Slow Step – The 1991 anime and manga series

5 March 2024

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“Slow Step” is a manga that combines elements of romance and sport, written by Mitsuru Adachi and published by Shogakukan in Ciao magazine. The narrative extends from September 1986 to March 1991, concluding in seven volumes. The story later found new life through a five-episode OVA (Original Video Animation) adaptation in 1991, directed by Kunihiko Yuyama. While faithful to the source material, the anime has some divergences, including a different ending.

“Slow Step” follows the vicissitudes of Minatsu Nakazato, a very popular high school student, who finds herself having to deal with the unwanted romantic attention of multiple boys and a teacher. Minatsu's strategies to evade these courtships become increasingly complex, leading her to take on alternative identities. The plot unfolds through moments of daily school life, embellished with sporting nuances, including boxing and softball, which enrich the narrative with vibrant dynamics and moments of personal growth.

The peculiarity of "Slow Step", as typical of Mitsuru Adachi's works, lies in the ability to masterfully intertwine the lightness of the romantic genre with the emotional depth of the characters, all set in a sporting context which does nothing but amplify the themes background such as friendship, competition and self-discovery. This manga, therefore, turns out to be a delicate journey through the complexities of adolescence, where love affairs and sporting challenges come together to create a fascinating and engaging story.

The OVA version, while maintaining the spirit and main themes of the manga, introduces variations that enrich the visual experience, offering fans an alternative perspective on some events and character development. Although “Slow Step” may seem at first glance to be a simple story of sport and love, the depth with which the themes are explored and the care taken in the construction of the characters make it a memorable work in the field of shōjo manga and Japanese animation .

Characters

Minatsu Nakazato / Maria Sudō Minatsu Nakazato, an ace pitcher in the Asaoka High School softball club, finds herself at the center of the amorous attentions of both classmate Shū Akiba and coach Yamazakura. Through her secret identity as Maria Sudō, Minatsu escapes from local thugs and crosses paths with Naoto Kadomatsu, his neighbor. Daughter of a not very famous professional wrestler, Minatsu is characterized by a direct and sometimes abrupt attitude. In the anime, her story takes a romantic turn which leads her to marry Kango Yamazakura.

Shu Akiba A cheerful and somewhat reckless boy, Shū is Minatsu's classmate and a member of the Asaoka High School boxing club. Son of a company president, he is madly in love with Minatsu. The rivalry with Naoto Kadomatsu pushes him to join the boxing club and to give his all to try to win Minatsu's affection.

Naoto Kadomatsu A third-year student at Jōsei High School and boxing champion, Naoto lives in the same building as Minatsu, despite attending another school. He falls in love at first sight with Minatsu's alter ego, Maria Sudō, and discovering that Maria and Minatsu are the same person, he finds himself in rivalry with Shū both in the ring and in winning Minatsu's heart.

Kango Yamazakura A teacher at Asaoka High School and advisor to the softball and boxing clubs, Kango's aspirations as a professional boxer were interrupted by the need to care for her niece Chika after her sister's death. He is characterized by an inappropriate fixation and unwanted attention towards female students. In the anime's conclusion, he finds love in Minatsu, with whom he gets married.

Ayako Sawamura An independent and reserved girl, Ayako is the only one capable of receiving Minatsu's throws. She harbors feelings for Coach Yamazakura and she decides to join the softball club to get closer to him. After a rejection, she temporarily steps away from softball, only to return for the team rather than the coach. Her story takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with the new teacher Somei, who falls in love with her despite her fear of women, excluding her mother.

Chika Tanaka Yamazakura's orphaned niece, despite her young age, Chika demonstrates great reliability, taking care of her uncle's house and meals almost entirely. She has a special affection for Minatsu and dreams that she and Yamazakura can find happiness together.