Not All Sports Anime Is Created Equal

Okay, so I guess I'm just going to keep blogging about anime.

Recently, I started watching Kuroko's Basketball on Netflix, since I watched Haikyuu!! I actually figured that since I like basketball, I might connect with the show more from the start. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Kuroko's Basketball isn't horrible or anything and I'm going to keep watching what's available on Netflix at least. But here are the issues: 1. The characters aren't as endearing. The protag is kind of meek and boring, but there's not a lot of depth there. The rest of the team all seem like boring stereotypes. The drama is pretty solely focused on the games, and there is no interpersonal conflict. 2. The animation is choppy at best and lazy at worst. A lot of the movement is just conveyed with action lines. 3. It's incredibly cheesy, but not in a funny way.

I learned my lesson with this anime: not all manga/anime are created equal. I think for people like myself, we get into a mentality that anime is a unified genre and that there is a certain level of quality you can expect across the different shows. Sure a gag anime will have lesser quality animation than a sports anime, but you would think that all sports anime would be on the same level.

In terms of visual appeal, Haikyuu!! isn't even the pinnacle of what anime can be. It's still really good, but it's not as pretty or enthralling as Sk8 the Infinity or Free!, which both have more vibrant colors and interesting character designs. Kuroko's Basketball doesn't even have good-looking characters.

Anyway, those are my current thoughts on the latest show I'm watching. The End.