Re-Main
Re-Main (stylized as RE-MAIN) is a Japanese original anime television series that focuses on the sport of water polo, following high school student Minato Kiyomizu as he confronts his past trauma and rejoins the team after awakening from a coma caused by a car accident.[1] The 12-episode series aired from July 4 to October 3, 2021, on TV Asahi's NUMAnimation programming block. Produced by the studio MAPPA, it marks the animation studio's entry into a water polo-themed narrative, blending sports action with themes of friendship, recovery, and perseverance.[2] The story centers on Minato, who had been a promising water polo player in middle school but quit the sport following an incident during his third year; upon entering high school with amnesia from his 203-day coma, he is pulled back into the game by a promise involving his teammate Jō Jōjima and the challenges faced by his new team's underdog status.[1] Directed by Kiyoshi Matsuda with Masafumi Nishida serving as chief director, series composer, and screenwriter—known for his work on Tiger & Bunny—the anime emphasizes realistic depictions of water polo.[2][1] MAPPA's animation highlights dynamic aquatic sequences, contributing to the series' reputation for high-quality sports visuals despite mixed reception on pacing and character development.[2] Produced in collaboration with Bandai Namco Arts, Re-Main streamed internationally on platforms like Crunchyroll and Funimation—now consolidated under Crunchyroll—introducing water polo to a broader anime audience and earning praise for its niche subject matter and motivational undertones.[3] As of November 2025, no second season has been announced, leaving the story concluded within its single cour.Synopsis
Plot
Minato Kiyomizu awakens in a hospital after a 203-day coma induced by a car accident, only to discover he has lost all memories of the past three years, including his proficiency in water polo, a sport in which he was a standout player during middle school.[4][1] Disoriented and grappling with this amnesia, Minato enrolls at Yamanami High School, where he learns he had already committed to the school's struggling water polo team before the accident; driven by a desire to reclaim his lost passion and memories, he reluctantly rejoins the club despite his complete lack of recollection of the sport's techniques.[5][6] As Minato integrates into the team, the narrative focuses on the group's efforts to rebuild from a weak foundation, recruiting new members and undergoing rigorous training to overcome their inexperience and internal doubts. The story progresses through intense practice sessions that test Minato's physical recovery and emerging teamwork skills, gradually revealing fragments of his past through interactions with teammates like Eitarō Oka and Jō Jōjima, who serve as key motivators in fostering unity.[7] Inter-school rivalries intensify as Yamanami faces off against formidable opponents, including Shogakukan High School—Minato's former middle school affiliate—and Rikka Gakuen, highlighting the competitive stakes in regional qualifiers.[8][9] Key events unfold as the team advances toward the prefectural tournament, where matches unearth personal traumas among members, including Minato's own lingering guilt tied to the pre-accident incident that initially soured his view of the sport, prompting deeper reflections on resilience and camaraderie. The car accident's full circumstances are gradually revealed, linking back to a pivotal moment after a middle school national victory, which had shattered Minato's confidence and led to his withdrawal from water polo.[10] Through these confrontations, Minato grows from an isolated amnesiac into a resilient leader, emphasizing themes of redemption as the team pushes toward the national tournament climax.[6][11] In the series' 12-episode arc, Yamanami's journey culminates in the nationals, where Minato fully regains his memories and skills during high-stakes games, symbolizing second chances and the restorative power of collective effort, ultimately resolving the protagonist's internal conflicts with a renewed sense of purpose in the sport.[7][6]Yamanami High School Water Polo Team
