Episodes
Badminton team member Mizushima Ryo dreams of attending Yokohama Minato High School with the player he admires, but he had given up on that dream because he thought it was impossible. But one day, the high school's badminton coach Ebihara visits Ryo--
Thanks to Ebihara, Ryo gets to participate in the badminton team's practices before entering high school. His practices at Yokohama Minato with students recruited by Ebihara from other schools and his idol Yusa begin!!
The new school year has begun. Ryo and the others eagerly plunge into training in the badminton club.
As the ranking matches to determine Inter-High qualifier participation approach, the first-years express their dissatisfaction with the way they are treated. Yusa is as overbearing as ever, and the first-years don't even have their own lockers. These ranking matches could be an opportunity for them. Even if they don't win, they can still leave a mark on him and demand better conditions. The first-years band together as the ranking matches begin.
The final ranking match between Ryo and Matsuda begins! No matter where Matsuda aims his shots, Ryo tenaciously returns them, and the frustration causes Matsuda to set aside his normally cool play in favor of recklessly chasing down the shuttle. The other team members who have finished their matches can't take their eyes off the game. How will their back and forth match end? And what will be the results of the ranking matches?
Yokohama Minato makes it through the Inter-High prefectural qualifiers and advances to the prefectural tournament. The individual singles matches begin. Yokokawa suffers a close loss against Hojo High School's Okazaki, but Yusa avenges him. Later, during the doubles matches, the team comes up against Hojo High School again. The twins face off against Okazaki and Arimura. The twins who seemed to be doing well and in high spirits are suddenly thrown off their game. Overwhelmed by Okazaki's intensity, Yoji crumbles under the pressure...
Five-time Inter-High champions Saitama Futaba Academy arrive for their practice match. However, the third-years that make up the main force of their team are absent. When they realize they've been underestimated, the members of Yokohama Minato are eager to fight. However, once the matches begin, it becomes clear that the difference in skill is great, and the first-years are defeated soundly. Among the Saitama Futaba players is a standout player named Date. With the skills to defeat even Hongo, he apparently has some history with Yusa...
First semester is over and summer vacation starts tomorrow. Ryo is lectured by Ebihara and his parents for his poor grades. Not wanting to quit playing badminton, Ryo studies as hard as he can. Even the night before the team leaves for the Inter-High, Ryo diligently works on his assignments. Though he does his best to catch up on his studies, he eventually falls asleep at his desk. When he wakes up in the morning, he has the chills. Ryo turns pale when he realizes he's messed up. He's caught a cold...
The training camp from hell begins. Ryo decides he'll make use of his perseverance, which is his greatest strength. As Ebihara taught him, he watches closely and thinks carefully as he follows the training schedule. While doing his laundry at the end of the first day, Ryo is deep in thought about Yusa and the other upperclassmen. They build their stamina regularly and seem perfectly fine even after a hard day of training. While Ryo is contemplating how impressive they are, Akira comes along. He seems to have figured something out and tells Ryo a certain story about Yusa...
The newbie tournament is scheduled for fall. However, Yusa and Yokokawa are busy preparing for nationals and won't be participating, which means an extra spot has opened up for the other team members. Of the two doubles spots, one of them will undoubtedly go to the twins. Sakaki and Ryo do their best to win the remaining spot. They begin practicing right away, but things don't go as well as planned. Both of them struggle to play on their uncoordinated team...
The training camp comes to an end. Ryo and the other first-years head to Akira's home for an after party and barbecue. Later, they head to a fireworks display with Ayumi and her friends. Ryo and Sakaki become separated from the others while visiting the food stands. Now that they're alone together, Ryo works up the courage to bring up a subject that's been bothering him: the fuzzy topic of dissolving their doubles team. Ryo wants to know how Sakaki really feels, but Sakaki dodges the question and refuses to face Ryo--
The newbie tournament begins. Ryo plays Matsuda in the individual event singles finals. Ebihara advises them to consider each other's strengths and weaknesses as they play. Finally, the match begins. Ryo utilizes the tenacity he possesses that Matsuda lacks, but Matsuda's skillful shots outperforms his strategy. As Matsuda's lead widens, Ryo begins to panic. Unable to find an opportunity to counterattack, Ryo feels increasingly cornered...
Ryo's long-awaited match against Shizuo and Hiroto begins unexpectedly. At Ebihara's instructions, Ryo targets Shizuo, who is injured. Though Shizuo is playing well, he suddenly feels a sharp pain in his leg and falls. Ryo is distraught, but Ebihara tells him to continue the attack. Ryo attempts to steel his resolve, but the burden accumulating in his heart clearly causes him to play poorly. When the match resumes, Ryo's mistakes become increasingly obvious
There are new faces on the badminton team. Middle school students planning to attend Yokohama Minato High School next year have begun attending practice, and Hana joins the team as a manager. In order to show off to Hana, the giddy boys take it upon themselves to practice with middle school student Shiba. However, Shiba won't listen to them. Despite his skill, Shiba is rumored to be an uncooperative maverick. The stormy new members give Ryo a headache.
