Chikuma, Japan – August 28, 2025 – The latest installment of the highly anticipated anime series, Turkey! Time to Strike, has captivated audiences with its eighth episode, titled “A Surprise Blind Score,” which premiered on August 27, 2025. Fans of the bowling and time-traveling series were treated to a mix of leisurely moments and burgeoning mysteries as the Ikkokukan High School Bowling Club continued their journey.
The episode, which aired on Nippon TV’s AnichU block and is streaming internationally on Crunchyroll, sees the main characters delving deeper into their enigmatic circumstances while uncovering new secrets.
Unveiling the Plot: Hot Springs and Hidden Secrets
“A Surprise Blind Score” brought a temporary respite from the intense bowling matches and time-traveling dilemmas, as the girls enjoyed a relaxing trip to a hot spring. However, this period of relaxation quickly gave way to intrigue as they learned more about their hosts and each other. The episode is reported to uncover a new mystery, prompting discussions among viewers about its implications for the series’ overarching narrative.
Character Development and Backstory Insights
A significant focus of Episode 8 appears to be the deeper exploration of character backstories, particularly for Mai Otonashi, the captain of the Ikkokukan High School Bowling Club. Mai has been struggling with a peculiar issue where she consistently follows three consecutive strikes (a “Turkey”) with an unbeatable split, known as “Snake Eyes.” Discussions among fans indicate that Mai’s subconscious struggles and psychological issues stemming from her parents’ death are a key plot point explored in this episode. The episode hints at a traumatic past for Mai, with references to her parents’ demise, possibly in a car crash or fire, influencing her performance.
The Enigma of the Fifth Sibling and the Hidden Cellar
Adding another layer of complexity to the series, “A Surprise Blind Score” introduces or heavily hints at the presence of a mysterious “fifth sibling” or a “masked girl.” This new character is generating considerable speculation among the fanbase, with theories suggesting a possible connection to Sumomo, an eccentric older sister introduced earlier in the series. The episode also features a surprising discovery of a “weird hidden cellar,” leaving viewers eager to understand its purpose and connection to the ongoing mysteries of time travel and the girls’ predicament.
Production and Reception
Turkey! Time to Strike is an original Japanese anime created by Tatsunoko Production under their Bakken Record label and Pony Canyon. Directed by Susumu Kudo and written by Naomi Hiruta, with character designs by Airi Takekawa and music by Yuki Hayashi, the series has garnered attention for its unique blend of sports and science fiction. The show premiered in July 2025, with its premise centered around the bowling club members being dragged through time after a lightning strike during a match.
Episode 8’s blend of character revelations and new mysteries has maintained the show’s momentum, with online communities actively debating the unfolding plot. The series continues to be available for international streaming on Crunchyroll.
