Disaster strikes for Minami when the mobile game she was so invested in gets hit by the dreaded end-of-service notice. Encouraged by her friend to find a club to join, she tries several, but her lack of physical skills discourages her from sticking with any of them. While looking for something out in town to get involved in, she helps an elderly man get to the local golf center, where she meets Haruka, a third-year who seems well-versed in the sport. She gets Minami to try hitting a shot, helps her with her form, and tells her she will be there tomorrow. With her interest sufficiently piqued, Minami picks up the game of golf, where she will seek out that perfect shot and perhaps one day become a protagonist in the sport.
A while ago, I covered an episode of Sorairo Utility, thinking it would be a standard TV series, but it ended up just being a one-shot. Two years later, though, we finally have our full cute-girls-gone-golfing TV series. Whereas the one-shot dropped us into the middle of a game with the characters already having played together for some time, this episode brings us back to the beginning, showing how Minami got started with golf in the first place. The story is pretty standard fare for a slice-of-life revolving around an after-school activity: the main character wants to find something to do with her life, finds that something (golf), and slowly gets more into it with the help of others. Compared to other golf anime or sports anime in general, it has a very laid-back feel, suggesting more of a focus on the casual side of the sport (remember that Minami’s goal in the one-shot was just to make par on one hole; she isn’t joining the LPGA anytime soon). Yostar Pictures once again does a good job with the animation, which adds to the pleasing, relaxed atmosphere. Otherwise, very little stands out in this show beyond the novelty of a slice-of-life golf anime, but it does that job well enough with its presentation and even some tips on swing form to help your golf game. If you are a fan of either golf or slice-of-life anime, this could be a nice little “19th hole” show to add to your watchlist. Of course, if you are like me and enjoy both golf and slice-of-life anime, this show, as far as the watchlist goes, is a hole-in-one.
Sorairo Utility (TV) is streaming on HIDIVE.
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