The highly anticipated anime series, Turkey! Time to Strike, premiered on July 9, 2025, in Japan, bringing a unique blend of high school bowling drama and fantastical time travel to audiences. The show, also known simply as Turkey! in Japan, is available for international streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Striking Premise: From Bowling Alley to Sengoku Period
Turkey! Time to Strike centers on Mai Otonashi, a second-year student and captain of the Ikkokukan High School Bowling Club, who despite being a talented bowler, struggles to secure victories. Her recurring challenge is hitting an “impregnable split” known as “Snake Eyes” after achieving a “Turkey” (three consecutive strikes). The story introduces Mai’s teammates: Rina Godai, a competitive first-year student; the nervous Sayuri Ichinose; the fashionable Nozomi Mitaka; and the nerdy Nanase Nikaido.
The series premiere, titled “Knock Down the Snake Eyes!”, establishes the club’s dynamics and Mai’s struggles. A pivotal moment occurs during a one-on-one match between Mai and Rina, where a lightning storm activates a mysterious artifact. This unexpected event causes Mai’s bowling ball to glow, pulling her and the entire club through time. They awaken in Japan’s Sengoku period (1467–1615), a war-torn historical era. This abrupt shift from a sports drama to a historical adventure with sci-fi elements marks a significant turning point in the narrative, leaving viewers curious about the artifact’s origins and how the club will navigate this new reality.
Production and Broadcast Details
Turkey! Time to Strike is an original Japanese anime television series created by Bakken Record and Pony Canyon. Susumu Kudo directs the series, with Naomi Hiruta handling the script. Airi Takekawa is credited with character designs and serves as chief animation director, while Yuki Hayashi composes the music.
The series airs in Japan on Nippon TV, BS NTV, and TSB. For global audiences, Crunchyroll holds the streaming license, making the episodes available with subtitles. The opening theme song, “Hyakunichisou,” is performed by the main cast members under the name “Ikkokukan High School Bowling Club, Nagano Prefecture,” and the ending theme is “Moshimo” by Taiyō to Odore, Tsukiyo ni Utae. The first season is officially announced to have a 12-episode order, with one episode releasing per week, each running approximately 23 minutes.
Initial Reception and Future Outlook
Early reviews highlight the anime’s unexpected blend of genres. The fusion of a mundane high school bowling club with an audacious leap into a fantastical historical setting has been noted as both intriguing and disorienting. The show is described as not taking itself too seriously, which humorously contrasts with the serious circumstances the protagonists face. Reviewers express anticipation for how the series will weave its dual premises of bowling and historical adventure into a cohesive narrative. The debut episode successfully hooks the audience with its shocking twist, raising questions about the club’s purpose in the Sengoku period and their potential return home.
