The Gymnastics Samurai (
Japanese: 体操ザムライ,
Hepburn: Taisō Zamurai) is a Japanese
anime television series about
gymnastics. The series was produced by
MAPPA, written by Shigeru Murakoshi and directed by Hisatoshi Shimizu. Character designs were created by Kasumi Fukagawa, and the music its composed by
Masaru Yokoyama. The series aired from October to December 2020 on
TV Asahi's
NUMAnimation [
ja] block.[1]
The series is licensed by
Funimation.[2]Medialink licensed the anime in South and Southeast Asia.[3]
Plot
In 2002, the
Japanese men's
gymnastics team is not doing well. Jotaro Aragaki is a professional gymnast and former
Olympian. However, despite being good in the past, he was never able to get a
gold medal. As he suffered a shoulder injury and is an older athlete at 29 years old, his coach, Noriyuki Amakusa, suggests he retires. While considering retirement, Jotaro takes his daughter Rei to
Edo Wonderland. While there, they encounter a foreigner dressed up as a
ninja, who after following them home, introduces himself as Leo. Later, while announcing his retirement at a
press conference, Jotaro changes his mind half way through and decides to continue to pursue a career in gymnastics.[4]
Jotaro is a gymnast nicknamed "The Samurai" who belongs to Yotsuba Sports. Due to being in a
slump, he had been considering retiring from gymnastics until he changes his mind during an interview.[6]
Leonardo is a former
ballet dancer nicknamed "The Ninja" who after encountering Jotaro and his daughter Rei at Edo Wonderland follows them home and befriends them. He is being pursued by people in black suits for reasons relating to his ballet career. He is known as "Leo".[6]
Tetsuo is a 17-year-old gymnast nicknamed "The Bandana Prince" who is considered to be the up and coming star. After Jotaro's press conference where he changes his mind about retiring, Tetsuo confronts and calls him "a disappointment".[6]
Bigbird is a
South American bird and the pet of the Aragakis. Bigbird can speak and seems to have a basic comprehension of
Japanese. Bigbird was initially a gift from Mari to Rei.[6]
Hiro is a young gymnast who goes to Shirando University. He is known for his meticulous technique and in previous years won both the All Japan Championships and the NHK Cup.[6]
The Gymnastics Samurai (
Japanese: 体操ザムライ,
Hepburn: Taisō Zamurai) is a Japanese
anime television series about
gymnastics. The series was produced by
MAPPA, written by Shigeru Murakoshi and directed by Hisatoshi Shimizu. Character designs were created by Kasumi Fukagawa, and the music its composed by
Masaru Yokoyama. The series aired from October to December 2020 on
TV Asahi's
NUMAnimation [
ja] block.[1]
The series is licensed by
Funimation.[2]Medialink licensed the anime in South and Southeast Asia.[3]
Plot
In 2002, the
Japanese men's
gymnastics team is not doing well. Jotaro Aragaki is a professional gymnast and former
Olympian. However, despite being good in the past, he was never able to get a
gold medal. As he suffered a shoulder injury and is an older athlete at 29 years old, his coach, Noriyuki Amakusa, suggests he retires. While considering retirement, Jotaro takes his daughter Rei to
Edo Wonderland. While there, they encounter a foreigner dressed up as a
ninja, who after following them home, introduces himself as Leo. Later, while announcing his retirement at a
press conference, Jotaro changes his mind half way through and decides to continue to pursue a career in gymnastics.[4]
Jotaro is a gymnast nicknamed "The Samurai" who belongs to Yotsuba Sports. Due to being in a
slump, he had been considering retiring from gymnastics until he changes his mind during an interview.[6]
Leonardo is a former
ballet dancer nicknamed "The Ninja" who after encountering Jotaro and his daughter Rei at Edo Wonderland follows them home and befriends them. He is being pursued by people in black suits for reasons relating to his ballet career. He is known as "Leo".[6]
Tetsuo is a 17-year-old gymnast nicknamed "The Bandana Prince" who is considered to be the up and coming star. After Jotaro's press conference where he changes his mind about retiring, Tetsuo confronts and calls him "a disappointment".[6]
Bigbird is a
South American bird and the pet of the Aragakis. Bigbird can speak and seems to have a basic comprehension of
Japanese. Bigbird was initially a gift from Mari to Rei.[6]
Hiro is a young gymnast who goes to Shirando University. He is known for his meticulous technique and in previous years won both the All Japan Championships and the NHK Cup.[6]