That is the thing that went into my mind after going on half of the episode. That way, it gave me a bad impression already in the story. Too much drama, arrogant characters, inconsistent development, all in a sports anime. If this is reality, then Japan must be one of the most hated country in any world class sports tournaments for sure!
Okay, now move one to every aspect of this anime. It has a rather inconsistent visual as well. During the early part of this anime, everything looks very good. However, on the second half of the story where everything gets more serious, the art started to look downgraded. Not sure the latter part was rushed or not, but the inconsistency is just too obvious for me. Over hundreds of anime I've watched, this is the third title that shows obvious inconsistency in artwork quality. The artwork was going between just very good to just okay. But overall, I'd still consider it is as good.
The sound effect is one thing that this anime quite excel. The music is also very good. I'd say the audio quality is actually the best part of this anime. You got an energetic and motivating opening theme that doesn't really match the story. Also an energetic and cheerful ending theme that again, doesn't really match the story. But it is not bad. I am just saying the music is too good for this type of gloomy story.
The characters are... mediocre. Nagisa is the only one with good development. She went from a loser to a... winner. Ayano is all over the place. From nothing to loser to villain to whatever the creator wants her to be. Most of the characters from different schools have no sportsmanship which is terrible for a sport anime. The other supporting characters in the same school barely shown any development. Oh well... none of the chicks are the type that one would want to make them wives though.
And finally... about the story. Honestly, having a story with a flow like this and type of female main character like this is something new for me. But not in a good way. Actually, the story itself is what dragged this anime down in my view. It shows a bad example of people should behave in sports competition. I know, it is just an anime. it is just a fiction. But should you know, fictions have power to shape or motivate people! See how Long Riders attracted people to do cycling or Yurucamp attracted to do camping for example. Hanebado doesn't show the good way of Badminton. It's just a drama which sets around Badminton unfortunately.
Overall... I have too many complaints about this anime. Mainly the story and characters' personality. They ruins the enjoyment of the anime. They don't motivate people to do Badminton. They showed how bad sportsmanship in sports competition. When seeing the PV back then before the anime was aired. I was truly impressed. But the actual product is too much of a disappointing.
