Anime Digest
‘Fly! Basketball’ or ‘Fei Ba Lanqiu’ is a story of high school students and their love for playing basketball. They fight hard on the court, chasing the scores, and develop relationships with their family and friends with a little bit of teenage romance. The story starts with Zuo Xiaochuan shifting to the southern metropolis of Nanjing from a remote northern town of Aershan. He joins a school filled with nerds who have no basketball team of their own, but our protagonist is a basketball expert. The drama progresses as these students struggle to grow as players and overcome difficulties as a team.
The Feel-Good Part
The story of Fei Ba Lanqiu revolves around the real-life landmarks of Nanjing city, including the original basketball court, which adds a feeling of nostalgia and culture. The characters of the show appear very lovable with appreciable chemistries. They are full of youth and passion. The basketball part of the show pans out very well, which makes it a plus for the fans of the sport. The dialect is interesting, and every character has a good sense of humor.
The Disappointing Factor
The animation in the painting style is not very eye-catching and may seem haphazard at some points. The 3D part feels a little strange, but overall, it manages to balance itself. Too many close-up shots catch you unguarded and can dazzle you, leaving you confused for the moment. The story-telling style may also not be impressive enough, but it gets concealed by the idea that this is a drama about basketball, and the clips showing the game do enough justice.
In-Depth Analysis
Zuo Xiaochuan joins the Xueba Middle School in Nanjing upon transferring from the small town of Aershan. He meets Cai Zhen at the new school and becomes friends with him. They form a basketball team in a school full of students who have never played basketball before. That brings about a lot of challenges that they face as individuals and as a team, growing into one stronger than ever. They then launch the highest level of middle school basketball competitions. Few plotlines in the show seem unnecessary but have a smooth and standard finishing touch.
Star Power
The voice actors are good with their voice modulation and do their part well. The painting-styled animation could have been better because it makes the viewer uncomfortable to keep watching.
Overall Opinion
The drama is a great domestic one to ignite the fire of basketball among school-going children and youth. Basketball lovers can enjoy the hard-core sports scenes. This drama can instill in them the idea to return to the court. Fei Ba Lanqiu is only average among many others in the same genre and style, but it keeps the entire show exciting by keeping the viewer at the edge of their seat. With the passionate fighting spirit of the school students who don’t know whether they might win or lose until the last moment, this youthful, sporty drama makes Fei Ba Lanqiu a highly recommended show.
