It was the finest of instances, it was the worst of instances. 4 years after its first season, SK8 the Infinity EXTRA PART dropped as followers await an replace concerning season two. That includes 4 totally different vignettes, the OVA focuses on the characters followers have been eager to see extra of for years. It’s a good holdover that I beloved each second of. 

SK8 the Infinity EXTRA PART spends time with everybody

Every main character from SK8 the Infinity is featured in the OVA. Joe and Cherry get their flashback second in “Turning into Actually Critical About Issues.” Langa, Miya, and Reiki have a nice hangout regardless of the rain in “Rain and a Cat, Soda Ice Cream from the Comfort Retailer.” We additionally see Adam and Tadashi’s morning routines in “Morning Routine.” The factor that connects every of these vignettes is friendship, how that appears for various individuals, and the manner it’s woven into SK8 as a entire.

Out of all the vignettes, the “Hiromi, Do Your Finest” vignettes with Shadow are my favourite. As one of the extra aspect characters, it was good to see his life outdoors of S explored. The dedication he places into the florist store is lovely to see. It’s clear that he cares a lot about the store—and, of course, the supervisor—so seeing how devoted he is to it was very nice. With these appearing as go-betweens for the different vignettes, they’re a breath of recent air that resets audiences’ expectations. Plus, watching Shadow wrestle at the entrance door as a result of he’s in his S outfit and doesn’t wish to reveal it to the supervisor is nice. 

Filling in some of season one’s gaps

“Turning into Actually Critical About Issues” is an exploration of Joe and Cherry’s friendship from after they have been youngsters. It’s a nice have a look at how they acted after they have been youthful, in the event that they have been at all times so aggressive with each other, and their apparent care has been of their friendship since day one. Their ridiculous combat in the classroom reveals that the two of them have at all times been dramatic opponents. It’s the good solution to introduce their highschool selves on this OVA. 

This vignette particularly is a prequel to the first season of SK8 the Infinity. It reveals the foundation for not solely Joe and Cherry’s friendship, but in addition how the two of them begin skateboarding. It’s apparent in the first season how vital skating is to Cherry, however the viewers by no means knew why till now. Diving into that background and exploring Cherry’s motivations—and by extension, Joe’s motivations as nicely—was a nice solution to present that exposition we have been lacking in season one. The best way the writers revealed how severely Cherry takes skateboarding connects rather well together with his reactions to Adam and their tense relationship in the current. 

There is a lot to get pleasure from, rain or shine

On a much less severe notice, the vignette with Langa, Miya, and Reiki is all enjoyable and video games. “Rain and a Cat, Soda Ice Cream from the Comfort Retailer” is all about the heat that comes with friendship on a wet day. What makes this one particular is Miya. Audiences are used to seeing him a sure manner, however on this vignette he lastly will get to indicate off his playfulness with different children his age. His friendship with Langa and Reiki is, for lack of a higher time period, lovely. He has that childlike marvel that isn’t in season one. Not solely that, it was good to see his response to Reiki’s room that is lined in skateboarding stuff. It’s apparent from his reactions that his opinion on Reiki has modified, even when it’s solely a small quantity. Little issues like which might be what make the OVA that rather more particular. 

Final, actually not least, is the section targeted on Adam and Tadashi, “Morning Routine.” Relying on how you are feeling about Adam, you would possibly suppose this vignette is both too lengthy or too quick. Whereas I don’t personally look after Adam—I believe he’s a creep who wants a actuality examine—I beloved seeing Tadashi in the highlight. For a character that was criminally underrated in season one, having the ability to see his very lazy, very relatable morning routine was fantastic. He had such little dialogue in the complete OVA, however his character nonetheless reveals by way of on this glimpse of his life. 

Connecting individuals past skating

The overarching theme of friendship is one which works completely with every vignette. Even Shadow’s vignettes, which didn’t characteristic any of the different main characters, featured his friendship with the florist workers and prospects. The writers behind the OVA put their all into the writing for every vignette and it’s clear that they’ve a lot of love for these characters. These characters are a lot extra advanced than what is offered on the floor and this OVA actually confirmed that. 

SK8 the Infinity EXTRA PART does what it does finest: it reminds us why we fell in love with SK8 the Infinity in the first place. Every vignette was a fantastic look into the lives of the characters we’ve come to know and miss. Whereas it doesn’t fairly reply any questions followers may need, it doesn’t have to. Should you ask me, this was simply sufficient to carry me over till we get that season two launch date.

SK8 the Infinity EXTRA PART is accessible now on Crunchyroll.

Featured photographs ©BONES, Hiroko Utsumi/Mission SK8