Aim for the Ace! English Sub & Dub

About Aim for the Ace!

Looking for background on Aim for the Ace! (エースをねらえ!)? This drama and sports series by MADHOUSE and Tokyo Movie Shinsha (1973) starts out like this. In short: 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.

Beyond that: 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 has to endure the peer pressure from her seniors to become an ace tennis player.

As a drama title, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. Voice work is led by Makoto Kousaka as Hiromi Oka and Katsuji Mori as Takayuki Todou. If you count yourself among viewers who prefer story and feelings over flashy action, put it on your list. At 26 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

MADHOUSE and Tokyo Movie Shinsha is the studio behind Aim for the Ace!, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. The drama focus matters here: 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. Voice casting, including Makoto Kousaka as Hiromi Oka, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. Released in 1973, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.