All Out!!

Episode 11

There's still hope for Gion's future on the rugby team, as episode 11 dedicates further screen time to not one, but two older and (arguably) more mature versions of his character who managed to turn the disadvantage of their small frames into an asset: Jinko's likable scrum-half Raita Kamō, and Ryoin's godlike pint-sized flanker Sekito Kirishima.

Ryoin's practice game is obviously a sneak peek of what Jinko would be facing in the finals at Hanazono, establishing rivalries based on likenesses and differences. Mostly though, it serves to further show how a player's body type might betray a disposition for playing a specific position, but in the end, it's really up to the individual what to make of what they're given. Height and lack thereof has been an ongoing theme thanks to our protagonist's shortness, but as demonstrated by Ryoin's atypically huge scrum-half Zanba, different strategies can accommodate for more unusual play styles.

In the wake of their glimpse into the future, Gion and Raita have time to deepen their bonds of friendship, culminating in Gion's first (and rather sweet) declaration of admiration. But what he awkwardly dubs Raita's "enjoyment of being short" is really just Raita having made his peace with what he can and cannot do. By turning his initial disadvantage into an asset, he's become the matured version of Gion, who he took under his wing because of how much he recognizes his younger self in the always-angry and self-conscious first-year. Like Gion, Raita didn't join the rugby team for his love of the sport, but almost out of spite. Enduring many disappointments, he needed to get past his own shortcomings to find strength where he only saw weakness. The maturity in his playful demeanor makes him a very likable character, especially in how quickly he's able to realize and admit how far ahead Sekito is ahead of him when it comes to using his stature to his advantage.

In the world of Japanese high-school rugby, Sekito is the ultimate form of a short player's unlocked full potential. And because he's a flanker, Gion has to be one too. Being none too familiar with the concept of boundaries, Gion is ready to declare his admiration a second time as soon as the Kirishima brothers arrive on scene. At least he sort of remembers to use full verbs when talking to his seniors – Sekizan would approve. It's not Gion's poor excuse for polite speech that prompts Sekito to listen though, but what he perceives as their shared love for a certain magical girl show. At last, having a big brother comes in handy. When the not-quite-so-otaku-inclined Gion fails to prove his worthiness as a kohai under Sekito's lead in a game of tag across a climbing frame (which, thanks to the excellent sound design, feels much bigger and more exciting than it should be), Japan's number one high-school flanker is too far advanced to recognize his older self in Gion. Luckily, Sekito's brother and all-around nice guy, Kokuto, is ready to step in and encourage our protagonist by telling him how far his brother has come, from the times when he lay on the field puking from exhaustion to having his own fan club today.

True strength can come very different places – from the inspirational words of other players to the belief in expensive gear. But if Japan's best high-school flanker can trace his brilliance back to the desire to become stronger for his waifu, then Gion's simple wish to prove himself in front of bigger guys doesn't feel like such a bad motivation anymore. Raita played rugby out of defiance before learning to enjoy himself and the game, so why shouldn't Gion be able to do the same? Thanks to him becoming less annoying and more likable with every week, I'm fully invested and looking forward to his journey to Hanazono. It might not be a revolutionary turn, but it's executed in a sweet and engaging way that becomes more pleasant the better we get to know the other Jinko players.

Rating: B-

All Out!! is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.