Tonbo! - Season 1

Golf Barakamon it is not... Tonbo! (aka Dragonfly!) is a sports family drama that handles the dramatic and familial aspects fairly well but doesn’t bring anything unexpected to keep the viewer on edge. The entire first season mainly revolves around the theme that one shouldn’t run away from their problems — no more "sticking your head in the sand." When it comes to the golf aspect, we get plenty of general and expert tips (like the importance of wind direction and strength, the quality of the grass, shot placement...), and we see a few different shots, but no real matches yet. Unlike sports shounen like the recent Rising Impact, the golf here feels pretty realistic—no special shots or colorful effects — just plain golf, which might come off as a bit dull to some. Plus, you have to accept that in Japan, even small islands can have perfect golf courses with well-manicured greens... As for the characters, I quickly grew fond of the main heroine. She's energetic, likable, and interesting. Igarashi is also good, and even some of the side characters stood out. I found myself rooting for the local idiot in his romantic struggles, and this subplot was wrapped up nicely, albeit with a touch of unnecessary melodrama. Bunpei's grandmother's short speech about men who prioritize their moms or grandmas over their wives not being fit for marriage was surprising, and I wholeheartedly agree with it. Animation-wise, it was decent, but knowing what studio OLM is capable of, it was a bit of a letdown. It was also clear from the heavy use of CGI (like moving balls and clubs) that the budget wasn’t very high. The music was quite bland. Overall, we have an interesting and charming introduction, with a thorough presentation of the main characters, their backgrounds, joys, and sorrows. With the next (already announced) season, we'll probably see more actual golf, and I’m curious to see how the matches and tournaments will be depicted or if the series will continue to focus heavily on family drama... First season – 6.3/10. (06/29/2024)