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.