Story : 9
Most episodes end on a cliffhanger that really makes you want to watch the next episode, so I ended up watching them all in a very short period of time. I don’t play basketball, but the anime is so well executed that the matches are very exciting to watch. It feels like a good action shonen, where the protagonists advance to face stronger opponents in epic battles, but it is easier to relate to since it’s about a real sport. It really motivates you to go out there and be a motivated warrior, no matter what sport you play.
Characters : 9
The characters are interesting enough. There are plenty of likable characters, a succession of prodigies with secret abilities, some mysterious villains and other passionate sportspeople. It’s especially good that they have a past story to link them all, allowing for great character development. Also, the way they are slowly introduced throughout the story builds awesome suspense.
Art : 8
The animation during the games is outstanding, with fluid movements and impressive plays. For the ladies out there, it is worth mentioning that this anime features its fair share of nicely drawn muscled young men. It’s hot, you know, even if it’s just a drawing. But don’t worry guys, this anime takes sport seriously, the focus is really on competition and testosterone-driven fights.
Sound : 8
The opening and ending songs were nice to listen to. For the rest, I was too caught up in the games to notice the background music during the episodes. I think it shows that the soundtrack really blends in with the series. Good music helps build tension without causing distraction. The seyus did a great job too.
Enjoyment : 10
I thoroughly enjoyed this series from beginning to end. It was suspenseful and intriguing all along and the matches were amazing to watch. It seems like they put a lot of thought in how they would divide the story into episodes, making sure each episode has something interesting to offer and is well balanced between action, character development, mystery and even comedy. There is always just the right amount of comic relief to highlight the tensed moments of the series.
