Baby Steps

[MFauli]

Still waiting for the Natsu cheering

I´d prefer for him to overcome this smug enemy by his own strength, but yeah, I kinda expect this to become the turning point: Natsu appearing on one side of the audience and shouting something like "Ei-chan, don´t you dare losing! If you win, I´ll give you a kiss!" all while she´s standing next to the wheel chair kid and caring for him, thus winning over the audience.

[Buffalobiian]

I don't need her to use a kiss as a reward. I only want her to cheer him on so that he realises just as Ide plays to please his fans, he's playing to keep up with Natsu. The kiss can come automatically afterwards, but dangling it in front of Ei-chan cheapens the purpose of this tennis.

[MFauli]

new ep is out
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man, that was fucking awesome! ffs, the second half made me feel like i was watching one of the better battles in Hunter X Hunter ... which doesnt make much sense, lol.

next week looks to be boring, though.

[Munsu]

I thought that the whole pressure and measuring it was completely idiotic.

Other than that, the final game of this match was really good particularly from an animation standpoint. A lot of quick hits and rallies, and some fun shots made.

Was hoping the episode wouldn't end right at the end of the match, wanted to see some of the aftermath in this episode.

[Buffalobiian]

Natsu made all the right moves - cheering when Ei-chan required it, then just confidently believing he'd win. I'm with bud, the erasing thing seemed weird. I don't know if anyone actually does it so literally (the whole pen/paper/erasor thing), but I can actually see as a thought.

1) count the things against you
2) slowly forget about it (but not entirely to the point where you're 100% relaxed)

It seems like it'd work. I'll go ahead and say literal imagery looks better animated.

[shinta|hikari]

It's probably just a concentration and relaxation ritual, like writing "hito" on your palm and eating it, or seeing the audience as vegetables.

[Buffalobiian]

But you're not allowed to eat the whole hito. You must also leave a eyes on the vegetables.

[MFauli]

episode 20 is out
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good, maruo will win this. seeing how his opponent is clearly and asshole, or "evil", there´s no way they´d let the hero lose here. I had doubts when this match started, but it´s all clear now. Final will be boring though. He´ll be fighting Nabae and I don´t see him win here. Will probably be kept for the All-Japan tournament.

[David75]

Somehow, that match feels a lot like some bits and pieces taken from the Lendl/Chang Roland Garros match era.
They redistributed some attributes, but you get some vibes.

Back to the show, somehow Maruo gets to play so many different and talented players he can analyse and use as experience. that's clearly a bit too much. It's good for the show, so I won't complain.

[Buffalobiian]

I might be ahead of Maruo in this regard since I'm cool with (ab)using the law to your advantage. I don't feel much aggravation from seeing someone do that.

[Munsu]

I'm fine with the psychological warfare, but the whole "he's starting at me" crap, and how due to that it throws his game was idiotic.

[Buffalobiian]

HS - Episode 21

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Nabae had a huge weakness? Somehow I think it's girls - or Natsu.

[MFauli]

Not too excited for the next match. I just don´t see Maruo beating Nabae. That´s a moment they´ll want to keep for the all-japan tournament. Unless Takuma participates there, too, and becomes Maruo´s final hurdle in becoming a pro.

[Buffalobiian]

I don't think Maruo's on-the-fly analysis is as good as Nabae's, nor is he as detailed regarding specs. He's still got his born talent for vision though. I don't think Nabae's born with any gifts other than his mind for analysis.

[Munsu]

So many dumb things happening lately that it's irritating me to no end.

2 point lead in a tie-breaker, so logically "let's try something I've never done before to see what happens". /me shakes head


Thankfully he won handily, so there's that at least.

[Buffalobiian]

Thankfully he won handily, so there's that at least.

I found it funny when Maruo stopped giving a shit about him and just won.

[Buffalobiian]

HS - Episode 22




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Next week:

[MFauli]

lol

anyway ... THE ZONE! Can´t wait for when Nabae also enters the zone, forcing Maruo to find the zone within the zone!

Whatever. The beginning of this match is a nice surprise, but I´m still skeptical Maruo´s chances of winning it. Especially the phone call wit his mom ... felt like a typical "too good to be true" offer.

And I keep thinking ... if Maruo won against Nabae here, what would be left in the All-Japan tournament? Takuma would be the only "enemy" left, and tbh I don´t see what´s so amazing about him, his ace shots aside.

[Buffalobiian]

anyway ... THE ZONE! Can´t wait for when Nabae also enters the zone, forcing Maruo to find the zone within the zone!

That's not going to happen. They're not playing doubles yet.

Maruo could still win against Nabae, then lose against the guy who beats Araya. That way he gets to play against another unknown player (to us), and reinforce the notion that upsets can still happen.

If his mum starts watching his tennis from the next match onwards, it paves the way for him to be able to lose in the All-Japan, yet still be allowed to continue his tennis. He's got Natsu now, and if his parents are willing to let him I'm sure he won't feel too bad about breaking his vow.

[David75]

They had to remind us several times Nabae is an average player with incredible control/analysis/experience/seriouness/careful training. They even had him notice Maruo is a genius of the Ikke caliber when it comes to how quickly he evolves, even telling us Takuma doesn't compare. They've been as far as showing us a potential weakness Maruo could activate (by becoming the one that plays like a wall... for example).So I think he has his chances with what we've been shown. They were even careful enough to tell us Natsu's love isn't a deathflag


Of course, all of this might be a trap...