Saki
咲-Saki-Saki Miyanaga is a high school freshman who doesn't like mahjong. Ever since she was a child, she would lose her New Year's gift money during her family mahjong game. If she won, her parents would be upset, and if she lost, well, she lost. As a result, she's learned to play in such a way that her score differential always remains ±0: not good enough to win, but not bad enough to lose. When we meet her, she's being dragged to her school's mahjong club by an old friend. How will a girl who hates mahjong, yet has become adept at the game as a result of her upbringing, survive in this environment? (Sources: ANN and AniDB)
Reviews
rath.burdette - 2013-08-20 07:30:15
Let me make a confession:
When I first watched this series, I did not know a thing about mahjong. Ever since I watched this series for the first time, an online buddy of mine showed me Saikyo no 3D Mahjong; and then, that's when I really got hooked onto mahjong and this series. In fact, as a confession, I went about to watch this series at least 30 times. Yes, I had lost my mind! It helped having this series copied over into my work computer.
Anyways, if there's one thing this series delivers, its bottom line: "Mahjong is 'tanoshii'." Sure, you have the characters, their background, and some tournament drama. At the end of the day, the characters enjoy the game of mahjong - win or lose (preferably win).
Whether you know mahjong or not, this is a good series to start off with. If by any chance this series makes you curious about the game, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll get you started. Aww, heck, here's a Wiki:
Finally, the instant you learn (even a little) about the game, go ahead and rewatch it - only to blow your mind. Enjoy.
estelle.schroeder - 2013-07-01 02:00:44
Want serious Mahjong? Try Akagi instead. Saki plays it fun and easy, preferring thunderous entertainment over logic, plausibility, and critical thinking. This FUNtastic underground gem needs more love. MAL already has plenty of lengthy reviews for Saki, so I'll keep this one to the point:Pleasant Surprise #1:For such a seemingly low-budget title, it's voiced by an all-star cast of seiyuu. Pleasant Surprise #2:Rather than play out as gagworthy as I expected, the hints of yuri actually spiced things up. Nothing is ever explicitly stated, everything is implied, and the light yuri factor whimsically floats in that fun stage before relationships get all dramatic and serious.Pleasant Surprise #3:The sheer number of characters with depth. Even some opponents come fleshed out with backstories, allowing us to understand, care for, and maybe even side with the opposition for a match or two. Pleasant Surprise #4:I entered Saki not knowing jack about Mahjong. I left Saki not knowing jack about Mahjong (except how one must exclaim a string of unrelated but awesome-sounding words as if spewing obscenities when revealing a good hand). Yet it still somehow managed to hold my interest so dearly! Pleasant Surprise #5:Again, for such a seemingly low-budget title, the visuals are bright, lively, and all-around surprisingly well done. Pleasant Surprise #6:The insane addiction. I don't really get addicted to anime very easily, but from the time I started to the time I finished, I simply could not get this show out of my mind. Mmmhh, one more episode... Pleasant Surprise #7:Yuuki. I usually hate watching characters that follow this silly and hyperactive archetype, but she actually fit well in Saki. The only character I had a problem with was the only male in the main group: Kyoutarou, for being so uselessly flat and static. Everyone else: swell.You know you love an anime when you get to the last episode dejected from having to leave that world, rather than feeling relieved from it.