Love All Play

Mizushima Ryo’s dream of attending Yokohama Minato High School is reignited by a visit from coach Ebihara.

Mizushima Ryo, a member of the badminton team, previously harbored a desire to attend Yokohama Minato High School alongside the player he deeply admires. However, he ultimately abandoned this aspiration, believing the goal to be unattainable. His perspective shifts when Ebihara, the badminton coach at Yokohama Minato High School, pays Ryo a visit. This encounter introduces a new possibility for Ryo, challenging his previous resignation and potentially altering his future path within the sport.

Ryo joins the badminton team practice at Yokohama Minato before high school

Ebihara enables Ryo to take part in badminton team practices prior to his high school enrollment. He trains alongside peers recruited by Ebihara from various schools as well as his idol, Yusa. The activities take place at Yokohama Minato. This opportunity allows Ryo to engage with the team and his admired classmate before the start of his new academic phase. The narrative focuses on these preparatory sessions and the interactions within the group.

Students arrive at school to begin their academic day

First-years unite against Yusa's harsh treatment during ranking matches

As Inter-High qualifier ranking matches near, first-year students voice frustration over their poor treatment, including the lack of personal lockers and Yusa’s overbearing behavior. They view these competitions as a chance to challenge their superior and demand improved conditions, regardless of the outcome. Even without winning, they aim to leave a lasting impression on Yusa. United in their dissatisfaction, the group prepares to face the upcoming matches together, seeking to assert their rights and improve their situation through collective action during the tournament.

Ryo and Matsuda engage in a tense final ranking match that tests their skills.

The decisive ranking match between Ryo and Matsuda commences. Ryo consistently returns Matsuda’s shots with tenacity, causing Matsuda to abandon his usual composure and play recklessly as he chases the shuttle. This shift in strategy frustrates Matsuda, altering the dynamic of their duel. Meanwhile, other team members who have completed their respective matches watch the intense exchange with rapt attention. The narrative focuses on the back-and-forth nature of this specific confrontation and leaves the outcome of the match open. It also raises questions regarding the final results of the broader ranking matches, highlighting the pressure and skill involved in this critical encounter.

Twins advance through Inter-High qualifiers facing Hojo High School in singles and doubles matches

Yokohama Minato clears the Inter-High prefectural qualifiers to reach the prefectural tournament. In individual singles, Yokokawa loses narrowly to Hojo High School's Okazaki, but Yusa secures a victory for the team. The squad encounters Hojo High School again during the doubles segment, where the twins compete against Okazaki and Arimura. Although the twins initially appear confident and energetic, their performance falters unexpectedly. Yoji becomes overwhelmed by Okazaki's intense play style and collapses under the resulting pressure, disrupting their momentum in the match against the opposing pair.

Saitama Futaba Academy arrives for practice despite missing key third-years

Saitama Futaba Academy, a five-time Inter-High champion team, arrives for a practice match with their main third-year force absent. Yokohama Minato players, eager to prove themselves after being underestimated, face a stark reality once the matches begin. The significant skill gap leads to a sound defeat for Yokohama Minato's first-years. Among the Saitama Futaba roster is a standout player named Date, who possesses the ability to defeat even Hongo. This formidable opponent appears to share a specific history with Yusa, adding a layer of personal tension to the one-sided contest.

Ryo struggles with grades and illness before the Inter-High tournament departure

With the first semester concluded and summer vacation beginning, Ryo faces criticism from Ebihara and his parents regarding his academic performance. Determined to continue playing badminton, he commits to rigorous study sessions. On the eve of the team's departure for the Inter-High, Ryo works diligently on his assignments until exhaustion causes him to fall asleep at his desk. Upon waking the next morning, he experiences chills and realizes he has contracted a cold, jeopardizing his ability to participate in the upcoming tournament despite his efforts to balance sports and schoolwork.

Ryo applies Ebihara's lessons to endure the grueling training camp.

The intense training camp commences, challenging the participants with extreme physical demands. Ryo resolves to leverage his perseverance, identified as his primary strength, to survive the ordeal. Guided by Ebihara’s instruction, he observes carefully and thinks critically while adhering to the rigorous schedule. During laundry duties on the first day, Ryo reflects on Yusa and the upperclassmen, noting their consistent stamina and ability to withstand hard training without issue. He admires their resilience. Akira approaches him, appearing to have realized something significant. He shares a specific story concerning Yusa, adding a new layer of intrigue to Ryo’s experience at the camp.

