Stars Align

Toma Shinjo has one mission: save his school’s tennis team. And his only hope rests on the talent of Maki Katsuragi, who’s reluctant to part from his studies. This will be the team’s last summer together unless they convince Maki to step on the court!

Stars Align (2019) is a Japanese animated sports drama series produced by 8bit, TBS and FlyingDog, broadcast on Bandai Channel and TBS. Toma Shinjo (voiced by Tasuku Hatanaka) is determined to save his junior high school's tennis team, and his only real hope rests on Maki Katsuragi (voiced by Natsuki Hanae), a gifted player who is reluctant to give up his studies and step back onto the court. Rintaro Futsu (voiced by Gen Sato) and Itsuki Ameno (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) round out the principal circle of teammates whose bonds are tested as the clock on their final summer together keeps ticking. The engine of the story is simple and personal: a small squad, a deadline built into the calendar, and one young player's hesitation standing between them and the championship they have been working toward. Each of the twelve episodes of this single season moves through practice sessions, friendships, and the quiet pressures of school life rather than relying on spectacle. Set in contemporary Japan, the series carries a gentle, sincere register, with coming of age feelings and a hopeful sense of youth. Fans of Haikyu!!, Ping Pong the Animation and Yuri!!! on Ice will find resonance in its sports-driven emotional core and its tender portrait of adolescent ambition.

Viewers broadly rate this single-season Japanese animated sports drama positively for its heartfelt school-tennis story and characters.

• Haikyu!!coming of age school sports drama with a team striving for a last championship
• Ping Pong the Animationslice of life sports anime centered on friendship and personal growth
• Yuri!!! on Iceyouthful competitive sports story with a reluctant talent pulled back into the game

Release Date

2019-10-11

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (91)

What is Stars Align about?

A junior high tennis team's last summer hangs on persuading a gifted but reluctant player to return to the court.

What is Stars Align like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Stars Align as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Stars Align violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Stars Align.

What did critics think of Stars Align?

Viewers broadly rate this single-season Japanese animated sports drama positively for its heartfelt school-tennis story and characters.

Which shows are like Stars Align?

Shows with a similar feel include Haikyu!!, Ping Pong the Animation, and Yuri!!! on Ice.

How long is Stars Align?

Stars Align: 1 season, 12 episodes.

Is Stars Align still running?

No, Stars Align was canceled.

Where can I watch Stars Align?

In United States, Stars Align streams on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel.