Backflip!! - Reviews

I really wanted to like this anime, and in some ways, I really did. The whole gymnastics themed story made me happy inside, as it reminded me of my younger years as well as what I still want to achieve in life.

Apart from talking about myself, what is there to say about this show? I liked the characters and the artwork. I can't really put my finger on why, but for some reason, I never really sat there watching with the feeling of "I want to see what happens next". Of course there were such moments too, but I'd rather not spoil anything so I'll leave that out.

Despite the story and progression of it all wasn't really my cup of tea, that doesn't mean that I think it's bad and that you shouldn't give it a go. Even if you're not by any means into gymnastics, I do think that there are plenty of people out there who will cherish the feeling of hope and genuine happiness seeping through as they do their gymnastics practicing and not giving up.

I guess this review is a really mixed one, but hey, wanted to share it with you anyway. I think what made my final score so "low" (compared to other reviews on this show), is that I found it rather slow. I felt like I was always waiting for "something" to happen. Not to say that that was the case, there were things going on, but maybe it was a bit too slow for my liking (the developing of the story).

I really enjoyed Bakuten!!, I'm quite new to sports animes and I found it to be great. I really liked the characters, but I wasn't too big of a fan of how all of them were forced into a duo but it's fine. I wasn't very into any of the actual performances and considering that's kind of like the point of the anime that's probably not a good thing.

One of the reasons why I might not have gotten into the performances could be because of how the focus was more on the characters and how they acted with each other, rather than explaining the whole concept of rhythmic gymnastics. I also felt that the experience level of the main character(Shotaro) moved way too quickly, managing a backflip with no experience on the third try or something.... didn't really feel that, I'm just going to say it was natural talent for my own sanity.

I found the animation to be quite beautiful and mesmerizing during the performances even though it was 3d animated rather than drawn(?). Wich created a difference in style between performances and the rest of the anime.

During the ending of the last episode, I didn't quite feel satisfied and complete, but it seems to be pointing towards a second season with ill definitely be watching. I'm in no way ready to say goodbye to these charcters. ( and if there's not going to be a second season I'm sending complaints :I )

"Backflip!!" (Bakuten!!) is an anime that leaps into the world of men's rhythmic gymnastics, offering viewers a glimpse into a less commonly depicted sport with a narrative focused on teamwork, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Following Shotaro Futaba, a newly minted high school student who becomes captivated by rhythmic gymnastics after witnessing a powerful performance, the series chronicles his journey and the bonds formed with his teammates as they strive for victory.

Gymnastic Grace:

• Unique Sports Focus: "Backflip!!" distinguishes itself by spotlighting men's rhythmic gymnastics, a sport not often featured in anime. This focus allows for an original exploration of the discipline's beauty and complexity, showcasing the dedication required to excel in this competitive field.
• Character Dynamics: The series does well in depicting the camaraderie and teamwork essential to the sport. The interactions among team members and their collective growth are among the show's strengths, providing viewers with heartwarming moments and a sense of team spirit.

Areas for Improvement:

• Character Development: While the series introduces an ensemble cast with potential, the development of characters outside of the protagonist, Shotaro, sometimes feels lacking. This results in missed opportunities to explore the backgrounds and motivations of supporting characters more deeply, which could have enriched the narrative.
• Pacing and Plot Depth: "Backflip!!" occasionally struggles with pacing, with some episodes feeling rushed or others dragging without significant plot advancement. Additionally, the story sometimes treads familiar ground within the sports anime genre, leaving viewers who are looking for more innovative storytelling or deeper exploration of thematic elements wanting.

Balancing Act:

• Visuals and Choreography: The animation of the gymnastics routines is a highlight, capturing the fluidity and grace of the sport. The effort to accurately depict the intricacies of rhythmic gymnastics routines adds a visually engaging element to the series, though at times, the reliance on CG for these sequences may detract from the overall aesthetic for some viewers.
• Emotional Resonance: The series aims to strike an emotional chord with its audience, focusing on themes of self-discovery, passion, and perseverance. While "Backflip!!" successfully delivers moments of emotional impact, the execution can sometimes feel formulaic, lacking the depth to fully engage viewers on a more profound level.

Final Thoughts: "Backflip!!" offers a spirited look into the world of men's rhythmic gymnastics, standing out for its unique subject matter and depiction of team dynamics. Despite its genuine moments of inspiration and commendable attempts at character development, the series doesn't always achieve the narrative complexity or emotional depth that might elevate it beyond its current standing. For fans of sports anime and those interested in the artistic discipline of rhythmic gymnastics, "Backflip!!" provides an enjoyable, if somewhat surface-level, viewing experience that celebrates the spirit of the sport and the bonds formed in its pursuit.

The story was great at transfering the feelings to the wachers and the charecters ware all well thought out. I liked the twists and enjoyed the way that the show was presented.          Tho (SPOILERS)            All I could think abot in the episode 11 and episode 12 start was the hand of Shotaro and yell thatthey need to get him to the hospital ( ◡‿◡ *)

Started off with great potential. The usual trope of the newbie main character, but accceptable since it's a niche sport and he was a baseball player before, but didn't find what he was looking for yet.

Then, The Grand ''let's check out the existing team competing to know what this sport is all about" moment (where they usually fall in love with this 'unknown' sport and decide to sign up)...

And that's when it went to shit. It is... 90%... CGI.

And there are barely any close-up shots from the movements they're doing, not once a detail of the floor slightly bending or of any liftoff. The entire floor is bright white and overflows with "we had to do it like this or it would look even worse". It's not an artsy choice, it's lazy. So we end up with mostly broad CGI shots that don't even look a little bit impressive. And THEN, they cue the damn opening. Which, of course, spoils that they will be adding 2 members and doing kind of the same unimpressive routine. We had not even seen the black-haired guy in the anime and now we know he will join already. I know this is sort of unavoidable when you watch the opening, but that is why good anime tend to skip the opening and leave it until the end of the first episode! It's an avoidable mistake and discouraged me from continuing right away.

The characters do look fun, judged by the opening. But I'm still on the fence whether I want to find out for myself or not.

Yet even if they are, if the entire sports part of this anime is going to be this CGI crap, it won't be worth it for me. I want to watch something because I love looking at it. And I just don't. It looks like the cheap dance dance revolution example and doesn't even look human enough to pass.

If you love gymnastics, just watch the Olympics.