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Oct 17, 2019 10:22 AM
#1

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Nov 2011
129050
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
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Katsuragi and Touma makes an interesting pair in the club. Heh, they're trying hard to improve themselves.

Interesting that we're also getting some mechanics about soft tennis with stances and movements. I really want to see this tennis club succeed.
Oct 17, 2019 11:39 AM
#2

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Oct 2015
15
I'm surprised to see so many fluid motions, there's barely any static frame in this anime so far. There also seem to be some unusual (and some usual) drama. (abuse, homosexuality vs bullying). Also smart(?) confrontaion in the end that will move the team forward from this lazy ass state.
Oct 17, 2019 11:47 AM
#3

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Jul 2017
8313
you know, +1 for actually having a guy who's secretly gay (potentially) for his friend instead of it always being girls

Other than that, some nice build-up happening, potential romance as well. Still kinda worried about the 12 eps part, hoping it doesn't end up being overly rushed


Ngl I got Hanebado vibes as soon as Maki started roasting the squad hopefully this show doesn't turn out as horrendous as that one did


That sensei looks a lot like the one from Hibike Euphorium lol. Same VA as well
Short_CircutOct 17, 2019 12:07 PM
Oct 17, 2019 11:50 AM
#4

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Feb 2011
3695
That ED is so elite. Reminds me of Kekkai Sensen ED1 a little bit.
Oct 17, 2019 11:58 AM
#5

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Aug 2013
5104
Good episode.

Good thing the guys in the club are finally taking things seriously.

I loved the ED with everyone dancing.

Oct 17, 2019 11:58 AM
#6
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Sep 2015
6607
I like this atmosphere a lot, I think it's closer to 'school' than 'sports', I love when it shows many club activities.

The first episode's twist, family drama, hadn't hook me, as it was done before in other sports anime, the beginning of this episode, bullying, is also not a hook for me (though the bully guy is quite hot, I want to 'punish' him)

But I'm standing ovation for mentioning same-sex love, 99% of other anime treat as it doesn't exist, while this is simple and doesn't represent up-to-date real world problem and may not satisfy LGBT right activist, it is the first step, which is the most important step, and is something that I'll appreciate for a long time.

Also, the running 20 laps part, Run with the Wind taught me it's unrealistic of untrained runner to run that much.
Oct 17, 2019 12:03 PM
#7

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Apr 2009
775
Did they just hold hands in the middle of the field.

Oct 17, 2019 12:07 PM
#8
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May 2019
199
Ok, now that the manager likes Shinjo, I guess Shinjo and Maki aren't going to be a couple then. My bet is that someone in the girls team will get some interest, but I don't think Maki will be up to it. Also, I liked that he's not the cheery new guy, who's all positive about the team and thinks everything will be solved by training. He's realistic, has a personality I'm enjoying so far and really is commited to the club, even if all that matters is a single win. Also liked that they took some time to show a little about his neighbour (forgot her name). I like that this seems to be a slice of life that shows both sides of school rather than just the usual part. Just wish I could watch it all episodes at once rather than through at least 12 weeks.
Oct 17, 2019 12:09 PM
#9
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May 2019
199
Jin_uzuki said:
Did they just hold hands in the middle of the field.

And, even more, no one cared? I was expecting a gay joke or something. But I'll feel bad for the manager if they actually become a couple.
Oct 17, 2019 12:23 PM

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Jan 2017
173
That ED sequence might be my favorite of this season, simple yet so effective, had me smilling through the entire thing.

I was pleasantly surprised about the good chunk of focus on the sport, every information on this anime pointed out it will be heavily focused on drama with the sport in the backround, and while it might still lose the sport element down the line this episode gave us a lot of mechanics and the team getting motivated into the training. Hopefully they will keep up this spirit for the rest of the story.
Oct 17, 2019 12:26 PM
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Jan 2019
53
I’m not quite sure why but after just two episodes I’m already loving this series. It seems like much more than just your generic sports anime; the characters are all interesting and I enjoy the interactions, the animation is good (also I like that one of the boys was left-handed, I enjoy little details like that), and as well as the narrative of trying to improve the club, it seems like the story is also dipping into other topics such as abuse, bullying and potentially the struggles of being LGBT+ in a judgemental environment like middle school. So far this has a lot of potential and I’m looking forward to seeing where it’s going.
(Also I loved the ED, it was fun to see the characters dancing in their own way)
Oct 17, 2019 12:31 PM

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Apr 2009
775
CaioOlive said:
Jin_uzuki said:
Did they just hold hands in the middle of the field.

And, even more, no one cared? I was expecting a gay joke or something. But I'll feel bad for the manager if they actually become a couple.

It was indeed pretty jarring going from "Realistic depiction of homophobia in a school environment" to "awww, cute boys holding hands in front of everyone."

