Binkan Athlete

Based on the game by Marine (brand of Marigold) Japan's female athletic teams are under intense training preparing for major competitions. They have a doctor that follows their development and stress, and she discovers that stress levels are compromising the full potential of many of the girls. So she decides to hire a massage guy that has a special ability to release stress from women. Then he works on many of the athletes with his special massage but at the end almost everytime the athletes give him a special reward thanking the stress release they just got.

Directed by Marine, Binkan Athlete leans on a strong ensemble — Hikaru Isshiki, Oma Ichimura, Domon Netsu — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 2009.