Yowamushi Pedal!: Road Racing at it’s Finest!

Sakamichi Onoda is an otaku, someone who loves anime, and he has been going back and forth to a shopping hub called Akihabara where many anime stores are lined up. The long-distance between the school and Akihabara has given Sakamichi the stamina and strength to rival anyone. But, he doesn’t know that! Sakamichi doesn’t like sports and finds no entertainment in sports. He has spent his whole life admiring and loving anime, and he has waited since high school to finally join the anime club. Only to find out that the anime club is about to close down due to a lack of members.

Sakamichi does everything to save the anime club from closing, going so far as to make a bet with Shunsuke Imaizumi another first-year high schooler who has spent his life road racing and will be joining the cycling club. If Sakamichi wins then Shunsuke must join the anime club. This whirlwind of an anime will send you spiraling into laughter and tears. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch each tournament, each loss and win. The tight-knit group of first years will slowly show their strengths and weaknesses.

Yowamushi Pedal does add something to it, now I am not one for sports anime, the whole genre I do find boring. However, this one will be marked as one of the favorites on my end. When Sakamich starts smiling and singing, watch out because that’s when everything becomes a turning point for them all. The belief in one another does show the sportsmanship that everyone should strive for. The love and hate-relationship that will develop with the rival teams is very strong. I will always dislike Akira Midousuji, there will be no turning point for me in this character. No matter what redemption they try to do, it will always be on sight with him. And for those that jump in, you will see. You have been warned.

The animation done by TMS, 8PAN, and, Die4Studio is amazing, the way they allow the fluid movements of the body of an athlete shows. The way each character pushes forward, the way their body moves with the bike. It was masterful how they were able to transfer that into this animation. The beauty in road racing will give you a sense of inspiration with each episode that passes. And I will say it was not just due to the plot of the story but from the animation as well.

You can find Yowamushi Pedal streaming on Crunchyroll in sub. There is currently no dub for the anime at this time. But, it is so worth the watch to see this anime.