All Out!!

All Out!! was produced by the acclaimed studio Madhouse and premiered in 2016 as a television anime adaptation of Shiori Amase’s sports manga. The series was developed during a period where sports anime—specifically those focusing on team dynamics and personal development—saw a significant resurgence in popularity. The narrative centers on Kenji Gion, a small but tenacious protagonist who discovers a passion for rugby upon entering high school, marking a departure from more common sports anime tropes by focusing on a discipline that rarely receives mainstream animation attention.

The character designs and animation direction sought to balance the physical intensity of rugby with the nuanced interpersonal growth of the team members. While the series was noted for its commitment to accurately representing the technical rules and cultural nuances of the sport, it received mixed critical reception. Some viewers praised its earnest approach to the game’s unique ethos, while others found the animation style and pacing to be inconsistent compared to the high-octane visual standards typically associated with Madhouse's historical catalog.