Oct 17, 2019 12:50 PM

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Nov 2016
31884
Fabulous ending xD

And still a great watch. Very soothing atmosphere, nice insert songs and quite some interesting character dynamics.

One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron


Oct 17, 2019 1:03 PM

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Jan 2017
603
This and Ahiru no Sora, sports anime fans are well served this season!

ALSO THAT ED!!!
Oct 17, 2019 1:08 PM
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Apr 2013
669
The dance ending really got me. Also, I'm really surprised how good this episode was. No shitty dad drama and really damn crisp animations made this episode really enjoyable. BGM/OST was really nice as well. If this stays on course I probably have to change my mind and watch this to the end.
Oct 17, 2019 1:26 PM
Former AMQ God

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Sep 2014
5548
As far as i am concerned, this is AOTS already.

These characters feel like real people to me, such as their conversations do.

The animation is super smooth.

They plant hints as to what the future ''mini-arcs'' (?) will contain for them, they made me hella interested in Maki, Toma and the girl who loves to draw. She might be a lot more interesting to observe than i though at first.

This is brilliance.
Oct 17, 2019 1:34 PM

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Sep 2014
238
Hard to say since it has only 2 eps and aswell can go in wrong direction, but good chance for this anime to be "underwatched" hidden gem. Actually this have very good silce of life vibes with awesome characters cast.

And the ending. Love orginal conception of doing special animation to song. Perfect.
Oct 17, 2019 1:37 PM
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May 2011
9
I really liked how Maki pointed out that the team can't win unless they practice. This show feels realistic and I'm excited to see how they're handling different themes.
Oct 17, 2019 1:53 PM
Saber Devotee

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Jun 2015
64
Nice episode and great ending there.

"What kind of morons get excited over knee highs these days?"
Here, that would be me.


Oct 17, 2019 1:59 PM

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Aug 2018
8
Cool how it's going so far, this might be a good one.
I'm looking foward to the next episode.
Oct 17, 2019 2:06 PM
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Jul 2014
7
Alright, that ED song was so excellent. I had to rewatch it a few times. I never really do that for ED's in recent times. Glad to always hear from any of the BLESS 4 siblings. Not to be rude, but it had more character than most of the other shows from this season that I've already seen haha because the Seitokaichou had some serious moves.

I can't wait to see more of the student body get built up and press forward as Maki establishes a stronger impression on them, while growing too. We already see a bit of it with Mitsue quite recently now as well. I really love how they're presenting almost everything, except I was hoping that there would be an outlier when Maki gambled, taunting the team. But it was a good, pivotal scene in itself. Props to how open Maki is with Yuta and Toma. I feel like I'll be judging him sorely now that they want to kick it up to this degree of expectation.

This is likely to be one of, if not the favorite of the season for me. Making an early call for myself since I'm pretty happy to actually look forward to at least 1 show (maybe 2 as of now) every week.
Oct 17, 2019 2:14 PM
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Apr 2018
486
The atmosphere kinda reminds me of Just Because! The background music was so good. The MC isn't your typical sports MC. Gay character? Yes please!
Oct 17, 2019 2:16 PM

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May 2017
459
I have no shame in admitting I got up to dance along with everyone during the ED.
Oct 17, 2019 2:27 PM
Shalltear

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Apr 2018
34441
Another very good episode for this anime, the story is really captivating.
Oct 17, 2019 2:28 PM
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Feb 2019
79
as of now im only halfway through the episode, but i just want to say that im happy that they're including lgbt+ people in normally and not as a joke or genre. other than that, it's realistic enough in a way that isn't boring. really enjoying this anime so far!
Oct 17, 2019 2:39 PM

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Mar 2018
14
Predicting this as anime of the season. The drama was nicely executed and well balanced with the sports aspect of the show. I also like the idea of the manager having a secret crush on Shinjo, and I feel like something is going to develop between Katsuragi and that Mitsu girl. The ED was also beautiful, loved the song and the dancing. The animation is also consistently smooth and aesthetically pleasing throughout each episode (so far). Giving this show a 7/10 for the moment, I just feel like pacing might become an issue later on.
"Humans die. Animals die. Plants die. Even soul reapers die.
It’s the arch of the universe.
Everything that comes to life eventually ceases to exist.”

Oct 17, 2019 2:44 PM

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Oct 2018
788
The ED is so cute! All the character designs are great too, it's really refreshing to see so many different body types in an anime.


I really like how they animated Toma and Maki with the proper posture when playing tennis while everyone else was a bit off at the end, really charming.


Don't worry about being lame now, you were always lame anyway!



Oct 17, 2019 2:54 PM
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Sep 2019
132
It's a good episode...with some more insight into soft tennis..and the club.

