"Ippon" Again! Episodes 1-3 anime review

I really enjoy Secret Base, a YouTube channel that focuses on sports but also covers a variety of topics. However, what sets them apart for me are their video essays on individual teams or players. They have a unique ability to find and construct relatable human narratives out of the endless sea of athletic statistics. While competition and statistical glory are often the focus of sports media, there are countless compelling stories to be told about people who didn't become world champions or gold medalists, both in real life and in anime.

Of course, I still enjoy shows like Haikyu! or Yowamushi Pedal that showcase athletes pushing themselves to the limit to go to nationals. However, victory is just a small part of what makes any sport meaningful. That's why I appreciate series like Ippon," which takes a more personal perspective on being an athlete. Winning is important to Michi and the rest of the club, but it's ultimately secondary to everything else that attracts them to judo.

Judo is more than just a way to win for Michi. It's about enjoying the act itself, the rush of a match, the tactile sensations of the tatami mats and judo gi, and the chance to improve oneself on one's own terms. For Sanae, it's a way to connect with friends and take agency in her life outside of following her family's expectations. For Himura Hyuga Hiura, judo is where she's able to feel confident and secure, in contrast to her typically nervous and shy personality. None of the girls is particularly deep, and each occupies a familiar archetype, but that human motivation goes a long way in making them the lovable doofuses they are.

 "Ippon" Again! Episodes 1-3 anime review

Their approach also makes them really funny. The cast has a natural rapport, making them feel like real friends who goof on each other and make snarky remarks to one another that only come from years of friendship. The newcomer, Hiura, with her anxious chipmunk temperament, is just as endearing, and her habit of putting on her gi to boost her confidence is adorable. Out of all the characters, my favorite is currently Nagumo, the overcompensating kendo wiz who keeps insisting Michi join her club because she's too insecure to tell the other girl how much she cares about her.

I particularly loved how Michi immediately defended Nagumo when a teacher went after her about her hair color. It showed that for as much grief as the other girls give her, it's only because they're friends who care about one another. The show has avoided the tired setup of gathering members to keep the club running, and scenes like that have allowed it to build an endearing camaraderie between the cast.

Judo itself has taken a backseat in these opening episodes as the show focuses on establishing the cast and their relationships before diving into a potentially lengthy tournament. What little we've seen has been effective, even if it's not phenomenally animated. The show takes a lot of shortcuts, focusing on single moments that deliver on the heft and impact of a throw while letting the rest of any match be told through stills and commentary. So, the writing will likely carry the show through those matches rather than any spectacle within them.

That's fine by me since I'm already invested in Hiura's conflict with her former senpai. It's pretty funny that one of our characters has had a totally different sports anime going on in her backstory that's only now intersecting with our core group. However, if you're looking for fist-pumping, high-octane action, then I doubt this upcoming tournament will grab you. Still, "Ippon" Again! has been effortlessly charming so far, and I'm more than happy to