All Out!!

Episode 13

All Out!! is back for round two, with a new up-tempo opening (Seija no Kōshin by CIVILIAN), a new ending ballad (No Side by Alisa Takigawa), and just as much heart and passion as last year. The animation might be too cost-effective to keep characters on model during long shots, but said characters are too darn likable to fret about unattractive walk cycles.

This week, it's time to learn why Sekizan started playing rugby. While certain parallels have been set up between Gion and the captain (most likely to hint at how far Gion might come in just two years of practice, once he decides to give rugby his all), the similarities are never overplayed. Sekizan's character is as different from Gion's as his hair style, which, unfortunately, we do not get the complete story behind.

Even if it's Sekizan who's being recruited, this is just as much Hachiōji's episode. Jinko's vice-captain has always been an integral part of All Out!!'s core group – the nice, approachable counterpart to Sekizan's almost frightening intensity – but he's never stepped into the spotlight quite as much. Seeing his younger version care so much despite his seniors' apathy was sweet and touching, even if his unorthodox approach to recruitment would probably come off a lot more creepy in real life. His unsuccessful efforts to court, flatter, trick, and bait the first promising guy he meets into joining the team might be on the comical side, but his passion is real. It's this desperate passion that ignites the spark in Sekizan, not Hachiōji's verbal declaration of love for a sport where everyone has their place to contribute something or his promise of enhanced gratification through shared passion in teamwork, which are bound to ring hollow in light of the seniors' lack of commitment.

It's not until Sekizan actually witnesses Hachiōji's lonely practice in the pouring rain that he understands his dedication, commanding Sekizan's respect as a guy defined by his inability to do anything half-assed. And so the "train engine" ignites, gradually picking up speed with every new technique self-taught from the guidebook, with every half-assed senior being replaced by a newcomer inspired by Sekizan's infectious blend of dedication and discipline, refusing to be stopped by the silly speedbumps of other people's indifference. Sekizan can seem strict without Hachiōji's approachable nature, but seeing how relentlessly someone as easygoing as Hachiōji could work for something he loved has made rugby worthy of his commitment, which in turn inspired many more to follow his example.

The scene in the rain wasn't free of clichés by any means, but these guys love what they do so very much, and their passion is so tangible and infectious, that even when things get borderline kitschy, it just feels earned. They deserve the soaring music that follows that scene, because this cheese feels deliciously honest, especially since humor and self-mockery are never far behind. Iwashimizu's theatrical waterworks suggest that he listened to the same soundtrack we did, with Gion ready to stop things from getting too sentimental by immediately returning to practice, reaffirming that Sekizan and Hachioji really accomplished what they promised. They created the kind of rugby team Hachiōji originally advertised to Sekizan, full of passion, dedication, and respect for the sport and each other, as well as epic wisdoms such as "Friends you sweat with are friends for life." Or, to quote the imaginary airplane banner: Go Sekizan! You've come a long way since your baseball days, and so has your team.

Rating: B

All Out!! is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.