But there are dark clouds...dark clouds...
Oct 17, 2019 3:05 PM

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Jan 2017
1259
I think I'm going to have a great time with this show! I loved the way the topics that were touched upon in this episode were handled. I might have also just found my favorite ED for this season.
Oct 17, 2019 3:09 PM

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Oct 2009
7148
This direction of the series is so good this far, I liked the atmosphere where anime characters don't need to explain something about someone as a convenient story/background device. It felt so natural.

When Maki roasted the team I was expected them to fight to be honest, you know, like typical sports anime. That dance ED makes me laugh a bit, gotta say unexpected, awesome moves.
The most important things in life is the people that you care about
Oct 17, 2019 3:17 PM

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Jul 2019
20
I wasn't expecting to like this series so much, it has so much to it than meets the eye and it gets me excited to know how it'll play out. And that Ending reminded me so much of the First Kekkai Sensen ED and to be honest this is probably my favorite Ending of the season. Loving the series so far ^^
Oct 17, 2019 4:16 PM

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Aug 2007
2217
I wonder why the bullies thought Shinjo was nuts? Is it somehow related to how Shinjo's mother seems to be afraid to left alone with him?

Oct 17, 2019 4:26 PM

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May 2013
69
dang, I really loved that 20lap running scene

I'm guessing the insert song is the opening song, using it as an insert song during the running was really nice.

really enjoying this series so far.
Oct 17, 2019 4:55 PM
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Mar 2015
13480
Maiki really kicked their butts into gear
Oct 17, 2019 5:03 PM

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Jul 2012
1287
To be honest, I'm loving everything about this anime so far. It brings interesting themes, it's entertaining, it has good animation.
I am very intrigued about what's the deal with Shinjou!
Oh and that ED was lovely.
Oct 17, 2019 5:07 PM

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Oct 2013
650
Maki is the man. Give me MORE!
Oct 17, 2019 5:35 PM

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Jun 2010
168
Sarazanmai boys playing soft tennis.

Excellent episode.
Oct 17, 2019 5:42 PM

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Dec 2014
7045
I liked this far more than the first episode, getting invested now.

20 laps montage with the insert was great.

Was cool to see Maki learning soft tennis and damn he totally wrecked the rest of the team, just plain brutal. I almost felt bad for how much he roasted them but at least it looks it might've gotten their drive back.

The ED is glorious. xD
Oct 17, 2019 5:52 PM
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May 2015
269
Feels like a mix of run with the wind/tsurune, nice.

Jin_uzuki said:
CaioOlive said:

And, even more, no one cared? I was expecting a gay joke or something. But I'll feel bad for the manager if they actually become a couple.

It was indeed pretty jarring going from "Realistic depiction of homophobia in a school environment" to "awww, cute boys holding hands in front of everyone."
Yeah, right? This boy was just bullied then he had to see his crush holding hands with another boy. Regarding the lack of a gay joke/notice of them holding hands, maki and shinjo weren't holding hands anymore by the time the rest of the team caught up.I'll be honest, I was expected a high five or a fist bump haha.
A part of me is wondering if there's going to be a love triangle drama(ew) between the manager, shinjo, and maki, although I'd prefer if the manager was able to date his crush. Maki doesn't seem to be interested in anyone romantically (for now, at least). I'm not a shipper but I'm rooting for the manager here lol, he's adorable.

Laena said:
I wonder why the bullies thought Shinjo was nuts? Is it somehow related to how Shinjo's mother seems to be afraid to left alone with him?


Probably. Maybe he went batshit insane and tends to become abusive when pissed off.
Oct 17, 2019 5:52 PM

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Jan 2011
6537
This show is good yo, the drama undertones are too strong though and everyone kinda sucks but their middle schoolers right? guess it makes sense why there's so many bullies , while Maki might have come off as a straight up asshole with harsh words it did get them motivated for once since the whole club has been shown has lazy and you know a failure of a club was funny seeing all the other clubs be like oh wow the boys are actually doing something!.


but for real i couldn't handle the ED it just caught me off so hard for this kind of show to just see everyone busting some legit dance moves i recognized a few

TOP TIER Ryouma Ebata keep doing your thang
Oct 17, 2019 5:56 PM
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Jan 2017
1106
This episode digs deep into the basic movements and stances of tennis and we get to see Maki get a proper introduction to the team. The character interactions were amazing; it was a bit too cliché seeing Maki act like the archetypical rookie with a lot of potential that is so prevalent in sport stories, but I guess there was no other way to move the story forward, especially with a 12-episode order. I had trouble with the simplistic animation, but it lends itself pretty way for the dynamic movements of tennis.

Maki's impact on the team wasn't entirely positive, though. I kinda have trouble with the way he insults the team, calling them cowards and failures. Sure, he wants them to produce results, if only to solve his own problems, but you'd think he'd be a bit more sympathetic towards them, considering Maki himself is a victim of abuse. Even if he wanted to motivate his team, he didn't have to be such a jerk about it.

