Battle Athletess Daiundoukai

Battle Athletes is an interesting little anime. Part "let's see how extreme we can make track and field" with dashes of comedy, drama, and some yuri subtext for good flavor. The result, while not entirely satisfying, is still worth the short watch

Considering this is the 90s, the animation is actually quite stunning and demonstrates anime's increasing ability at the time to push the limit and illustrate things that modern live-action could not accomplish. The lighting of the competition torch on the university satellite via unmanned rocket, for example, really just took me away. Though character movement is staticky, you really have to hand it to ... the animators for delivering some great ideas for future sporting events.

The sound I can't comment much on. It was there, it mixed well, but overall it was just plain. I won't rate it badly but it's nothing to talk any more about.

The story is jagged, but involved. Each episode seems to focus on a different sporting event as a result of training for the big competition at the end, which takes up the last two episodes. Certain elements, such as Mylandah's extreme interpretation of competition, as well as Akari and Kris's growing friendship carry over, and the story isn't afraid to throw a twist out of nowhere either. However, because of the limited run, it really doesn't carry out as successfully as it could have. Instead it comes off as a summary, with sporting events in-between.

The characters range from bland to incredible. The most incredible character, I thought, was Kris. She was well-developed and unique enough to stand out of the crowd. Unfortunately, she's really the only who stands out. There are other characters like Tanya and Lahrri, who run on one aspect of their personality the entire run. Other characters, like Mylandah and Anna, also run on one aspect, but are saved by that aspect of their personality's influence on the plot.

Overall, I really enjoyed Battle Athletes. It's a good watch if you're looking for something that's involving enough that it doesn't put you to sleep but short enough that you only have to dedicate a day or two to watching. Though it's not the best, it is good.

One last note; From what I've heard, to really enjoy this OVA, you need to watch it before you watch the TV series, Battle Athletes Victory, which I hear is much better. However if the OVA is just a taste of what the series has to offer, I can't wait to get into Victory.

Adding up the totals, Battle Athletes comes out to an overall 7. The art and a good portion of the characters make it stand out enough that you can overlook the majority of its faults. A quick watch and a fun one.

As a sports Anime, the series was definitely a bit of a let down. I think one of the things I struggled with the most was how our main characters rival - probably better labeled as a nemesis - got away with pulling stuff which would get her expelled or eliminated from competing instantly, yet the narrative let her slide in these regards despite the fact she should have been found out way before our main entered school. Her attitude stunk that much.

The series was also preachy with an unnecessary religious vibe regarding sports, but the set up for the given situation - as interesting ... as it was - was done poorly. I was also left thinking separate doesn't mean equal - the boy's school isn't mentioned until plot relevant and quickly leaves, yet I was left feeling as if this was content pandering to a male audience. Well, it it is shounen after all. I couldn't help but feel the work was a bit fanservacy.

It's also worth noting there is LGBT content, yet I feel this was meant to pander towards the male audience rather than really have representation. Personally, I wished for a little more development regarding these elements.

This said, character, art and sound were top notch, not to mention the fact I could follow through with the movements even if some of the things didn't make sense, like a certain student not getting punished despite the fact a computer system would be able to detect she was messing with such things.