Aim for the Ace! English Sub & Dub

About Aim for the Ace!

Aim for the Ace! (エースをねらえ!) arrives as a drama anime by MADHOUSE and Tokyo Movie Shinsha (1973), and the premise is easy to summarize. At its core: On her first day at Nishi High School, 15-year-old Hiromi Oka is inspired by top player Reika "Ochoufujin" Ryuuzaki to take up tennis. Shortly after joining the school's tennis club, she encounters Jin Munakata, the club's new coach.

Next up: Munakata puts everyone under rigorous training that even puts Ochoufujin to shame. Despite the hardships, Hiromi's determination prompts the coach to select her as part of the club's main players. Because of this, Hiromi must endure the peer pressure from her seniors to become an ace tennis player.

With drama at the core, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. Hiromi Oka (Makoto Kousaka) and Takayuki Todou (Katsuji Mori) are two of the characters you will meet early. This one is best suited to viewers who prefer story and feelings over flashy action. At 26 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by MADHOUSE and Tokyo Movie Shinsha, so the studio's house style defines how Aim for the Ace! looks and moves on screen. Within the drama category, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. At 7.0/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. On the casting side, Makoto Kousaka voicing Hiromi Oka gives the lead role a recognizable voice. Released in 1973, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.