There's also plenty of development for supporting characters like Kanako and Yuuta. I'm interesting to see how their relationships with the main characters will develop across the show.

What's up with that ED sequence, though? It has nothing to do with the series' main theme, it's just the characters dancing and doing random stuff. Were the animators trying to be funny? It comes off as awkward than funny.

Anyway, these little issues aside, Stars Align is moving along quite nicely and I'm interested to see what happens next.
Oct 17, 2019 5:59 PM

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Jul 2017
14675
Toma and Maki are getting along now, aren't they? Regardless, watching Maki settle into the soft tennis club after SO MUCH persuasion from Toma needs some adjusting to in skill and technique. Even though I see it as squash for practice, Maki's sense of catching things quickly make it easy for him to achieve good forms even on the 1st try.

xBroken said:
dang, I really loved that 20lap running scene

I'm guessing the insert song is the opening song, using it as an insert song during the running was really nice.


Judging by the credits, it is the main theme song, and it sounded very pleasant. Giving all a 20-lap headstart definitely brought the team together.

This Mitsue girl also piqued my interest, but not sure of what to make her as of now. I'm guessing by her NEET personality, she's one of another bunch of victims.

Plus, gay undertones. THANK GOD they're not forced. New guy Asuka Yuuta, being the stalker type, is noticed by Maki, and snitching isn't an option, being made the manager of the boys' soft tennis club, I'd assume to scout his intentions.

Welp, Maki roasting the others surely was a wake-up call, not to his personality but rather, the arousing of past hearts and determination.

However, his mum and older brother surely didn't know that he has met their estranged dad, and forced to relive the harsh moment (i.e. Episode 1 post-credits).

The "show, don't tell" aesthetics really play a VERY significant part in the storytelling and characterization, and that's the main reason I love this show from the get-go. Add in 8-bit's light but superb animation quality, and this is some forerunner for AOTS in the original space. The Soras (Ahiru no Sora and this) are definitely flying high.
KANLen09Oct 17, 2019 6:11 PM
Oct 17, 2019 6:10 PM

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May 2018
104
Yep. This second episode shown how actually enjoyable the series is, impressive in whole different ways. It had some good points I noticed that makes it original and I really found this anime great, with a proper character development, just awesome.

Also had some scenes that made me laugh of how unexpected it was for me (Ending as well).
Oct 17, 2019 6:14 PM

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Dec 2018
36
Maki didn't give a shit and i loved it. this is my favorite anime of the season alongside Beastars right now, please continue like this.

That ED was so fun, probably my favorite of this season.
Oct 17, 2019 6:46 PM
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Jul 2018
564074
A really nice second episode with some beautifully fluid animation that I just love so much. Lots of little things about the characters are shown and I wonder if I should rewatch to see if I can pick up on anything I missed the first time.

I'm wondering a lot about what Toma must have done in the past since first his mom didn't want to be with him and then this episode his classmates think he's "seriously nuts". What the heck did he do? :'V I have a feeling he will end up as my favorite, though...

Also that ED was unexpected and hella fun! I love how their movements match the character personalities lol.

Still 10 episodes to go and lots of directions and developments this can take~
Oct 17, 2019 7:02 PM

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Nov 2010
1284
Like father like son. Maki, the protagonist, has twisted and nasty personality. It seems he takes every means available to achieve tennis match victory. Understanding toward LGBT? No, he doesn't have any interest in the others and made use of it for his purpose.

As for Toma, the captain of the tennis club, seems to have nice personality. But looking from the attitudes of those students at the beginning of this episode and his mother in the previous episode, he might have had some sudden bad temper and made an incident before.

As for the geek girl living near Maki, in spite of certain possession time of the show, it's hard to guess her role so far.
Oct 17, 2019 7:28 PM
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Mar 2019
21
ED made me happy :)
Oct 17, 2019 7:38 PM

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Apr 2013
1174
I love this series so much already! The entire team is starting to grow on me, especially the main characters. Maki is interesting. I hope to see more of the girl's backstory soon too, she seems mysterious yet wants to get to know the others more since she's always watching them. The running scene and the music was wonderfully made. The ED is hilariously cute and full of joy.
Oct 17, 2019 8:09 PM

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May 2012
2364
Ohhhh.. Was that a 3 nen gumi reference at the ED!?!?
This show is very refreshing to watch and i like the dynamic character interaction. Hopefully the girl will join the team as a manager as well.
Oct 17, 2019 8:30 PM
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Oct 2013
383
Really enjoying the character dynamics in the series so far. Interested to see what happens with Maki and Toma, Maki and his father and Toma and the new manager (who has a crush on him). Enjoying the banter between Maki and Toma lol may be my fave new series so far this season
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