Ep 1. Episode 1

The first episode of Stars Align season 1 introduces viewers to the show's protagonist, Toma Shinjo. Toma is a middle school student who is forced to move with his mother to a new town after his parents' divorce. Unlike many other anime shows, Stars Align is centered around a boys' soft tennis team, and Toma becomes quickly absorbed in this new activity.

Upon arriving at his new school, Toma discovers he has missed the opportunity to join the tennis team at the beginning of the year. However, he quickly learns that the team is anything but successful and is in desperate need of players. Despite his lack of experience, Toma takes it upon himself to form a new tennis club and recruit members.

Toma's enthusiasm for tennis stands in stark contrast to the other members of his team, who are apathetic at best. The team captain, Maki Katsuragi, is more interested in playing video games and rarely attends practices. Another member, Rintaro Futsu, is an excellent player but lacks confidence and regularly panics during matches.

As Toma works tirelessly to build a team, he is confronted by various challenges, including opposition from the school administration and conflict with other tennis teams. Additionally, Toma's own personal struggles begin to come to light, such as his difficult family situation and challenges with academics. Despite these obstacles, Toma remains undaunted and determined to bring the team together.

The rest of the episode centers around Toma's efforts to recruit new members and prepare for the upcoming tournament. He meets a potential new member, Yuta Asuka, who is already a skilled tennis player but is hesitant to join the team due to his previous bad experiences with team sports. Meanwhile, Toma's mother expresses concern over his commitment to tennis and his ability to keep up with his schoolwork.

The episode concludes with the newly formed team heading to their first practice match. Despite their lack of experience and cohesion, the team shows promise, each member discovering their own unique strengths. However, the match is ultimately cut short due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving the team with doubts and uncertainty about their future.

Overall, the first episode of Stars Align introduces viewers to a diverse cast of characters with varying personalities and problems. The show's focus on a boys' soft tennis team provides a fresh and unique perspective on the sports anime genre, offering insights into team dynamics and the often-overlooked aspects of athletic competition. With plenty of character development, drama, and exciting tennis matches, Stars Align is sure to captivate viewers and leave them eager to see what happens next.