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Jun 12, 2014 9:26 AM
#1
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE. ---------------------------------------- HEROOOOOOOOO Ah another good episode and Peco is more impressive than ever. I am very impressed at how much he has progressed since his debut. Lovely humming though. And like usual, I like how Peco goes all out with energy. The OST choice this episode was quite catchy imo. China was impressed and so am I. |
Stark700Jun 12, 2014 9:45 AM
Jun 12, 2014 10:30 AM
#2
What an epic match that was! Friggin' Kazama was so op in the beginning; reading Peco's movements like a light novel! That skill with maintaining a spinning ball around the bat was awesome. His intimidation was quite scary too.. Though, Peco regained control in the 2nd half of the match; being just as op as him. Those movements were almost Godly! Really loved Kazama's monologues as he was being overpowered by the "hero" and his thoughts and expressions started to change about Ping Pong. Good seeing how he enjoyed playing with Peco even if he was losing the match. Kazama sure had a tough past. I begin to understand his hardships now.. Quite a great guy to hold his standard posture for so long just for the sake of being the best, regardless of enjoying Ping Pong at all. That imagery of the struggling human competing with bird-like superhero was amazingly done! Liked how Smile already knew the "hero" would return today and didn't even go to watch the match! Overall, epic episode! Might raise the rating to 9 after this. |
Jun 12, 2014 10:35 AM
#3
Another perfect episode, both Peco and Kazama were great. |
Jun 12, 2014 10:51 AM
#4
GOOSEBUMPS!!! Amazing! Just pure brilliance! The ping pong game play sequence was glorious!!! Those rallies had me smiling like an idiot :D Ryu smiling enjoying himself was so nice to see and ofc Peco. Oh Peco!!! I'm friggin loving this guy too much >.<!! How he was saying Kazama is cool and "Love ya Dragon" XD His moves after realizing he plays for the fun were so awesome. BA! The black and white conversation between Kazama and Peco was so emotional. Both of them smiling after that made me smile :) And also love how Wenge is commenting on how fun this game is. As well as Smile not even watching the match from how much he trusts Peco :*) Loved it! Can Smile vs Peco beat this? I can't friggin wait! If nxt ep is done right this is 10/10 material >.< |
Barion-ZaraJun 12, 2014 10:57 AM
Jun 12, 2014 11:25 AM
#5
Bliss. |
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Jun 12, 2014 11:26 AM
#6
This made me smile like an idiot, awesome shit. |
Jun 12, 2014 11:29 AM
#7
I think i can die happy now... I dont even care if they don't show the match between smile and peco. This SHOW IS WHY I WATCH ANIME. BRILLIANT EPISODE 10/10 GOD DAMMIT, WHY IS THIS SERIES SO SHORT X.X |
kitkatxzJun 12, 2014 12:34 PM
Jun 12, 2014 11:51 AM
#8
Kazama: "Will you bring me here again?" Peco: "..." Kazama: "I see..." *Cue Trance BGM* Need I say more? |
Jun 12, 2014 11:53 AM
#9
What a terrible way to ruin a series The world champion losing to a injured player that was a total scrub player 1 year ago.. And we will never going to watch Kazama vs Smile now All this just to show Smile smile because he can now play vs Peco pfff How to rape a series... Dont even feel like watching the last episode as it will just remind me how disappointment this was |
Jun 12, 2014 11:55 AM
#10
I found the whole "hero" talk and the talk about "can people fly?" a little cheesy, but you definitely can't beat someone who enjoys the sport so much. Love ya, Peco |
Jun 12, 2014 12:01 PM
#11
Bloody hell, though, this show. The look on Kazama's face as he looked up at the ball in those last few seconds of the episode... pure contentment. And Peco's own expression afterward. Amazing. Dat Character Development. Doze Character Relationship Dynamics. This is it. This is why I still regard Steins;Gate and shows like it (this one) as the best anime I will ever see for years to come. I'm satisfied. This is why you should give shows that look like they will reward you a chance regardless of genre and art style. |
Jun 12, 2014 12:02 PM
#12
sirika said: What a terrible way to ruin a series The world champion losing to a injured player that was a total scrub player 1 year ago.. And we will never going to watch Kazama vs Smile now All this just to show Smile smile because he can now play vs Peco pfff How to rape a series... Dont even feel like watching the last episode as it will just remind me how disappointment this was you boy dont understand this series pls go watch no game no life where you can turn of your brain thx |
Jun 12, 2014 12:09 PM
#13
Wow. That was amazing! I seriously cannot wait until next week's episode. |
