All Out!!

Episode 4

When it takes an anime episode almost a full 30 seconds for any animation to kick in beyond panning over still frames with pretty lens flares, it's not off to the most promising start. But when that episode nevertheless manages to create great momentum during its pivotal moments, it must have done something right.

With the first game against Keijo now concluded, these past two episodes managed to accomplish their objectives. They introduced us to the key players of Kanagawa High School's (aka Jinko's) rugby club, establishing their strengths and weaknesses both individually and as a team. Last week was about freeing Iwashimizu from his guilt, so this week it's time to tackle Ebumi and Ōharano's talents and shortcomings. To fully understand the latter, we must take a closer look at their positions in the game.

Despite only being a first-year student, Ōharano shows tremendous experience and skills that even surpass his seniors, but all his talent at throwing passes and scoring goals doesn't make him a good team player. Unable to adjust his own level to those around him, his success is short-lived. When Keijo simply adapts their game to account for his presence, the difference between both teams' fly-halves becomes painfully obvious. Also called the stand-off, the position of fly-half requires good communicators who are able to control the game. Physically, Iwashimizu's old friend Miyuki is on par with Ōharano, but he can also read his own team and see the game as a whole, which Ōharano cannot do. Ultimately, his considerable talents lead him to score only one goal.

Interestingly, the one to observe Ōharano's shortcomings isn't Jinko's most team-spirited player either. Ebumi lacks the discipline to bother showing up for practice, and even if putting him in the game might lead Jinko to score a few tries, Sekizan rejects him. The captain's reasons say a lot about his mindset. Ebumi, in the position of wing (the fastest runner), is simply not worthy of scoring the tries his team mates sweat for. He has no respect for them, so he shouldn't reap the rewards.

But if respect is so important, why does Sekizan substitute Gion, who's not exactly a paradigm of respectfulness? Gion, whose rugby experience consists of crawling around on the ground for a week and tackling unmoving people, still has no idea what playing the game actually means. At first, I was afraid Gion's call to action would turn into one of those worn-out scenes where the arrival of a new, inexperienced, unconventional player suddenly changes the balance of everything for inexplicable reasons. The warning signs were certainly there: Sekizan telling Gion just to be Gion instead of thinking about silly things like rules and positions, accompanied by the mysterious change in the team's attitude. However, Sekizan is right – Gion doesn't have to be a wing just because he's light and fast. He's still Gion, a life-long brawler, who boasts an unusual combination of speed, strength, and fearlessness. He's not lacking in aptitude but in experience, something he can only gain from practice. So why wouldn't Sekizan let him practice in a friendly game that Jinko had no chance of winning anyway, especially if it could finally light a spark of passion for the sport in Gion that goes beyond the desire to tackle someone. Good job, Sekizan.

Observing the game has already worked its magic on Gion. Having approached the line, Gion steps back, asking Ebumi for advice and admitting his need for help. Slowly, rugby is beginning to be about more than him and his pride, and it was very nice to see Ebumi not lashing out at him. (Well, not more than his temperament requires.) Even nicer was seeing Gion try in earnest, neither magically turning the game around nor utterly failing at contributing anything. He can only do so much in his current state, and while he doesn't suck, he's still realistically inexperienced. Watching his teammates has given Gion just enough humility to approach them with more respect, even going so far as to call Iwashimizu by his name (well, shouting it at him, but this is still Gion, so we have to take what we can get).

Realizing his own limits was not about humiliating Gion, but about exploring the idea of teamwork. He couldn't reach Miyuki in a dramatic give-it-your-all run, but he did manage to prevent Keijo's conversion. It wasn't as glorious a victory, but it was enough. This game wasn't about winning. It was about losing while maintaining self-respect. Running towards Miyuki, Jinko's players proudly wore their Rocky feathers.

It was a good game, with some genuine fun (Gion gravely miscalculating the power of inertia) and heart, capably realized with dynamic angles and a captivating score. Contrary to the first episode, the bordering-on-cartoonish (but now slightly more restrained) sound design elevated the tension rather than getting in its way. Gion walks away from his first game with a little bit more respect for his seniors, opponents, and the game itself, without having to redefine his whole character. When he steps forward in the final bow, his proclamation of a future win is a promise not just to himself, but to his team.

Jinko will have a way to go before its raw jewels can be polished to the shine of a well-oiled machine like Keijo. But we have another 21 episodes to see them take "their" ball to the try line.

Rating: B

All Out!! is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.