Quick Summary

A fun anime recommended for anyone who is thinking of, or is already interested in the world of health and fitness.

Plot

The natural progression of activities and friendship

Spoiler, click to view

Save for Zina's integration

is a strong point for this show. No-one goes on to become a world-class bodybuilder in a matter of weeks and yet it's not as if the characters remain beginners in the world of fitness by the end of the show. Even the more experienced in fitness learn new things which is a great lesson in how there's always more to learn about keeping fit.

Throughout the show various sub-plots are introduced, some of which are better than others, and it makes for a good variety of stories in a single-season anime. The story focuses on Hibiki's perspective which includes trying new exercises and diets in order to achieve her summer goal of looking good in a bikini, something I think a lot of girls her age can relate to. This ties in well with Satomi's goals and provides a half-decent reason for a 29 year old to be spending time outside of school with her students.

Spoiler, click to view

I like that her goal isn't necessarily to look good in a bikini but is instead to look good while doing her secret hobby: cosplay. She, like the students, also wants to get a boyfriend. I think this is a great way to show that ultimately adults tend to have the same goals as teenagers albeit with a sense of maturity.

The show is funny throughout, with lots of little jokes sprinkled throughout each episode with plenty of self-awareness jokes at the absurdity of some scenarios.

The end of the show is left open which is understandable given that the show follows the manga which is incomplete. However I think the openness is acceptable given that the girls' journey through fitness together is still in its very early stages, and the show ends with the implication that they will continue to try new things and get fitter.

Notable Characters

• Hibiki: The main protagonist who snacks relentlessly. Her initial reactions to the gym, fitness, and diet changes are natural and what I'd expect from a young girl placed into that scenario. Her development is realistic, and wholesome. There's no natural talent in all things fitness here (though she has strengths and weaknesses) and this is a great thing to see.
  Spoiler, click to view

  Seeing her reaction to her final weigh-in at the end of the show was a nice cherry-on-top finish for a show that otherwise didn't have a well-rounded ending.
• Machio: The girls' personal trainer and serial flexer. His wholesome and patient attitude towards fitness is something I'd like to see in more trainers in real life. His episodic lessons are informative and accurate, and he is quick to dispel myths about exercises and diets that exist only to inhibit progress.
  Spoiler, click to view

  I can't say I cared much for his story arc with knock-off Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jason Statham (since neither plot really goes anywhere).
• Zina: There's potential to be had with this character but I feel like her reason for being part of the group is uncomfortably forced. It's a shame that she wasn't written in more fluidly because she's really funny and could act as a good motivation for Hibiki, but those opportunities are lost when she becomes just another girl in the group.

Art

A fairly typical art style with the suggestive angles and fanservice that you would expect from an ecchi anime, but it is clear that careful attention has been paid towards the exercises and the movements associated with them. This is great, because it means there's little to get wrong from your visual interpretations of the girls' exercises if you're watching the show for advice.

The inclusion of calorie text for the food eaten on screen is a nice touch as well, since yet another misinterpretation the show addresses is how diet plays a huge role in fitness and that it's not all just about exercise.

I'm somewhat disappointed at the show's reluctance to show fitter girls who have developed muscle over their months/years of exercises. I wouldn't expect them to show bodybuilders and fitness models, but the theme is centred around girls who love weight-lifting and strength-based exercises. It would only be natural for at least some of them to have athletic bodies by the end of the show.

Spoiler, click to view

Akemi confesses that she's obsessed with muscles and weight-lifting but she has a body that is no different to a jogger, and Ayaka is an experienced boxer who only has defined abs for some reason. Their bodies don't reflect their history or passions accurately.

Music

The intro music is fun and catchy as you would expect from an anime, but the real star of the show is the end credits song which absolutely slaps. It fits much better with the show's theme given that gyms tend to use bassy, thumping music to motivate their customers.

Misc Notes
- Machio's shrinking animation when he puts clothes back on is fucking hilarious.
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Spoiler, click to view

If I were Hibiki I would be reconsidering my friendship with Ayaka after her cold and scathing comments about my appearance in the very first episode.