Minato Kiyomizu is the protagonist and a first-year student who serves as the team's center forward, renowned as a prodigy in water polo before suffering amnesia from a car accident that left him comatose for 203 days. He is depicted as easy-going, cheerful, sweet, gentle, carefree, and friendly in his current personality, though flashbacks reveal his past self as more arrogant and self-centered. Voiced by Yūto Uemura.[12] Eitarō Oka is a first-year student and key team member known for his energetic and tactical nature, often wearing glasses and showing strong admiration for Minato, whom he supported during his hospitalization. He plays a supportive role in motivating the team and is voiced by Kōtarō Nishiyama.[13] Jō Jōjima serves as the team's captain and a second-year student, characterized by his leadership and strategic mindset in guiding the underdog Yamanami squad; he actively recruits Minato to revive the club's competitive edge. Voiced by Subaru Kimura.[13] Chinu Kawakubo is the team's goalkeeper, a knowledgeable and dedicated player who provides essential defensive skills and insights into water polo techniques for the inexperienced members. Voiced by Lynn.[13] Other team members include Shūgo Amihama, a first-year with a competitive drive; Takekazu Ejiri, Yutaka Inomata (also known as Babayaro), and Yoshiharu Ushimado, who join to meet the club's minimum roster requirements and contribute through their unique backstories and growing commitment to the sport.[14]Shogakukan High School Rivals
The Shogakukan High School water polo team is portrayed as antagonistic rivals with an aggressive playstyle, emphasizing physical intensity and strategic dominance in matches against Yamanami. Key players include Keita Kakihana, Riku Momosaki, and Kōki Toguchi, who showcase the team's formidable offense and defense. The team's coach, Akimitsu Bizen, is a stern figure influencing their rigorous training and competitive edge, voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa.[15]Rikka Academy Opponents
Rikka Academy's water polo team represents elite competition, featuring top-tier athletes who challenge Yamanami with superior technique and teamwork in tournaments. Prominent members include captain Akihisa Fukui, a skilled leader voiced by Mahiro Takasugi; vice-captain Norimichi Ishikawa, voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka; and Takeshi Toyama, a standout player voiced by Natsuki Hanae. These characters highlight the high-stakes rivalry through their polished performances and backstories tied to national-level aspirations.[8]Supporting Characters
Non-team characters provide emotional depth and influence the protagonists' arcs, particularly through family ties and coaching roles. Minato's family includes his mother Taeko Kiyomizu, who supports his recovery from the hospital stay; his father Hideki Kiyomizu; and his younger sister Asumi Kiyomizu, who navigate the challenges of his amnesia. Additional figures like Shūgo's father and various coaches from past teams offer guidance on personal growth and the demands of water polo, shaping the characters' motivations without direct team involvement.[16]Production
Development
Re-Main originated from writer Masafumi Nishida's personal reflections on his high school experiences with swimming and water polo, which he credits with shaping his worldview.[17] Over the age of 40, Nishida one night contemplated his life and sought to create a story that could inspire middle and high school students, drawing directly from those formative years to conceptualize an original anime centered on water polo—a sport he chose for its underrepresented status in anime and its emphasis on collective struggle and camaraderie.[18] He described the theme as bridging "the past self and the future self," exploring life's unexpected turns through a sports narrative that prioritizes team dynamics over individual heroics.[18] The project was announced on March 4, 2021, as MAPPA's original television anime, with Nishida serving as original creator, chief director, series composer, and sole scriptwriter—a departure from his prior collaborative roles on series like Tiger & Bunny, where he handled head writing.[2] This marked Nishida's first time helming an entire anime production, including sound direction, and he collaborated closely with producer Matsui from his Tiger & Bunny days to pitch the idea, emphasizing water polo's niche appeal as a team sport involving synchronized efforts in water.[19] Director Kiyoshi Matsuda joined to oversee animation execution, assisting Nishida—who was new to anime visuals—with the challenges of depicting water polo's fluid, high-intensity movements realistically.[18] Matsuda's approach focused on blending dynamic sports action with dramatic character development, ensuring the sequences captured the sport's physicality while advancing emotional arcs for the ensemble cast.[18] In the scriptwriting process, Nishida balanced the protagonist's amnesia-driven arc with the growth of a seven-member team, pacing episodes to interweave small conflicts, comedy, and "ma" (timing) for relatable character interactions.