Ayane-chan High Kick!

Meet Ayane Mitsui: a full-time high school student and part-time hand-to-hand combat specialist! Exams are forgotten and homework is neglected as she pursues her life-long dream of becoming a pro-wrestling champion. Ayane has what it takes - skill, determination, and a lethal "high-kick" - even a cool wrestling mask! But who will guide her to the top?

Enter Kunimitsu Tangay: a veteran trainer who is prepared to mold young Ayane into a championship caliber fighter. But his rigorous regimen isn't preparing her for wrestling... but for kickboxing instead! Feeling betrayed, Ayane is furious when Kunimitsu enters in a kickboxing tournament. But Ayane's school ABSOLUTELY FORBIDS such violent extracurricular activities. What will she do when Sakurako Miyagawa, the top contender of the All Japan Kickboxing League, challenges her to a duel? Will she be able to high-kick her way to victory - or will she get kicked out of school?

(Source: U.S. Manga Corps)

Mitsui, Ayane Main

Miyamura, Yuko Japanese

Miyagawa, Sakurako Main

Kawamura, Maria Japanese

Nakajima, Kayoko Main

Nishihara, Kumiko Japanese

Tange, Kunimitsu Main

Ootsuka, Akio Japanese

Principal Supporting

Chafurin Japanese

Vice Principal Supporting

Hirano, Masato Japanese

Commissioner Supporting

Ayane's Mother Supporting

Horikoshi, Mami Japanese

Tasaki, Kimiyo Supporting

Tano, Megumi Japanese

Toyota, Manami Supporting

Miyamura, Yuko Theme Song Performance

hide Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Lyrics

THE STREET BEATS Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Performance

Miyamae, Mitsuharu Art Director

Reviews

Oct 11, 2008

jmoriarty84

Recommended

This anime is ok. Maybe it was a pilot of a TV series that couldn’t really take off. Who knows. I felt if this was developed in the same way Hajime no Ippo is, then it could have really worked. The series leaves you wanting for more because Ayane just wins fights out of luck and not really on skill. Watching this makes you realize it does have a lot of potential if they went on with it. But I felt it had some flaws, like we don’t see Ayane taking her kickboxing license exam. I mean, shouldn’t she have realized that by then? I ... would have liked it if they showed us that just to see how she handled it and how she got her license to fight. It’s a major plot hole and doesn’t really make any sense. Then again, Ayane is portrayed to be a student with bad grades, so we are to assume she is a total ditz to some extent I guess.

And the rest of the cast is really generic. Like I’m assuming the Tange name is paying homage to Tange Danpei from Ashita no Joe, another anime I have reviewed in the past. They do develop some sort of relationship, but not really a father daughter relationship that could have worked like you see between Kamogawa and Ippo in Hajime no Ippo since you really don’t see Ayane’s father in this. It maybe would be cliché, but it works and feels natural. Sometimes clichés are a good thing in some animes. And then you got Miyagawa, she’s practically Ivan Drago and Floyd Mayweather packed in one. She’s like Ivan Drago with her training methods minus the steroids and how she’s a machine, and she’s like Mayweather flashing her wealth and how she publicly trash talks. So it’s your typical sports fight story but with a female perspective.

The design first of all is just typical of what you saw in most animes in the mid-1990s. It had the brighter resolution, and sharper faces and bigger eyes then you’re use to seeing. Pretty much what you see in other animes like Slayers, Tenchi, and Sabre Marionett J is what you see in this anime. So in comparison to most mid-90s anime out there, the art design isn’t really anything distinctive, but in no means what I consider un-tolerable.

The fights themselves, though only 2 are descent, just wish the anime could have taken the time and give the viewers an educational insight on kickboxing like how Hajime no Ippo does for boxing. Plus, the rounds are like 30 seconds each. It’s just the first round, Ayane is getting beat, 2nd round, she has her rhythm going on, and 3rd round, it’s even and Ayane gets lucky and wins. It’s too basic and one-dimensional and you don’t get different kinds of fights as you’d see in the other anime I’ve been somewhat comparing this too. It’s not about comparing boxing and kickboxing, but overall executing the concept of the central sport in relation to this anime. But I like how Kourakuen Hall is accurately represented from inside and out. I’ve been there three times and have fought there as an amateur once, so I feel like I can relate to it in that aspect.

For the dub, it’s actually not that bad. It’s nothing special, but nothing to a point where they’re intolerable or you don’t feel they have no representation to the personalities or the traits of the characters. I’m not familiar with too many dub actors with the exemption of like ocean studios so this is as far as I can comment on. So you can watch this anime whether you prefer Japanese or English and you’ll still get the same fulfillment.

