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| THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE. ----------------------------------------  This was an okay episode, felt a bit slow though. I like how they reference some of the strategic thinking with cards. Takuma's rejection to Eiirchou's challenge was freaking hilarious lol. The match was kinda boring though. I wasn't into it much but Eiirchou's skills looks like it improved again. And not to mention, he has so many graphs to study from. That's what I call dedication. |
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| ^ I didn't think the match was boring, a little worrying though. I'm kinda wondering where this series is going to end, with only four episodes left I hope they don't break the steady pace they've established so far. The budget this series got makes me worry for the future of a season 2. |
| the official MAL hall of fame/cursed comments is now open for business - you are welcome to PM me any potential quotes to include |
| Maruo is sooooo cute when he was convincing Takuma to play against him!I thought that the match was interesting, nice to see how Maruo can keep up with a top player. Baby Steps keeps getting better for me, I really hope the producers will consider making a season 2! |
| That was a great episode :D Really loving the match so far ^^ The way they show Maruo and Nabae's monologues and thoughts is awesome :3 Loved the long rallies. Some parts had not bad animation actually so that's good. Nxt ep is gonna be even better. Can't wait for Maruo do start using his 1/100 control >.< (Not spoiler since it was in the PV :P) |
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| Interesting match so far. He is gathering data in his mind while playing against Maruo. |
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| I doubt Maruo will win. |
| I thought the match was far from boring. I literally was so indulged in this episode it ended quite quickly to me :( I want Ei-chan to win so bad!! >.< I truly hope he does, he is up against a difficult opponent. Makes thing so much more interesting |
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| Great episode....the real match is starting next week and the tension is getting high.New rival is watching Maruo as a potential rival.....4 episodes left to go |
| 4 minutes wasted on some flashbacks from not long ago and the OP... lol... Damn... Nabae from the first game... that's unlucky and lucky at the same time since he can eliminate the strongest guy around quickly. So Nabae can adapt his play styke according to each opponent he faces heh. Ohooo, it's time for Ei-chan to kick some Nabae ass and become the best aroudn B| Hmmmm, I guess things are going well at the moment for Ei-chan but I think Nabae will turn the tables around :o |
| "Let justice be done, though the heavens fall." |
| Of course his first opponent would be the #1 seed. He's playing it well for now, but I really don't see how he can beat that guy. It's like Nabae is an improved version of Maruo. Nevertheless it's another really good match. And the flashback in the beginning, for a moment I thought I was watching the wrong episode!!! |
| This is where it gets good. Really a great start for Eiichirou. |
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| I'm wondering if the repeated focus on Ei-chan's conditioning and the transformational body work might not be a hint as to how he can beat Nabae. If they play the same style and are equally skilled, it might all come down to physical stamina in the end. |
Please don't feed the trolls! In my next life I want to collide at the corner with the cute transfer student carrying a piece of toast in her mouth...rodac |
| Oshoot, #1 seed match-up right from the get-go! @.@ Dang, I really want Maruo to win this one, especially after all the hard work he put in to transform his body. Regardless of the outcome though, I thought the match was very interesting and I expect it to stay that way. Nabae clearly has the advantage after Maruo's surprising start. |
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| Oh boy it is so on :3 I was really looking forward to these two playing but I never expected it to happen so soon. I mean dayum, the match is great so far, can't wait for next episode ^_^ Stark700 said: This moment right here was probably the best one this episode imo. I really, really hope that a) this gets a second season b) we see more of Nabae. MOAR NABAE!PS: Araya, I feel ya man. Must have been very shocking to see Note-kun play like that. I hope we see one of Araya's matches too. 5/5 |
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| Whoo more game next episode! Sooooo happy. |
| Hajime no Ippo feels right here. Terrifying! |