[19] He incorporated authentic water polo elements by consulting the community and personally researching in a pool to verify movements and tactics, avoiding exaggeration to make characters feel like real high schoolers.[19] Early challenges included selecting water polo despite its visual demands—such as animating water effects and team plays accurately—and ensuring depictions resonated without prior sports anime precedents, leading Nishida to prioritize ensemble bonds and personal struggles over match-focused spectacle.[18] This pre-production phase involved iterative reviews of 5,000–6,000 drawings per episode over eight months, with MAPPA's young team bringing high energy to the endeavor.[19]Staff and Animation
The anime series Re-Main was animated by MAPPA, a studio renowned for its high-quality production of sports anime, drawing on expertise demonstrated in prior works such as the figure skating sequences in Yuri!!! on Ice, which showcased fluid motion and dynamic athleticism.[2] For Re-Main, MAPPA handled full animation production, including 3DCG elements to capture the intensity of water polo matches, with staff like Ayaka Maeda and Daiki Watanabe contributing to 3DCG animation across multiple episodes.[1] This approach allowed for realistic depictions of underwater movements and splashes, emphasizing the sport's physical demands in key sequences such as team practices and competitive games.[7] Kiyoshi Matsuda served as the director, overseeing the visual style with a focus on episode direction and storyboarding to balance dramatic character moments with high-energy sports action.[1] His choices emphasized clear framing of water polo tactics, such as player positioning and ball trajectories, while maintaining a clean, vibrant aesthetic that highlighted emotional growth amid athletic tension. Matsuda also directed specific episodes, ensuring consistent pacing in match highlights that integrated personal backstories seamlessly.[20] Shiho Tanaka acted as the character designer, adapting original concepts by Kaori Futō to create expressive designs suited to the high school water polo setting, with key visuals that conveyed individuality through distinct hairstyles, swimsuit details, and dynamic poses during gameplay.[1] Her contributions extended to chief animation direction in select episodes, refining movements to reflect each character's playing style, such as agile strokes for protagonists and robust defenses for supporting players.[14] Art direction was led by Atsushi Morikawa, who focused on crafting immersive aquatic environments, including detailed pool facilities and rippling water surfaces to enhance match realism.[1] Background artists under his supervision, such as Bo Li for episode 6, incorporated subtle lighting effects on water to mimic real-world reflections and refractions, adding depth to scenes of team strategy and individual exertion.[1] Production techniques included digital in-between animation for smooth transitions in water polo sequences, particularly in episodes 5 through 12, where fluid simulations amplified the sport's chaotic yet strategic nature.[1]Music and Sound
Theme Songs
The opening theme for Re-Main is "Forget Me Not," performed by the South Korean boy group ENHYPEN. Released on July 7, 2021, as the lead track of their first Japanese single album Border: Hakanai, the song marks ENHYPEN's debut original composition in Japanese.[21][22] Lyrics, written by barbora, The Answer, and Ryo Ito, emphasize themes of perseverance and self-transformation, with lines such as "Shout to the sky today / Embrace tomorrow's hope / In this heart, Forget Me Not" urging listeners to hold onto forgotten aspirations amid change.[23] This resonates with the series' narrative of rediscovering purpose through water polo, symbolizing the protagonist's journey from amnesia to renewed determination, while the track's youthful, energetic pop style with electric guitar riffs evokes the fluid, dynamic teamwork of the sport.[24] The ending theme, "Kowareta Sekai no Byoushin wa" (The Second Hand of a Broken World), is performed and composed by Japanese singer-songwriter Shugo Nakamura. Issued as a single on July 28, 2021, Nakamura handled both the lyrics and music production, creating a rock-infused ballad that underscores introspection and resolve.[25][26] The lyrics explore renewal amid despair, with phrases like "I won't regret it, really won't? / The stairs to an important future are crumbling" reflecting the pain of shattered dreams yet affirming a bold commitment to move forward without explanation for overflowing tears.