Sakaki and Ryo compete for a doubles spot while twins secure the other.

With the new tournament set for autumn, Yusa and Yokokawa are occupied with nationals preparations and cannot participate. This absence creates an additional opening for the remaining team members. Two doubles positions are available, and it is certain that the twins will claim one of them. Consequently, Sakaki and Ryo strive to win the final spot. They start their training immediately, but their efforts do not yield the expected results. The pair faces significant difficulties as they attempt to coordinate their gameplay on a team that lacks synchronization.

Ryo confronts Sakaki about ending their doubles partnership during a fireworks display.

The training camp concludes, and the first-year students gather at Akira's residence for a barbecue and after party. Later, the group attends a fireworks show accompanied by Ayumi and her friends. While exploring the food stalls, Ryo and Sakaki drift apart from the rest of the group. Seizing the opportunity to be alone, Ryo finally summons the courage to address a lingering concern regarding the potential dissolution of their doubles team. He seeks Sakaki's honest feelings on the matter, but Sakaki avoids the question and refuses to make eye contact with Ryo, leaving the conversation unresolved.

Ryo faces Matsuda in the individual singles finals while Ebihara offers strategic advice.

The new tournament commences with the singles final between Ryo and Matsuda. Ebihara advises both competitors to analyze each other's strengths and weaknesses before the match starts. Ryo relies on his tenacity, a trait Matsuda lacks, but Matsuda's skilled shots prove superior to Ryo's strategy. As Matsuda extends his lead, Ryo begins to panic. He struggles to find an opportunity to counterattack and feels increasingly cornered as the game progresses.

Ryo's unexpected match against Shizuo and Hiroto begins under Ebihara's orders

Ryo's long-awaited match against Shizuo and Hiroto begins unexpectedly. At Ebihara's instructions, Ryo targets Shizuo, who is injured. Though Shizuo is playing well, he suddenly feels a sharp pain in his leg and falls. Ryo is distraught, but Ebihara tells him to continue the attack. Ryo attempts to steel his resolve, but the burden accumulating in his heart clearly causes him to play poorly. When the match resumes, Ryo's mistakes become increasingly obvious.

New middle schoolers join practice while Shiba proves difficult for the team.

Middle school students intending to enroll at Yokohama Minato High School next year have started attending badminton practices, bringing fresh faces to the group. Hana officially joins the team in the role of manager. Eager to impress her, the enthusiastic male members decide to showcase their skills by practicing alongside Shiba, a middle school student. However, Shiba refuses to cooperate with their efforts. Although he possesses considerable talent, he is known as an uncooperative maverick who does not listen to others. The arrival of these stormy new members causes significant stress for Ryo, giving him a headache as he deals with the difficult dynamics within the team.

Ryo leads the recreation committee while Yokokawa faces badminton team issues

With spring arriving, Ryo advances to his second year. His class needs to choose committee members, but no one volunteers for the demanding recreation committee role. Ryo reluctantly takes the position to help the class progress. He organizes a meeting to plan a class party, but his peers show little enthusiasm. Despite their lack of interest and the difficulties they present, Ryo strives to ensure the event is successful. At the same time, Yokokawa deals with separate challenges as the badminton team encounters its own internal problems.

Second-years eat tonkatsu for luck before ranking matches while third-years complain.

Prefectural tournament ranking matches return as a round robin involving the entire team. During lunch on match day, second-years eat dishes like tonkatsu for good luck. Ryo and Matsuda overhear third-years complaining about the second-years' expected success. Ryo ignores the complaints and focuses on the matches, but Matsuda remains visibly upset.

Yokohama Minato advances while Ryo faces Okazaki in the quarterfinals

The prefectural tournament commences with Yokohama Minato securing a smooth start through consecutive match victories. However, Matsuda suffers a shutout defeat against Hojo High School’s Okazaki during the quarterfinals. Okazaki displays a fierce fighting spirit, driven by a desire for revenge against Yusa in what is his final year to achieve this goal. His sharp, determined gaze carries the intensity of a beast hunting its prey. Following this loss, Ryo steps up to avenge Matsuda by facing Okazaki in the semifinals. Ryo attempts to disregard Okazaki’s provocation and concentrate on his own playing style, but the match presents significant challenges.

