Summary:
It’s time for the 35th Shoryuuji HS Tournament, and the place is packed. Everyone registers for individual matches, and Satori is immediately eliminated by a motivated Tamaki. Miyako, on the other hand, finally tastes success by turtling until Carrie makes a mistake. It turns out that Reimi’s stalker habits ended up being great for scouting Carrie’s weakness, and Satori was able to come up with an effective game plan for Miyako. Just to really stick it to Carrie, Miyako then takes the fight outside and beats Carrie’s two-sword style as well.
Sayako gets a personal best by making it to the fourth round, as does Kirino. Dan takes on Yuuji and scores a point, but Yuuji takes advantage of Dan’s enormous noggin to land a headshot for the win. Finally, it’s time for Tamaki to face Rin in the fifth round. As per Toraji’s advice, Tamaki has realized she is such a sore loser that she would lay the smackdown on her mom if that is what it took to win. With that in mind, Tamaki lands a fearsome Tsuki to defeat Rin’s Jodan stance. Unfortunately, Toraji reveals he still has to quit, because someone has to take responsibility for the damage done at the arcade.
Reaction:
I found it hilarious that it is ok for Tamaki to use the Atomic Fire Blade now, when it was forbidden before. I guess being a super sore loser is Tamaki’s way of the sword. Speaking of losers, I can’t believe Toraji had to quit anyway, and now he has to ride home with Nobu-san (the guy who lent him some money). Even worse was the foreshadowing of how Yoshikawa-sensei was just using Toraji to get close to Kenzaburo!
I also have to give major props to how Reimi’s obsession with Miyako ended up being a plot point instead of just a random joke. Miyako made Carrie look super sluggish, and the retort of “No, it was the power of love,” was the perfect finisher. Miyako talked a great game all episode long, and it’s clear that she’s in Carrie’s head now. Meanwhile, Dan sure is confident in his abilities, even though he has yet to win a real match. Even Miyako has more wins than he does.
13 Comments
Don’t be down on my Tamaki… she is pure awesome…
Dan came in second place way back in episode 10 so he has won
Miyako OWNS with Love!
How can u not LOVE Dan?!?!?!?!?!
Wasn’t that second place cause the other guy didn’t show up?
Nope. Not seeing kendo as SERIOUS BUSINESS is her way of the sword. She didn’t really enjoy what she was doing until now. :P
I thought some cute touches were the cat meowing intercut with the start of the tournament and the boy who was supposed to be meditating but really was asleep and drooling.
I’m just poking a little fun at Dan and Tamaki, and you know I have love for them, too.
I didn’t really understand the bit about the grey cat, but the kid who fell asleep while being all srs bsnss meditating was awesome.
BTW Jodan (and the not-seen Gedan) stance seem to be kinda gimicky. I haven’t seen good evidence in Bamboo Blade that the Jodan is that good, except for mind games.
Always bet on Tama-chan!
I see alot of Tama hate going on here and don’t know why. If you had watched the entire series, you would know that she was “not forbidden” from using tsuki. She was told by her father that it can only be used against strong opponents. Tama used it as early as the 2nd episode to defeat Iwasa.
P.S. I just read comment #8. I guess my sarcasm meter is off.
I thought that her dad said Tamaki’s tsuki was so vicious that it should only be used on dangerous high school (and older) boys. I remember Yuuji being horrified the first time Tamaki tried to use it on Rin, but somehow it was ok the second time.
OTOH, Tamaki didn’t use it in anger, so maybe she has tamed the beast finally.
You’re probably right. I’d have to go back and review episode 2 to be sure though. I do remember during the Iwasa fight Tama recollecting her fathers words, and one of the conditions might have been a strong “male” opponent. And I think her father might have warned her not to use it at all after the 2nd time. The fight with that girl who injured her foot? Anyhow, my previous comment was pretty much a rant I made before I read your comment #8, but didn’t want to just erase it.
Gedan isn’t used in kendo except for kata. You wouldn’t use it in a competition shiai though. Jodan is difficult and so only the higher ranks can pull it off. It’s generally not even taught below sandan (in the US) because if your chudan sucks, you will just completely fail at jodan.