Love All Play (novel series)

Poplar Publishing

Industry	Publishing
Founded	May 2011 (2011-05)
Products	Novels (Poplar Bunko Pureful label)

is a Japanese novel series centered on badminton, authored by Asami Koseki. Poplar Publishing issued four installments between May 2011 and March 2014 under their Poplar Bunko Pureful label. The story was adapted into an anime by Nippon Animation and OLM, which broadcast from April through September 2022. Additionally, a manga adaptation illustrated by Dam Miyata was serialized digitally via Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump from April to October 2022.

Characters

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Anime

On August 7, 2021, an anime television adaptation was officially announced. The production was handled by Nippon Animation and OLM, with Hiroshi Takeuchi serving as director. Tomoko Konparu was responsible for series composition, Riko Kaneda took charge of character design, and Yuki Hayashi composed the soundtrack. The series aired from April 2 to September 24, 2022, on networks including ytv and NTV.

The initial opening theme song was performed by Hey! Say! JUMP, while Longman provided the first ending theme. For the second half of the series, Hey! Say! JUMP returned with a new opening theme, and the ending theme was delivered by Rei Yasuda.

Outside of Asia, Crunchyroll held streaming rights for the anime. Meanwhile, Medialink secured licensing for Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania regions (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

Manga

The manga adaptation drawn by Dam Miyata ran online on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump from April 8 until October 28, 2022. This manga series was later collected into three tankōbon volumes.

Previews

The first episode of the anime was reviewed by five editors from Anime News Network. Caitlin Moore complimented the animation’s "smooth and glossy" quality but remarked on the slow narrative pace and limited badminton action. Richard Eisenbeis valued the "solid human drama" presented but found the conclusion foreseeable. James Beckett questioned the episode’s appeal beyond badminton enthusiasts, criticizing its "chintzy soundtrack" and contrived dramatic moments. Nicholas Dupree labeled it an "average high-school sports show," noting uninspiring character dynamics and dull badminton sequences. Rebecca Silverman appreciated Ryo’s interactions with friends and family members, recommending watching further episodes to determine interest; she suggested it might attract viewers looking for sports-themed stories.

Series reception

Silverman reviewed the series’ first half, assigning a B− rating. She praised the distinct facial expressions of the cast—highlighting identical twins Taichi and Youji—their relationships both on and off the court, as well as Ebihara’s role as a supportive coach. However, she criticized the narrative for being "fairly cookie-cutter," pointing out "rushed and choppy" pacing during tournament arcs and a lack of sufficient badminton focus. Her conclusion stated: "Although it may not deliver the intense sports action some expect, it remains a decent series worth continuing into a second cour." Later, Silverman named Love All Play as the Worst Anime of 2022 due to its failure to adequately showcase sports sequences despite occasional highlights, expressing disappointment over time spent viewing it.