Ahiru no Sora Season 1, Episode 41: Challenger

1

The Ugly Duckling

Sora is determined to join the basketball club, but the club’s members are determined to goof off instead of practice. Sora’s solution? A five-on-one game, winner takes all.

24 min

2

Boys Without Talent

Sora’s skill and enthusiasm remind Momoharu of what it means to be passionate about basketball — but will Momoharu keep his promise to get serious about the game again?

24 min

3

Momoharu’s Wings

Punks from Maru High have challenged Sora’s team to a basketball match, but how good is their team, anyway? Sora goes undercover to investigate.

24 min

4

First Flight

The day of the match against Maru High is here, and Sora can’t wait to hit the court. But do the punks of Kuzu High stand a chance against their more experienced opponents?

24 min

5

Broken Wings

Tokitaka thinks he’s found a way to shut Sora out of the paint, but the pint-sized powerhouse still has a trick up his sleeve that could turn this game around.

24 min

6

Now’s the Time

Sora’s new strategy has put him in the crosshairs of the defense, and things are looking bleak. Luckily for him, Kuzu High’s secret weapon is ready to take the court.

24 min

7

The Troublesome Freshman

After taking an exhausted Sora home post-game, Madoka learns the truth about Sora’s basketball-star mother and the reasoning behind his grand ambitions.

24 min

8

The Duck and the Kite

Kite only cares about two things: the ball and the basket. Team bonding? He’ll pass, thanks — but will he change his tune when he learns he shares a common dream with Sora?

24 min

9

Kite, His Ball, and the Team’s Pain

Kite’s fate was sealed the moment he laid hands on those upperclassmen. Luckily for him, Sora has never been one to give up without a fight.

24 min

10

Manager

All Sora wanted was to get his "wings" repaired. He didn’t count on getting a super cute, super clumsy team manager in the bargain.

24 min

11

The Boys’ Stubbornness and Girls’ Pride

Winning the match against the girls’ team should be a piece of cake, but Nao’s tactical abilities — not to mention the value of teamwork — shouldn’t be taken lightly.

24 min

12

Team

When Nao abruptly resigns as manager, Sora learns that there is more to her basketball background than meets the eye. Later, the need for team funds rears its expensive head.

24 min

13

Differing Enthusiasm

True passion for the game drives players like Sora to succeed. But can passion for basketball be taught — especially to players still new to the sport?

24 min

14

Towards Victory

It’s hard to stay motivated when the inter-high tournament is so far away, but Nao has a plan to keep the team on its toes. First item on the agenda: learning how to screen.

24 min

15

The Boys’ Spirit

The players of Kuzu High have just one practice game to prove they’re worth taking seriously. Has their training camp paid off, or will Kitasumi High dominate the court?

24 min

16

The Best Start and the Worst Start

As Kitasumi High gets serious, Nao unveils Kuzu High’s super secret defense strategy. It’s time to knock out the competition — and Sora is the key to victory.

24 min

17

Versus

Although guarding Taro is exhausting, Sora’s intense eyes make it clear that he’s ready to face the challenge head on. But can Chucky say the same when he takes to the court?

24 min

18

Now…

With Sora on the sidelines, Tobi becomes the target of Kitasumi High’s latest defense strategy: the insidious 2-2-1 zone press.

24 min

19

Higher Than Anyone

Dedication. Perseverance. Commitment. These are the qualities that make a basketball champion — and thanks to Konishi, Momoharu isn’t sure if he possesses any of them.

24 min

20

Last Play

As Sora steps into the role of pointguard, Chiaki steps into the spotlight. The fate of the game hangs in the balance, but will their change-up lead to victory or defeat?

24 min

21

Tears

A final shot will decide the fate of the match against Kitasumiyoshi High. As the dust settles, Madoka makes a difficult decision.

24 min

22

The Last Piece

The school basketball tournament pits teammate against teammate. As Sora and Tobi face off, a towering new player steps onto the court.

24 min

23

The Moon and the Hoop

Mokichi’s height gives him an undisputed advantage on the court, but when it comes to basketball, height alone can’t outpace the pressure of lofty expectations.

24 min

24

Light

Midterms have arrived, and the team will have to hit the books if they all want to enter the tournament preliminaries. Meanwhile, Madoka makes a shocking discovery.

