Backflip!! (original) (raw)

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Japanese sports anime television series

Backflip!!
Anime key visual
バクテン!!
Genre Sports (rhythmic gymnastics)[1]
Manga
Illustrated by Kei Sakuraba
Published by Kodansha
Magazine Dessert
Demographic Shōjo
Original run January 22, 2021 – September 24, 2021
Volumes 2
Anime television series
Directed by Seishirō Nagaya Toshimasa Kuroyanagi
Written by Toshizou Nemoto
Music by Yuki Hayashi
Studio Zexcs
Licensed by Crunchyroll SA/SEA: Medialink
Original network Fuji TV (Noitamina)
English network US: Crunchyroll Channel
Original run April 9, 2021 – June 25, 2021
Episodes 12 (List of episodes)
Anime film
Directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi
Written by Toshizou Nemoto
Music by Yuki Hayashi
Studio Zexcs
Licensed by Crunchyroll
Released July 2, 2022 (2022-07-02)
Runtime 90 minutes

Backflip!! (バクテン!!, "Bakuten!!") is an original Japanese anime television series produced by Zexcs, directed by Seishirō Nagaya and Toshimasa Kuroyanagi and written by Toshizo Nemoto. The series aired from April to June 2021. A manga adaptation by Kei Sakuraba was serialized in Kodansha's Dessert manga magazine from January 22 to September 24, 2021.[2][3] An anime film premiered on July 2, 2022.

Shotaro Futaba loved sports, but was never good enough. But watching a group of gymnasts in the park and seeing them in a gymnastics tournament, he decides to join their school and become part of the gymnastic team. With new members, Shotaro and Ryoya Misato, the team aims for the upcoming Inter-High tournament.

Sōshūkan High School

[edit]

Also known as Ao High School. Their men's rhythmic gymnastics team is attempting to perform at the Inter-High for the first time.

Shōtarō Futaba (双葉翔太郎, Futaba Shōtarō)

Voiced by: Shimba Tsuchiya[1]

The protagonist and a first year student. He played a number of sports before high school, but was always on the sidelines. After witnessing a performance of the Sōshūkan men's rhythmic gymnastic team at a tournament, he joins their club, even though he has no gymnastics experience. He is inspired by Misato and his senior teammates.

Ryōya Misato (美里良夜, Misato Ryōya)

Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa[1]

A first year and the ace of his gymnastics team in middle school. He joined Sōshūkan because he was inspired by the coach's performance. He is an orphan who lived with his aunt. He is rather stoic, but he makes an effort to rely on his teammates. He is a major inspiration for Shōtarō.

Masamune Shichigahama (七ヶ浜政宗, Shichigahama Masamune)

Voiced by: Daisuke Ono[1]

A third year and the captain of the Sōshūkan men's rhythmic gymnastics team. He is enthusiastic and encouraging. He was very involved in recruiting members to raise the team to 6. His interests in gymnastics began after seeing Shūsaku's backflips. His family has a sasa kamaboko business. His rival is Takase.

Keisuke Tsukidate (築館敬助, Tsukidate Keisuke)

Voiced by: Takashi Kondō[1]

A third year and vice captain, an all rounder in gymnastics and a calm and collected type. He was inspired to join the team after seeing Shichigahama's backflip. He likes moss and plants. His family manages a shrine.

Nagayoshi Onagawa (女川ながよし, Onagawa Nagayoshi)

Voiced by: Hiro Shimono[1]

A third year and the ace of the Sōshūkan men's rhythmic gymnastics team. He joined the team after he got interested seeing Shichigahama's backflip. A running gag is him coming up with new nicknames for Shōtarō and Masato, which the two juniors always reject. He is an ardent fan of Masami Kudo, a member of the idol group Tan Tan Girls. His father is a fishmonger.

Kōtarō Watari (亘理光太郎, Watari Kōtarō)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya[1]

A second year. He joined the men's rhythmic gymnastics club after seeing his seniors perform. He acts tough, but he has a soft heart. He is a very big fan of yakuza movies. His family manages a ramen shop, and he's good at cooking.

Shūsaku Shida (志田周作, Shida Shūsaku)

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[4]

The coach of the Sōshūkan men's rhythmic gymnastics club. He is the inspiration of the Sōshūkan men's rhythmic gymnastics club members. He was formerly the ace of Hakumei University, capable enough to make Men's Rhythmic Gymnastic become an Olympic event. He was arrogant, but after retiring from performing due to a leg injury, he became a patient individual. He often attributes his advice to his wife, though the gymnastics team has never met her.

Asawo Kurikoma (栗駒あさを, Kurikoma Asawo)

Voiced by: Ayane Sakura[5]

The manager of the club, she is also Shida's relative. She is quiet, but well integrated with the rest of the team. She is tech savvy, and uses videos and software to review practices and mimic choreography. She designs the team's costumes.

Hakumei University Affiliated High School

[edit]

Mashiro Tsukiyuki (月雪ましろ, Tsukiyuki Mashiro)

Voiced by: Ayumu Murase[6]

A first year prodigy. Similar to Futaba, he was in multiple clubs before a rhythmic gymnastics club, but he quit them because he found them boring. He started gymnastics after seeing Misato perform and stayed since Misato provides him good competition. He initially didn't have much interest in Futaba, but later becomes curious after seeing him perform. He is mostly aloof and playful, doing things at his own pace. He gets involved in games so much that he doesn't notice his seniors trying to contact him.