Jun 12, 2014 12:22 PM
#14
Incredible match! I like how Smile and Peco both save each other. Even though Peco is the hero, Smile saved him (even though not directly). Peco plays best by his instincts and when he's having fun. I really like the flying motif, whether if it's the airplane, the birds, or the hero. I'm glad that Peco was able to make Kazama smile and enjoy the ping pong match. Why is this series so beautiful? |
Jun 12, 2014 12:23 PM
#15
SeTzu said: sirika said: What a terrible way to ruin a series The world champion losing to a injured player that was a total scrub player 1 year ago.. And we will never going to watch Kazama vs Smile now All this just to show Smile smile because he can now play vs Peco pfff How to rape a series... Dont even feel like watching the last episode as it will just remind me how disappointment this was you boy dont understand this series pls go watch no game no life where you can turn of your brain thx Ow i understand it alright. I understand that this show was all about raping the hardworkers, and that talent is all it matters. I can understand sakuma losing as he even admited that he had no talent at all, I can understand wenge losing as even if he had some talent he wasnt even worth being in the top team in china. But when we talk about the fu**** WORLD CHAMPION losing to someone who was just a scrub one year ago and is FU*** INJURED this all turns into fairy tails material The only reason Kazama lost was just because the writer decided that we need to watch the cheesy ending when Tsukimoto finally smiles again because he can play vs Peco. Thats really all. |
Jun 12, 2014 12:30 PM
#16
sirika said: SeTzu said: sirika said: What a terrible way to ruin a series The world champion losing to a injured player that was a total scrub player 1 year ago.. And we will never going to watch Kazama vs Smile now All this just to show Smile smile because he can now play vs Peco pfff How to rape a series... Dont even feel like watching the last episode as it will just remind me how disappointment this was you boy dont understand this series pls go watch no game no life where you can turn of your brain thx Ow i understand it alright. I understand that this show was all about raping the hardworkers, and that talent is all it matters. I can understand kazuma losing as he even admited that he had no talent at all, I can understand wenge losing as even if he had some talent he wasnt even worth being in the top team in china. But when we talk about the fu**** WORLD CHAMPION losing to someone who was just a scrub one year ago and is FU*** INJURED this all turns into fairy tails material The only reason Kazama lost was just because the writer decided that we need to watch the cheesy ending when Tsukimoto finally smiles again because he can play vs Peco. Thats really all. Do you like depressing shit? Like cmon this is a sport anime at heart. Of course the MC is going to fucking win if you don't like that don't watch sports anime... |
Jun 12, 2014 12:46 PM
#17
Man...I didn't expect Peco to win at all...I wanted him to win yeah, but I feel like Kazama should have won, and it looks like the hero saved Kazama. I wanted Kazama to be a little more intimidating, but I guess this was good enough. Although I agree, a world champion should not have lost to a guy with a serious handicap, but there were several points made that made it palpable for me. Anyways Peco taught Kazama the most important lesson in most sports anime and that is "to have fun". |
Jun 12, 2014 12:56 PM
#18
kitkatxz said: Do you like depressing shit? Like cmon this is a sport anime at heart. Of course the MC is going to fucking win if you don't like that don't watch sports anime... Thats why i really hate this episode, Because this was the most depressive outcome. Because it shows that no matterthe hardwork and effort you put it, someone injured and halftrained will just beat you.. Why humiliate kazama? Why make him lose vs someone injured and halftrained? If Pecos wins like this, what if he was actually at 100% and had time to train properly? That just makes all others players total scrubs if this is all it takes to beat the world champion. If the writer really wanted the Peco vs Smile in the end why not injure Peco after the match instead of before? Or why not tell kazama that Yurie was leaving the country and make him realize that even if has being a successfull player he has being wasting the rest of his life, and somehow that would influence the match? This was just lazing writing to put Peco in the finals Not to mention that now we will never going to see Smile vs Kazama..just because kamaza inst the mc, so yeah he has to lose |
sirikaJun 12, 2014 12:59 PM
Jun 12, 2014 1:00 PM
#19
The artistry in this series is brilliant. |