24 min

25

Undiscovered Talent

After a sleepless night, the first match of the tournament has arrived. But Kuzu High isn’t the only team pinning their dreams on this game.

24 min

26

Rush and Rush

Hobble a key player, and the entire team will fall apart. Chiaki learns this lesson the hard way when the players of Shinjo High render his passing abilities obsolete.

24 min

27

The Hard Play

Kuzu’s early lead makes no difference to Shinjo High, who quickly takes control of the game. Subbed in as pointguard, can Sora turn the tide back in his team’s favor?

24 min

28

Vow

As pressure builds and halftime approaches, Chiaki makes a decision that could shake the entire team. Will he leave Kuzu high and dry or rally in time for the second half?

24 min

29

Bonds

As Kuzu dominates the court, the prospect of winning fades for Shinjo High — but help is on the way from the team’s most unlikely player.

24 min

30

Reason for Living

Despite his terrible knee injury, Kojima’s skill are formidable, but he isn’t the only member of Shinjo High that Kuzu should keep on their radar…

24 min

31

What Must Be Protected

As the end of the game draws near, the players of Kuzu High push themselves to the limit. Only one thing’s for certain: Stamina will decide their fate.

24 min

32

Time Limit

With only seconds on the clock, the pressure of defending the lead falls squarely on Kuzu High. But winning the match isn’t the only thing Sora needs to worry about…

24 min

33

Life

Reunited at long last, Sora and his mother have a lot to talk about — and time is of the essence. Elsewhere, Sora’s teammates deal with the aftermath of their recent match.

24 min

34

Light Trails

Sora is nowhere to be found, and in his absence, the basketball team must pick up the pieces. Whether they will succeed depends on the fire burning in their hearts.

24 min

35

Stand

A new challenger with mysterious motivations approaches Tobi for a game of one-on-one. Meanwhile, Sora returns, but the basketball team isn’t the same club he left behind.

24 min

36

Kids Are Allright

The team must find a new advisor, so they take matters into their own hands — but will Satsuki be willing to return to the basketball club? Better yet, will Momoharu?

24 min

37

Tender

It may be raining, but nothing can douse Sora and his teammates’ fiery passion for basketball. Proving that passion to the administration, however, is another matter entirely.

24 min

38

Earring

Restless and unfocused, Madoka takes the night off to hang out with friends. But fun turns to fear when Madoka realizes she’s lost something important in the pouring rain…

24 min

39

Fight For Rock For Life

Chiba is determined to take Maru High to the top! And with only one more chance to reach the inter-high, they’ll have to pull out all the stops to beat Yokohama Taiei.

24 min

40

Stop & Go

Yokohama Taiei is a force to be reckoned with, but not everyone is suited for a spot on this infamous team. Elsewhere, Sora seeks out a previous opponent for guidance.

24 min

41

Challenger

The day of the match against Yokohama Taiei descends along with a wave of unprecedented heat… and Tobi is nowhere to be found.

24 min

42

War Declaration

After a rocky start, Kuzu plays surprisingly well again Yokohama Taiei — but when a new player enters the game, the tide abruptly turns.

24 min

43

The Best Lineup

At rock bottom, the only way to go is up. Tobi knows this all too well, and he’s determined to take Kuzu High all the way to the top! But first they need to take Taiei down…

24 min

44

Fuse

What’s a pint-sized point guard to do when the opposition shuts down every play? Advice on the matter comes from an unexpected source, but it may do more harm than good.

24 min

45

Break

Tobi and Sora have something in common: rivalries with other players. Too bad Tobi’s rivalry seems so one-sided… for now, at least.

24 min

46

Certain Proof

Once they find the spark that sets them alight, Kuzu High will not be stopped. The spark that sets Sora ablaze? Another player who will bring out his full potential.

24 min

47

Sora the Duck

Sora gets a run for his money when a pokerfaced new player leaps onto the court — and into the role of the opposition’s point guard.

24 min

48

The Straight Story

Some players run toward the finish line; others stop or slow down along the way. With Chiaki’s help, Tobi intends to sprint straight to winning against Yokohama Taiei!

24 min

49

The Last Period

It’s the final period of their match against Yokohama, and the fate of the Kuzu High basketball team hangs entirely upon their performance in the last few seconds of the game.

24 min

50

Bridge

The match is finally over, and one question remains: Have the players of Kuzu High done enough to save the basketball club, or have their inter-high dreams come to an end?

24 min