'Ahiru no Sora' Has Been a Promising Slog

I love watching sports anime as much as I love watching real-life sports.  And there’s no sport I love more than basketball.  Thus, when the new basketball anime Ahiru no Sora premiered last fall 2019, I had to pick it up.   I was hoping it would end up being the next Slam Dunk or Kuroko’s Basketball.

It follows Sora Kurumanati, a short high school freshman who inherits his mother’s love for basketball.  Despite his small stature and mediocre stamina, he has the potential to become a remarkable player due to his deep passion for the game, lightning speed, proficient dribbling, and – most importantly – deadeye shooting.  He joins Kuzuryū High, hoping to start his basketball career there.  Unfortunately, as it turns out, the school’s basketball club is made up of delinquents who have no interest in playing basketball.  However, Sora’s enthusiasm eventually rubs off on them, and they grow bit by bit into a true basketball team.

Technically, its season one isn’t over yet, as it’s been reported that it will have 50 episodes.   But with a double-cour-run (24 episodes over the fall 2019 and winter 2020 seasons) under its belt and while it’s currently on a break, I’ve decided to do a review on it already.

So far, Ahiru no Sora is pretty okay.  But to be honest, it’s not always fun to watch.  I found it too slow-paced and grinding for a sports anime.  But it’s probably just reflecting the manner Kuzuryū is coming together as a team – somewhat of a slog.  Since they are essentially starting from zero, they really have their work cut out for them.  While they have some raw talent, they haven’t yet given me the impression of “this is a special team with intriguing pieces that can win it all”, which anime high school sports teams like Shohoku, Deimon, Seirin, Karasuno, and Odochi have already shown at this same point of their respective arcs.  It seems like the anime wants to show that this team is not going to be great overnight, that it will take a “grit and grind” journey, and the anime wants the audience to feel the tediousness of that process.

Thus, as of writing, Kuzuryū’s chemistry and identity have not yet been truly ironed out, as their lineup has just been barely finalized.

The shooting guard is obviously Sora, being a streaky three-pointer and all that.  But he’s also working on developing the skills of a point guard, so he can essentially be a combo guard.  If he can be compared to an NBA player, that would be Stephen Curry.

Joining Sora in the backcourt is the easy-going Chiaki Hanazono, whose impeccable court vision, passing accuracy, sense of timing, and ability to quickly identify where everyone is located on the court make him a natural point guard.  However, being a freakishly strong and well-rounded genius like LeBron James, he can actually excel in any position (or any sport), although he can only focus on one role at a time.

The team’s top scorer is freshman Kenji Natsume.  A street-baller, he has an arsenal of moves and can score in a variety of ways.  However, he can also be a lockdown defender and a playmaker if needed.  He’s highly competitive and hates losing.  As a swingman, his initial position is small forward, but he occasionally shifts to shooting guard during the course of a game.

The team captain is Chiaki’s twin brother, Momoharu Hanazono.  His strength, athleticism, and great leaping ability allow him to hold his ground when matched up against bigger frontcourt opponents.  He’s also a phenomenal rebounder and blocker as a result of his physical gifts.   He’s the power forward, but he also plays center when Mokichi is on the bench.

Rounding up the starting lineup (although, he’s currently starting out as a substitute) is Kaname “Mokichi” Shigeyoshi.  Despite being just a freshman, he’s the tallest in the team, and thus, he’s the center.  He’s the epitome of a “finesse big”, as he relies more on technique than physicality and his trademark move is the hook shot.  He unfortunately struggles with a weak health and low stamina.

The rest of the roster is made up of Yasuhara Shinichi, Masahiro Saki, and Ryuuhei Nabeshima.  Although they are basketball novices, they have learned to love the game, and are determined to improve themselves.  Being formerly a delinquent gang of capable brawlers (alongside the Hanazono twins), they have the toughness and heart to be invaluable role players.

All in all, they do have promise as an ensemble.  Again, they aren’t quite there at the end of the season; they don’t even have a “statement win” yet.  But I feel that once they become a “polished” squad, they would finally be exciting to watch.

Until then, I’m willing to invest my patience into their development – and, in turn, into Ahiru no Sora.  Hopefully, this tedious journey would ultimately be worth it.

Ahiru no Sora is expected to resume at the start of the spring season.