I have been watching sumo consistently since midway through the pandemic. It's been something I have always wanted to get into, but between the time commitment and it's availability, it has been a challenge to do such. However, with the pandemic in full swing for the last year, I've been able to really sink my teeth into the last four tournaments.
However, after each tournament, there's this disappointment of it being over. After 15 days of action, to not have something to look forward to each day is just a bit of a bummer. I am starting to relate to people when their favorite sport is out of season.
To combat this feeling of missing out, I've been watching a 26 episode series of a 1992 sumo anime called Aah! Harimanada. It is a lot of fun.
It does a great job of showing off all the rituals that happen throughout a sumo match in addition to the drama of rankings and titles. It's also kinda silly. Our protagonist is an Oozeki who is pretty proud. On the day of his ranking ceremony he declares if he ever loses he will retire that day.
He also wears badass masks on his entry into the stadium, ala masked wrestlers, much to the chagrin of the sumo committee and audience members. The kids throughout Japan love it, however.
It has never been licensed in the US, as such I've been watching fansubs on YouTube. Here's the first episode, you'll have to find the rest on your own.
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