Ace wo Nerae! (1973)

A masterpiece of girls' sport anime, with an appealing romantic element

“Ace wo Nerae!” started broadcasting in 1973 and is an anime adaptation of a tennis manga written by Suzumika Yamamoto. It depicts the main character, Hiromi Oka, who joins the tennis club because of her admiration for Madame Butterfly, and grows up to become a full-fledged tennis player through matches against rivals under the guidance of the devil coach, Hitoshi Munekata.

Sensitive psychological portrayal and innovative direction

“Ace wo Nerae!” is a sports anime, yet it is characterized by its delicate psychological portrayal typical of shoujo manga. The drama of the love triangle between Hiromi, Coach Munekata, and senior Todo, as well as the feud with Madame Butterfly, is sure to move the hearts of the girls. Also, like “Ashita no Joe,” the film is directed by Tadashi Izaki, whose innovative visual expressions enhance the appeal of the work.

A timeless masterpiece

“Ace wo Nerae!” has been repeatedly rebroadcast and remade, and continues to be loved beyond time. It is not only an interesting sports anime, but the careful depiction of the growth and struggles of the girls has resonated with many people.