Shakunetsu Kabaddi

Kabaddi, Kabaddi... Kabaddi, Kabaddi... Kabaddi, Kabaddi...

I somehow thought this was a soccer anime. I thought Kabaddi is just a name, but apparently it's a pretty interesting sport. Still, this series is still a textbook sport anime, like Haikyuu. A main character with certain talent, many side characters each with certain quirks, a famous captain or ace, voiceover that explains the rules, and of course, an upcoming tournament.

Even though there's not a lot of surprises in its progression, the show was still entertaining and exciting. The animation looked solid with good focus on the physique and limb movements of the athletes. For a seemingly simple and even silly sport, kabaddi was actually more fun than expected. The characters had insane reactions and dodge touches like germaphobes. However, since there was only 12 episodes, the first season was only a buildup that gave me a taste of what the anime would bring in the future.

For the side characters, the captain was certainly the most intriguing. His style was for sure entertaining to watch. He wasn't as big or mighty as other captains, but he's still a menace. Among the stereotypical characters, I still fell into a trap, which was quite funny.

As for motivation and backstory, I honestly wasn't too impressed because they were done similarly in other shows. Our MC, from his story and personality, is basically Kageyama from Haikyuu. Some characters were introduced, had a basic backstory, and then didn't become relevant later. I'm sure this is because of the first season, and more will be expanded later.

I also enjoyed the humors in this show. I'm simple when it comes to laughing at jokes, and I particularly liked funny character moments in sport anime. Because of this, I pretty much chuckled or laugh at any of the jokes in this show.

Overall, a straightforward but well-done sport anime that set up for later seasons, where the real exciting stuff will be. 7/10.

This show have immense potential, what they just need is great animation and great story, characters are already very potentially great. It can be next Haikyuu!

Kabaddi is new for many people, so it will give new Experience to other people.

Give this show a try, its grear.

I really appreciate it 😊. It really makes me happy that kabaddi is spreading all over the world. The anime was great. I really liked the characters and the plot.

Wow!!!!!

Ok, just like in many other sport anime, we do see some unrealistic strategies or stuffs in this one as well and many might see Burning Kabaddi as a typical sport anime but there are few reasons why this anime stands out for me :

• In the past, there were main characters in the sport anime that had lost interest in the sport just like Yoigoshi does but they resume with the same sport. Yoigoshi on the other hand is introduced with a sport which is very different and unorthodox for him. That rather happened in a comical manner. The vice captain of the team baits him to join the team. I have even seen the main characters turning back to their original sport despite the permanent injury but Yoigoshi doesn't only stick to his second sport, kabaddi, and not only do we see him being extremely passionate about it, he effectively uses his past experience of soccer to bring discipline and strategies to the current scenario of the game. This was something very fresh to me and has been executed cleverly in the anime.

• Another reason is despite the fact the characters keep explaining rules after every while(as this is a new sport for many), the pace is somehow not affected even a bit. And despite being a seasonal 12-episode anime, it doesn't feel much rushed either.

• Moreover, the anime is made on relatively less popular sport(quite obviously, Kabaddi is mainstream only in India). In some other soccer or basketball related sport anime or the sports in which Japan is doing well, I have witnessed some larger-than-life scenes, some big dreams, something which we would obviously miss in this anime. Yes, the characters are indeed serious and passionate about this sport but unlike other anime, we don't see any particular dream that involves Japan or a national team, the characters are burning with passion but at the same time, they are aware that they are still playing at the lower level.

• Despite this being a short season, all the major characters have been given their dues. There are no wasted potentials. And not only that, many a times, we don't just see characters' motives revolving only around the sport but simultaneously we also see them contemplating on their lives' purpose as well. Just like any of us, many characters go through some emotional burden at least at some point and that emotional burden may not necessarily revolve around or only around Kabaddi.

There are many more things to look forward to in the upcoming season(I really hope it gets many more seasons as this series in general looks very promising) but despite that I can say that I could totally cherish whatever was shown in this first season.

This was a treat for me as I love Kabaddi and after watching the first episode, I have high hopes for the rest of the show. I do believe you should check this show out solely for the reason that it focuses on a sport that is unknown in the west but is actually the fastest growing sport in the east. The characters are fun and the show gives a fresh positive vibe.