Turkey!

Turkey! Time to Strike

Characters

Mai Otonashi

MAIN

Rina Godai

MAIN

Sayuri Ichinose

MAIN

Nozomi Mitaka

MAIN

Nanase Nikaidou

MAIN

Akebi

SUPPORTING

Suguri

SUPPORTING

Natsume

SUPPORTING

Anzu

SUPPORTING

Sumomo

SUPPORTING

Towa Hanamaki

BACKGROUND

Turkey! Time to Strike – Season 1: A Next-Level Anime That Redefines Sports and Time Travel

Turkey! Time to Strike (also known simply as Turkey! in Japan) is not just another anime—it’s a bold, audacious experiment that takes the seemingly mundane sport of tenpin bowling and catapults it into a narrative so unexpected, it’s rewriting the rulebook for anime originals. Premiering on July 9, 2025, on Nippon TV’s AnichU block and streaming globally on Crunchyroll, this series by Tatsunoko Production’s Bakken Record label and Pony Canyon is a genre-defying blend of sports, coming-of-age drama, and time-travel adventure. With its shocking first-episode twist, vibrant characters, and a commitment to keeping viewers guessing, Turkey! Time to Strike Season 1 is a standout in the Summer 2025 anime lineup. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this show a next-level experience, complete with unique insights and a critical lens that avoids regurgitating the establishment narrative.

The Premise: Bowling Meets the Sengoku Era

At first glance, Turkey! appears to be a straightforward sports anime set at Ikkokukan High School in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. The story centers on the school’s bowling club, led by second-year student Mai Otonashi, a prodigy bowler with a peculiar curse: every time she scores a “turkey” (three consecutive strikes), she inevitably follows it with “snake eyes” (a 7-10 split, the hardest pin setup to convert), leading to her team’s elimination in tournaments. The club’s five members—Mai, the passionate first-year Rina Godai, shy Sayuri Ichinose, fashion-forward Nozomi Mitaka, and nerdy Nanase Nikaidō—navigate the tension between enjoying their hobby and striving for competitive success. Rina, frustrated by the club’s lack of ambition, threatens to quit unless Mai proves her commitment to winning in a high-stakes match.

But then, in the final moments of Episode 1, Turkey! pulls the rug out from under viewers. A glowing bowling ball engulfs the girls in a mysterious light, transporting them to Japan’s Sengoku era (1467–1615), a time of warring shoguns and brutal battlefields. What begins as a story about high school bowling transforms into a time-slip adventure where the girls must survive feudal Japan, confront historical dangers, and somehow find their way back home—possibly with bowling as their secret weapon. This audacious twist, revealed only in the last 30 seconds of the premiere, has sparked heated discussions online, with fans on platforms like Reddit and MyAnimeList calling it everything from “a bamboozle” to “a hidden gem.”

What Makes It Unique?

1. A Genre Mash-Up Done Right
   Turkey! doesn’t just blend genres—it smashes them together with reckless abandon. The show combines the emotional stakes of a sports anime like Haikyuu! with the historical intrigue of The Twelve Kingdoms and the unpredictable chaos of an isekai, though it’s not strictly an isekai (a point of contention among fans). The result is a narrative that feels fresh and uncharted. One moment, the girls are arguing over bowling techniques; the next, they’re wielding bowling balls to fend off bandits in feudal Japan. The show’s ability to pivot from lighthearted club drama to life-or-death historical survival is both jarring and exhilarating.
2. Bowling as a Narrative Anchor
   Unlike other sports anime that focus on mainstream sports like volleyball or soccer, Turkey! chooses tenpin bowling—a niche activity rarely explored in anime. The show doesn’t shy away from the sport’s technical details, with cinematic bowling scenes that highlight pin action, lane conditions, and the emotional weight of each roll. Yet, it’s the integration of bowling into the Sengoku-era plot that’s truly innovative. In Episode 2, the girls use their bowling equipment to outsmart superstitious bandits, a scene described as having “a Kid in King Arthur’s Court sort of charm.” The series hints that a mysterious bowling ball, possibly unearthed from the past, is tied to their time-travel predicament, suggesting bowling will remain central to the story’s resolution.
3. A Plot Twist That Redefines Expectations
   The time-travel reveal in Episode 1 is one of the most shocking twists in recent anime memory, rivaling the genre-shifting premieres of School Live! or The Executioner and Her Way of Life. By presenting itself as a “cute girls doing cute things” sports anime only to veer into historical fantasy, Turkey! subverts viewer expectations in a way that feels earned rather than gimmicky. The twist isn’t just for shock value; it sets up a narrative that explores how modern teenagers adapt to a brutal historical era, forcing them to confront their personal flaws and team dynamics under extreme pressure.
4. High Production Value
   Directed by Susumu Kudo (Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club) and written by newcomer Naomi Hiruta, Turkey! boasts impressive production credentials. Yuki Hayashi’s music, including the catchy opening “Hyakunichisou” by the main cast and the emotional ending “Moshimo” by Taiyō to Odore, Tsukiyo ni Utae, elevates the show’s tone. Airi Takekawa’s character designs are vibrant and distinct, giving each girl a unique personality that shines through in both modern and historical settings. While some fans have expressed concerns about Kudo’s mixed track record, the animation quality, particularly in bowling sequences, has been praised as “cinematic.”

