"Shakunetsu Kabaddi" was EPIC~!!!!

Why are sports anime so short??? T_T


I just finished watching the 12-episode kabaddi anime called "Shakunetsu Kabaddi" or Burning Kabaddi in English. I honestly didn't have any idea what this sport was about, but I gave it a shot and guess what??? I LOVE IT~!!!!



IMAGE SOURCE


First things first. To those unfamiliar with this sport (like me), here is the definition according to WIKIPEDIA:

_{Kabaddi is a contact team sport. Played between two teams of seven players, the objective of the game is for a single player on offence, referred to as a "raider", to run into the opposing team's half of a court, touch out as many of their defenders as possible, and return to their own half of the court, all without being tackled by the defenders, and in a single breath. Points are scored for each player tagged by the raider, while the opposing team earns a point for stopping the raider. Players are taken out of the game if they are touched or tackled, but are brought back in for each point scored by their team from a tag or tackle.}

Now, going back to the anime...

What is Shakunetsu Kabaddi about?

IMAGE SOURCE


It's about the "unstoppable soccer player" named Yoigoshi. Well, he had that nickname in middle school, but for some reasons he started hating not only soccer but all sports in general.

Now that he is in Noukin High School, he wanted a fresh start and decided to be a live-streamer. However, destiny was playful when a fellow first year Azemichi interrupted his livestream.

He was "summoned" by the vice captain of their school's kabaddi team named Iura. Somehow enticed and coerced by this fox-like senpai, Yoigoshi found himself accepting his fate to play this contact team sport.

What do I think about this anime?

IMAGE SOURCE


IT WAS EPIC~!!!
Really... it's been a while since I've been so invested in a sports anime series. Despite not knowing the sports, I had an amazing and exciting time watching it. I really hope for season two to be available soon, if not, I'd be hunting the manga version of this.

The characters are so interesting and unique. Although they're playing the same sport, they have different abilities, personalities and so on. Even the rival teams that were introduced so far were amusing.

Aside from the excitement brought about by the sports itself, the story was also appealing. The characters have their backgrounds which were slightly shown and introduced. (I wanted more, but it's a 12-episode anime, so just a few flashbacks here and there... which is understandable)



IMAGE SOURCE


When I first saw Ojo Masato (he's Noukin's kabaddi team captain, btw), my reaction was... "WTF is STAZ from Blood Lad doing in this anime? Dang!!! Ojo's even more demon-like than Staz who is the boss of the demon world. Welp... I love eccentric and crazy characters like him... so kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!



IMAGE SOURCE

The animation and art style are also to my liking. The effects made it easier to understand the sport... and somehow make you more into it. Really... I still feel so hyper right now and it's almost 3AM. Hahah I doubt I'd be able to sleep soon... the adrenaline from watching this anime hasn't subsided yet. I'd be a zombie at work tomorrow.


All in all, it was a great watch. I finished it in a single night and I'm not in any way regretting it. If you're looking for some exciting sports anime to watch, then give this one a shot.

Thanks for reading! See you around otakus!!!! <3