
Here at RocketNews24 we’re always on the lookout for cases where life meets art, whether it’s characters from video games spliced into real-life falling-over gifs, or animals hanging out with giant fluffy figures at Disneyland. So when we saw this video that’s been dubbed “the anime fall in real life”, we knew it was the one for us.
These two handball players ended up in an awkward position when they collided on the court. Unfortunately for them, the moment – as well as their amused reaction – was captured and replayed in slow motion all over the internet, giving teenage boys the world over plenty to think about and anime fans reason to believe that their preferred medium of entertainment isn’t quite so removed from reality after all…
In the clip from a handball game in Denmark, the two players run into each other and end up accidentally getting a lot closer than expected, much to their mutual amusement. The game’s commentators – and the referee – seem to notice and enjoy what’s going on, too.
Commentors on the video largely fell into one of the three following groups:
1) “It’s just like one of my Japanese animes!”
“Senpai~!”
“So the Japanese anime is true!!!”
“The Anime FALL IS REAL ….”
Conveniently positioned “accidental” falling like this is an anime trope. Think “oops! I fell on your lips”, but simultaneously more innocent and more sexually suggestive.
2) “Wow, that was actually kinda sexy xD”
“two girls _ _”
“Are they married yet?”
Apparently, some people find pretty women touching each other sexy. Who knew?!
3) Hand-what?
“What sport is this? The one they are all playing… not the one the two were playing.”
“wtf game is that…volleyball soccer? Women and their fake sports”
The main question many people seem to have, though, is simply: “what sport is this?!” Although handball is an Olympic sport, and popular in continental Europe and parts of Asia, it’s apparently not that well-known in the United States. It’s played by men, too, though! Therefore: not a “fake sport” or a women’s sport (whatever that means anyway).
So there we have it: the key to a viral video, cracked! Falling over + awkwardness + cute girls + boobs. The only thing missing is a cat gif. Although, y’know, it’d be nice if we had some stories about women in sport that didn’t revolve around breasts or underwear. Just sometimes.
▼ “In that moment, it was like everyone else disappeared…”
▼ Proof that awkward laughter is the best reaction to most situations.
▼ “Quick, pretend nothing happened.”
Top image: YouTube
[ Read in Japanese ]



Nintendo Direct broadcast focuses on Pikmin 3, includes a moment of minor awkwardness
Join the hordes of net users giggling at GIFs of sumo wrestlers performing comedic moves【Videos】
New Slam Dunk anime movie shows off CGI trailer, Japan react differently than overseas fans【Vid】
Japanese idioms become cute anime girls in latest anthropomorphization video game【Video】
Legendary basketball anime Slam Dunk is getting a brand-new movie
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 kanji with ironic meanings【Weird Top Five】
Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Anime and reality cross over with Shirobako animator cameos, behind-the-scenes credit sequence
New competitive diving anime to fill hole in hearts of fans of sports series/shirtless guys【Vid】
Beginner Live2D anime artist creates eldritch horrors that warp reality when they move【Video】
Internet meme sensation Nyan Cat surpasses 100 million views!
【Monday Kickstart】This collection of awkward black cat photos is sure to put a smile on your face
Life imitating anime: Japanese people tell us about their most “anime” moments
Awkward Jimmy Kimmel segment suggests some kids start being racist jerks at around age six
New Pokémon anime series promises to include all eight regions, has throwback title
New smartphone game turns car models into anime girls with model-worthy looks
Hilarious GIF shows what could have happened to Moon Jae-in when he stepped into North Korea
Anime featuring yakuza thugs getting gender reassignment surgeries to become idols begins in July
Five anime/manga series praised by Japanese fans for their realistic human relationships【Survey】
Website lets you eat ramen with handsome actor – Great for fans, sort of awkward if you’re not
Tokyo government makes a magical girl anime video about the dark side of contract scams【Video】