While I am most-definitely late to the party, having binged the first six episodes of Studio Bones' winter anime original, Sk8 the Infinity, I can say without a doubt: if you are not already watching this show, change that as soon as possible. Bones' track record speaks highly enough for itself, responsible for some of the most consistently strong animated franchises not only of recent years- including My Hero Academia and Mob Psycho 100- but of the past two decades, claiming ownership of renowned IPs such as Full Metal Alchemist and Soul Eater.
The one-core series follows duel protagonists Reki and Langa, teenagers, fast friends, and skateboarding fanatics. Reki is a seasoned young skater with an immense passion for the sport and all it entails. He is bright, optimistic, creative, and a deft-hand at fashioning his own boards. For Langa- an exchange student from Canada who moved with his Japanese mother following his father's death- Reki is both a ray of sunshine and a fresh start. Despite having no previous skateboarding experience, snowboarder Langa quickly becomes a force to be reckoned with, and his skating talent soon attracts the attention of Sk8's devious antagonist, ADAM. By day a young on-the-rise local politician, ADAM is a tyrant on the track who is more than willing to use violent tactics to maintain his position of power. ADAM's motives are shrouded with mystery, and his predatory infatuation with Langa, combined with his camp extravagance and ridiculously brutal skating methods make him a particularly menacing and memorable villain.
As far as the widely profitable sports anime genre is concerned, Sk8 the Infinity ticks all the visual boxes for a seasonal success. Its characters are likeable, their chemistry believable, and their character designs immediately recognisable; they're inevitably bound to sell their fair share of merchandise (I for one would not begrudge a figure or two...). Each of the leading boys tick all the right reverse-harem boxes without a female love interest in sight. Indeed, much like many of the sports series preceding it, Sk8 is rather lacking in terms of its female characters. It is a shame, as the subject of unorganised sport outside of a typical school setting offers more opportunity than usual for a mixed-gender leading cast. Sk8's world, primarily the pseudo-exclusive skate club known simply as "S", is rather bizarrely male-dominated. Plenty of women appear in the crowds of S, though they are relegated to roles as cheering groupies for the club's most infamous members. The lack of female skaters is a wasted opportunity, and could have offered an avenue in which gendered tropes of the sports anime genre might have been challenged.
However, in spite of this criticism, I cannot find myself holding any lengthy grudge against Sk8 the Infinity; quite simply because of all it does right, and all it does have fresh to offer. Sk8 the Infinity's comedic timing is fantastic, it jokes consistently feel current and their execution is unforced. The way characters talk to one another and react to the experiences they face (excluding the purposefully extravagant ADAM) is simultaneously naturalistic and- when it works- rightfully slapstick.
Combined with consistently strong animation and an adrenaline-fuelled score; Sk8 the Infinity works because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Its never tries to make claim that its skateboarding techniques are true-to-life or even realistically possible. Characters possess their own "overpowered" moves much like any typical shōnen hero, frequently defying gravity and any laws of physics. It's vibrant, cheesy, and yet so full of heart that when Sk8's character's face their very real, human struggles, it becomes all-the-more impactful.
There has been much chatter surrounding Sk8 the Infinity's potential to follow in the footsteps of acclaimed sports series Yuri on Ice, particularly in regards to the opportunity it possesses for LGBT+ representation within mainstream anime. Whether or not the series will explicitly pursue such a queer romantic narrative is yet to be seen, and either way I am excited to offer my final review thoughts following Sk8 the Infinity's fast-approaching conclusion.
I will be closely following Sk8 throughout the rest of the anime season, and highly recommend anyone not already aboard the train (to Paradise) to hop on too. Sk8 the Infinity's blend of fast-paced action and light-hearted comedy offer a little something for any fan of sports anime to latch onto. Yet, at its core, Sk8's tender heart is its most powerful trait, and one viewers will likely be gushing over for some time to come.
With a SimulDub also currently being released, Sk8 the Infinity is available to stream now (with new subbed episodes released weekly) on Funimation.
Comments