My issues so far do not necessarily come from a predictable zero to hero origin story. Nor is the aged humour a concerning aspect. Even with my general knowledge of the game, I wasn’t even put off by the idiots guide explanation to the sport. No, what troubles me most about it is what I often let slide in many other series. The art.
It lacks a refinement and minimises the massive impacts that occur in a match. It forgoes showcasing sequences of movement with too much standard panelling that doesn’t illustrate the full extent of what happens on a field. I’m not expecting Inoue level of art quality but I want something cool and powerful much like what is delivered in Blue Lock. Rugby is both tough and rugged and open and free and the action is not reflected so far in the art of the series.
While I said I was primarily unbothered by the series explanation of the game, I feel it does a poor job introducing newcomers to the sport. It follows an idiot protagonist, which isn’t in itself bad but is uninspired, and does little to nothing in its early parts to allow an investment in his journey. I understand his character is mostly a gag but the fact he is already so much stronger than characters that we’ve been told to be the best in the world really lowers the stakes of the series.
There are aspects of this series that offer potential but are undeveloped. The laissez-faire management of the team and the unmotivated players provide a platform for the team to really come together and tackle the challenges presented. But so far we know nothing about anyone outside of a couple and even the two characters we know something about, we know not enough to empathise with their involvement in the team and the sport.
I want to give the author some time to iron things out and present an exciting plot and story arc for its characters but so far the pacing is very haphazard and the story beats better applied in other stories. For now rugby rumble is not worth your time if you’re looking for the next Haikyuu or Ace of Diamond. It lacks the heart that those series have and the stylisation that brings the sport to life.
