Yurienu's Anime List | Yurienu's Manga List

Yurienu's Profile

Inazuma Eleven is my greatest accomplishment in anime with its 127 episodes. I can’t remember why I started it, but here I am, 127 episodes after. Yes, 127. That’s one point you must consider before starting this anime.

Let’s begin with the plot. To summarize everything, some aliens came from outer space to destroy everything on Earth with a soccer ball. The team — that we are following — must stop them from doing so by winning a soccer tournament against them. You must be thinking it’s funny. You’re right, it is.

Most episodes are soccer matches but sometimes there are some extra spices where they develop characters, and in so many episodes, they have enough time to do so for everyone in the team. But characters are generic and it isn’t that worth following them. A great example is the leader who can’t stop believing in friendship… Dear God, how many shōnen have that annoying character? Of course, thanks to him, while they are always losing in the first half of their matches, they understand the power of the heart in the second half and win…

One good point in Inazuma Eleven is that you can watch it even if you don’t like soccer. After all, this anime is unrealistic so this is mostly based on production values to be entertaining. There are good voice actors, soundtrack has also some entertaining themes (though there aren’t enough for its length). Animation is fluid, special techniques used in soccer have also great visual effects, no doubt about it.

Then, if you ask me if I liked this anime, I can barely answer. On one hand, the plot isn’t moving on and is terribly repetitive, on the other hand, production values managed to keep me watching this series through the end.

Conclusion: Inazuma Eleven is an average anime; it is kids-oriented but not like a fairy tale or an original movie from Ghibli that we can still enjoy without being a kid anymore. You are now aware, it is not meant for people seeking for quality. Most kids kill some time watching shows on TV, I’d say Inazuma Eleven is one they should avoid to play real soccer instead. read more