6.6 / 10 (based on 273 reviews)
On a whim, first-year Ayumu Tanaka quits the Kendo Club to join the illegitimate Shogi Club. Urushi Yaotome, the president of the club and a master of shogi, is thrilled to finally have a playing partner. As Ayumu’s upperclassman, Urushi endeavors to be his shogi mentor and student role model. Too often, however, she finds herself blushing with embarrassment. Stone-faced and honest, Ayumu sees no issue with calling Urushi “cute.” Although Ayumu likes her, he refrains from confessing and promises himself to first beat her in a game of shogi. Through school life and shogi games, the two students have many hilarious and heart-warming adventures. Ayumu enjoys every second with Urushi, but he is still a long way from beating her in shogi. With the commitment he made to himself, will Ayumu ever get the chance to confess his feelings to Urushi?
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Romance
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In the vast sea of TV shows, it’s easy to miss out on gems that don’t get plastered on every billboard or pop up in every other ad on streaming platforms. One such hidden treasure is the Japanese drama À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! (2022). This show, despite its French title which translates to “What Are You Playing At, Ayumu?!”, is a refreshing take on high school life, friendship, and the trials of growing up. It’s a series that deserves a spotlight for its unique storytelling, relatable characters, and its ability to tackle everyday issues with sensitivity and humor.
The Premise
At its core, À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! follows the life of Ayumu, a high school student who navigates the complexities of adolescence. The show does an excellent job of portraying the ups and downs of high school life without falling into the trap of over-dramatization. It’s not your typical high school drama filled with over-the-top scenarios; instead, it presents a more grounded view that many viewers will find relatable.
Characters and Relationships
One of the show’s strengths lies in its characters. Ayumu, the protagonist, is not your average high school hero. He’s not the most popular kid in school, nor is he the outcast. He’s somewhere in the middle, trying to find his place in the world. This portrayal makes him incredibly relatable to viewers who might see parts of their own high school experiences reflected in him.
The relationships between characters in À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! are another highlight. The show delves into friendships, family dynamics, and the beginnings of romantic relationships with a realism that’s often missing in similar genres. The interactions feel genuine, and the conflicts, when they arise, are handled with a maturity that respects the audience’s intelligence.
Tackling Everyday Issues
What sets À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! apart from other shows is its approach to everyday issues. The series doesn’t shy away from tackling topics like bullying, academic pressure, and the struggle to fit in, but it does so in a way that’s neither preachy nor trivializing. The balance it strikes is commendable, offering viewers, especially younger ones, a chance to see their concerns represented on screen in a thoughtful manner.
Humor and Heart
Despite the heavy topics it sometimes covers, the show is far from a downer. The humor in À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! is one of its most charming aspects. It’s not the slapstick or over-the-top kind of comedy that often dominates high school dramas. Instead, the show finds humor in the everyday, in the awkward moments of adolescence, and in the characters’ quirks. This lightness adds a layer of warmth to the show, making it all the more enjoyable.
The heart of the show, however, is what truly makes it stand out. At its core, À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! is about growth, about making mistakes and learning from them. It’s about the importance of friendship and the value of being true to oneself. These themes are universal, and the show handles them with a grace that resonates with viewers of all ages.
Why It’s Worth Watching
For those tired of the same old high school drama tropes, À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a show that manages to be both entertaining and meaningful, without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard. The characters are well-developed, the storytelling is solid, and the issues it tackles are handled with care.
Moreover, the show’s setting and cultural context add an extra layer of interest for international viewers. While the themes are universal, the Japanese setting provides a glimpse into the country’s high school life, which might be different from what many viewers are used to.
In conclusion, À quoi tu joues Ayumu?! is a hidden gem that deserves more attention. It’s a beautifully crafted series that balances humor and heart, all while offering a realistic look at the highs and lows of adolescence. Whether you’re in high school, have long since graduated, or are simply looking for a show that offers something different, this series is definitely worth checking out.