number24
Synopsis
Natsuza Yuzuki has been playing rugby as a left-winger ever since he was a child. After enrolling in Doushisha University, he quickly becomes a rising star in the Kansai University League. His dreams are shattered, however, when a nasty motorbike accident leaves him with a spinal hernia—making him unable to be able to play rugby ever again. With no role available other than the position of manager, he accepts his new post and hopes his squad can obtain a league title. Yuzuki's team is an unlikely group, including his stoic best friend and full-back Seiichirou Jingyouji; hot-headed first-year Yasunari Tsuru, who harbors a strong dislike for Natsuza, filling his senior's old position as left wing; and Yuu Mashiro, who is struggling to hold his ground as a scrum half. Despite Natsuza putting his all into training his team for a league title, their squad still feels incomplete. A year ago, Ibuki Ueka, the genius fly-half that was once Doushisha's ace, suddenly quit rugby—and now Natsuza is determined to get him back. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is generally positive, praising the character interactions and focus on friendship. Some find the plot weak and the rugby aspect underdeveloped. The likeable characters and light-hearted tone compensate for the shortcomings, resulting in a fairly enjoyable experience for those who appreciate character-driven stories over intense sports action.
Strengths
- Strong character-driven stories focusing on bonds and friendship.
- Likeable and well-developed main characters with distinct personalities.
- Enjoyable humor and light-hearted moments.
- Decent animation quality, especially considering studio's outsource reliance.
Weaknesses
- Weak plot and pacing issues, with some episodes feeling disjointed.
- Too many characters for a one-cour anime, diluting focus on main characters.
- Rugby matches are too short and lack detailed explanation of the sport.
- Art style and color scheme may not appeal to everyone, some find it too bright or generic.
- Animation inconsistencies and recycled visuals.