The Japanese anime series “Turkey! Time to Strike” wrapped up its inaugural season on September 23, 2025, with an action-packed twelfth episode that brought its time-traveling bowling club back to their original era after a dramatic confrontation in the Sengoku period. The finale delivered a major plot twist, revealing a hidden connection between the past and present.
A Season of Strikes and Sengoku Strife
“Turkey! Time to Strike,” an original anime from Tatsunoko Production and Pony Canyon, premiered on July 9, 2025, captivating audiences with its unique blend of sports and time travel. The series follows the Ikkokukan High School bowling club, led by captain Mai Otonashi, along with members Rina Godai, Sayuri Ichinose, Nozomi Mitaka, and Nanase Nikaidō. Their ordinary lives took an extraordinary turn when a lightning strike during a bowling match transported them to Japan’s Warring States period (1467–1615).
The initial episodes established the club’s dynamic and Mai’s struggle with consistency, often following a “Turkey” (three consecutive strikes) with a difficult “Snake Eyes” split. The unexpected shift to the Sengoku era immediately redefined the series, moving beyond a typical sports drama to incorporate elements of fantasy and adventure as the girls navigated the unfamiliar historical landscape while seeking a way home.
The Climactic Return: Episode 12 Recap
The season finale, simply titled “Episode 12,” saw the bowling club in a high-stakes situation, where their ability to bowl strikes determined not just a game, but potentially their lives and their return to the present. The episode culminated in a tense bowling match, a recurring motif throughout the series, where Mai and Rina were central to achieving the necessary conditions to open a rift back to their own time.
The club successfully recreated the conditions that sent them back, triggering their return to the present day. Upon their arrival, the girls resumed their lives, with the bowling club eventually winning a tournament.
The Haru-Sumomo Twist
One of the most significant revelations of the finale involved the character of Sumomo, a young woman from the Sengoku period who had sheltered the bowling club. In a poignant twist, it was revealed that Sumomo was, in fact, Haru, a character known to Mai in the present. After the club departed the Sengoku period, Sumomo, accidentally picking up Mai’s dropped bowling ball, was transported even further into the future than Mai and her friends, arriving in Mai’s present day but suffering from amnesia. She then lived a life that ultimately intertwined with Mai’s, becoming a maternal figure to her. This unexpected connection brought a deeply emotional close to the season, tying together the seemingly disparate timelines and emphasizing the enduring bonds formed across time.
Critical Reception and Future Prospects
“Turkey! Time to Strike” has garnered attention for its unconventional narrative, blending the niche sport of bowling with an unexpected time-travel premise. Critics and viewers alike noted the show’s ability to execute “wacky nonsensical ideas” with “genuine sincerity and character,” leading to a surprisingly engaging experience despite its tonal shifts. Many praised its “satisfying conclusive ending” which offered a complete journey for its characters.
The anime aired on Nippon TV’s AnichU programming block and was simulcast internationally on Crunchyroll. While the first season has concluded, the conclusive nature of the ending has left some wondering about the possibility of a second season, though the overall reception suggests a positive impact on its audience.
