Movie Digest
Sakamichi Onoda is a senior in high school. He is an otaku, a fan of anime who is also a loner. Despite his lack of athletic ability, he decides to join the bike racing club. He discovers, unexpectedly, that he has an aptitude for bicycle racing. He has a friend for the first time. Sakamichi Onoda pushes himself to new heights in the discipline of bicycle racing.
The Feel-Good Part
Naruko’s teaching him how to cycle properly, rather than relying on sheer willpower, is ideal. He shows who he is (he’s the type to aid a rookie in need) and validates his role as a support character. By the way, this is a fantastic method of incorporating shounen “ability exposition” into a natural setting. The cycling team of Onada has a diverse cast of characters. It’s always gratifying to see people working together and achieving their goals. The cinematography is clear and engaging, with enough of room for the dramatic images of the race routes, many of which follow the coastlines of the United States.
The Disappointing Factor
Midousuji is a design that combines Orochimaru and the Cheshire cat. He has a wide grin with grinding molars, bulging eyes, a reptile’s tongue, and a temperament that defies human limitations. You can’t take him seriously when his demeanor is so outlandish and exaggerated to the point of grotesqueness, even though he strangles comrades. I guess he stumbled into the wrong anime because he’s so ridiculous. He doesn’t belong here. Not at all. The competitors aren’t particularly fascinating or noteworthy.
In-Depth Analysis
Yowamushi Pedal is a narrative about a weak-willed, unattractive, and friendless otaku who finds happiness in life through sports sweat. Nobody believes him capable of anything other than shopping for comics and performing terrible anime songs, including himself. Once a week, he pedals his cheap cycle from school to Akihabara, and the cycle repeats again. However, he discovers untapped aptitude and a spot in his school’s bike club thanks to a sequence of fortunate events.
Onoda, unlike other sports anime heroes, is not a hot-blooded madman who craves winning. He’s shy and frail, but he’s sincere. He keeps pedaling not because he is proud, but because his hurting muscles and the wind on his face make him feel alive. He doesn’t have to be bashful or awkward in a race; all that counts is that he pedals forward and dominates the asphalt. While Onoda may not be liked in the conventional sense (his timidity can be irritating at times), you can’t help but cheer for the poor guy, much like Mihashi from “Big Windup.”
Star Power
Ren Nagase, a pop idol and singer, won a newbie award for his part as Onoda, and it’s well earned, if only because he plays beyond type, and the film’s theme song is “Key of Heart” by King & Prince (Nagase’s band). Unfortunately, the single female character, Miki Kanzaki, is almost humiliating in her futility, just smiling and handing sandwiches and drinks to the pit crew lads, played by lovely Kanna Hashimoto – who I am sure could do much more than that.
Overall Opinion
This is primarily about cycling and friendship, so if you’re searching for romance, this isn’t the show for you. Characters, acting, music, environment, and plot are all perfect in my opinion. It’s a must-see.
