Prince of Stride: Alternative

Prince of Stride: Alternative is an animated sports drama series that aired in 2016 on AT-X. The show offers a captivating blend of fast-paced sports action, comradery among teammates, and high school drama set against the unique sport, Stride. As a relatively new genre of sport, Stride fuses parkour, relay, and sprint, making it a perfect setting for exhilarating animated action sequences.

The story revolves around an elite group of high school students at the Honan Academy who partake in the fictitious sport of stride, aiming to compete in the national Stride competitions, aptly called "End of Summer." Each team consists of six members: a relationer who sets the pace and dictates the relay points, and five runners who race across the city blocks, leaping over obstacles, climbing tall structures, and employing various parkour techniques.

The sport of stride is not just about running. It's a well-choreographed relay that requires precise coordination, combining speed, agility, teamwork, and strategy. The relationer's role is crucial to each race's outcome, as they have to keep track of each player's stamina and skills, assessing the best chances for their team to win. This makes every stride match nail-bitingly tense, free-flowing, and visually stunning.

At the heart of Prince of Stride: Alternative, we meet a former stride champion, Riku Yagami, his classmate Takeru Fujiwara, and the enthusiastic Nana Sakurai. Riku is unflaggingly energetic and passionate about Stride, while Takeru is methodical and analytical, shaping their team's approach to the sport. Nana, on the other hand, serves as the team's harmonizing relationer, determining the flow of each race and ensuring that every relay is perfect. Together, they attempt to revive the school's defunct Stride club and bring it back to its former glory.

As they recruit more members for their team, the story unfolds to reveal each character's backstory and motivations, developing them beyond their roles in the sport. The show puts a significant spotlight on the stronger and weaker relationships among the team members, adding layers of complexity and depth to their dynamics. As the stakes get higher and the competition tougher, it's how these characters grow together and balance their individual strengths and weaknesses that makes the series so engaging.

A notable aspect of Prince of Stride: Alternative is its visual representation of Stride. The vibrant color palette and detailed urban landscapes make for immersive racing scenes that hold viewers on the edge of their seats. The velocity and flow of the runners, the smooth transition of relay exchanges, and the high tension created all contribute to the thrill of this sport. On top of that, the fusion of traditional animation and 3D effects enhances not just the visual appeal, but also the perception of speed and motion, creating impressive, high-adrenaline action sequences.

Giving life to the intense sports action is the soundtrack that ranges from energetic rock music to heart-pounding electronic tracks. The sound design successfully amplifies the excitement, matching the intensity of the races and the emotions of the characters.

Moreover, this series strikes a great balance between drama and comedy, making it enjoyable and heartfelt. While it does focus on the thrill and intensity of stride, it doesn't shy away from showing the mental and emotional struggles that come with competitive sports. Moreover, it subtly addresses themes like teamwork, camaraderie, personal growth, and the essence of enjoying the sport.

To sum it up, Prince of Stride: Alternative is a distinctive anime series that successfully manages to captivate its audience with an innovative combination of sports action and high school drama. It is a perfect blend of visually stunning races, spirited teamwork, and evolving friendships, with just the right touch of humor and drama. Whether you're a fan of sports anime in general, or you're simply drawn to captivating characters and dynamic interpersonal relationships, this show delivers an alternative sports experience that's packed with creativity and excitement.