‘Rising Impact’ Ending Explained: Will There Be A Season 2?

Creator of Seven Deadly Sins, mangaka Nakaba Suzuki’s first manga series, Rising Impact, centered on golf and all its intricacies, has received an anime adaptation produced by Netflix. The recently concluded first season of the anime series follows the journey of the golf prodigy, Gawain Nanaumi, a young kid who experiences the world of club -and-ball and learns from some of the best players to fulfill his dream of becoming the best pro in the game. There is well-defined world-building at work as the series explores rival groups, various disciplines of golfing, and unique skillsets in classic sports-anime fashion, which was definitely the highlight of the first season. With the second season approaching just a couple of months later, let us discuss the expectations regarding the second season along with the ending of the first season. 

Spoilers Ahead

Can Gawain Take On The Challenge Of The Camelot Cup?

The first half of season one of Rising Impact revolved around Gawain learning the ropes of golfing, all the while harnessing his unique skill of ‘Rising Impact’ to gradually become one of the most promising junior-level players. After his talent as a golfer gets recognized by Merlin Albright, Gawain is given a chance to step up by getting enrolled in the prestigious Camelot Academy. Eventually, Gawain qualifies for the upcoming Camelot Cup – the most celebrated, competitive junior golfing tournament across the globe which is played among the selected golfers of the USA, UK and Japan division of Camelot Academy. Making an impact in a tournament like this will allow Gawain to unlock his potential even further and bring him closer to his dream of becoming the best pro golfer. However, it is easier said than done as the Camelot Cup is going to consist of some of the toughest matchups, and to even stand a chance against the ace players of the USA and UK, Gawain and his friends need to push themselves to the limit. It has already been stated multiple times that the Japan division of Camelot Academy is the weakest of the bunch, despite having extremely skilled golfers, and this provides a fair assessment of the caliber of competition in the Camelot Cup. 

Gawain definitely has the advantage of his physical attributes, the ‘Rising Impact’ and his innovative style of playing, but as the first season has shown multiple times, talent is of no use if it isn’t tempered with hardship. Gawain has come a long way in a very brief span of time and seemingly has what it takes to become a true champion, and the upcoming Camelot Cup is going to test his mettle against some of the best golfers in the world. In the final moments of the first season, Gawain has already issued a challenge to the captain of the USA division, and right as the second season begins, the ensuing clash will let the kid showcase his capabilities. 

Will Lancelot’s inclusion change the fate of the Japan Division?

With Gawain as the central protagonist, the first season focused on the enigmatic, taciturn sixth grader Lancelot Norman as the classic Shounen rival/frenemy, whose unparalleled skills in putting have made him the best junior golfer in the country. Just like Gawain possesses the mythical ‘Rising Impact’ skill, Lancelot has mastered the ‘Shining Road’ skill, an extension of his superior observational and accuracy-based gameplay. Lancelot had to refuse the chance of admission to Camelot Academy to tend to his elder sister, but since her recovery, he expressed his wish to join Camelot Academy as there was basically no competition or rival left for him to conquer. Lancelot’s last-minute inclusion in the Camelot Cup by Kuromine’s disastrous gamble can prove to be a boon in disguise for the Japan division, who are already considered the underdogs of the upcoming tournament. Without a doubt, Lancelot is at present the best golfer the seven-member team has and will prove to be instrumental in the Japan division’s progress in the Camelot Cup. 

Gawain’s Past and Legacy of the Mythical Skills

As seen in the first season, Gawain’s grandpa is his sole guardian, and later Kiria takes on the responsibility to help the kid reach his full potential as a golfer. So far, Gawain’s parentage has been kept under wraps for reasons still unknown. Later, as Gawain’s grandpa sees him off as the team departs for the UK, it is hinted that there is a connection between the kid and the country where the 11th Camelot Cup is going to take place. It could be that Gawain’s parents are from England, as the choice of naming the lead characters after the Knights of the Round Table highlights Mangaka’s preoccupation with Arthurian legend. Additionally, Lancelot’s ‘Shining Road’ skill is also possessed by his sister, Kajury, which makes us wonder whether Gawain’s ‘Rising Impact’ skill has some familial legacy connection as well. The second season is going to build upon these clues, which will help viewers appreciate the world-building in a better way. 

Lastly, there are separate character arcs going on with side characters as well; for example, it is suggested that Wanglian has a past with his brother or friend, which led him to adopt a reserved demeanor. Platalissa, who is from England, has a possibly estranged relationship with her family, while Yumiko’s parents don’t seem to have time for their daughter. All the major and minor character arcs will gain focus in the second season as the battle for the Camelot Cup begins.