Yawara! [Episodes 1-124]

Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl: A Timeless Slice of Life Sports Classic

Let’s cut to the chase—Yawara! isn’t just another sports anime. It’s a 124-episode journey that wraps judo throws, teenage awkwardness, and family drama into a package so warm, you’ll wish you could binge it with a bowl of ramen. Adapted from Naoki Urasawa’s manga and airing from 1989 to 1992, this series follows Yawara Inokuma, a high schooler whose life is turned upside down by her judo-obsessed grandfather, Jigoro. At first, she’s all eye-rolls and “I just want to be normal!” But by the final episode? Let’s just say she’s throwing more than just opponents.

The Good: Characters That Feel Like Your Friends (Or Enemies You Love to Hate)
Fans rave about how Yawara! makes you care—like, really care—about its cast. Yawara’s not your typical shonen protagonist; she’s messy. One minute she’s dodging judo practice to hang out with friends, the next she’s crying because she feels like her life isn’t her own. “Characters grow as the chapters pass,” says a viewer who rewatched the series as an adult, and it’s true. Even Matsuda, the pushy sports reporter who’s low-key in love with Yawara, evolves from a pest to someone you root for. His banter with Yawara? Chef’s kiss. “Everything was perfect finally Matsuda’s love wins,” gushes a fan, and honestly, their slow-burn romance is the kind of sweet that doesn’t make you cringe.

Then there’s the drama. Oh, the drama. Sayaka, Yawara’s rival, is the kind of character you love to hate—so much so that when she has her “I’m not crying, you’re crying” moment in an empty room, you can’t help but feel a little bad… until she starts talking. “Cry cry and cry again Sayaka!” one fan jokes, but deep down, we all know she’s more than just a villain. And let’s not forget Yawara’s dad, Kojiro. “I didn’t want a father like Kojiro,” a viewer rants. “He’s a great son of a bitch.” But that’s the magic of Yawara!—it makes you hate characters in the best way, because they feel real.

The Bad: Repetition and That Pesky “Forced Judo” Vibe
No show is perfect, and Yawara! has its flaws. Some fans found the “Yawara doesn’t want to do judo” schtick repetitive. “Finally ended and still I don’t like the idea that she’s being forced into Judo,” says one critic. Let’s be real—124 episodes is a lot, and there are times when you’ll want to shake Yawara and say, “Just embrace the throw already!” The pacing can drag too; a few episodes feel like filler, with subplots that go nowhere. And don’t get me started on the love triangle between Yawara, Matsuda, and that other guy—you know the one. It’s like, we get it, she’s popular, but can we move on?

The Verdict: A Must-Watch for Anyone Who Loves Heart
So, is Yawara! worth your time? Absolutely. Even with its slow moments, this series is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. It’s not just about judo—it’s about growing up, figuring out who you are, and realizing that sometimes the things you resist the most are the ones that make you shine. “They do not do anime like that anymore,” says a fan who watched it as a kid and rewatched it as an adult. And it’s true—Yawara! has a charm that modern anime often lacks. It’s funny, it’s sad, and it’s unapologetically human.

If you’re into sports anime that don’t just focus on wins and losses, or if you love stories about underdogs finding their way, Yawara! is for you. Just grab some snacks, settle in, and get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even pick up a judo manual (no pressure). As one fan put it, “This women-based sports anime was amazingly good… it had everything.” And honestly? They’re not wrong.

Final Score: 8/10
It’s not perfect, but it’s yours. And in a world of flashy animation and over-the-top plots, that’s more than enough.

P.S. Stick around for the post-credits scene—you won’t regret it. 😉