"Perhaps there is a universal, absolute truth. Perhaps it justifies every question. But that's beyond the reach of these small hands." Mamoru Oshii There is a cult of ignorance (...) nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” Isaac Asimov |
Jun 12, 2014 1:00 PM
#20
@Regrading on what everyone is saying, Honestly, I think Peco really exceeded past the talent and effort of Kazama in one. Yes, Kazama is the world champion ship and Peco had a serious handicap, but realize that Kazama worked through practically his entire life to work for this. Peco however had the advantage because his talent or will well exceeded his; Peco is able to absorb things like a sponge, that his ability to take in new actions and skills during matches is incredibly fast. Note how Peco has played throughout his life too, and although he has quite for a bit, he's really got into shape. At that moment in the match, he realized that Ping Pong was not just to 'win'; to meet everyone's expectations and hold a status of world champion ship is part of why Kazama could've never really flew. Despite all his efforts, he never once realized that Ping Pong was a sport to enjoy and not one that pressurized the hell out of it. He had to isolate. THat's why he felt trapped, and going against Peco so like going against the one he wanted to be; the one he could've been, with more talent, skill and perception on how you should really play the game. I know it does seem silly that Peco won after realizing a fact, but if you really think about the full depth of the characters, then I think it's perfectly justifiable. |
Jun 12, 2014 1:21 PM
#22
Epic match. !!1 |
Jun 12, 2014 1:33 PM
#23
Good for Peco that he won. And good for Kazama that he lost, he obviously needed that for a long time. It's not about winning Ping Pong but about winning life. Seems like every character will come out of the series wiser and happier. |
Jun 12, 2014 2:06 PM
#24
That was beautiful. The OST reminded me of little big planet. |
Jun 12, 2014 2:11 PM
#25
tommy73 said: @Regrading on what everyone is saying, At that moment in the match, he realized that Ping Pong was not just to 'win'; to meet everyone's expectations and hold a status of world champion ship is part of why Kazama could've never really flew. Despite all his efforts, he never once realized that Ping Pong was a sport to enjoy and not one that pressurized the hell out of it. He had to isolate. THat's why he felt trapped, and going against Peco so like going against the one he wanted to be; the one he could've been, with more talent, skill and perception on how you should really play the game. I know it does seem silly that Peco won after realizing a fact, but if you really think about the full depth of the characters, then I think it's perfectly justifiable. Well said. The author's point is NOT to say that hard work goes to waste and that in the end, it's all about the talent. They specifically showed that there's something more to the game than just talent and hard work: "having fun." You can't stop someone who enjoys the game more than life itself. Yes, talent and hard work make the solid foundation of any good player, but it's about how much you love the sport. Kazama hated the sport because all he got in the end was isolation and anguish. And that hate made him a strong player because like he said, "in an upward climb you can only climb up"; he had nowhere to go but up. However, Peco didn't need to climb because he already knew how to fly. He enjoys the sport so much that he wouldn't let a bad knee bother him from having fun playing against a great player like Kazama. This actually makes sense physically because of the endorphins (pleasure) and adrenaline he's getting from playing Kazama. So we all feel something for Kazama because there was an indication that it's not enough sometimes to just work hard. But that's reality. Just because Peco is the MC and he seemed to just be winning everything doesn't mean his wins are unjustified. Peco's played the sport all his life, but he just became too complacent after becoming good (he's pretty pathetic the first half of this show). He was all talent and no work. By making Peco win, the author is trying to make the point to never become complacent and waste your talent away. Anyone can shine like Peco as long as he/she put in the effort to expand the talent. And most of all, don't forget to have fun in that process. |
pakokoJun 12, 2014 2:23 PM
Jun 12, 2014 2:15 PM
#26
Glorious!! |
Jun 12, 2014 2:22 PM
#27
Mmmm mmmmm. Havent seen such good gameplay since episode 1 or 2 i think. I was half expecting Peco's hurt knee to turn out being a bluff, but it all turned out good anyway. lol'd when Kazuma fell over the wall. |
Jun 12, 2014 2:28 PM
#28
