Review of Ahiru no Sora

I'm 90% sure the reason for this anime's pretty average rating is because a large portion of people didn't finish all 50 episodes. I beg you to take your time, because the pay off is huge. Enormous and glorious. This show really picks up after episode 33 (I say this without irony, please please please stick with it). This show has some themes I try to avoid while picking an anime: delinquents, fights, bullying. Also there are cliches, such as over the top presentation of physical strength and masculinity and a sport that endorses them. But I didn't regret sticking with it. It starts slow and youdon't know where it will go. Eventually, it coherently tackles all the things one by one, without excessive drama or moralizing. And it surprises you with how detailed and aware the script is about all things that are wrong. Basketball is just a wrapping, common goal for the characters to unpack those things.

It's realistic in that it gives no easy solutions. It has conflicts that aren't fully resolved or perfectly resolved. Characters do not magically improve on every account, despite wanting to change. Sometimes there is a blow after a blow and no certainty about the future.

This anime really shines at illustrating the idea of redemption and taking responsibility. It's about becoming a little more decent human in some aspects of life. Giving second and third chances. I would praise this anime for being very aware of what it is, where and when it is, without repeating after popular sports anime. So in the end watching 50 episodes doesn't feel like a waste of time at all.

8/10