But on the Japanese side, you got big names like Miyamura Yuko, the voice of Asuka from Evangelion playing Ayane; Ohtsuka Akio the voice of Snake from Metal Gear playing Tange, the trainer; and Yamaguchi Kappei the voice of Ranma and Inuyasha playing Ayane’s fight fan friend, Kappei. So seiyuu buffs such as myself should give this a shot. The music itself is very energetic. The theme songs give a fighting spirit feel to it, but also have a feminine touch. You also got the theme songs remixed into guitar for it to go with the training montages so nothing much to say.

By the time we get to this point of my review, you already get the idea that overall to the anime community. This is nothing too special. Which I’ll admit, but it’s still nothing really downright awful either. But I say if you like Hajime no Ippo and Ashita no Joe, Tough, or any martial arts action anime that doesn’t excessively defy the laws of physics, then this anime is for you. Despite the main character being female, it’s still appealing to both genders because of the action appeal though I wouldn’t really call the quality of the action high octane. People will probably love it or hate it for all the right reasons, or think it’s ok, also for the right reasons. It’s definitely worth a rental.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Aug 9, 2021

Banisoup

Mixed Feelings

Okokokok HEAR ME OUT. This is a VERY short anime. I went in completely blind and surprise surprise it was absolutely nothing new- but. It was honestly pretty enjoyable in the background. I was half watching half working but I was listening the entire time- It was honestly a lot of fun. There were a few intentional jokes that landed for me and I really don't think this show took itself seriously.

If you want something short, old, and fun to watch I would actually recommend this! Oh and it's not super pervy if that's something you like to avoid!

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Jul 4, 2015

Luquillo

Not Recommended

If there was ever a title that I would consider to be missed potential then it would have to be Ayane's High Kick. This very short series deserved a much longer run, because inside of this short OVA there's a story just screaming to be let out. Ayane's High Kick begins with a bit of promise, and it soon shows sparks of what it could have been, but it eventually falls victim to the low budget.

Fighting anime will normally follow a certain pattern. 1)Main character trains hard. 2)Main character fights very tough opponent and is driven to the brink of defeat. 3)Main character some how ... defeats said opponent that they normally shouldn't with lady luck on their side: This anime isn't really different as it follows that same pattern for the most part, but it's still kind of fun as you watch the main character try to overcome the obstacles.

The characters have very little to no depth and most fall in stereotypical roles, but it's still hard not to cheer for Ayane. Her clumsiness is classic and works well with the comedy. I couldn't help wonder how a die hard fan of pro wrestling did not notice she wasn't training for it. Is this dumb or what? She gives all wrestling fans a very bad name, but her clueless behaviour and excuses to get herself out of trouble adds the cuteness to her.

Ayane's High Kick isn't completely about the next fight. There are also sub plots taking place concerning the vice principal of her school, which furthers the anime stereotype of vice principals being evil. Ayane's school has a rule that forbids violent extracurricular activities. After her participation in a match, the vice principal is dead set on getting her expelled. She also has to keep her training secret from her mother. So there's a little bit extra going on here adding to the suspense. Unfortunately, because of the short length only one is well used.

The animation is decent for such a short OVA. The action scenes are fun, but suffer from the overuse of stills and reused animation. The artwork is ok at times with nice character designs, however it can be inconsistent also. This is very noticeable during the fights because the characters almost appear to be stick figures at times. The soundtrack is ok, and it fits with the personalities of the characters. On the downside, some of the songs are constantly replayed and the over exposure caused them to over stay their welcome. The English cast is alright for the most part, but Rose Markisello whom plays Sakurako Miyagawa speaks with too heavy of an accent when pronouncing her character's name. It actually grated on my nerves quite a bit.

The biggest problem that I have with this series is the very short length. Not only because the series left me wanting more, it also heavily effected the storytelling. Switching from wrestling to kick boxing is a huge transition as well as difficult. There could have been a great story told here with plenty of character development. Watching this character grow and prosper from beginner to pro could have propelled this series into classic status. The best example of a beginner turning pro while dealing with the hardships of a physical sport would be Fighting Spirit aka Hajime No Ippo; but then again, perhaps my imagination is just running wild here.

Ayane's High Kick is definitely wasted potential, and I really hope it gets picked up for a remake up one day. Ayane is an interesting character in a story that could have been very good but a weak anime is still a weak anime. It shouldn't have seen the light of day. The series feels badly rushed and the opened ending will leave everyone wanting more. This is an OVA I can't recommend at all; but the good thing is, the anime genre is over-saturated with action titles. So finding a better one won't be hard at all.

Highs: Decent action scenes and music, light hearted and fun

Lows: Too short and incredibly rushed

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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