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"Let's enjoy cycling!" - the catchphrase on the title of this anime. It actually describes pretty accurately what you can expect from Long Riders!
With beautiful visual, relaxing atmosphere and cute girls this anime promises you a trip around the beautiful Japanese landscape. The story primarily focuses on giving you the best introduction to what cycling for fun is like and it did it pretty well at least in my opinion. I enjoyed the hell out of this anime.

You can actually call an anime successful if it gets you interested in the topic it presents - this time it is cycling and to be honest ... I actually am currently pretty interested in riding long distances just because of this anime. With a concept I am so familiar with I didn't actually think much of Long Riders! when I first saw it nor did I expect to learn so much about bicycles and cycling in general. I Thought this anime as more of as an side dish alongside the other seasonal shows but it actually turned out to be one of my favorite shows of the Fall 2016.

Do you like lolis? Do you like Shoujo-Ai? Because if the answer to both of these is yes, you need to read this hilarious yet super-cute lolicon manga.

TL;DR at the bottom!

Also note that this is kind of a preview-review since at the time of writing only 3 chapters have been translated into english.

We are first introduced to one of our main characters, a normal 2nd year highschool girl named Mimika. At the first sight, she seems innocent but is actually a huge lolicon. After her introduction, we soon are introduced to our second main character, Yuzumori-san. She is a elementary schooler in her ... 4th grade. Yuzumori-san is cute, very captivating and a bit mysterious character at first glance which captures Mimikas attention at the first sight. This is how our story begins.

Yuzumori-san (the manga itself, not the character) is a comedic slice-of-life story about two girls getting to know eachother. The strong point of this manga is definitely it's humour so far.

The artstyle is very pleasant to eye and clean enough and the chapters aren't over long which makes the reading very easy. I love how the. Artist shifts between two or three different styles in chapters. One for the normal style which covers every normal scene where the characters either think or we are shown the background/city. Second being the cute style which is used when our main characters do something cute together, like eat ice cream and offer bites to eachother and stuff~. Last but not least the not-so-detailed, comedic artstyle which is used every now and then. It contrasts really well the cute parts.

TL;DR
Overall this easy-to-read, pleasant to eye, funny and cute at the same time -manga is a great readthrough if you are a fan of comedy and slice-of-life genres. I recommend this to everyone who enjoys a good romcom without much drama.

The sports genre.. if you're not a fan of it then it can't be helped but GODDAMN how much you're missing out. Most people don't start watching anime with the sports genre and even when they dive deeper into the vast sea of anime genres, it is one that usually is missed out.

Now how does Haikyuu, a simple series mean that you miss out a lot?

Well, a lot of sports genre is usually thought the same way as battle shounen where "friendship is magic" since many times in sports anime, as well as in Haikyuu also, shounen genre plays a great role. Even tough ... there are some moments that give you the shivs, make your hair stand up or get you super thrilled by a game, that's just one part of what makes Haikyuu so amazing. The real awesome parts are the most memorable characters, their individual in-depth development and the great comedy.

STORY

The story isn't anything new. A team sport: our main characters are obsessed with winning and want to make it to the nationals with their team. This is the basis for many team sport or solo sport game. It's just executed so well that you forget that it is kinda generic. While Haikyuu's storyline revolves around their team progressing towards the nationals, the ultimate goal, it is not the focus point of the story. In other sports animes, like KnB (Kuroko no Basket) or DnA (Diamond no Ace) where the team aspect is important they focus more on the skill aspect rather than, like in Haikyuu, the team synergy/team synchronization.

As the story progressess the team evolves. Sure their individual skills grow as well but that's beyond the point. One of the main characters, Hinata Shoyo, is a great example of that. The only time when we have focused on his individual development and skill growth a lot was in one or two episodes. Before that, we were given a quick flashback in the beginning of the first season of how he became what he is now. The first seasons' story as well as the seconds' focus on the combination plays of the team more than Hinata's solo growth.


ART

there are two main art styles here. The shounen artstyle, very riveting and intimidating which makes your heart throb. The other one is the more comedic artstyle, which is actually used quite a bit. One great plus of the show is how they use these two styles together. Because of the nature of the main characters, the comedic artstyles can be used everywhere. Because one of our MC's is so hyper and energetic it creates many great opportunities to use both artstyles. And when it comes to the former one, the shounen style, it makes everything extra exciting because we normally see our main character used in the more comedic artstyle.

The other main character that our story focuses on, is Tobio Kageyama. As he is seen as Hinata's partner throughout the series, he is characterized on the contrast side to Hinata. Where Hinata is energetic and easy-go-happy, Kageyama is more silent, serious and intimidating most of the time. Because he is the counterpart to Hinata and is the complete opposite of him, you can almost guess it, when he is normally used more in the shounen style, and suddenly used in the comedic style.. it is super hilarious. These two create one hell of a combination which benefit from each other in every aspect.

While other shows usually use quite flashy colors *looking at you KnB*, Haikyuu actually is one of those series where the color differentiation is not that flashy. Sure you can make the argument that Hinata has different colored hair than anyone else and one member of the core team, Nishinoya, has one part of his hair way different than the other but that's about it. It isn't used as generically as in KnB (it is the easiest one to compare this show to xD).

The general artstyle of the show, how the characters are drawn and what kind of backgrounds there are is very simple but still unique. I just love the way Haikyuu looks like.

CHARACTERS

I guess there is not much to say about characters anymore. The one and only being that Haikyuu really explores one or two players of the opposing team always. To some of the antagonistic characters we are given a full detailed backstory and Haikyuu really does that well. In the long running series it's always great to have a full in-depth backstory to every main- and side character (well at least to the bigger side characters).

