Written by: Franz Rivera | Published on: Jan. 5, 2021 at 9:44 PM PHT (GMT+8)
Basketball has been part of the Philippine culture ever since after the Second World War and after the American occupation. In every district you go, you would see a basketball court may it be a half court of a makeshift ring attached on a tree bark on a vacant lot and so on. As a refresher, Barangay 143 is a Japanese-Filipino anime television series said to be inspired by the popular Japanese basketball series “Slam Dunk”. The series is produced by ASI Animation Studios and TV Asahi. It is a collaboration between Synergy88 in the Philippines and August Media Holdings in Singapore, with assistance from the Japanese television network TV Asahi. Announced in 2016, the first season premiered on October 21, 2018 and ended June 30, 2019 in the Philippines on GMA Network and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV.
The Plot
Season 2 provides us new mysteries to be solved and connections to questions we were left hanging from season 1. The still unknown antagonist from PIBA still lingers from the shadows and have been manipulating things to their own convenience has been re-introduced here in the first episode of season 2. There is also the still ongoing love triangle of Bren, Vicky and the rival of our protagonist Wax which is still a tug of war on who will win the main heroine.
The Technicalities
Having watched the first season, there were lesser things to point out from its flaws from the first season. Mostly were minor details like the movements of characters making them stiff (same goes for the voice acting) but they were compensated with the animation on the basketball scenes. Here in season 2, there were no basketball scenes in the first episode for its new season, but the animation was consistent on what we were given from season 1. The sound directing still needs to be improved which was the same issue I encountered. The dubbing has improved compared where it is conceivable compared to the first episode of season 1.
The Verdict
Besides being the typical Filipino soap opera drama we were used to. Seeing the anime series having a season 2 is a sight to see on how its first season was a success. The animation being delivered to us with a quality that is on par with some of our loved anime series from Japan, Barangay 143 has proved that a Filipino anime series is possible as long as there is support from the masses. Like any other anime series may it be Japanese, Chinese or local, each has their own setbacks as there is no perfect animated series. A big salute to the artists for once more bringing us great animation and an excitement that there are locally made and is something to be proud of for the local animation industry.
Barangay 143 Seasons 1 and 2 is now streaming on PopTV!