Critical Reception: A Polarizing Yet Promising Start

Turkey! Time to Strike has divided audiences, but its ambition is undeniable. On Reddit, fans have lauded its unpredictability, with one user comparing it to “Sound Euphonium but it’s bowling, then suddenly Twelve Kingdoms.” Others, however, feel “tricked” by the bait-and-switch, expecting a pure sports anime only to get a time-travel saga. Anime Feminist’s review notes that the show’s pacing can be uneven, lingering too long on the girls’ realization that they’re in the Sengoku era, but praises its “bald-faced conceptual audacity.”

The series’ ability to balance humor, drama, and action is a highlight. Episode 2, for instance, introduces the Tokura family, including characters like Suguri (voiced by Kikuko Inoue) and Akebi (Yuko Minaguchi), who add emotional depth to the historical setting. Critics appreciate how Mai and Rina’s rivalry evolves into mutual respect, with their bowling skills translating into survival tactics. However, some reviews caution that the show’s ambition might outstrip its execution, given Hiruta’s inexperience in anime and Kudo’s inconsistent directorial history.

Why It’s Next-Level

Turkey! stands out for its willingness to take risks. Unlike many anime that rely on established tropes or source material, this original series embraces the unknown, leaving viewers with “literally no idea where it could go next.” Its blend of modern sports culture and historical stakes creates a unique tension: how do five high school girls, armed only with bowling balls and teenage grit, navigate a world of samurai and warlords? The show’s thematic exploration of resilience, teamwork, and the pressure to win resonates universally, whether in a bowling alley or on a battlefield.

The series also taps into a growing appetite for anime originals that surprise and challenge audiences. As one X post notes, “If you want a fun seasonal anime to watch that’s about ‘wholesome’ bowling, then watch Turkey! Time to Strike. However, you MUST watch past the credits or the second episode won’t make any sense.” This sentiment captures the show’s ability to hook viewers with its unexpected direction.

Potential Pitfalls

While Turkey! has garnered praise, it’s not without flaws. The pacing issues noted in early reviews could become a problem if the series struggles to balance its dual settings. Additionally, the show’s reliance on a rookie writer and a director with a spotty resume raises questions about whether it can sustain its ambitious narrative over a 12-episode season. Some fans also worry that the bowling element might take a backseat to the time-travel plot, alienating those drawn in by the sports premise.

Why You Should Watch

Turkey! Time to Strike is a must-watch for anyone craving something fresh in the anime landscape. It’s a show that dares to be different, blending the niche appeal of bowling with the high stakes of historical adventure. Whether you’re a sports anime fan, a lover of time-travel stories, or simply someone who enjoys being surprised, Turkey! delivers a rollercoaster of emotions and ideas. Stream it on Crunchyroll, but heed the advice: don’t skip the credits of Episode 1.

Final Verdict: Turkey! Time to Strike Season 1 is a wild, inventive ride that takes bowling to places no anime has gone before. It’s not perfect, but its sheer audacity and heart make it one of the most unique offerings of 2025. Strap in for a strike—or a snake eyes—that you won’t see coming.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Episodes: 12 (ongoing as of July 23, 2025)
Rating: 8/10 for its bold vision, with room to grow as the season unfolds.