Before we take the week off in recognition of Canada Day and the Fourth of July, even we have to offer our picks on how to spend the start of an animated summer with Netflix. More lists and reviews will be coming after we recharge!
July is surprisingly quiet for viewers wondering what to watch on the streaming front. Apple TV+ and Prime Video are largely relying on returning series, making it easy to begin your animated summer with Netflix. Disney+ also has a couple of worthwhile additions.
Aside from Sparks of Tomorrow (see my preview), there are no major original animated premieres until August. Fortunately, the wait isn’t long. Kyoto Animation returns with an original television series, Ricky Gervais makes his animated sitcom debut for the streamer, and one of manga’s most influential classics receives a fresh reimagining.
Sparks of Tomorrow July 5
Produced by Kyoto Animation and based on Hiro Yūki‘s light novel 20 Seiki Denki Mokuroku, the series unfolds in an alternate version of early 20th century Kyoto where steam technology flourishes instead of electricity. The story follows Kihachi Sakamoto, a young inventor who dreams of ushering in a new age alongside his older brother. After tragedy tears those dreams apart, he crosses paths with Inako Momokawa, the daughter of a sake brewer, and together they rediscover hope through science and innovation.
The project also marks Minoru Ota‘s directorial debut and showcases Kyoto Animation’s painterly backgrounds inspired by Impressionist artwork.
The First Slam Dunk movie is a must for any sports anime fan’s library. Although it’s not an introduction to this series, it’s in fact the last chapter. After a long journey from specialty screenings to festivals, it’s finally available on home video. And I’m happy that it’s “ended” on a positive note.
This IP reached the height of its popularity back in the late 90s, and in China, it remains very popular even to this day! Although the interview with Takehiko Inoue doesn’t explain why, the official reason is that it came out during the height of the basketball craze. I suspect there’s more since it’s about team comaraderie, something Chinese people love to be proud of. But to see why he enjoys this show is important too.
Although Actionary Limited is shelling out lots of money to get the licensing rights to various pop culture properties to produce medals to be the Conqueror of reducing one’s waistline, what’s produced is nothing special in the long run.
Honestly, I’m not up to taking on virtual walkabouts into iconic fantasy worlds in The Conqueror’s catalogue anymore. They seem to be more like The Empire these days because all they care to offer are goods that aren’t all that well designed. After finding their first offering set in the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien was not a limited “run,” I’m just not keen on the rewards anymore. Since anyone can get a medal of accomplishment, there really wasn’t a one ring to rule them all.
Instead, there’s many. This company’s Star Wars Challenge hardly feels worthwhile either when there’s nothing special about it. I find that the marketing for this product doesn’t even reflect upon the updated lore, where “A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him will ultimate balance in the Force be restored.”
The Soccer Football Movie is more of a Weird Al movie than another CGI animated sports film. When this talent is nearly everywhere in the media these days, his popularity meter going on the rise should be no surprise. Following the wild and crazy fictional biopic of the singer (my review can be read here), this tale featuring him than voicing another character is just as zany. But he alone can’t carry a film.
The story is essentially Space Jam. The premise is the same–someone wants to steal the special ability of a sports star to use elsewhere. Instead of an alien threat, we have a fellow human who is perhaps jealous of other’s stardom. Had there more of an emphasis on this theme, there’d be a story.
Instead, what’s presented is a story about four kids–O’Dang (Kieran Walton), Zana (Madison Zamor), Nautai (Tania Gunadi) and Palio (Arnie Pantoja)–getting to meet their rugby hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Megan Rapinoe (both doing great jobs at voicing themselves). As their encounter goes from bad to good, and they win his heart, he offers them season tickets. But when he doesn’t return to give them their reward, that’s because he’s been “kidnapped.” That’s because Al wants to be more than a king of the world, and all those songs he wrote is actually about how he wants to be a surgeon and mad scientist after all.
Shout! Factory and Eleven Arts Released July 5, 2022
Prince of Tennis’ new movie is all song and dance. Titled, Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis <Decide>, I wasn’t too sure about what to expect but when I’m a fan of musicals and West Side Story, it’s worth the watch. The drama examines the relationship between father and son, and dispenses with any sci-fi style elements to get to the chase.
To be honest, not many cinematic musicals about aiming for the top in some sport exist. While there’s many anime musicals set in different genres, to have an animated franchise annually releasing a work in this subgenre is much rarer. This 23-year-old franchise had regular stage shows, and this latest follows in that tradition.
This film continues the story of tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen. He’s determined to take his game to the next level, but to do so means learning from the best. After he saves classmate Sakuno from some thugs (where two tennis balls collide like two atoms in a hadron collider), he’s magically transported to the past and meets his much younger parent. He knows that reveal himself is a bad idea, otherwise the timeline would unravel.
Eleven Arts and Shout! Factory Coming to VOD and DVD: July 5, 2022
Game, Set, Match! This summer, get ready as the tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen and his friends will grand slam your heart in a thrilling new adventure. This cinematic adaptation is based on the blockbuster Japanese sports manga series and its sequels created by renowned manga author Takeshi Konomi.
With 60 million copies sold over 22 years, Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis is the first CG anime movie from this popular franchise. Featuring an all-new storyline with music and lyrics by Konomi and directed by Hiroshi Koujina (City Hunter, The Vampire Dies in No Time), this highly anticipated movie finally makes its long-awaited North American home entertainment debut following its nationwide theatrical release.
Available for the first time in North America, the collectible Blu-ray + DVD combo pack boasts an exciting movie presentation (featuring English audio and Japanese audio with English subtitles) with special bonus content – Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis edition. This is the full-length alternative cut of the movie that includes different scenes featuring Hyotei team captain Keigo Atobe and Shitenhoji team captain Kuranosuke Shiraishi.
A definitive entertainment release that will score well with anime and pop culture enthusiasts and collectors, this title is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com and will be available in stores and other fine retailers.
July is surprisingly quiet for viewers wondering what to watch on the streaming front. Apple TV+ and Prime Video are largely relying on returning series, making it easy to begin your animated summer with Netflix. Disney+ also has a couple of worthwhile additions.
Honestly, I’m not up to taking on virtual walkabouts into iconic fantasy worlds in 
