Episode 4 of the anime series “Turkey! -Time to Strike-“, titled “The Chaotic Big Four,” premiered on July 29, 2025, diving deeper into the emotional struggles of the Ikkokukan High School Bowling Club as they desperately seek a way back to their own time. The episode, available on Crunchyroll, amplified the series’ unique blend of sports drama and time-travel absurdity, culminating in a highly dramatic and visually intense bowling match.
A Desperate Plan to Return Home
After finding themselves unexpectedly transported to the Sengoku period, the Ikkokukan High School bowling club, consisting of Mai Otonashi, Rina Godai, Sayuri Ichinose, Nozomi Mitaka, and Nanase Nikaidō, is determined to recreate the conditions that sent them through time. Nanase theorizes that Mai and Rina must both score “turkeys” (three consecutive strikes) at the exact moment a lightning strike occurs.
In “The Chaotic Big Four,” Mai takes a surprisingly casual approach to their predicament, even asking a character named Sumomo to help build a modern-looking bowling lane in the past. This decision highlights a relaxed attitude towards potential “butterfly effects” on the timeline, a stark contrast to earlier anxieties within the group. This disregard for historical ramifications, while serving the immediate plot, leaves open the possibility of significant consequences upon their eventual return to the present.
Rina’s Inner Turmoil Takes Center Stage
A central focus of Episode 4 is the deepening exploration of Rina’s character and her internal struggles. Rina’s long-standing belief that her usefulness outweighs her likability, stemming from past abandonment issues following her mother’s divorce and remarriage, comes to the forefront. This deeply ingrained insecurity manifests as a desperate need to win and a fear that her teammates will eventually abandon her, especially once they graduate.
The climactic bowling match between Mai and Rina, intended to trigger their return to the future, becomes an intense emotional battleground. As they bowl amidst a forming thunderstorm, Mai directly confronts Rina about her obsession with victory. Despite the successful recreation of the time-travel conditions – Mai’s bowling ball glowing and opening a rift – Rina hesitates, unable to reach the portal due to a fire. Ultimately, Rina chooses not to go, believing the club would eventually leave her behind. In a powerful moment of solidarity, the rest of the club decides to stay with Rina, emphasizing their commitment to returning home together.
Production and Reception
“Turkey! -Time to Strike-” is an original anime series animated by Bakken Record and produced by Pony Canyon. Susumu Kudo directs the series, with Naomi Hiruta handling the scripts. The series, which premiered on July 9, 2025, on Nippon TV’s AnichU programming block, has been praised for its dramatic and over-the-top approach to the sports anime genre, blending intense bowling action with unexpected time-travel elements. Crunchyroll streams the series internationally. Episode 4 specifically garnered attention for its emotional depth and the dramatic tension of the central bowling match, drawing comparisons to samurai movies and shonen protagonists facing a final boss.
