Kuroko no Basuke

When I first came across this animation, it made me wonder why would I ever watch an anime based on basketball? I'm not that much of a fan if I have to be honest, but I went against what I thought and gave it a shot. Now I have to say I'm very glad I did. Kuroko no Basuke or else called Kuroko's Basketball made me love basketball, and I suggest you give it a chance too.

This show is the only anime I have watched which is based around the sports genre so I can't compare it to others, but from what I’ve heard, sports anime rarely focus on just the sport. The episodes are split with time at court, school and their lives. On the other hand, Kuroko No Basuke presents us with eighteen minutes filled with action around basketball and three minutes with planning their stragedies as well as the characters’ development. The actual character development which takes place on the court, made my adrenaline rush and make me sit at the edge of my seat, anticipating the next episode.

I love the intensity of the show as well as the interesting characters. The second season has already started, so I suggest you start watching it now. Plus, the opening and ending themes help to maintain a good flow. The matches are intense – sweat is dropping off every player, the music is totally fitting and then, new tactics are being unleashed which make the show all the more interesting and fun.

As for the plotline, this animation follows Kuroko’s journey with his new basketball team at Seirin High School. Kuroko is a first year that is unnoticed both at school and on the court. He isn’t physically strong, but his lack of presence on the basketball court makes him the ideal "shadow player" or else called "phantom player".

Then, Kuroko is joined by a fellow first year student, Kagami Taiga and when Kagami learns about the "Generation of Miracles" from Kuroko who used to be their sixth player, they make a pact to defeat all of them even though they have gone onto separate high schools. Kagami’s desire is to become Japan’s number one basketball player so when Kuroko tells him that he will make him the best player in Japan and he also has an interesting power, their friendship is formed.

Even if you don’t like watching basketball, give it a shot. You never know, it might just be what you were looking for without even knowing it.