Sorairo Utility (TV)

Avid gacha player Minami Aoba finds herself at an impasse when her favorite game announces the end of its live service. Left adrift without her beloved characters, she realizes she has been wasting her first year of high school and sets out to try different clubs to find a new, more productive hobby. However, the harsh truth sets in that she is completely unfit for pretty much every sport her school's clubs have to offer.

One fateful afternoon, Minami stumbles upon a golf driving range after helping an old man carry his equipment there. Inside, she meets Haruka Akane, who promptly introduces her to the sport. Much like her previous attempts at athletics, Minami has no natural talent for golf, but something about the rhythm of swinging the club captivates her. Finally, Minami feels the spark of genuine excitement that she has been looking for—a new obsession within her reach.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Aoba, Minami Main

Takagi, Miyu Japanese

Akane, Haruka Main

Amami, Yurina Japanese

Hoshimi, Ayaka Main

Gotou, Ayasa Japanese

Raimon, Tooru Supporting

Taniyama, Kishou Japanese

Megumi Supporting

Honda, Takako Japanese

Yoarashi, Hina Supporting

Naganawa, Maria Japanese

Setoharu Supporting

Seto, Haruka Japanese

Kazamatsuri, Daigo Supporting

Yasumoto, Hiroki Japanese

Golf Shop Manager Supporting

Hoshino, Mitsuaki Japanese

Tadokoro, Masao Supporting

Inoue, Kazuhiko Japanese

Takagi, Hideto Producer

Kudou, Masayo Producer

Saitou, Kengo Director, Character Design

Horita, Daisuke Sound Director, Music

Reviews

Mar 23, 2025

Kumoiro_Shizuki

Recommended

This review will be a bit special for two reasons. Firstly, I'm not a regular viewer of sports anime. Although this genre is very popular, it has never been a major part of my viewing habits. Secondly, I hadn't watched the OVA before embarking on the first episode - which I did only after the fact. In other words, I had no idea what to expect. My only point of comparison was Oi Tonbo, another golf series that I quickly put aside, not out of disinterest, but for lack of a real attachment. Yet something about Sorairo Utility appealed to me. Perhaps it was those ... brightly coloured posters? Whatever it was, let me tell you one thing: this series is, by far, the season's most pleasant surprise.

I certainly didn't expect to fall under the spell of an anime that, at first glance, seemed so low-key. But before going any further, let's analyze Sorairo Utility's strengths point by point.

Animation: 9
Art direction: 10
Dubbing: 9.5
Music: 10

Technically and artistically, it would be hard to find anything to criticize. Sorairo Utility shines with outstanding visual realization, meticulous dubbing and a musical ambience that is both warm and soothing. Yostar Pictures offers us a veritable feast for the eyes, supported by splendid art direction. The number of shots that can easily be used as wallpaper is simply impressive, and there were several occasions when I found myself captivated by the beauty of the landscapes.

As for the dubbing, it's impeccably accurate. The actors deliver a sincere performance that imbues the characters with an infectious energy, further strengthening the attachment we feel towards them.

Story: 7
Characters: 9
Development: 6.5

If Sorairo Utility isn't unanimously acclaimed, it's undoubtedly because of its relatively limited storyline and narrative development. The story, which is quite simple, doesn't revolutionize the genre, nor does it attempt to offer a story with multiple twists and turns. Yet this was never a problem for me. I wasn't looking for a complex plot, but rather a weekly haven of peace, like Yuru Camp.



And from this point of view, Sorairo Utility fulfills its role perfectly. Despite some weaknesses in character development, it's impossible not to become attached to Minami, Haruka and Ayaka. Their sorrows, joys, doubts and aspirations touched me deeply, to the point of feeling a certain pride as I watched them evolve in their passion. In truth, I sincerely wonder how it would be possible not to feel moved by these three heroines, who are as different as they are complementary.

Minami, with her endearing clumsiness, Ayaka, always benevolent, and Haruka, bursting with energy, form a trio as charming as they are refreshing. Admittedly, their evolution over the course of the series remains discreet, but this in no way detracts from the experience. Their enthusiasm is so infectious that it makes us want to get more involved and achieve our own personal par 3.

An unforgettable experience
I'm aware that my review may seem disjointed, but it's difficult to accurately convey everything I felt while watching this series. Sorairo Utility might seem like yet another sports anime at first glance, but I assure you it has so much more to offer. I'm sure I'll miss every Saturday spent in its company.

So, for all that: thank you, Ham. And to those of you who are reading this, I have only one piece of advice: go and discover Sorairo Utility!

