Having cherished classics like InuYasha during my formative years, I’ve always believed anime could benefit from dropping main characters into Japan’s Warring States era. The result feels refreshing, adventurous, and even daring. While a straightforward bowling-themed anime might still have been entertaining, it’s easy to imagine such a premise receiving approval far more readily than this cheeky bait-and-switch involving war and historical intrigue – so forgive me for not dwelling on alternate realities.
Though some viewers (particularly avid bowling enthusiasts) may feel let down by this sudden pivot, the fresh trajectory Turkey! has pursued captivates me. Part of this fascination stems from my passion for history – a field I’ve devoted significant time and academic resources to, completing graduate studies in medieval historiography. While my expertise lies more with 1400s English power struggles like the Wars of the Roses than Sengoku Japan, the era intrigues me enough that I’ll bring historical context into future analyses. As for actual bowling skills, let’s just say that – bonus – I recently tried the sport to better understand the gap between anime hype and my own physical capabilities. Consider the picture below:
Back to the content itself: Nanase’s apprehension about disrupting timelines through everyday items adds remarkable nuance. Her proactive warning to limit tissue usage – emphasizing that modern refuse might destabilize past ecosystems – demonstrates genuinely unexpected foresight in time-travel narratives! This focus rarely gets explored amidst bigger existential stakes.
Historical-meets-modern food interactions also shine. While I’m no gastroenterology scholar nor culinary historian, history studies naturally provoke curiosity about how diets transformed across centuries. The dynamic where Sumomo tries gummies while Nanase’s group pretends they’re “exotic fruit” introduces whimsical cultural contrast without moralizing. The accumulating hints this isn’t kithen-sink deja vu (is that ninja apprentice scientifically upgrading her tea snack, or broadly versed in chrono-fiction tropes?) showcase clever worldbuilding. Equally entertaining: Watching the leads embrace historical meals with such genuine enthusiasm – definitely not just polite nibbling for the camera!
Mai’s detached take about treating this as immersive historical cosplay makes perfect sense from a trauma mitigation angle. Let’s not sugarcoat it though: This era’s calculated brutality catches up, sooner rather than later. Speaking of brutality – that chaotic maneuver weaponizing a bowling ball for direct combat? As cartoonish as it gets, and yet the most satisfying anime sequence of the year so far.
Don’t sleep on the concept’s innate charm, though. Even without official data, I’m confident recreational activity patterns existed throughout time periods where societies warehoused actual dragons (metaphorically, of course). The fragmented availability of Viking-era board game pieces in archaeological records proves humans always seek entertainment alongside day-to-day survival. Seeing historically rich narratives celebrating human universals like fun while exploring survival strategies across centuries? Remarkably seamless creative integration.
Ultimately, this tonal juxtaposition – lighthearted bowling squad abruptly stranded between mass conflict and feudal alliances – powers the anime’s ironic brilliance. There’s something captivatingly absurd about evaluating gutter balls and geopolitical treachery on equal footing. The series barely breaks a sweat while delivering smart anachronistic humor wrapped in costumes that simultaneously scream ‘team night out’ and ‘approaching bloodshed’. And yes, the leading ladies still look fashionable wielding modern bowling accessories while dodging historical carnage.
Rating: 4
Available instantly on Crunchyroll is Turkey!-Time to Strike-.
News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com
