Turkey! - The review
I never took anything this stupid so seriously. So... I am going to try and do justice to this show, because I cannot believe the reasons people are trashing this show for.
"In bowling, there's always a second throw."
This is not just a repeated quote from the show, but it's also a life lesson that they're giving us, opening our eyes with. It carries with us the whole time and the story's conclusion is so perfectly sweet, much like goumi.
Isekai??? Then why is it entertaining?No, this show is a hidden isekai. In most isekai shows, you know exactly what they're selling you. A guy dying and being transported into a magic world where underage girls see him as a god. A girl dying and becoming a game character, ready to save a hot guy or her waifu from certain death.
Turkey is nothing of the sorts.
We start out at a bowling alley, where a group of classmates has a different relationship to the sport. Blondie Nozomi seems annoyed to even be there, Sayuri is scared of any kind of conflict, Nanase seems too good for everyone, and Rina and Mai are at it again.
The cool as ice Rina does not seem to understand why lucky-go-happy Mai cannot get pass "Turkey", calling her out on not wanting to win.
As you get into the drama... suddenly the girls are transported into Sengoku period. This is a time slip/time travel anime. Not an isekai.
That being said - even if you see this is a comedy, parody or historical drama, you will not be bored. Because what Turkey does, they do exceptionally well.
Characters, their backstories and messageUsually in large characters show it's hard to balance screentime and importance. Characters come and go, they are either very important or they're just one episode ponies.
Not here. Here, everyone has a "life meaning".
Let's start with Rina. Rina brings in the first drama - the drama of "I am going to seem entitled because I have a beef with the one everyone loves" that can get on your nerves from the start. But she is a great example of why you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
Now those who have seen this show will know what Rina's deal is. And to those I say - yes, it is not something unique. But sometimes leaning into something that is well know can be your biggest strength.
They do however lean into new tropes as well. As can be seen with Sayuri. The girl I totally feel for. I too was struggling with my own strength a lot in the past, and I needed someone and myself to see that it is not freakish, but it is indeed a strength. With that, she was a real human.
Fighting for your values, keeping up with your moral compass... and then understanding what happens when it's challenged.
I do not want to give out too much. These two girls and Anzu, Suguri and Nozomi are fighting themselves and their imagine. The show does a brilliant job at pacing their stories and giving them time to learn, get better and understand their world a bit better.
Mai, Nanase and Akebi are fighting their family problems and problems in family. Those are not only holding them back, but also preventing them from seeing what reality is. It's deep, touching, you want to cheer on them and you are watching with held breath what will come out of their stories.
And that's not all! Natsume and Sumomo are showing us how important freedom is, and why you should fight for it and yourself! While they're also presenting different types of grief and dealing with it.
Emotionally, Turkey is insanely strong and heavy story, that you would not expect within the comedy genre it carries with itself.
It's so stupid, it's goodAt moments, Turkey is extremely hilarious.
Getting transported into the past during bowling. Family secrets being quite ridiculous, excused with sob stories. Going back in time because of highschooler's logic... Periods in the past, not being able to use tissues after peeing...
Mixing goumi tree and gummy bears. Using bowling as escape from dangerous situations...
This show does a great way at mixing funny, dramatic and breathtaking. Which is just a huge plus.
Overall qualityThere is nothing, besides plot points and ridiculous choices, that would take points off or ruin this show. It's on your own likes, dislikes and taste to decide how well you'll rate Turkey.
But it's definitely not less than 7(which is average, in this case).
The art and artstyle (and character design) is simple, but effective. Color coding works wonders.
The music, openings and endings are bops with story that they're telling (please, pay close attention to them).
The animation is smooth and not lazy, they're being smart about the way they're animating background characters.
The bowling animations are not intrusive to eye, I couldn't tell you anything bad about it.
And the serious moment, where they play with animation style was a risk that payed off.
There is nothing else to add. Do watch it. It is so worth it.