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32 Comments

  1. Infernape Shinjo
    September 19, 2018 @ 2:57 pm

    I was talking with a friend about Hanebado recently and they considered dropping it because the show focused on the background characters instead of Ayano. For someone like me who isn’t a huge sports anime fan, I really enjoyed the show. Like you said, I would have liked it more if it would have properly explained Ayano’s backstory.

  2. Craig A. McLeod
    September 19, 2018 @ 2:58 pm

    The show is beautiful on the surface but is downright repulsive to its soul.

    If the show could make its mind up and just make Ayano a villain-protagonist to the tune of Light Yagami, it would do so much better to itself. It could show how she has gone from a child who lost due to what was basically cheating (if not assault) to someone who can probably atomize Wimbledon with a snap of her fingers but has, ultimately, sacrificed her humanity to get to that point.
    All with a zesty hint of tragedy in the fact that she did it to appease a mother who is, frankly, in dire need of a truck to the face.

    But the show won’t do that for it has the balls to show Ayano is psychologically broken but has forgotten to bring the shuttlecocks for the story.

  3. Hz Theplayer
    September 19, 2018 @ 2:59 pm

    I watch the show not for Ayano’s story, but for Nagisa’s.
    Nagisa is a far more interesting character than Ayano in my opinion.

  4. Chad Serrano
    September 19, 2018 @ 2:59 pm

    I appreciate Isla’s videos so much. Here she is describing beautifully and with detail, what this anime has done right and what it could have done better. I should say describing an anime beautifully, AGAIN, because she seems to nail it every time and I can’t say how much these videos help me watch shows for myself. I can be so picky and sometimes miss what I should be enjoying about a show, but Isla always says something that helps me catch myself say "Hold on, I need to give this a chance."

    I agree this anime took itself too seriously and it put me off pretty quickly and I’m in awe of the animation but now I know there was even more reasons I should have gave it a better shot.

  5. Scott Report
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:01 pm

    I would listen to this with my eyes closed if the visuals weren’t so great! I’m in a weird spot with this series.

    I wanted to try it on a whim because it was sports and I really liked it at the beginning. I don’t hate it or even dislike it, but some things are just off. Ayano’s mom and that angle just feels like the series needed a villain and just went with it. It falls really flat when you get down to it. I think I would enjoy it more if it was about Nagisa completely. Maybe even just her wanting to beat Ayano. I fell off on watching, then caught up, then got behind again. It looks great but I feel I can wait to watch it.

  6. Ray The Otaku
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:01 pm

    God I just hope Ayano stops being such a psycho, and we need an explanation from the mom

  7. Isla McTear
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:01 pm

    HEY! It’s been a month, how you doing? I’ve been busy getting lots of content ready for a bumper September and October on the channel. I have so much content coming up that I’m excited for you to see. I hope you enjoyed this one, Hanebado is one of my favourite shows this season but I have gripes with the show that keep it from being the next Haikyuu for me. I wonder if you agree? Anyway, I’ll see you on Friday for the next video!
    And if you want to keep up with what releases when follow me on Twitter!

    Summer’s almost over – here’s to a great Fall/Autumn season!

  8. Travis Sanchez
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:03 pm

    Isla when is our video about the greatest anime of the season "The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar"

  9. Matt Lucas
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:09 pm

    We knew the problem with the show is that it became a drama than a sports series

  10. ScuzoidMelee
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:12 pm

    Again, brilliant script.

    I watch a lot of movie review youtubers as well, and for whatever reason, recently there’s been a lot of criticism from the youtube critics about what you are and aren’t allowed to critic. The whole thing is fucking weird and it generally comes down to people shouting about how nothing is wrong with any movie with people who are saying most movies are terrible.

    Understanding it does tend to be somewhere in the middle and being able to artfully express this as you did here is great.

    Finally, does The Dragon Prince’s animation make the show so bad you wish it were simply a comic book?

  11. fraggler0c
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:12 pm

    Love the breakdown of the scene of the 2 girls.

  12. Ihsan ingersoll
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:15 pm

    Pink haired girl’s intro was amazing tho, like that jarringness was important imo. Kinda like nui from Kill la Kill.