[27] This ties into Re-Main's motifs of rebuilding bonds and overcoming personal loss, mirroring water polo's relentless flow and collective resilience, as the "second hand" imagery parallels the unyielding rhythm of matches and life's progression.[28] Both themes emerged from targeted collaborations to align with the anime's water polo focus: ENHYPEN's track involved production by PUFF, Wonderkid, and barbora under HYBE Labels, selected for its high-energy appeal to capture team synergy and momentum in the pool.[23] Nakamura's solo effort stemmed from direct involvement with the production team, emphasizing emotional depth to complement scenes of strategic plays and interpersonal growth.[25] Released as standalone singles ahead of the series premiere, they heightened anticipation and integrated seamlessly into episodes, with the opening energizing match sequences and the ending providing reflective closure. Insert songs appear sparingly, primarily during pivotal water polo confrontations to amplify tension, though specific compositions remain tied to the broader soundtrack without standalone releases.[29]Original Soundtrack
The original soundtrack (OST) for Re-Main was composed primarily by Kana Utatane under the alias TaWaRa, with additional contributions from Shugo Nakamura.[30] Released on October 6, 2021, by Lantis, the two-disc set captures the anime's blend of sports intensity and emotional depth through instrumental pieces tailored to its water polo narrative and character arcs.[30] The OST comprises 56 tracks across two volumes, totaling approximately 100 minutes. Disc 1 focuses on character themes and ambient cues, spanning 51:01, while Disc 2 emphasizes dramatic and action-oriented music, including vocal elements, at 49:14.[30] Notable tracks include "Beats and Ripples" (1:27) and "Life or Death" (1:53) for intense match background music (BGM), evoking the high-stakes tension of water polo competitions; "Hard Work" (1:44) and "Strategy Meeting" (2:18) for training sequences, highlighting perseverance and teamwork; and "Memories of Water" (0:38), "Floating Memories" (1:29), and "Recollection" (1:50) for emotional character moments, reflecting themes of memory loss and recovery central to protagonist Minato Kiyomizu's story.[30] These compositions use orchestral and electronic elements, including violin arrangements, to mirror the fluidity of water and psychological introspection.[30] Sound design in the OST integrates subtle audio layers for water polo scenes, such as rippling effects and ambient crowd noises, enhancing immersion in match and training depictions.[30] Overall, Utatane's score underscores the series' exploration of rediscovering lost memories through sport, with motifs recurring across tracks to symbolize personal growth and reunion.[30] The instrumental focus complements the vocal theme songs, forming a cohesive auditory landscape for the production.[30]Release
Broadcast and Distribution
Re-Main premiered in Japan on July 3, 2021, airing weekly on TV Asahi's NUMAnimation programming block in the Sunday 1:30 a.m. JST time slot until its finale on October 2, 2021, for a total of 12 episodes.[31][4] Internationally, the series received a simulcast release on Crunchyroll, which offered both subtitled and dubbed versions following the merger with Funimation, making it available in regions including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Funimation initially handled the English dub production and streaming, with the subtitled episodes debuting shortly after the Japanese broadcast. However, distribution faced challenges, such as a temporary streaming halt in Southeast Asia by Ani-One due to music licensing issues shortly after the premiere. The English dub premiered on Funimation on September 25, 2021, with cast announcements including Robbie Daymond as Minato Kiyomizu and Mark Allen Jr. as Jō Jōjima, among others, revealed prior to launch.[32][33] In Japan, home video releases began with the first Blu-ray volume on October 27, 2021, from Bandai Namco Arts, followed by volumes two and three on November 24 and December 24, 2021, respectively, each containing four episodes and special features like audio dramas. Internationally, Crunchyroll issued a complete season Blu-ray in North America on September 6, 2022, including both English and Japanese audio tracks with subtitles, addressing regional availability through digital and physical formats.[34][35][36]Episode List
