Tsurune: The Linking Shot S2 Review

4 star continuation of this atmospheric and uplifting sporting anime.

Tsurune is a 2023 Japanese anime based on the light novel series written by Kotoko Ayano and illustrated by Chinatsu Morimoto. Adapted for anime by Kyoto Animation (K-On!!, Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions), it is directed by Takuya Yamamura (Sound! Euphonium).

It is available to own in the UK on Blu-ray from 4th March 2024, courtesy of MVM Entertainment.

“Bow and arrow. One’s target and one’s self. Nothing else exists in that moment. Nock the arrow. Draw the string taut…”

Please note that this review covers the second series of this anime, do not read on unless you have watched the first.

Following their surprise win against Kirisaki at the Prefectural Championships, the Kazemai High School Kyudo team are on a high and back to school ready to prepare for their next challenge, the Regionals. Led by captain Seiya (Gareth West – Golden Time, Haikyu!!), Minato  (Bryson Baugus – Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon) and his team mates Ryōhei (Gabriel Regojo – Akame Ga Kill!), Nanao (Clint Bickham – Black Bullet) and Kaito (Courtland Johnson – Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues) they begin to prepare.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the competition and in celebration of this, the winning team will also qualify for the Nationals. This gives the Kirisaki team, led by Minato’s former teammate Shū (Scott Gibbs – Iroduku: The World in Colours) another shot at qualification. They also meet the Tsujimine High School team, from another prefecture who they also will be facing in the Nationals. Led by another former schoolmate of Minato, Nikaido, they use a different form of Kyudo and are a formidable oppenent.

Following a disappointing result, the boys have a lot to work on under the watchful eye of Masaki (Joe Daniels – Baki) in order to be ready for the Nationals. Things are also getting more exciting for the girls, Riko (Avery Smithhart – Princess Principal: Crown Handler), Noa (Elissa Cuellar – The Eminence in Shadow) and Yuna (Savanna Menzel – Ragna Crimson), who have a competition of their own to enter. Can they each reach the standard they need to attain to succeed?

The moment the arrow leaves the bow, when the sound of the Tsurune rings out, my senses and the world around me expand out anew, swelling higher than ever before.”

This is another exceptionally enjoyable series to watch, just as relaxing as the first one, although the stakes are higher this time, so things do get pretty tense.

With the characaters already established, in this series we concentrate more on their personal growth and how they find their own way within the sport that they all love.

Beautifully animated and with a stunning colour palette, this is a feast for the senses, with a healthy dose of competition thrown in for good measure. Full of wholesome messages about friendship and teamwork, this is a very good anime and well worth adding to your collection.

“Skill in Kyudo comes from the mental and physical capacity to shoot true and to the mark. Nothing is harder than pulling off the same thing over and over again.”

Tsurune: The Linking Shot S2 is available on Blu-ray from 4th March 2024.