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.