Re-Main's first and only season comprises 12 episodes, each approximately 23 minutes in duration, which originally aired weekly on Sundays from July 3, 2021, to October 2, 2021, with some broadcast delays due to scheduling conflicts.[1] The series progresses from the protagonist's reintroduction to water polo and team assembly in early episodes to intensive training and tournament participation in later ones, building toward the prefectural championship arc. No recap episodes are featured.[1] The following table lists the episodes with their titles, directors, writers, and original air dates:| No. | English title | Japanese title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sorry, Who Are You? | ごめんなさい、誰ですか | Kiyoshi Matsuda, Kōki Aoshima | Masafumi Nishida | July 3, 2021 |
| 2 | I'm No Prodigy | 僕は天才じゃない | Kōki Aoshima | Masafumi Nishida | July 10, 2021 |
| 3 | But, Give Us a Hendy | でもへんでくでせ | Yasunori Gotō | Masafumi Nishida | July 24, 2021 |
| 4 | This Ain't Looking Good... | なんかヤバいかも…… | Kōnosuke Uda | Masafumi Nishida | July 31, 2021 |
| 5 | Dude, That's Scary!!! | いや怖いわ!!! | Tomoko Hiramuki | Masafumi Nishida | August 7, 2021 |
| 6 | Hey! Look This Way! | はい、こっち向いて | Nao Miyoshi | Masafumi Nishida | August 14, 2021 |
| 7 | Auspicious Day | 大安吉日 | Mitsue Yamazaki | Masafumi Nishida | August 28, 2021 |
| 8 | Who Are These Guys? | 誰なんだよ、こいつら | Kōki Aoshima | Masafumi Nishida | September 4, 2021 |
| 9 | I've Always Been Me | 俺はずっと俺なんだよ | Sekijū Sekino | Masafumi Nishida | September 11, 2021 |
| 10 | It's the Only Way I Know to Win | 俺はこの勝ち方しか知らない | Kyoko Yamazaki | Masafumi Nishida | September 18, 2021 |
| 11 | Pass! Pass to Me! | 出せ! 俺に出せ! | Yasutomo Okamoto | Masafumi Nishida | September 25, 2021 |
| 12 | C'mon, Let's Get Started | さぁ、始めようぜ | Kiyoshi Matsuda | Masafumi Nishida | October 2, 2021 |
Minato Kiyomizu awakens from a 203-day coma following a car accident, having lost all memories of his junior high school years, including his accomplishments as a water polo prodigy. Enrolling at Yamanami High School, he encounters unfamiliar faces and a mysterious promise tied to the sport he no longer recalls.[1] Episode 2: "I'm No Prodigy"
As Minato adjusts to high school life, he reunites with Chinu Kawakubo, who reveals details of their past promise involving water polo. Motivated to honor it despite his amnesia, Minato joins the understaffed Yamanami water polo club and assists in recruiting initial members to form a viable team.[1] Episode 3: "But, Give Us a Hendy"
The fledgling club sets its sights on recruiting Shugo Amihama, a talented swimmer from the track team, by challenging him to a condition that tests his potential in water polo. This effort highlights the team's determination to build a competitive roster despite limited resources.[1] Episode 4: "This Ain't Looking Good..."
With the core team assembled, the water polo club commences rigorous training sessions and participates in its inaugural practice match against a stronger opponent. The intense physical demands expose the novices' inexperience, pushing them to their limits early on.[1] Episode 5: "Dude, That's Scary!!!"
During another grueling practice match, Minato grapples with his diminished skills and the pressure of expectations, while team captain Eitaro discloses a personal secret that deepens the group's understanding of their shared challenges.[1] Episode 6: "Hey! Look This Way!"
The team embarks on a training camp to foster camaraderie and refine strategies ahead of the prefectural tournament. Amidst the isolation, members confront individual doubts, strengthening their resolve as a unit.[1] Episode 7: "Auspicious Day"
As the tournament approaches, the club designs custom jerseys to boost morale, but Amihama's reluctance due to his attachment to his old swim gear sparks discussions on team identity and commitment.[1] Episode 8: "Who Are These Guys?"
Fragments of Minato's pre-amnesia memories resurface, revealing shocking aspects of his former mindset toward water polo and teammates, which unsettles the current group dynamic.[1] Episode 9: "I've Always Been Me"
Eitaro urges Minato to fully recommit to the club, but Minato wrestles with reconciling his current self against the legendary ace reputation from his lost past, testing his place on the team.[1] Episode 10: "It's the Only Way I Know to Win"
Minato intensifies solo training while guiding the team through preparations for the prefectural tournament, drawing on recovered insights to adapt his playing style to the group's needs.[1] Episode 11: "Pass! Pass to Me!"
In the tournament's opening match against Rokka Gakuen, the Yamanami team deploys their strategies but faces formidable defensive tactics, forcing quick adjustments under pressure.[1] Episode 12: "C'mon, Let's Get Started"
Advancing to the second round, Yamanami confronts the nationally dominant Akira Gakuen (also known as Shogakukan), where the culmination of their growth and bonds is put to the ultimate test.[1]