Iwakakeru – Sports Climbing Girls
Genre: Sports
Studio: Blade
Hello my friends.
Welcome to another anime reviews.
Today I bring a small piece of work that brought my attention, and I decided to watch straight away, especially since summer is coming (In Australia, of course). With that said, I bring you…
But before that, I must do a VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.
I want… to thank every single reader I got on this 2020. As of October 17, my blog has reached over 800 views for the year. I know that for many people this might not sound like a big deal, but for me… It is very important and very special, especially because I never thought my blog would grow this much. You… made it possible. My beloved readers all over the world, including Irina, Danael, Aiya, and Anketsu. All of you gave me a lot of happiness as I am trying to be as professional and honest with my entries as I can.
I wish I could give some economical pledges in exchange, because you deserve it. Perhaps I will open a Patreon account, and give some rewards.
Now. My target is to reach 1000 views for 2020. And I will obtain them with your support. Again, thanks again for your help. Thank you again.
And if you feel healthy, then I am happy.
Now, let’s go with Iwakakeru – Sport Climbing Girls.
PREMISE
Based on the manga written by Ryudei Ishizara, and published by Cygames, Iwakakeru – Sports Climbing Girls (Or Iwa-kakeru – Climbing Girls), tells the story of Konomi Kasahara, a first-year of the Hanamiya All-Girls School; a former gaming champion, Konomi is looking for a club to join in her new school. Then she finds a climbing wall and feels eager to try it despite the protest of fellow first-year student, Jun Uehara. This lead Konomi to join the Climbing Club and face amazing puzzle-like walls.
Throughout the anime, Konomi also befriends senior Climbing Club members, Sayo Yotsuba and Nonoka Sugiura. As of October 17, two episodes have been released. Iwakakeru is directed by Tetsuro Amino, famous for directing many adaptations of Macross, and recently Rainbow Days.
It is important to mention that Cygames also adapted another popular sport franchise.
So it was a matter of time before Cygames would release an anime about Climbing Sports. Personally, there is nothing to be surprised about, because during the last years, we have seen what I called A New Golden Age of Sports Anime, including Free!, Kuroro’s Basket, Hanebado!, Chihayafaru, How Heavy Are the Dumbbells you Lift?, and of course, the one that has become the king of sports anime now, and that is…
Trust me that I want to see Haikyu!! one day, but for now, I am going to focus in this new addition of the «Golden Age». Perhaps I am overreacting with the Golden Age thing, but I can assure you that Iwakakeru will not leave anyone indifferent.
STORY
Despite being two episodes, I got to say that, so far, Iwakakeru has left a very good impression on me. It starts presenting itself in a similar way to How Heavy are the Dumbbells you lift?, that is, presenting our normal main protagonist in search of an activity that helps her to overcome an obstacle, in the case of Hibiki Sakura, her weight, and for Konomi, is her addiction to video games. Then both meeting their respective new best friend, for Hibiki is Akemi Soryuin, and for Konomi, is Jun Uehara. And after a couple of competitions in the gym and in the climbing walls, our characters establish a powerful friendship that will lead them to go through many adventures and challenges that will turn the adrenaline on for all of us.
And in the second episode, Konomi meets some of the rivals she will face. And as a proof of how tough things will get, I will show you one of her new rivals.
Just kidding!!! But yeah. It is a small evidence of what will come.
I must be honest. The first thing I thought when I saw the trailer of Iwakakeru, is that it will be some kind of Keijo!!!!!!, but with climbing sports; because there are some shots that many animegoers might consider as fanservice. But luckily, that is not the case. Instead, we have a very interesting story. It might not have the same excitement is Haikyuu!!, but definitely it is worth to check.
Also, I am a very big sports fan (Well… I come from Colombia), including cycling, tennis, volleyball, track and field, swimming, and I played soccer in my childhood. So every time I see a sports anime, it feels beautifully refreshing, because you get this emotion and excitement of athletes giving their best and sharing with you the same feelings, the speed, the endurance, the wind. Everything. During my childhood, that is what I felt with Captain Tsubasa and Slam Dunk. And that hasn’t changed.
Even Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online awoke that same excitement for sports.
I have faith that the upcoming episodes.
Furthermore, the animation is pretty wonderful, and sometimes the colour palette gives the same vibe that you find in other Cygames anime, such as Uma Musume and Princess Connect – Re:Dive. And Studio Blade… well, it is the first time I have heard from them, but I think they got a lot of potential.
For now… nothing else to add.
CHARACTERS
I think that talking about the characters will be a bit difficult. Ok! Don’t get me wrong! Despite the feeling of waifus or fanservice that many animegoers can get, the characters have shown us a lot of identity, in both terms of design and backstory. Nonetheless, my two favourites were Konomi and Jun. I forgot to talk about the latter.
But, the second episode introduces Jun as extremely passionate about Climbing sports. Just look at her here.
Can you see the amazing happiness of her characters? The excitement? All these wonderful feelings that many of us have when we do that something we love the most. An opportunity unlike any other. Definitely Iwakakeru did a good job representing those emotions with Jun and Konomi.
But another great part of episode 2 is the way it introduces some of the rivals
CONCLUSION
Iwakakeru – Sports Climbing Girls comes a very nice addition for this final quarter of 2020 lineup, I am again looking forward to see the rest of the series, and if you are a really fan of sports, you will probably enjoy it.
I did. And I think that is what inspired Kaguya, Ruka and Uzaki-chan to do Rock Climbing.
Well… what are you waiting for? Go binge Iwakakeru – Rock Climbing Girls. And no excuses.
Jainituos Presents 