health club. They’ve a bond — they’re the primary two to return to the health club each morning to apply on their very own — however have by no means talked a lot. In actual fact, Taiki is fairly positive that Chinatsu has no concept what his title is.
One of many issues I really like about this mix – and there are lots of – is that it was their shared dedication and fervour that introduced them collectively within the first place. Taiki believes he’s underneath Chinatsu’s worldview, however she has seen him and the work he places into it. Sports activities followers will probably be aware of the time period “grinder,” and Taiki is a grinder. In badminton, and in romance. He has no shortcuts or energy strikes; all he can do is keep it up and work more durable than anybody else. It seems that there’s something else that connects the 2 (and shortly very instantly): their moms have been teammates on the basketball group at Eimei Excessive College (the place they each now attend). However simply as Chinatsu is conscious of him, Taiki is aware of nothing about it.
Different figures are launched right here. Kjou (Kobayashi Chikai) is Taiki’s greatest good friend on the badminton group, a boy with a blunt voice. Chouno Hina (Kitou Akari) is his childhood good friend. She is a member of the rhythmic gymnastics group and enjoys pissing with Taiki (she can be my greatest downside with Blue fieldthough you may should hearken to the spoiler part of the podcast if you wish to know why). And there are extra to return. However so far as I am involved, Chinatsu and Taiki are the rationale to punch your ticket. And a rattling good one too.
Not like Style, Oh no Hako is not actually a sequence that wants a complete lot of flash to work as an adaptation. Telecom Animation Movie is just not a prime studio, however up to now they’re delivering properly. The look of the sequence is extraordinarily trustworthy to the manga, and director Yano Yuuichirou is extraordinarily skilled and unlikely to make any obvious errors. We’ve not seen a lot animation in sports activities but – basketball to a lesser extent, however badminton (if you have not seen, it is far more well-liked in Japan than a lot of the West) is a sport that may are practiced. fairly tough to animate. However the manga is a large enough vendor the place the funds needs to be affordable. The general look of the sequence is certainly lovely, and essentially the most opulent half is Wit’s OP.
What’s fascinating to me is that the anime performs extra “Soar-y” than the manga. The Soar romcom stuff is emphasised just a little extra – issues are just a little “broader” than within the manga. That does not make me completely happy, nevertheless it’s not an enormous downside. I do not need to go into particulars, however will probably be fascinating to see how a lot anime increase this sequence will get in comparison with issues like Style And Akanebanashi. Though I am downplaying the Adachi comparisons, I assume Oh no Hako is a sequence that requires a sure degree of persistence – the characters are youngsters, they usually develop and alter so much, nevertheless it takes time (and that is not one thing the anime is more likely to adapt a lot).
ED: “Teenage Blue” by Eve
