Tokyo, Japan – The latest installment of the time-traveling bowling anime, Turkey! -Time to Strike-, continued its exploration of the Sengoku period’s harsh realities in Episode 6, titled “Reverse Hook, Clear Across,” which aired on August 13, 2025. The episode saw the Ikkokukan High School bowling club members further grappling with the moral complexities of their displacement, with a particular focus on Sayuri Ichinose’s struggle to reconcile her modern sensibilities with the era’s violence.
Navigating the Brutality of the Sengoku Period
Since their unexpected journey through time to the Warring States period, the five high school bowlers – Mai Otonashi, Rina Godai, Sayuri Ichinose, Nozomi Mitaka, and Nanase Nikaidō – have faced numerous challenges beyond just figuring out how to return home. Episode 6 brought these challenges to a head, forcing Sayuri, known for her nervous demeanor, to confront the inherent brutality of the Sengoku era.
The episode delves into Sayuri’s anguish as she witnesses violence and grapples with the concept of taking a life for survival or protection. She expresses her distress to Suguri, a young samurai who has taken them in, pleading that in the future, people do not need to resort to such acts. However, Suguri maintains that killing is a necessity to protect loved ones in this period. This stark contrast culminates in a moment where Sayuri is forced to fatally wound a bandit to protect herself and her companions, a decision that leaves her in tears and stains a white flower with blood, symbolizing her lost innocence.
Unraveling Personal Journeys and Queer Undertones
Beyond the overt themes of survival and moral compromise, “Reverse Hook, Clear Across” also deepened the personal narratives of the characters. The episode continued to explore Sayuri’s budding relationships, highlighting “crush vibes” between her and both Mai Otonashi and Suguri. This builds upon the series’ broader “queer season of anime” and adds layers to the emotional landscape of the trapped high schoolers.
Furthermore, the episode shed more light on Suguri’s identity. Sayuri is shocked to discover that Suguri, who acts as a male heir for her family, is actually a woman. This revelation adds another dimension to Suguri’s character and her interactions with the girls.
Attempts to Return and Subplots Unfold
The bowling club members also made another attempt to return to their own time, trying a method that involved rolling a bowling ball off a cliff in hopes of recreating the mysterious circumstances that brought them to the past. This attempt was unsuccessful, leading to further complications, including Nozomi’s phone running out of battery and a confrontation with wild dogs.
Turkey! -Time to Strike-, animated by Bakken Record and directed by Susumu Kudo, has garnered attention for its unique blend of sports, time travel, and character-driven drama. The series continues to air, with new episodes releasing weekly on platforms like Crunchyroll.
