Aim for the Ace
I bring you the gift of GIFs (pronounced: the jift of jifs)
Hey! Thanks for the sub.
I've been watching an amazing series lately. It's called Aim for the Ace and it looks stunning. I'm only a couple of episodes in so anything can happen really, but I have a feeling I might like this a lot.
It's from 1973 and its hardly animated but the character designs are so sweet and the backgrounds are constantly just popping. Rather than try and describe it in words I've put together some cool GIFs and screencaps that hopefully bring across the vibe of the show’s first episode.
First off, have a look at this banger of an OP. It’s a dailymotion video, I can’t seem to find it anywhere else!
The show opens with a little lyrical self introduction from our protagonist Hiromi Oka.
So she goes to a high school and has just joined the tennis club. The reason for that?
Their star player is the beautiful and talented Reika Ryuzaki aka Ochoufujin or Madame Butterfly. Hiromi really admires her… like really admires her. She’s the reason her school’s tennis team is on the map.
The show makes sure you understand that Ochoufujin is incredible.
It’s not until a little after this extended praise of Ochoufujin that we get to meet our protagonist and her bestie.
I mean how do you choose? They close practice with 100 forehand swings, Ouchofujin gives Hiromi some pointers. The girl can hardly breathe she’s so shook.
Afterwards Hiromi and Maki fly off into the after school hours; the most important time of the day, as Persona players will tell you.
The udon stand is closed so they stop by a cafe where Hiromi wistfully sighs over what makes Ochoufujin so great.
Who could that be walking up the stairs?
Did senpai just… notice me? This scene is electric honestly. A short story told entirely through the queer gaze. It’s like I’m watching Fassbinder!
Ochoufujin has got a mean girl goon squad around her at all times, they shoo off the tennis newbies. One of them is even like “Shouldn’t you be at home reading the tennis club rulebook?” Lol, roasted.
They head out and go get that burger they’ve been talking about.
Coffee and burgers with my bestie. What more could you ask for?
Afterwards they say their goodbyes. Hiromi is on her way home when she runs into who else but Ochoufujin!
She does some light stalking, following her into a sporting goods store. Ochoufujin’s expecting to pick up her repaired racket, but it's not done yet. Sheesh, Ochoufujin is a busy lady you know! Luckily Hiromi volunteers to pick it up for her.
Her hands are shaking! It’s so cute. Ochoufujin leaves the store, giving Hiromi a chance to breathe.
Sports, romance, comedy! This show has it all. Contemporary anime take notes, this is how you write a character!
The racket is finally ready and the repairman calls out for Ryuzaki. Hiromi steps forward to pick it up. A tall, dark customer at the store turns to ask whether she is in fact the tennis prodigy.
She’s like what are you some kind of moron? I can’t believe you don’t know who Ochoufujin is! Headass, cheeseburgerass.
The next day Hiromi delivers the racket to Ochoufujin, who calls her by her first name. BIG WIN!
Later we’re introduced to another person that Hiromi begins crushing on immediately: Toudo-san from the boy’s tennis club.
Bicon status intensifies.
Hiromi is day dreaming about all the babes she’s surrounded by at tennis club when a sudden meeting is called to order.
It seems a new coach has been appointed!
This motherfucker again??
That was just the first half of the first episode. It’s all about to pop off for Hiromi. I’m five episodes in and so far the drama is juicy. You’ll have to tune in for the rest.
This is the point where I would drop some anime reviews on you, but apparently there’s a length limit to these things. Join me next week where I’ll be talking about solid anime classic The Vision of Escaflowne as well as the more mildly received by me Cyber City Oedo 808.
Mata ne!