Ryo observes the doubles final between Yusa and Yokokawa as the twins make a surprising comeback.

While Ryo reflects on his own shortcomings, the doubles final match between Yusa and Yokokawa commences. The first-year students eagerly anticipate an upset victory for the spirited twins, yet Ryo watches the proceedings with detached indifference. The twins initially appear unable to compete against Yusa and Yokokawa, who possess extensive knowledge of competitive play. As Ryo recalls the intimidating nature of Yusa, he becomes aware of a disturbance occurring within the gymnasium. Upon refocusing his attention, he is stunned to witness the twins unexpectedly taking the lead against the experienced pair, defying the earlier expectations of their defeat.

Ryo’s desperation causes suspension after ignoring Hana’s advice before Inter-High

With only one month remaining until the Inter-High tournament, Ryo panics over his inability to defeat Yusa without acquiring a specific missing element. His urgent desperation causes him to lose awareness of his surroundings and antagonize his teammates, as he feels he lacks time to consider their feelings. Manager Hana finds the courage to offer candid advice regarding his selfish behavior, but Ryo refuses to listen. Consequently, Ebihara intervenes in the situation, resulting in Ryo being suspended from practice. This disciplinary action highlights the tension between Ryo’s singular focus on victory and the team dynamics he has neglected during his frantic preparation for the upcoming competition.

The badminton team travels to Okinawa for the Inter-High, where Yusa unexpectedly encounters Misaki Shogo.

Summer vacation begins as the badminton team travels to Okinawa for the Inter-High tournament. During the flight, third-year students reflect on past events, including Yusa’s first practice at Yokohama Minato and his meetings with Yokokawa and Misaki Shogo. Rumors suggest Misaki attended a high school outside the prefecture to avoid Yusa. Upon arriving at Naha Airport, Yusa encounters an unexpected individual: Misaki Shogo himself. The group prepares for the upcoming competition while navigating these personal revelations and the tension surrounding their shared history. This journey marks a significant step in their development as they face the challenges of the tournament ahead.

Yokohama Minato advances to semifinals while Ryo faces intense pressure and Misaki awaits his match.

The Inter-High tournament commences as Yokohama Minato steadily progresses toward the semifinals. Ryo struggles with overwhelming pressure but manages to overcome his difficulties with support from his friends. As the semifinals begin, the team faces Hirayama. Misaki hopes to play against Yusa to conquer his past trauma, but he is instead paired against Ryo. Ryo confronts Misaki’s resolve and passion, responding with his full heart and soul in this pivotal match.

Team event finals commence against Saitama Futaba with simultaneous matches and intense spectator support

The team event finals commence against Saitama Futaba, featuring simultaneous doubles matches for Yusa, Yokokawa, and the twins, alongside Ryo’s singles match. At school, Isshiki and other students livestream the competition while the twins’ mother and Ryo’s parents attend to cheer. Hongo also watches with great intensity from the other side of the screen. Carrying the weight of their hopes, the team is determined to make this the year they become national champions as they enter their final battle.

Yokohama Minato celebrates national victory as Matsuda recovers and Yusa advances toward the triple crown.

Yokohama Minato secures the national championship title, prompting a modest hotel celebration that evening. Matsuda, who was instrumental in the team's success, arrives after collapsing from heat stroke immediately following the match. The squad rejoices in his recovery, allowing them to enjoy their triumph together. The following day, the individual doubles tournament commences. Yusa progresses steadily through his matches, inching closer to achieving the triple crown. Meanwhile, Ryo informs his family about the results, yet he strangely receives no reply from Rika.

Ryo targets Yusa's injured leg during the intense final match

The finals commence with Yusa launching an aggressive attack from the start, likely due to lingering fatigue from the doubles final. Ryo counters by adopting a strategy to exhaust Yusa with court coverage. Although Ryo executes a remarkable shot, his keen observation reveals that Yusa’s error was not accidental but a deliberate act to shield his right leg. Recognizing this vulnerability, Ryo shifts his focus to exploit Yusa’s weakness. Driven by a strong determination to secure victory, Ryo intensifies his offensive play, specifically targeting the injured area to gain the upper hand in this crucial contest.