sirika said: kitkatxz said: Do you like depressing shit? Like cmon this is a sport anime at heart. Of course the MC is going to fucking win if you don't like that don't watch sports anime... Thats why i really hate this episode, Because this was the most depressive outcome. Because it shows that no matterthe hardwork and effort you put it, someone injured and halftrained will just beat you.. Why humiliate kazama? Why make him lose vs someone injured and halftrained? If Pecos wins like this, what if he was actually at 100% and had time to train properly? That just makes all others players total scrubs if this is all it takes to beat the world champion. If the writer really wanted the Peco vs Smile in the end why not injure Peco after the match instead of before? Or why not tell kazama that Yurie was leaving the country and make him realize that even if has being a successfull player he has being wasting the rest of his life, and somehow that would influence the match? This was just lazing writing to put Peco in the finals Not to mention that now we will never going to see Smile vs Kazama..just because kamaza inst the mc, so yeah he has to lose I don't think you understand the unpredictability of sports. The events that happened are not impossible like you make it out to seem. There also is such a thing as overtraining/overthinking btw. I don't know if you played any sort of competitive sport before, but putting yourself in a bad mental place only hinders you physically. sometimes you just gotta do it and not think, which kazama seemed to have a problem with. Hard work =/= deserve to "win." I know a lot of people that are going into medicine, and I can tell, the people that truly love it are the ones that will make great doctors, not whoever studied the hardest. But yes, talent is something that you aren't just born with. That's the reality of life. I don't know if Kazama lacked it or what, but in my opinion, he lost under different circumstances so I have no idea what you're complaining about. Also, I find it kinda funny you thought this show had any lazy writing. Kazama losing was thematically perfect. Him and Smile had both shut themselves out from the world, and became "monsters" (although being 'good' on the inside, as described on the subway a few episodes back). The only thing that could stop them from destroying the city (themselves?) was a hero. Cheesy or not, it works. |
idontwannapostJun 12, 2014 2:35 PM
Jun 12, 2014 2:33 PM
#29
sirika said: kitkatxz said: Do you like depressing shit? Like cmon this is a sport anime at heart. Of course the MC is going to fucking win if you don't like that don't watch sports anime... Thats why i really hate this episode, Because this was the most depressive outcome. Because it shows that no matterthe hardwork and effort you put it, someone injured and halftrained will just beat you.. Why humiliate kazama? Why make him lose vs someone injured and halftrained? If Pecos wins like this, what if he was actually at 100% and had time to train properly? That just makes all others players total scrubs if this is all it takes to beat the world champion. If the writer really wanted the Peco vs Smile in the end why not injure Peco after the match instead of before? Or why not tell kazama that Yurie was leaving the country and make him realize that even if has being a successfull player he has being wasting the rest of his life, and somehow that would influence the match? This was just lazing writing to put Peco in the finals Not to mention that now we will never going to see Smile vs Kazama..just because kamaza inst the mc, so yeah he has to lose 1.About Kazama In the manga Kazama was just a national champion. They turned him into world champion based on Koki Niwa's victory in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in the Table Tennis Singles category. However, Chinese people were absent. So even he is a "world" champion now. He is not as strong as you think. Peco has been training with adult's National team, where there are the best players and coach all over Japan. So this is possible. 