PuraOra! PRIDE OF ORANGE
Synopsis
Third-year junior high schooler Manaka Mizusawa is tasked by her teacher to put a poster up about a trial ice hockey class sponsored by the Dream Monkeys, their city's local professional team. Interested in attending the class herself, Manaka also persuades her younger sister Ayaka and her clubmates Kaoruko Yanagida and Mami Ono to join her. When the four gather at the gymnasium where the tutorial is held, they meet fellow third-year students Riko Saginuma and Naomi Takagi. As the girls practice their hearts out, their fascination for the sport increases, motivating them to play on a competitive level. Wanting to experience the unique and exciting memories that ice hockey can offer, the girls gradually form a team that has the potential to reach the top. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is largely negative, citing poor story, shallow characters, and a failed attempt to blend sports with idol elements. While some appreciate the animation of the hockey scenes and the soundtrack, many view it as a generic advertisement for a failed mobile game. The show fails to satisfy either sports anime fans or idol anime enthusiasts, resulting in a mediocre and forgettable experience for many viewers.
Strengths
- Well-animated ice hockey scenes show attention to detail.
- Some found the characters likable and easy to get attached to.
- Soundtrack, particularly by MONACA, was a highlight for some viewers.
Weaknesses
- Story feels like an advertisement for a mobile game that failed.
- Characters are flat, cliche, and lack depth; minimal character development.
- Poor balance of ice hockey, slice-of-life, and idol elements; none are executed well.
- Idol elements feel forced and unnecessary, detracting from the sports theme.
- Writing is lazy and uninspired, with cheesy dialogue.
- Plot and pacing are boring, lacking excitement and tension.
- Anime does not explain the rules/history of hockey which is unappealing to sports fans.