Rinkai!

Rinkai! was launched by MIXI as part of efforts to invigorate interest in keirin, especially among younger audiences and women.

The project began in December 2022 as the "Rinkai! Project" and included live events, online content, and promotional activities at major keirin races.

The anime adaptation was officially announced at AnimeJapan 2023, with real-life keirin athletes and influencers joining as guests and consultants.

The story takes place several decades after the discontinuation of the original Showa-era women's keirin, envisioning a resurgence as the RINKAI LEAGUE.

Female racers from across Japan, each with their own backgrounds, dreams, and quirks, represent their local velodromes ("home banks"), racing for glory and sometimes for deeply personal reasons.

Each character is named and designed in relation to their respective city, regional specialties, or cultural icons.

Izumi Itou, a girl from a hot spring inn family, is persuaded by friends and rivals to become a keirin racer, even though she has no prior sports experience but immense love for cycling.

Alongside Izumi, characters like Nana Hiratsuka, a Franco-Japanese prodigy, and Tsutsuji Kurume, a non-elite who rises to championship status, join the fiercely competitive keirin world.

A colorful cast of teammates and rivals forms, including idol-turned-cyclists, heirs of powerful families, data-obsessed strategists, and determined underdogs.

Episodes focus on their rigorous training at the Japan Keirin School, personal struggles, friendships, and the ultimate ambition to qualify for the “Rookie Final.”

Izumi’s journey is shaped by her relationship with supportive family, eccentric mentors like the legendary coach Sono Kouraku, and the rivalry with elite classmates like Nana.

The manga adaptation, “Rinkai! Azalea,” shifts focus to Tsutsuji Kurume’s humble beginnings, her pivotal relationship with her friend and rival Remu Tachikawa, and her decision to strive earnestly after a dramatic ultimatum.

• Keirin: A Japanese track cycling sport involving group sprints on a banked track, popularized as both a sporting event and betting spectacle.
• Home Bank: The local velodrome a racer represents and trains at.
• Japan Keirin School: The elite training institution where aspiring professional keirin racers undergo rigorous education.
• Rookie Final: A climactic race for new pro racers, serving as a major story goal.
• "Metabolism"/Deishya System: A system that forces underperforming riders into early retirement—an ever-present threat and motivator.

Anime

The Rinkai! anime aired on TOKYO MX, BS Fuji, and streaming platforms from April to June 2024.

The anime explores the journey from pre-enrollment to graduation at the Keirin School, with each episode shifting perspectives among the trainee racers, highlighting rivalry, teamwork, and personal stakes.

A unique real-life flavor is added with consulting and cameo appearances by former and current professional keirin racers such as Makibi Takagi.

Manga

“Rinkai! Azalea,” the manga adaptation, began serialization on MangaBANG! in April 2024, with art by Seishi Yamane.

The manga spotlights Tsutsuji Kurume’s underdog story as she transforms from a complacent competitor into a driven racer, inspired by her friend Remu Tachikawa’s determination.

The anime is directed by Takaaki Ishiyama with series composition by Hideki Shirane, produced by TMS Entertainment’s 6th Studio.

Former keirin champion Makibi Takagi supervised the cycling details, and the voice cast includes actors with real-life connections to the sport, like Azusa Aoi (Nana Hiratsuka’s voice), whose father was a pro racer.

The opening theme is “Windshifter” performed by Riko Sasaki.

The ending theme is “Override!” sung by the main cast members representing Izumi, Nana, Miko, Sachi, Kinusa, and Ai.

Both tracks capture the energetic and inspirational spirit of the series.

Rinkai! caught attention as a rare spotlight on women's keirin, a sport with deep Japanese roots but limited mainstream exposure.

It is notable for its close collaboration with real athletes, authentic depiction of keirin’s unique culture, and its effort to energize the sport’s image among younger generations, especially girls.

Official resources include a dedicated website, social media channels, and YouTube programming, with ongoing releases of Blu-rays and cross-promotional events at keirin venues nationwide.

The franchise features over 43 unique characters, each designed to reflect the charm and culture of their corresponding region, building not just a sports narrative but a journey through modern and traditional Japan.