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Mar 22, 2025

GT3_gamer

Recommended

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Yostar Pictures for not fucked up this original anime. I appreciated the series as a whole, it is so relaxing to watch and so fun to see Minami and friends just do what they are doing.

Before we get into review though, I have to give them a round of applause. Like holy heck, they went in with this project.
Let me tell you why, but first, you have to look at their YouTube channel to understand what they are doing that I call amazing;
https://www.youtube.com/@sorairo_utility
Usually, extras like reality shows and interviews for a show that originally aired in Japan are only ... shared on TV from Japan but this anime went, "Nope, we want all people to see our vision of this anime. We want to share those in our channels for the world to see", so, they did exactly that and it's absolutely fantastic.
The first thing that I watch on that channel is obviously the opening (Thanks Masayoshi Ooishi for the op song) then I subscribe to the channel. But as days go on, of course, the YouTube algorithm would recommend videos from a channel you have subscribed and so I was surprised when YouTube recommended this video; https://youtu.be/fKW7vlyKZk4?si=24dStmsMTpfw41i_
That's right! My man, Ooshi, playing golf with his partner that he collaborated with for the making of the OP song. I went and thought to myself, "Huh? They make this available for viewing on YouTube?"
Therefore I watch all the interviews, reality shows, and music on the channel. I am in love with the showrunner, they did a great job to hook me up with the show even more. They also invited the MCs' VAs to play golf too, so I recommend checking that as well.

Anyway, enough glazing! Time for the actual review;
Animation. I have said it in the pilot episode before, the show absolutely gorgeous to look at. The vibrant color, beautiful background picture, the expressive expression, and the smooth animation. It's soooooo good. I wish a lot of SOL anime took this note and used this as standard. I love how Yostar just blows me away with their animation.

Story/plot. It's an SOL anime, so there isn't any but if we want to really see it, well there is some plot in episodes 8 through 11 but it's not really important by any means. It's just to spice up the main characters' arcs, which I enjoy watching.

Character. The development of characters in this anime is nonexistent. I mean it's just girls doing cute things, I don't see a problem in that. The character that I honestly think has grown is Hina. I won't spoil it for you but if you watch it just say that her character development is really cute. I love how she grows in the show.

OST. My man, Ooishi, is in the seat again with another amazing OP song. I am honestly very happy that Ooshi getting a lot of song offers, my man has finally gone to The First Take twice, at the time of writing this review. But anyway, yeah, OSTs are great I don't have any complaints about it.

VA. I honestly don't have any complaints about this so I just going to skip it.

And, finally, thanks to Anione Asia for once again providing me with the anime. I appreciate it.

Overall, I rate this 9.4/10.
It's not the best SOL Sports anime I've ever seen but it's good enough that I can recommend it to other people.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Mar 22, 2025

butahime

Mixed Feelings

PREMISE

Cute girl learns to play golf, meets other cute girls who already play golf.

VISUAL/SOUND

Production quality is average for a TV anime. The character designs are fine with faces distinct enough to tell apart and a variety of body types drawn more or less consistently. The drawings of golf equipment are detailed (with plenty of attention drawn to the brand label naturally) with more quotidian backgrounds just average. The overly bright green color of the grass and a trees on the golf course itself is a major demerit.

Movement isn’t bad. I have no idea how realistically drawn the characters’ poses ... are when they’re taking their swings but they have some impact so good enough. There’s a fair number of super deformed visual gags which are never that funny but are pleasant enough. Facial expressions can be a bit flat.

The voice acting is pretty good. Both of the older girls the MC is yuribaited with are their seiyuu’s first major role and the MC’s seiyuu isn’t that famous either which helps keep it from feeling stale. The show doesn’t have enough going on to call any performance that good though. Use of background music is minimal and there aren’t many sound effects either. OP is okay and ED is above average.

STORY/CHARACTERS

In a word: forgettable. The MC’s character is that she wants to be more of a main character which is good for a chuckle but not enough to sustain a whole twelve episodes. The other characters lean towards the one note (MC’s gyaru friend, streamer who streams) with only the onee-san type being worth thinking about. The relationships are just not good enough to make this a good slice of life anime and as a sports anime there’s nowhere near enough to it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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	Poll: Sorairo Utility (TV) Episode 12 Discussion KANLen09 - Mar 21	33 replies	by KingYoshi »» 9 hours ago
	Poll: Sorairo Utility (TV) Episode 11 Discussion Serafos - Mar 14	19 replies	by KingYoshi »» Yesterday, 3:33 AM
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	Poll: Sorairo Utility (TV) Episode 10 Discussion Serafos - Mar 7	19 replies	by Ashhk »» Mar 22, 11:29 AM