What really is the advantage of this show is the fact that you can't hate anyone (at least I couldn't). Every single character is made so lovable, so interesting in their own way or relatable that they just seem to stick in your head. It is rare for team sport games to have memorable side characters since they usually are shown only for a little while and are not given much of a perspective. This is what separates haikyuu from every other sports anime. The second season of this show is the prime example of this.

SOUND

The shounen aspect of this anime really brings out the greatness of the voice actors/actressess. Be it Hinata's screaming "give me the ball!" Or the whole team giving the simultanious "bring it on" it is always a great moment that really highlights the characters themselves as well the team aspect and Haikyuu's own athmosphere. During the intense matches there are always playing these 'shounen type' songs which really lift the athmostphere to to max.

It isn't only during the games that the sounds are great. When giving a flashback, or Hinata and Kageyama are riling themselves up for the upcoming match, there can be heard awesome music playing in the background. So the soundtracks and voice actor/actress performances are alwyas top notch but what really highlights the most Haikyuu's sounds are the openings. The opening songs are probably one of the most intense, mood lifting and hyping song you could've hoped for.

You are most likely familiar with One Punch Man or Fullmetal Alchemist. Their openings are really the ones that get you riled up. They set the mood and get you ready for the epicness that is going to be unfold. Haikyuu rivals if not for some, exceeds these two. Haikyuu's openings, be it from season 1 or 2, are the best to get you ready for the show when it comes to the sports genre.


ENJOYMENT & OVERALL

Most of you who are reading this probably are a fan of sports genre. Then you should know that sports genres' anime are really enjoyable, especially when there are lovable characters and epic moments to share. These are what Haikyuu offers to you. Great characters, awesome shounen moments, intensive games featuring aspects from comedy to drama.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series and can proudly say that this is one of my all time favorites. As far as a single season by itself, it did pretty frickin' well. You can easily see that from MAL's score. Throughout the season it was always in the Top 20 highest rated of all time. When the season ended, no surprise, a sudden increase came, and now it is almost rivaling a place in the Top 10. That's how good it is.

Should you watch this series?

Fan of sports genre or not, yes. Absolutely yes. This is a great show to start the sports genre with or if you're familiar with it, why haven't you already seen this? Sure KnB was probably more popular but this is what sports anime should be like.

Story: 8/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 11/10
Sound: 10/10
Enjoyment: 11/10

Overall: 10/10

(EDITED VERSION;)
OPM specials don't fall short on comedy compared to the main series. I dare to say the specials have even better comedy and humour than OPM itself.

In the specials we follow the people around Saitama. Genos, Sonic, Bang (later on the whole S class). As 6/6 episodes have aired, we have gotten some quality comedy with especially Genos. I loved episode 3's parody on Ginga Densetsu Weed (the huntsman and Akakabuto, the one-eyed king of the mountains).

As the specials main focus is more on comedy we only get to see the people around Saitama in all kinds of conflicts less than fighting monsters. ... The animation quality is great and super as in the main series also.

I love how the people around Saitama always over-analyze things, especially Genos and Sonic. They are the best comedians of the show and bring so much to the series. Especially in last episode the whole (well, almost) S class was given screen time. Oh boy was that a treat!

As OPM had great, absolutely awesome music, the specials don't fall too short with it's catchy ending song. The OPM march song is super since it has the specials lyrics sung by, for example in ep 3, Sonic. We also get glimpses of other side characters who have yet to be on screen in the specials (Tornado & Mumen Rider[lol Mumen Rider only played part in the ending song but what evs]).

I thoroughly enjoy these specials. These are a great follow-up to the main series. These specials might yet to be the best ones I've seen so far.

Story: 8
Art: 8
Sound: 9
Characters: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Overall: 9

There is a reason for why this anime is ranked as #5 in the Top Anime Page.

Can you watch this if you're new to anime? Yes.
What you need to know, is that long type of anime series tend to have a slow start. Don't let that scare you off! Even without super intense fighting in the beginning, the series will catch you offguard and make you want to watch always one more episode.

As a typical shounen anime, the MC's power up throughout the series. The beautiful excecution of that is what makes HxH (2011) so much better than your average shounen/action. This series contains ... one of the best fight scenes ever made.

The art is great (Madhouse never fails, huh?) for the beautiful landscape but also for fighting scenes, characters and the way they made the show feel really alive and exciting. The character development in this series is great. Not only do the MC's power up and strengthen their bonds as the story progressess but the side characters get also developments.

If you somehow haven't already seen this anime, consider starting it now! not only do you otherwise miss a great anime but you also miss in my opinion one of the most episodes in anime ever. Yes this series has what it takes to be called a masterpiece.

Story: 10
Art: 10
Sound: 9
Character: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Overall: 10

The concept of this anime is familiar to most of you. A player gets stuck into video game (e.g. SAO, Log Horizon) where he/she is trying to find a way out.

The very simple difference between Overlord and other doppelgängers is the approach.
In overlord you get like the antagonistic (the main villain) kind of feeling.
The second difference is that MC is already capable of doing almost anything and is clearly out of every single ones league.

The way the story forwards is cool in its own way. The idea is probably nothing fresh or new but quite enjoyable.

Story: 8

With Madhouse Studios as the producer you can't ... complain about the art. Fight scenes & character designs are especially cool! What comes to the music, I didn't myself see it as the best (excluding the OP and ED)

Art: 10
Sound: 8

The character design was absolutely brilliant. The MC is seen as a firm leader while inside he is just your typical gamer. Every other character was either prefectly fit into story or was otherwise funny
Overall I enjoyed this anime throughout every episode always leaving me thrilled to see the next one. With a big cliffhanger left in the end I eagerly wait for possibly the next season?

Character: 10
Enjoyment: 10

Overall: 10