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| If Ei-chan doesn't win, I guess we'll be back for several more seasons |
| Ide-kuuuuuuuuun ♥ Okay, he was only there as a match commentator but he is one of my favorite characters in the manga. It's exciting to see him in any capacity. And next to Downer-chan. ♥ I have actually forgotten most of this match so it is all very exciting. And very gratifying, too, as Araya-kun-tachi all, "MASAKA?!" ((((；゜Д゜))) The short scenes with Takaya and Natsu are a treat-! There isn't enough on-screen Eijuun - Takuma interaction, to be frank, and this little bit is both torture and "utsukushii". |
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| Man, just 4 more episodes to go.. I hope they will announce Season 2. And loving this episode and their monologues... I really love this anime because of the strategies! Go Eichan! |
rodac said: I'm wondering if the repeated focus on Ei-chan's conditioning and the transformational body work might not be a hint as to how he can beat Nabae. If they play the same style and are equally skilled, it might all come down to physical stamina in the end. Or, or, realism = Nabae has to forfeit the match for whatever reason. And I think this might be the most realistic approach because I can't imagine Maruo losing the important first match, but he can't win against the #1 seed (two months of training won't improve him to that point). I was wondering when we would get to see Nabae again; that was quick! And looks like we'll see less of Takuma too. I like Araya's shock, hahaha. I wonder if Maruo could beat him now. This match is exciting too! Both of them are analyzing each other, and Maruo's improvement is awesome! Look at him react to those balls. I especially liked the part where he tried to stretch for the ball that was out, he wouldn't have been doing that two months ago! :D I really hope for a S2. Else I'm picking up the manga. |
| Before the match started I felt that this episode is dragging out,it was slow but when the match started,oh boy! I was hooked,how the analyzing each other,how both were playing with different objectives.I really like Nabae's character. Now I wonder how this will end,Maruo can't lose this match becuase of the deal he made with his parents,but he is up against the #1 seed it will be unrealistic to beat him now and if the match drags on it favors Nabae. The scene when Takuma rejects Maruo was hilarious. I hope this and Haikyuu! will get a season two. |
| Ei-chan just can't catch a break. First match and he got Nabae >__< |
"May those who accept their fate be granted happiness." "May those who defy their fate be granted glory." |
| Awesome episode. Ahahah Nabae already? Hoping that Maruo "destroys" him. |
| The intensive training shown at the start must have meant the turning point of Eiichiro's tennis career For him to face off his first seeded twin at the Kanto first round is very interesting I assume Nabae will change his play style again to spread confusion next and take the first set back |
| Such luck getting Nabae for first match, but he would have to face Nabae sooner or later. People also learn/improve faster when dealing with difficult opponents. Love Araya's surprised expression at how much better Ei-chan is moving :)) |
Matthz said: And the flashback in the beginning, for a moment I thought I was watching the wrong episode!!! I scrolled passed the opening just so I could check if I got the wrong episode. lol |
| (-_- #) ... 25 episodes. Not enough episodes left for the good parts of the story. |
| Intense!! Come soon, Sunday. parfaited said: Everyone's eyebrows were strong in this one. lol |
1lau said: The intensive training shown at the start must have meant the turning point of Eiichiro's tennis career For him to face off his first seeded twin at the Kanto first round is very interesting I assume Nabae will change his play style again to spread confusion next and take the first set back There's only one set, so if he takes it, that means Maruo loses. Not sure why the announcer said it was a best of three match. Mistranslation maybe? Lazy reuse of inappropriate audio perhaps? saxmaster4ever said: Matthz said: And the flashback in the beginning, for a moment I thought I was watching the wrong episode!!! I scrolled passed the opening just so I could check if I got the wrong episode. lol Same here. najib90 said: The_ClownPrince said: Now I wonder how this will end,Maruo can't lose this match becuase of the deal he made with his parents,but he is up against the #1 seed it will be unrealistic to beat him now and if the match drags on it favors Nabae. Actually, he is still don't need to win this tournament. This tournament is the kanto indoor qualifiers (november), to all japan indoor (january). And then, the last 3 tournaments 1) Kanagawa tournament (mar) 2) Kanto (July) 3) All japan (Aug). Exactly, which is why his coach said he should feel lucky. Running into him now means that he'll have an opportunity to learn from losing to him or take him by surprise and knock him out of the tournament early. Its a gamble, but there's really no downside for Ei-chan at the moment. |