Tōru Takase (高瀬亨, Takase Tōru)

Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi[6]

A third year student and the captain of the team. He's been Shichigahama's rival since their first meeting. He considers Ao High to be worthy rivals.

Yōjirō Mutsu (陸奥洋二郎, Mutsu Yōjirō)

Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura[6]

A third year student and the vice-captain of the team. He helps manage the captain's excessive emotions. Though he always stops Takase from scolding Mashiro, Mashiro is more scared of him. He is impressed by the performance of Ao high students and considers them worthy rivals.

Hideo Ōminato (大湊秀夫, Ōminato Hideo)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita[6]

A second year student. He is a fan of Kazamaura Aki from Aomori Nebuta Dream and has a rivalry with Onagawa over what type of idols they like.

Kyōichi Ryūgamori (竜ヶ森恭一, Ryūgamori Kyōichi)

Voiced by: Soma Saito[6]

A second year student. He has a calm and aloof personality. He is good with plants and arranges flowers to look better and hold longer when he sees them. He shares a friendship with Tsukidate due to their common interest in plants.

Shunsuke Azuma (吾妻俊介, Azuma Shunsuke)

Voiced by: Daiki Yamashita[6]

A first year student. He is the loudest in the team and also a fan of yakuza movies, albeit preferring characters which get the girl and win in the end, as opposed to Watari's preferences.

Shūji Mabuchi (馬淵修司, Mabuchi Shūji)

Voiced by: Kenichirou Matsuda[7]

The coach of Hakumei Private High School and alumni of Hakumei University. He was captain of the team when Shida was on it. He believes that if Shida hadn't retired due to injury, he could have taken Men's Rhythmic Gymnastic to a level where it would have become a part of Olympics. He was also one of the few who lent a helping hand to Shida after his injury.

Ayumi Futaba (双葉亜由美, Futaba Ayumi)

Voiced by: Reina Ueda[8]

Production and release

[edit]

On November 4, 2020, Fuji TV announced the original anime television series, which is part of the "Zutto Ōen Project 2011 + 10...", commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[1] The series is animated by Zexcs, directed by Seishirō Nagaya and Toshimasa Kuroyanagi and written by Toshizo Nemoto. Original character designs are provided by Robico, the author of My Little Monster, while Yūki Shibata adapts the designs for animation. Yuki Hayashi is composing the series' music. It aired in Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block from April 9 to June 25, 2021.[2] Centimillimental performed the series' opening theme song "Seishun no Enbu", while wacci performed the series' ending theme song "Anata ga Iru".[2][6] Crunchyroll licensed the series outside of Asia.[9]

After the conclusion of the anime series, an anime film was announced.[10] It premiered in Japan on July 2, 2022, with returning staff and cast.[11][12] Crunchyroll streamed the film outside of Japan, premiering May 11, 2023.[13]

  1. ^ a b Information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.

  2. ^ This episode aired at 1:10 a.m. JST, 15 minutes after the original air time on Fuji TV.

  3. ^ This episode aired at 1:15 a.m. JST, 20 minutes after the original air time on Fuji TV.

  4. ^ a b This episode aired at 1:05 a.m. JST, 10 minutes after the original air time on Fuji TV.

  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "noitaminA Reveals Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime for April 2021". Anime News Network. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.

  6. ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 18, 2021). "Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime's 3rd Promo Video Reveals April 8 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 18, 2021.

  7. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 24, 2021). "Backflip!! Manga Adaptation Ends in Next Chapter". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

  8. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 25, 2021). "Takahiro Sakurai Joins Cast of Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 25, 2021.

  9. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 4, 2021). "Ayane Sakura Joins Cast of Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 4, 2021.

  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime's 2nd Video Reveals More Cast, Staff, Opening Song". Anime News Network. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.

  11. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 11, 2021). "Kenichirō Matsuda Joins Cast of Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

  12. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 16, 2021). "Bakuten!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime Casts Reina Ueda". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 16, 2021.

  13. ^ "FINAL UPDATE: Crunchyroll Announces Spring 2021 Anime Lineup! (4/6)". Crunchyroll. April 6, 2021. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.

  14. ^ Mateo, Alex (June 24, 2021). "Backflip!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime Gets Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

  15. ^ Hazra, Adriana (January 22, 2022). "Backflip!! Rhythmic Gymnastics Anime Film's Teaser Reveals Story, Returning Cast & Staff, July Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

  16. ^ Hazra, Adriana (May 13, 2022). "Backflip!! Anime Film Reveals Trailer, Song Artists, July 2 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 13, 2022.

  17. ^ Cardine, Kyle (May 11, 2023). "Watch The Legend of Hei and More Movies on Crunchyroll This May". Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 11, 2023.

  18. ^ "Sutōrī – Orijinaru Terebi Anime "Bakuten!!"" STORY – オリジナルTVアニメ『バクテン!!』 [Story – Original TV Anime "Backflip!!"]. bakuten-pr.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.

  19. ^ "Backflip!! - Watch on Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

  20. ^ "On'ea – Orijinaru Terebi Anime "Bakuten!!"" ON AIR – オリジナルTVアニメ『バクテン!!』 [On Air – Original TV Anime "Backflip!!"]. bakuten-pr.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.