    Idk overall cool vid I’ll stick with the channel for a bit. Feels a bit much like Eyepatchwolf to me (not to be offensive, idk it would be cool to have more of a unique take), but at what can ya do. Glhf

  13. Lolzz
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:18 pm

    Love watching your reviews on anime especially your Scottish accent 11/10

  14. Sloan The Female Otaku
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:19 pm

    That’s it, I want a 1 hour loop of Isla saying "great"

  15. Matt Lucas
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:19 pm

    Honestly I would give the show a 5/10 if anything.The writing for the show is pretty where it’s flaws were but the animation is dope .Isla do you plans to talk about the summer anime movies.If anything that was the important thing for summer season

  16. Alyson Moon
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:20 pm

    Fanservice is the anime murderer.

  17. Hiếu Bùi Minh
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:20 pm

    The one thing is I can not stand is the characters. God many of them are unbearable.

  18. Game Hog
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:21 pm

    I always love these videos.
    Whisper more sweetness of anime into me, Isla.

  19. Tim S
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:22 pm

    This was a great video. Hanebado continues to be one of the most engaging shows of the season, but the flaws in tone and writing really do hold it back. With a bit more care, it could have lived up to the nickname Sound! Badminton.

  20. Bruno Grimmski
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:28 pm

    This dichotomy is exactly what makes this anime so special. You never know 100% how to judge the characters and the situations. And especially for Ayano and Connie, the anime is very realistic because I know from my own experience what a childhood trauma can do to a person. These mood swings and sudden personality changes really exist. So I explain the sudden 180 degree turn with Connie to Ayano. Admittedly, there are a few logic holes, but nothing and no one is perfect, right?

  21. Yoehn
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:28 pm

    YESSSSSSSSS NEW ISLA VIDEO YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

  22. Shelbycat
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:32 pm

    I found and subscribed to you from the Children of the Whales review, and I dont regret a thing.

  23. Evanit0
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:38 pm

    I dropped this show after the first 2 episodes. Everyone was telling me that I made a poor choice but fact of the matter in my opinion is that Harukana Receive is better since from the get go it knows the type of show it wants to be and sticks to it. Plays into the tropes as it should.

    Nevertheless great video as always but I can’t wait for those underrated anime characters! Lol

  24. Matt Lucas
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:41 pm

    Surprised that someone disliked the video .Honeslty it was from episode 4-5 where some people said the focus of the show started to fall there

  25. shimazu merhi
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:42 pm

    Nice video
    go beyond plus ultra

  26. IzzyVActress
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:43 pm

    I can just feel how hard you worked on this video. Beautifully done and wonderful attention to details! As much as I still enjoyed Hanebado this season, I do agree with a lot of your points.

    You’re so talented and looking forward to seeing new vids from you 🙂

  27. YOUFREAKINNERD
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:46 pm

    Nooooo!! I was gonna watch this one! Jk. I don’t watch anime anymore. . .

    I mean it’s basically true. My computer is dead.

  28. Ramon Castro
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:46 pm

    Scottish ????

  29. EAME
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:46 pm

    Great video Isla!! Also lovin’ the accent! You earned yourself a new subscriber!

  30. Ramon Castro
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:47 pm

    I think in the next episode we’ll really get more answers after Elena approached ayano’s mom. Ayano’s mom has ruined hanebado’s brilliance like she did with her daughter.

  31. jmanstar24
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:51 pm

    I’ll proudly stand on the island alone as someone who appreciates the character writing of Hanebado as well as someone impressed out how much characterization of even minor characters were packed into a single episodes and were able to maintain impact.

    I feel there is much to unpack with regards to Ayano, and I disagree with your point that it’s hard to know who she is. She’s just straight up damaged goods; poisoned by her Mother’s terrible parenting and subsequent neglect. Whether or not that part is realistic or not is a matter of taste, in my opinion (I tend not to worry over realism, given that characters in a given story are generally extraordinary, especially with regards to anime). I won’t speak dogmatically, but I believe Ayano’s three main rivals are mirrors of herself.

  32. Jobo
    September 19, 2018 @ 3:55 pm

    Ooo. Hanebado probably my 5th favourite anime of this season tho i feel our protagonist is a little lacking and makes me think less of her im actually more inclined to like the character whos tall. (I cant remember her name ;-;) i know this isnt one of your reviews but im not good at picking up on changes in amination and stuff like that so i cant offer up on my opinion on that bit or how it ruined itself