Spring arrives, and Ryo becomes a second-year. His class is selecting committee members, but nobody volunteers to take on the burdensome responsibilities of the recreation committee. Ryo reluctantly accepts the job so the class can move forward. He holds a meeting to plan a class party, but his classmates are unenthusiastic. Ryo does his best to make the party a success despite the trouble they're giving him. Meanwhile, Yokokawa has troubles of his own. The badminton team is experiencing its own problems.
Ranking matches for the prefectural tournament are being held again this year. As usual, it's a round robin involving the entire team. During lunch on the day of the matches, the second-years hype themselves up by eating dishes such as tonkatsu for good luck. Later, while Ryo and Matsuda are returning to their classroom together, they overhear the third-years' conversation and learn how they truly feel as they complain about the second-years bound to place well in the ranking matches. Ryo ignores their complaints and focuses on the matches, but Matsuda's expression remains overcast--
The prefectural tournament begins. Yokohama Minato is off to a smooth start as they win their matches. However, Matsuda is shut out by Hojo High School's Okazaki in the quarterfinals. Okazaki burns with a fierce fighting spirit. This is his last year to get revenge on Yusa. His sharp and determined eyes have the intensity of a beast pursuing its prey. It's up to Ryo to avenge Matsuda as he takes on Okazaki in the semifinals. Ryo attempts to ignore Okazaki's provocation and focus on playing his way, but...
As Ryo contemplates what he lacks, the doubles final between Yusa and Yokokawa and the twins begins. The first-years hope for an upset by the spirited twins, but Ryo coldly watches their match. The twins don't stand a chance against Yusa and Yokokawa who know so much about competition. As Ryo is recalling how terrifying Yusa was, he notices the commotion taking place around him in the gym. When he returns to his senses, he can't believe what he sees. The twins have taken the lead against Yusa and Yokokawa.
Ryo is panicking. Only one month remains until the Inter-High. Unless he acquires the thing he lacks, he won't be able to beat Yusa. However, his desperation has made him lose sight of his surroundings. He's antagonizing his teammates, but he doesn't have time to worry about them. Unable to ignore his selfish behavior, Hana the manager finds the courage to give him some candid advice, but Ryo refuses to listen. Ebihara steps in, and Ryo is suspended from practice...
Summer vacation has begun. The badminton team heads to Okinawa where the Inter-High is being held. On the plane, the third-years look back on the events leading up until this point: Yusa's first practice at Yokohama Minato, how he met Yokokawa, and Misaki Shogo. According to rumors, Misaki went to a high school outside the prefecture to get away from Yusa. Their plane arrives at Naha Airport, where Yusa runs into an unexpected person: none other than Misaki Shogo himself.
The Inter-High has finally begun. Yokohama Minato makes steady progress and advances to the semifinals. Ryo nearly breaks under the pressure, but he overcomes it with help from his friends. Then the semifinals begin. Their opponent is Hirayama. Misaki is eager to play against Yusa in order to conquer his past trauma, but he doesn't get his wish and is instead matched up against Ryo. Ryo faces Misaki's resolve and passion and meets them with all his heart and soul!!
The team event finals begin. Their opponent is Saitama Futaba. Yusa and Yokokawa and the twins' doubles matches as well as Ryo's singles match begin simultaneously. Meanwhile, at school Isshiki and the other students are livestreaming the matches, and the twins' mother and Ryo's parents come to cheer them on. Hongo is also there on the other side of the screen watching with great intensity. With their hopes on their backs, the team is determined to make this the year they become national champions as they head into their final battle!!
Yokohama Minato finally wins the national championship. That night, they throw a small celebration at the hotel. As the party is in full swing, Matsuda arrives. He played a major role in their victory and collapsed from heat stroke immediately after the match. The entire team is delighted by Matsuda's recovery, and they're able to celebrate their win together. The individual doubles tournament starts the next day. Yusa steadily wins his games and gets closer to winning the triple crown. Ryo notifies his family, but for some reason he receives no response from Rika...
At last, the finals have begun. Yusa immediately begins attacking at the start of the match. He is clearly rushing the game. He must still be tired from the doubles final. Ryo settles on a strategy of running Yusa around the court. He eventually makes an impressive shot, but Ryo's careful observation of Yusa's movements reveal to him that that was no ordinary mistake. Yusa is protecting his right leg. Ryo is determined to win and goes on the offensive, targeting Yusa's weakness.