jacobpaige said: So it is a one set match not three?1lau said: The intensive training shown at the start must have meant the turning point of Eiichiro's tennis career For him to face off his first seeded twin at the Kanto first round is very interesting I assume Nabae will change his play style again to spread confusion next and take the first set back There's only one set, so if he takes it, that means Maruo loses. Not sure why the announcer said it was a best of three match. Mistranslation maybe? Lazy reuse of inappropriate audio perhaps? najib90 said: The_ClownPrince said: Now I wonder how this will end,Maruo can't lose this match becuase of the deal he made with his parents,but he is up against the #1 seed it will be unrealistic to beat him now and if the match drags on it favors Nabae. Actually, he is still don't need to win this tournament. This tournament is the kanto indoor qualifiers (november), to all japan indoor (january). And then, the last 3 tournaments 1) Kanagawa tournament (mar) 2) Kanto (July) 3) All japan (Aug). Exactly, which is why his coach said he should feel lucky. Running into him now means that he'll have an opportunity to learn from losing to him or take him by surprise and knock him out of the tournament early. Its a gamble, but there's really no downside for Ei-chan at the moment.[/quote]Ah ok,that's a good thing to know. |
| He aint beatin nabae. |
The_ClownPrince said: jacobpaige said: So it is a one set match not three?There's only one set, so if he takes it, that means Maruo loses. Not sure why the announcer said it was a best of three match. Mistranslation maybe? Lazy reuse of inappropriate audio perhaps? No, it was 3 set, I was just mistaken. |
| So tense, the paper and electronic notes rivalry. At least in class paper notes don't get confiscated, I am betting that Maruo wins. |
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| This was a good episode imo. Felt tension between the two players that are trying analyze each other the same way, but Nabae seems to be confident either way. Let's see how this unfolds! |
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| Brain vs. brain, that seems interesting. I think Marau will lose this match, it is really rare to defeat the number 1 player when you are not even ranked! But then what about his dream to be pro? This is his only chance, he can't afford loosing! |
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| Logically if both sides are pron to fundamentals.. Obviously Ei-chan don't stand a chance playing tennis in such a short time. Let's see how it goes then. |
| Talk about deja vu during the first couple seconds, I thought I was watching ep 19 all over again lol The match was boring to me, just lacking in intensity. After all we are talking about the two guys who are dedicated note takers. |
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| I adore the Chameleon style that Nabae has. To be able to completely change your gameplan to counter your opponent is as impressive as it is fun to watch. But, one of the big problems is the beginning of the match before you've gotten your data. Because of that, I'm scared we may have seen the worst Nabae has to offer already and, as he said himself, that he may know exactly how to pick apart Maruo. This is one of the first matches where not only do the players have to ask what is my opponent doing, but how is my opponent analyzing me, and that's awesome! Seeing all the fans Maruo's getting is fun too. The two seeded players surprised by him, the random audience getting excited for him, and most importantly Araya being outright shocked that he's improved this much is perfect. Also, we can clearly see now the pro mentality that he lacked before in him now. I thought he had some variation of it in the past, but the way he deemed this match as something he cannot lose no matter what with the determination he had in his eyes really sold it for me. This is a battle of Chameleons huh. I wonder which will hide better. |
| Phenomenal episode! It was following the basic sports anime formula of "Wow, Ei-chan is up Love-15 in the first game of set 1!!" but his coach and everyone else understood it was just that.. just one point and now eventually set. The analyzing back and forth is not boring and more importantly not pretensions. On to the next episode! |
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