Aim for the Ace!: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Aim for the Ace!: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Aim for the Ace! is an entertaining and energetic classic anime series. The production was originally broadcast on Mainichi Broadcasting System (Attack on Titan, A Certain Magical Index). The series features a theme song composed by Goh Misawa. The theme song for the series is performed by Kumiko Ohsugi. Based on the original manga by Sumika Yamamoto, Aim for the Ace! is an impressive classic anime with a lot to offer fans of the sports-anime genre. With series production by Imagica (Azumanga Daioh), Mainichi Broadcasting System (Attack on Titan), and Tokyo Movie Shinsha (Little Nemo - Adventures in Slumberland), Aim for the Ace! features the voices of Makoto Kousaka and Masako Ikeda in the leading roles.

Hiromi Oka (Makoto Kousaka) is only a freshman in high school but she has her sights set for the big leagues. Hiromi doesn’t want to sit idly by in the sidelines and she decides it is time for some major adventure. Step one? Joining the Nishi High tennis club is only the beginning in the path to stardom on the field.

Pushing herself to be her best and striving to go from newcomer to star player, Hiromi takes some of her inspiration from the most popular player on the team: Reika "Madam Butterfly" Ryūzaki (Masako Ikeda). Yet despite some excitement and success, Hiromi also faces some additional challenges along the way – including juggling expectations from her “demon” of a coach, Coach Munakata. Despite the challenges ahead, Hiromi finds success when she is selected as a key player in the Varsity team despite only being new to the game!

As Hiromi finds success around the corner, some classmates and rivals are jealous of her success and want her to fail. Yet despite the opposition, Hiromi won’t back down from the game. Hiromi will do whatever it takes to be her best. With friends by her side cheering her on, Hiromi isn’t about to call things “quits” and walk away from tennis. The journey is one of self-determination – the journey comes from the heart.

The characterization is a huge part of the reason the series became such a popular hit (with both the anime series and classic manga doing good numbers). Hiromi is a compelling protagonist for the hit sports anime. The character is one full of ambition.

Hiromi isn’t a cookie-cutter character – she is a strong-willed natural born leader with a goal to succeed and follow her dreams through to becoming reality. There is a lot to appreciate about the drive of the character and her will to be the best in her field. This type of characterization helps to move the storytelling forward.

The animation on the series is one of the best strengths of the production. The series features superb storyboarding from Hideo Kujū, Makura Saki, Masami Hata, Noboru Ishiguro, Sōji Yoshikawa, Susumu Kaida, and Takekatsu Kikuta. The animation benefits from fantastic art direction, too – bringing these quality storyboards to life. The art direction by Noboru Tatsuike (Lupin III: Part II, Jungle Kurobe) shines and compliments the sports-anime element inherent in the production. Under the animation direction of Akio Sugino (Jungle Emperor Leo, Space Adventure Cobra), Takeo Kitahara (City Hunter, Lupin III: Part II), and Yoshio Kabashima (Folktales from Japan, Samurai Pizza Cats), Aim for the Ace! is full of rewarding color and vibrancy. The classic style of animation befits the series genre and tone enormously well and classic anime fans will appreciate the artistic quality of the series. Indeed, with classic anime series such as this one the production often helps one to further explore the artistry on display. It is as though each frame of the art work demonstrates a specific end goal and the artwork could be displayed in an art gallery independent of the series itself.

The cinematography by Iwao Yamaki (The Fantastic Adventures of Unico, Unico in the Island of Magic) and Katsuji Misawa (Akira, Future Boy Conan) plays an important role in the series aesthetic as well. Featuring a warm and inviting cinematographic style, the engaging visual approach by Yamaki is a wonderful thing. There is so much to appreciate in the visual quality provided by Yamaki’s unique cinematography.

Edited by Kazuo Inoue (Lupin the 3^rd, Samurai Pizza Cats), Aim for the Ace! is a well edited series that emphasizes the game. The game play element of the editing helps to highlight the fast-paced and exciting rhythm of the tennis matches. These aspects certainly enhance the sports genre element.

The original score composed by Goh Misawa (Devilman, Jungle Kurobe) works well within the series, too. The music enhances the tennis matches and makes the action-packed backdrop of the series significantly more involving. The end result is a score that is whimsical and action-oriented. The production benefits a great deal from the worthwhile score.

The staff screenwriting includes the collaborations of Masao Maruyama (Princess Knight, Laura, a Little Girl on the Prairie), Mitsuru Majima (Getter Robo G, The Adventures of Gamba), Tatsuo Tamura (Getter Robo, Ashita no Joe), and Yoshio Takeuchi (Jungle Emperor Leo, Boku no Bōkūgō). With a good team of writers, Aim for the Ace! finds a solid foundation for the tennis world. The scripting helps to highlight both the characters and their journeys in the world of competitive sports.

Directed by Osamu Dezaki (Space Adventure Cobra, The Rose of Versailles), Aim for the Ace! is an exciting, fun, and ambitious classic anime. The series is certainly one that provides an excellent foundation for exploring the tennis game element. Dezaki is a talented director who brings out outstanding work from the team of animators and voice-actors involved with the production. A worthwhile sports anime with the right ingredients for success. Aim for the Ace! delivers a thrilling adventure with a nice dramatic backdrop. Fans of the sports anime genre won’t want to miss it.

Aim for the Ace!: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Aim for the Ace! is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The presentation is incredible on the release. The high definition encoding handles the impressive video encoding has exceptional clarity and detail.

Without this wonderful showcase, the animation wouldn't look nearly as impressive on the release. Color reproduction is excellent and the presentation capably handles the cell based animation. This element enhances the experience in a significant way. A wonderful encode with a healthy bit-rate – the transfer retains the organic quality of the filmic presentation. The presentation looks robust and with a quality encode will surpass that of streaming alternatives, showcasing how physical media continues to provide the best way to experience a classic series (such as this one).

Aim for the Ace!: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio encoding on the release is top-notch. Dialogue is crystal clear and the audio presentation capably adds depth and detail to the soundstage. Given the age of the audio elements, the robust audio track was far more engaging and immersive than originally expected.

The Japanese audio sounds terrific and provides the sonic soundstage fans hope to find. The only potential drawback to the audio on the release is the lack of an English dub presentation for the series. Nonetheless, audio purists seeking the best audio presentation for the original language audio will find little to complain about. The encoding on the Blu-ray release is excellent and helps to enhance the experience.

Aim for the Ace!: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This is one area of the release that disappoints somewhat. The release lacks any extensive on-disc supplemental features such as making-of featurettes, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and an abundance of audio commentaries are nowhere to be found. Not even some photo galleries are provided to help round out the release. On a more positive note, the release does include a pretty collectible slipcover – which adds some extra class and prestige to the release.

On disc supplements include:

Japanese Promos (HD, 4:03)

English Trailer (HD, 1:04)

Aim for the Ace!: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Aim for the Ace! is an enormously fun and charming classic anime series. The production has some fun with excellent characters and an exciting sense of rhythm while exploring the world of competitive sports in the tennis arena. The animation is exquisite and the filmmaking delivers big time.

The Blu-ray release features an excellent video and audio presentation. The video quality capably handles the classic animation style and imbues extra creativity into the production. The lossless audio presentation is a wonderful and essential part of the presentation as well. The only major downside to the release is the lack of more extensive supplemental package. Fans of Aim for the Ace! will want to consider a purchase based on ownership alongside a fantastic presentation. Recommended.