If you were to say a few year back “You are going to watch an anime about male cheerleaders and love it!” I probably would have laughed in your face. Fast forward to now and here I am smiling and just loving all these boys. “Cheer Boys” to me was an underrated hit in 2016. Granted this show came out at a time when there were some massive anime to compete with, this show flew under the radar.
The story is simple enough, a slice of life anime focusing on college boys who decide to start a cheer squad. Every episode is just so witty and charming with each boy having their own story to tell. Haruki, our main character was born into a family of Judo Martial artists who was expected to follow the footsteps of his family decides to join up with his best friend and start up a cheer squad. The squad grows progressively through the episodes.
What I love about this show is the heart warming moments. The show manages to deliver these moments in such a way that is not only captivating for the audience, but makes you connect on a personal level with these characters. The strength of this show is also the dub, Funimation had control over this dub, and while I’m somewhat skeptical of simuldubs (this was one of the 2016 shows that was simulcast dubbed) and the quality they produce, this series seemed to have nailed it. The English VAs are just as if not better than their Japanese counterparts.
If I was to compare this series with another, I am constantly reminded of Love Live/Love Live sunshine, only with very pretty boys. Their stories and troubles/triumphs are very similar to how Love Live told their story. The animation is also nice and clean and rather enjoyable to watch. Of course, even though this is considered a slice of life anime I can’t help but classify this one as a sports anime. You watch this show and all you want to do is get out there and train at a gym, get fit.
I can’t help but love this series. From when I first watched it in 2016, to now it’s one of those shows that has a lot of heart and makes you feel motivated; mentally, emotionally and physically *I love it when an anime can do that!*
I give this show a solid 4/5.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=994DagRJU7A[/embedyt]
“Cheer Boys” is available right now on DVD. For more information click the DVD image below! However you can’t wait and need to check out the show right now, you can stream it and watch it for free thanks to the good folk at AnimeLab by clicking the AL picture link below as well!
