Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A

I loved the original Saki, which was set in Kiyosumi High School, and had high hopes for this spin-off, even before I saw it. Most importantly, the perfect opening theme of this anime made me fall in love with it even before I saw it. The first part of the film is about the original main character, Nodoka Haramura (Ami Shimizu), as an elementary school student. When she was in elementary school, she moved to Achiga, Nara Prefecture. There she is exposed to mahjong. There, Harue Akado (Naomi Shindo), a former student at Achiga High School, a former mahjong powerhouse, holds a mahjong class in the school's former club room. The protagonist of the film, Takakamo Shizuno (Aoi Yuuki), used to play mahjong with her friends at the mahjong school, but after Harue decided to become a professional, the mahjong school disappeared and she eventually became estranged from her friends due to the fact that they were going to different schools and Nodoka had moved away. However, in her third year of junior high school, Shizuno sees Nodoka winning a national tournament on TV and decides to enter a national mahjong tournament with her former friends and meet Kaz there. I thought this was a pretty promising premise. It's a simple but beautiful setup.

Throughout, the story is fairly simplified, with the main focus on the game scenes at the national tournament. After the members of the mahjong class reunite in episode one, all the members come together in episode two. So far, so good. However, instead of the appearance of Ryumonbuchi High School, which appeared in the original Saki, the practice scenes of Achiga High School are drastically cut, and they pass through the prefectural tournament without difficulty. The game scenes of the prefectural tournament are never depicted. Their abilities and characteristics will only be revealed on the national stage.

The mahjong games are interesting enough, but this time there are more mysterious plays like supernatural powers. Throughout the work, enthusiasm for practice is evident throughout, but it does not develop into an interesting storyline. Instead, the emphasis is on introducing the characters from the original Saki, and devoting more time to Teru's game scenes to highlight her relationship with her sister Teru and Saki Miyanaga. I think this is an indication that the producers felt that since this is a spin-off, it would be sufficient if the original work could be enhanced.

In the middle of the story, the episode about Toki Sonjoji (Yui Ogura) of the enemy school Senriyama Girls' High School is more appealing. She has a special ability to see one round ahead. She is sickly and her teammate Ryuka Shimizutani (Kaori Ishihara) is always worried about her. One day when Toki tries to see two rounds ahead, she suddenly collapses. This wonderful friendship story is an interesting tale that should be the main story. When the flow of drama associated with Achiga High School stalls, this story is more memorable than the main story.

The story is not particularly enjoyable, but the game scenes are still interesting in both visuals and development. The production team must be proud of the game scenes. The unique sports manga style is well represented in the production. Also, although the way the story is drawn is incomplete, the story does provide some closure at the end of the 12th episode.

For better or worse, Achiga-hen remains within the framework of a spin-off. Still, it has an outstanding opening. This song, "Miracle Rush," is decorated with some of the most spectacular visuals in anime history. The images are more dramatic and exciting than the work itself. And this song starts with a beautiful prelude, highlighting the youth, which is exactly what the anime deserves. The story of the Saki Achiga Arc is only a spin-off, but some of the story and the opening more than make up for its shortcomings.