Sports anime are great but usually have a formula they like to rely on, the underdog beating the best player or team. I was interested in hanebado because it's the opposite of most sports anime. Ayano is talented at badminton, but has a weird relationship with it.Within the very first episode, the theme of talent versus hard work was established. I always wondered how would it feel to be talented at a sport and what kind of mindset it puts you in.I also really liked how the matches themselves teach you not only about the sport but how each players' playstyle reflect in their personality.

Watching hanebado aka Hanesaki's play reeled me in by answering my questions and concerns. Ayano likes badminton but when you are talented at a sport, what can you get from it? Do you play for pride, money, fame, or what drives you to keep playing? Ayano thought she had the answer, but as each episode passes by she's challenged by other players and their ideals.Ayano isn't some confident player or jerk, she's sensitive and broken.Some players dislike ayano because in their eyes, she plays in a style meant to tire you out and control the match while others think she is a monster.

Now, we as the viewer even get tested on who ayano really is because she goes through a lot on and off the court. Ayano loves badminton but constantly struggled with finding her goal playing badminton. Ayano gives us a taste of how talent really is overrated, you can be one of the best players around yet have the heaviest burden to carry. Other players on ayano's team are good at badminton because of hard work, so they can't relate to how ayano's constant struggles with the sport. Some question if they want to continue or quit playing the sport.

This anime can be dramatic, but I loved every bit of it.The drama stems from how players are constantly battle with defining their relationship with badminton and deal with their teammates. If ayano was raised like the other players or proteges, she would be just like them or worse. Everyone in the show is trying to discover and improve their style of badminton. We see how players can be controlled and influenced by peers, coaches and even their own rivals. No one wants to win by playing in a style that makes them not enjoy the match or swallowing their pride for the sake of strategy. Best part of this show is you really get to understand how it feels to be passionate at a sport and how both ends of the spectrum aren't what they are cracked up to be. If you like drama, sports and tension, I say you should check out hanebado.