GIANT KILLING

Giant Killing is a series that holds great promise. Its one-of-a-kind focus on the tactical, managerial, and organizational challenges of upper-echelon competitive football tells a story of the drama that surrounds the football pitch. The tension for those off the field is far more intense than those on the field.

Unlike the players whose singular focus on giving their all during a game insulates them from moment-to-moment emotional swings, fans in the stands are living and dying with each dribble, tackle, and pass, the managers are furiously thinking of tactics to ensure victory for their side, and the executive leadership at each club are intently watching, knowing that the future of their organization is at stake.

Despite being a series about football, the series is at its weakest, least engaging, when a match is being played and the ball is being kicked around on the field. There in lies the danger for this series. It advertises a series of Giant Killings where Tatsumi, the manager and main character, leads his players to defeat far more successful football teams. But focus on killing too many giants and the series becomes just like any other football series and loses its unique appeal.

The series starts off on a strong note. I hope that it stays that strong. Permalink " "