While an article on the topic of the Olympics in anime is obviously impossible (or at least pointless) I can talk about my favorite Olympic events to watch, I’m including the winter games in this, as I actually prefer them to the summer games, though the sheer greed and corruption associated with the Olympics has certainly dulled my enthusiasm for the whole shebang. But that’s a topic for another post…
- Golf – Yes, I’m going there. It’s a new sport for the Olympics, but I love seeing these guys used to playing for stupid prize money creak under the pressure of an event where no one gets a dime. The final round in Paris this year is one of the most exciting rounds of golf I’ve seen.
- Skiing – Not so much the extreme sports stuff but the traditional events – downhill, slalom, GS. And the jumping events. Incredibly exciting, especially with the sense of danger involved (thanks, Vinko Bogataj).
- Track Cycling – Intense.
- Speed Skating – Ditto.
- Ice Hockey – In addition to delivering my favorite Olympics moment ever (“Do you believe in miracles?”), just a sports incredibly well-suited to the high-pressure environment of the Olympics.
- 1500 Meters – The Goldilocks of track events. A perfect mix of fast-twitch dexterity and endurance.
- Nordic Skiing – One of the few Olympic sports I actually engage in.
Casey W.
August 20, 2024 at 9:51 pmThe only Olympics-based anime that I can think of off the top of my head is the 1996 “Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl” movie, set in Atlanta and focused on that year’s Olympic women’s judo competition (obviously). I’m interested in anime that’s set in places I’m familiar with, and there’s a scene in the Yawara movie that takes place two miles from my house… but it’s clear that the writers and animators of the film based their conception of Atlanta off of “Gone With The Wind,” Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and some guidebooks to tourist attractions.
Guardian Enzo
August 20, 2024 at 9:55 pmLOL. I confess that’s a new one on me, never heard of it.
Collectr
August 21, 2024 at 6:35 amYawara! (the TV series) ran for 124 episodes, covering Yawara’s life, on the judo mat and off, in high school, junior college, and post-graduation. It was basically one tournament arc after another. Each episode ended with the tag line “The Barcelona Olympics in xxx days!”. But the series ran so long that it didn’t finish until after the Barcelona Olympics (1992), so Yawara’s ultimate triumph (yeah, that’s a spoiler) ended up being moved to Atlanta (1996). The TV series, a related movie, and the Atlanta special are completely fansubbed.
Nadavu
August 21, 2024 at 6:38 amIt’s by Naoki Urasawa. I’ve been curious about it forever
Guardian Enzo
August 21, 2024 at 7:44 amOh shoot, that one. Yeah, Urasawa’s forgotten sports epic. But 124 episodes is a big commitment.
Skidda
August 22, 2024 at 2:40 amWell there were a series of animes shorts about the Tokyo Paralympics, featuring Slam Dunk, Baby Steps, and other stuff (I actually quite liked the one about blind running), but it’s not much.
Also, Attack n°1 shifted from Olympics to World Cup but it’s still heavily inspired by the 1964 volleyball olympics events, especially the rivalry between the Soviet and Japan teams.
And apparently there has been an adaptation of ‘Olympia Kyklos’ (same author of Thermae Roma) about an ancient dude time travelling to the 1964 olympics, but I haven’t watched it.
Nicc
August 24, 2024 at 5:55 amFirst, thanks again for taking up the commission for your favourite tournaments and along with the extra content. I certainly think of shonen titles first when it comes to tournament arcs. You did a commission about Akira Toriyama earlier this year and “Dragonball” and its sequels had numerous tournament arcs. It looks like it’s time for me to do some extra watching as well too.
As for favourite Olympic events, I’m the type who can pretty much watch and enjoy any event. I always have a blast watching ESPN’s annual “The Ocho”, which broadcasts all sorts of obscure sports, including events that don’t really count as sports. Well, unless we consider speed solving Rubik’s Cubes and jigsaw puzzles and competitive Microsoft Excel as sporting events.
Summer Olympics
1. Handball – I’m always still surprised that this one hasn’t caught on in the USA. It’s fast-paced, high-scoring and full-contact. The rules are easy to learn and matches go by quick. We could field some good teams by converting some basketball and gridiron football players.
2. Throwing Stuff – I always like watching the track events as they get down to the very basics of sports. We didn’t really have to invent running fast or far, jumping high or far or picking up something and throw it far. I myself always like paying attention to discus, shot put, javelin and hammer throw.
3. Shooting Stuff – These are events featuring bows and guns. I’m still holding out for an event which has the javelin throw at targets.
4. Water Polo – Swimming is fine, but I prefer watching this. I’m thinking that these are probably the most fit people at the Olympics because of the insane cardio it takes to keep alfoat, swim, be able to throw a ball on target and deal with shoving, kicking and grabbing below the water’s surface where the refs can’t see.
5. Track Cycling – I have to agree with track cycling. I also like how distinct each event is and there’s a lot to enjoy between watching the sprint events, the Madison, keirin or ominum. I enjoy the cat-and-mouse game of the individual sprint and the uniqueness of the keirin.
Winter Olympics
1. Down the Ice Tube – This is bobsled, luge and skeleton. Skeleton looks terrifying to me as you’re diving head first down the track at up to 80 mph. Just once, I’d like to see a four-person bobsled team in which everybody is named Bob.
2. Biathlon – So, your arms probably feel like jelly after all that skiing. Now, here’s a rifle and go shoot some targets with it. And, then do it again.
3. Speedskating – I enjoy watching both long track and short track, though the latter is more chaotic as the competitors get more handsy.
4. Ski Jumping – Watching this makes me believe that humans really are meant to fly.
5. Alpine Skiing – It’s the heart of the Winter Olympics and my favorite to watch is the speed of the downhill.
Guardian Enzo
August 24, 2024 at 9:20 amThank you as always for the commission!! It was a lot of fun. In hindsight I would probably include ski jumping – that’s quite the spectacle. I still remember Eddie the Eagle Edwards.