Days: A Fangirl’s Review

Days is an anime so underrated I’ve been in shock since 2017.

Oh look, surprise surprise, another sports anime review. Am I being too predictable? However! If my sole purpose in life was to help promote Days, I’d accept it. I mean, I hope I have a greater purpose than promoting an anime, but I’d accept it.

I simple cannot fathom how this anime hasn’t blown up the way Yuri on Ice blew up. Well… okay, maybe Yuri on Ice is a bit of an unfair comparison (Yuri on Ice is 🙌 🙌 🙌after all), but Days should definitely have been a huge deal by now! It was released in 2016. How are yaoi shippers everywhere not going kyaa-kyaa all over this anime? Where are the fanfart? Where are the fanfic??

I have to admit that I only found Days in 2017. But that’s not my fault! Why didn’t my yaoi-shipper-tumblr-community not tell me Days existed!

Granted the title “Days“ isn’t very creative, but let me just say, the title is the worst thing about this anime. Prepare your body for the anime testimony of the millennium.

Here’s a spoiler-free review for all my fellow fangirls and fanboys out there. There are a lot of reasons why I loved Days and these are the reasons why you should watch it! Shippers, *adopts fake french accent* you may zank me lateur.

(i apologise to my french homies for my bad accent)

 Plot Perspective

I grew up playing football (Americans, let me translate for you: “soccer”) so I knew more than the average fangirl about the rules and ting, but even if you have no idea, in usual sports anima fashion, everything is explained to you!

I’m sure you’d have noticed by now that sports anime are my only weakness. I lie, I have many weaknesses. But sports anime is definitely one of them. Days is a classic sports anime, but be prepared for the levels of touchy feely rabu-rabu feelings that could be possibly probably definitely pure homo love, but maybe that’s wishful thinking but I don’t think so.

*hebby breeting*

The writers managed to create moments in the anime that made me squeee!!! so hard I almost burst a vessel! Oh no, heart palps, heart palps *clutches bosom in excitement*. Just thinking about the lack of attention this anime has received makes me burst with energy to promote it!

Days introduces one of the cutest anime protagonists I have ever seen. He’s just so cute. I won’t spoil it for anyone but if you need just one reason to watch this anime, Tsukamoto Tsukushi is it. How can a young teen boy be so sincere and cute?? He manages to do it, but I guess it helps to be fictional? That probably does it huh.

This story is about a boy named Tsukamoto who is physically weak yet mentally strong.Days is an anime that is unostentatious; it’s so honest and guiless. Unlike other sports anime where the story centres itself around the sport, Days has characterisation as the focus. The main protagonists, Tsukamoto Tsukushi and Kazama Jin, stand out especially in this regard (naturally, duh, they’re main characters after all *derp face*). You get the opportunity to understand so much about their thoughts and feelings without necessarily being told outright about them. And also! It’s so adorable how Kazama and Tsukamoto speak truthfully to each other with so much affection. *sighs dreamily*

TELL ME THIS AIN’T GAY AF.

It’s a scene from the credits. And trust me, this ain’t the last of it. KYAAA.

Also, make no mistake! The other characters on team Seiseki are also very well developed. We are introduced to their insecurities, their triumphs, their team spirit and their relationships with each other. There is only so much an anime can do with only 24 episodes in one season, but they definitely laid out good foundations. In preparation for season 2! Hopefully.

There’s also a moral theme to this anime, and that is that no matter what, you mustn’t give in and give up. Yes, it’s a cliché trope, but it’s used over and over for a reason! A lot of people need to be reminded to not give up on something when they’re working towards a goal. Keep working towards it! You might not be physically fit, but you can be mentally strong. Don’t call yourself a loser and don’t blame yourself if it didn’t work out. You just have to work at it!

It’s easy to be inspired when Tsukamoto Tsukushi is the one relaying this message through his actions. If you need a kick in the butt, watch Days!

Art and Animation

The art gives off a very pleasant vibe despite it being of standard anime quality. It’s definitely no Studio Ghibli film that’s fo sho. When I think about it, it’s probably about on par with the pre-BluRay Yuri on Ice. The Yuri on Ice OGs will relate. 😅

There’s some of that realistic-looking-movement-animation-thing that was done for the football game scenes. I don’t know how to explain it, but I think it’s probably because so many people are moving at the same time that its probably easier to animate everything in this kind of method.

Special recognition though! In the second ending credits, there’s some pretty cute art done in a whimsical style that is very unusual and therefore refreshing to see in sports anime OPs/EDs. It’s so preeeettttyyyyy. *heart eyes*

Overall, the animation was pretty good. Nothing to write home about, but not, like, bad ya know?

OPs and EDs

The music is a cliché sports anime soundrtrack. Which means dope as hell. The OPs and EDs were so blood-pumpingly good. Even when I’m not exercising I listen to it just cause I want to it’s that good~! There are 2 OPs and 2 EDs for the 24 episodes. Which means you get a total of four songs! Hooray! Real bang for your buck. Except there was no buck in the first place so… nevermind.

You can listen to the three songs that are currently available on Spotify here. It’s too bad there’s one you can’t listen to (it’s another HOWL BE QUIET song), but YouTube! Fixes errytang!

Worth it?

Days totally captivated me. It only has one measly season, and I don’t even know if there’s going to be a season 2. All I want is to spread this glorious message to the world that Days exists for your viewing pleasure. Please oh please watch it and draw fanart and write fanfic. There are too few out there. *sheds a dramatic tear*

So is it worth the watch? Doi. Even if it’s just for Kazama/Tsukamoto, watch it. I’ll take you whatever way I can. 😏

WORTH IT.

Wanna gush over how cool Kazama is?? Or about Tsukushi’s total adorableness that makes me want to glomp him? Or the Kazama/Tsukamoto ship?? Cause I’m totally down for that. Maybe you have suggestions for what anime I should watch and review next? Leave me a comment below!

Click here if you want to have a look at my other sports anime reviews. You can also find all of my other anime posts here. Don’t forget to subscribe so you know when I post my next super dope magnum opus anime content!

Seiseki! Fight!