"Rifle is Beautiful," a manga about the relatively unknown sport of shooting, especially rifle shooting, is being adapted into an anime! It's a niche subject, and "Rifle is Beautiful" is likely the first and last work to feature it. We've put together a summary of shooting!
What is shooting, an Olympic sport?
Shooting is an official event in the Summer Olympics, a time-honored sport that has been featured since the first Athens Olympics. Shooting is a sport in which athletes compete for points by shooting at designated targets, either targets thrown into the air or fixed targets, depending on the event. There are three types of shooting: clay pigeon shooting, which targets plates thrown into the air; rifle shooting, which involves shooting at fixed targets with a rifle; and pistol shooting, which involves shooting at fixed targets with a pistol. Shooting is also included in modern pentathlon, and in winter there is also the biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and shooting.
Shooting is a very minor sport in Japan!
Despite being such a prestigious Olympic sport, shooting is relatively unknown in Japan. While some may be familiar with clay shooting, which celebrities occasionally try, it's safe to say that almost no one knows about rifle or pistol shooting. Rifle is Beautiful was even featured on the variety show "Wednesday Downtown" in a segment titled "Every Minor Sport Has Been Made into a Manga at Least Once," as the only manga about shooting sports.
Why is there such a low number of shooting athletes in Japan?
The main reason seems to be the existence of the Firearms and Swords Act in Japan. Firearms are already unfamiliar to many people, and owning a gun requires a very complicated process, even for the air pistols used in the series. Furthermore, there are high barriers to ownership, and even renters may not be able to obtain a permit, so it seems necessary to leave the gun at a gun shop or shooting range. It's a pain! And of course, buying a gun is expensive, and with the cost of bullets, it could be considered a sport for the wealthy. It's a cruel world!
A detailed explanation of the different types of shooting sports!
There are many different types of shooting sports. I'd like to briefly introduce each shooting sport.
Clay Shooting
A sport in which players use a shotgun to shoot clay targets (15cm in diameter) into the air. The most common sports are "trap" and "skeet." While some may know it as a sport played by prime ministers and celebrities, it's fair to say it's a rich person's sport, as it requires initial investment and training costs.
Rifle Shooting
A sport in which players shoot fixed targets using a rifle. Official Olympic events include small-bore rifles, large-bore rifles, and air rifles. Air rifles are also real firearms, and in Japan, a permit is required. Since the protagonists are high school girls, they would naturally be subject to the Firearms and Swords Control Law. However, air rifles are permitted under the elite shooting system, allowing them to be used. Therefore, the protagonists choose to use air rifles.
Beam Rifle Shooting
Rifle shooting also includes a genre called beam rifle shooting, which anyone can use without a special permit. Initially, the protagonists aim to compete in the National Sports Festival in the beam rifle competition. The protagonist, Hinata, ultimately aims to compete in the Olympics, but after realizing that she can't compete with a beam rifle (it's not even an Olympic event), she switches to air rifles. Beam rifles were developed by the Japan Rifle Association to popularize shooting sports in Japan, where the Firearms and Swords Control Law is strict.
Pistol Shooting
This sport uses a pistol or air pistol, and, like a rifle, players shoot fixed targets. In Japan, the hurdles to owning a pistol are among the highest in the world, so most shooters are police officers or members of the Self-Defense Forces.
It might become a huge hit! How do I get started in shooting sports?
Anime genres featuring high school girls doing various activities have a tremendous influence. When they become popular, the genre can explode in popularity, sometimes even evolving into a social issue (such as light music or outdoor activities). Therefore, if "Rifle is Beautiful" becomes a hot topic, there is a possibility that the number of competitors will increase dramatically. For those who are easily influenced, I would like to explain the process of competing.
Do I need a license to start competing?
First of all, you don't need a license to participate in beam rifle and beam pistol competitions. No qualifications are required, and as long as you have the equipment and the necessary distance, you can easily practice. For more information, please visit the Japan Rifle Shooting Association's trial events. These events are listed on the association's website. Whether you're interested in trying beam rifle competitions or wanting to step up to real guns, it's a good idea to start with a trial event for beginners.
Of course, a license is required to use a real gun!!
Due to the Firearms and Swords Act, a license is naturally required for competitions involving real guns. Regarding how to obtain a license, the most reliable and quickest way is to check the websites of the Japan Clay Shooting Association or the Japan Rifle Shooting Association, or to actually participate in a trial event and ask the staff. Since the main characters are high school girls, they can only handle air rifles, but the process for obtaining a license is explained in detail in "Rifle is Beautiful." Even asking Google didn't really help...
About Practice
As for where and how to practice, since it's a minor sport in Japan, even asking Google doesn't provide much information. Apparently, instructors at the trial sessions will thoroughly explain the initial costs involved, so it's a good idea to attend one first.
[Rifle is Beautiful] A Summary of Shooting Competitions
The anime "Rifle is Beautiful" focuses on shooting, which is popular overseas but extremely obscure in Japan. However, anime has an incredibly large influence, so it has the potential to become an explosive hit. Will Rifle is Beautiful, which wants to popularize shooting competitions, actually succeed? That may be one of the highlights. The anime will begin airing in October.
