Battle Athletes Victory
(Battle Athletes Daiundokai)

(TV Series - 26 episodes - AIC)

7 reviews - 30.5 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.4)

7. Tyrenol

A series focused on women-only sports. I like this show... Most of the characters, even the side characters, are cool. They all look good in athletic get-ups. Even Myrandah and Lahrri (the so-and-soes they are) look good. And a sports show about growing from out of one's painted box is a nice touch; way different from the OVA version. But it seems to me like that's all there is. They compete, they win or lose and act accordingly, some comedy's involved. But what turned me off was the complete lack of good guys herein (because the show's based in the WA~AY future and it leads to rampant lesbianism). There are no men; save the Kansai reporter, the trainer who eats chocolate, his scientist friend, and Grant Oldman (I can't remember the names of the rest of the guys).

6. Prep_Styles

It's the year 4998 and we learn that due to events of a catastrophic nature the Earth has shifted off its previous axis and rested on a new one that places Antarctica somewhere about the equator. In this bizarre world the most decorated and respected title in sports is the "Cosmo Beauty", a title which only women are allowed to compete for. Our story follows Kanzaki Akari a girl striving to become the next Cosmo Beauty following in her infamous mothers' footsteps.

Battle Athletes Victory is a marvel to watch from start to finish. It scores on all points, writing, plotting, character development, acting, animation quality; you name it this title does it extremely well. It is important to realize however that this is a comedy, although BAV does feature many serious moments it stays true to its ridiculous roots. Personally I felt that some aspects were not treated with the seriousness they deserved, which is the only reason I'm not giving this a perfect score. I by no means intend to discourage anyone from this title as it is as good an anime comedy as any and should not be missed.

5. Himiko

God, a lot of people have loved this TV series while others paid no real attention to it. This is probably the ONLY anime series focusing on sports that I absolutely LOVED. I really don't like sports all that much, but after watching this series I came to appreciate the thing we call 'competition'. Focusing on Akari Kanzaki, daughter of Tomoe Midoh, Cosmo Beauty Queen and the greatest athlete of all time. Akari is on her way to the top of the USSA-one of the greatest athletic schools in the universe. Her clumsiness and carefree attitude makes her competitors disgusted and outraged that the great Tomoe Midoh's daughter can not accept her role as a great athlete. Akari comes to terms with her true spirit and her reasons for going on by her friends: Iichan, and Kris. Although other athletes help her realize her destiny none affected her as strongly as those two did. As Akari realizes her fate, she soon grasps herself and the cruelty of the world around her. One of my top ten choices for an anime series.

4. Jeneki

While I'm not a fan of sports Anime, or sports in general, I really enjoyed Battle Athletes Victory. While Akari may be an annoyingly whiny character, but it's great to see her friends and her pull it together to accomplish their goals. Characters compete not just on the physical level, but also the emotional and sometimes the spiritual level as well. The last four episodes didn't fit too well with the rest of the show, but do serve as a nice reunion for the characters. While Battle Athletes Victory didn't turn me into a competitive Anime fan, it's by far the best I've seen in this genre.

3. weasl

Chalk up another win for Battle Athletes Victory, it's got a new fan. While I enjoyed watching the OVA's I wasn't prepared for how good the TV series was going to be. Retelling the story from start (unlike the middle like the OVA's) the TV series focuses less on pushing the story forward, and more on pushing the characters forward. A novel idea that creates a large cast of likable characters that you can't help cheering for. A great anime for fans of more character driven stories.

2. Tempy

BAV is one of my favorite anime series. It doesn't seem much at first, but the sheer energetic silliness is addictive, and the characters are very enjoyable to watch. Cuteness, sweetness and hilarity frequently mixes with personal drama and hardship. It's an odd rollercoaster-like mix, but it works great as it makes you care for the characters instead of them just being there for comic relief. The cast of characters are really memorable - emotionally weak Akari overcoming her obstacles, tomboyish Ichino, spiritual Kris Cristopher (one of my favorite anime characters ever), Shy Anna, evil Mylandah, cool Ayla, the magnificent headmaster Grant Oldman, Mr Miracle - the trainer who promises miracles but needs chocolate to survive, and many other players.

1. bremmi

I love anime that has character development, and BAV is full of it. Each of the characters has a very unique personality, making it hard to know who to root for. This anime really shows what it means for people to pull together as a team and to strive to do their best. The sports action has more of an Olympic track and field type feel to it than any normal team sport. At some point during the series it becomes less and less about becoming the Cosmo Beauty and more and more about each character overcoming personal hardships. It's a very sweet show with lots of drama as well as a quite a bit of comedy. And best of all, its cast is almost entirely girls!