2. Why peco should win "I love this game!" - Michael Jordan Peco wins because he loves this game more than anyone. He simply loves ping pong and nothing more. Smile plays for Peco Kong and Kazama play for their families. Akuma plays for wish fulfillment: He envied Peco and works hard to humiliate him. As for his knee injury, Never underestimate the power of adrenaline rush. I bet he will beat Smile even if smile don't want to go easy on him. His knee will be a major problem after the final match though. Maybe that's why the show ends here - it is predictable that he will not make it to the top in the end if the story goes on all the way to the world tournament. But he is now a true hero. He will find a path at that time. 3. "Staking Your Life On Table Tennis Is Revolting" You still don't get it after 10 episodes, do you? Japanese people learnt this lesson through hard way http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dkichi_Tsuburaya This anime is not about winning or losing. There will be only one champion no matter how hard you try. However, losing a game does NOT mean the end of one's life. You can find serenity elsewhere. Kong's a coach now and he's happy with it. Akuma starts his life elsewhere and has a girlfriend now. Kazama's lost, but he will be happier. Maybe Kazama willl marry Yurie and continue his father's flower business, his father is always his hero. Find your true identity and you will live a much happier and more meaningful life. 4."Smile vs Kazama"? If Taiyo Matsumoto wanted a final match between Smile and Kazama, he might as will let Peco drown in the sea in episode 6 so that Smile will avenge him. However this is boring because it is a shonen sport anime cliche (Exactly what happened in Touch). That's why I like this script much better. It is the script that makes the anime and the manga great. There is no point in turning a manga into anime after 18 years if it sucks. After all, 18 years is a long time for the history of anime. |
lichtjahreJun 12, 2014 4:22 PM
Jun 12, 2014 2:37 PM
#30
wow, this episode was fucking amazing, this was something else wtf, just epic |
Jun 12, 2014 2:43 PM
#31
sirika said: this series isn't about winnig or loosing, is about the meaning of the ping pong for each characterWhat a terrible way to ruin a series The world champion losing to a injured player that was a total scrub player 1 year ago.. And we will never going to watch Kazama vs Smile now All this just to show Smile smile because he can now play vs Peco pfff How to rape a series... Dont even feel like watching the last episode as it will just remind me how disappointment this was |
Jun 12, 2014 3:09 PM
#32
Vexper said: Bliss. i actually cried after this scene ;_; This was beautiful, 10/10 |
Jun 12, 2014 3:17 PM
#33
The hero's song! All of Kazama's effort to be the strongest still lost. Kazama was intimidating until Peco played his game. That lightning speed was pretty awesome. Kazama saw ping pong in a new light. Kazama might be able to play better now, to not be bound by anything like "duty". Now for Peco versus Tsukimoto at the last episode! Can't wait for Smile to enjoy playing the match. Sports are fun when there is competition! Talent and enjoying the match is too op!!! Still, Kazama put up a good fight. The hero versus the dragon. |
Jun 12, 2014 3:41 PM
#34
Everything about this episode is excellent. |
Jun 12, 2014 3:44 PM
#35
Guys, Peco had the talent all along (like Sakuma said), he has always been strong but, he neglected the training, underestimated himself and forgot the real meaning of playing Ping Pong. Furthermore, having fun against Kazama made him forget about his pain for the knee That's why this IS NOT an asspul by any means. That said, this episode was a masterpiece. It was really beautiful and heartwarming, like every sport anime should be, but it doesn't deny the "talent", this is really important. Oh the OST is amazing, it doesn't deserve to be ignored. |
Jun 12, 2014 3:46 PM
#36
My favourite ping pong episode (unless the next one tops this). Loved it to bits! It is not just about some underdog genius who rises up to be the best. Kazama and Peco both realized their own mistakes. For Peco it was to realize his true playing style. For Kazama it was to let go of his winning mentality and have fun. Imho they both taught each other more about the sport. |
Jun 12, 2014 4:23 PM
#38
that was one heck of a match but Peco is the hero so he wins lol |
Jun 12, 2014 5:05 PM
#40
What a match. The hero appears. |
My Anime Blog: http://www.Entravity.com/ Episodic overviews of the latest anime. |
Jun 12, 2014 5:10 PM
#41
lunamon said: sirika said: Ow i understand it alright. I understand that this show was all about raping the hardworkers, and that talent is all it matters. I can understand sakuma losing as he even admited that he had no talent at all, I can understand wenge losing as even if he had some talent he wasnt even worth being in the top team in china. But when we talk about the fu**** WORLD CHAMPION losing to someone who was just a scrub one year ago and is FU*** INJURED this all turns into fairy tails material The only reason Kazama lost was just because the writer decided that we need to watch the cheesy ending when Tsukimoto finally smiles again because he can play vs Peco. Thats really all. its an anime about ping pong please calm down lunamon. you sir have just made my day, rofl seems this dude was the type to believe that people can't fly huh. |
-MihairuJun 12, 2014 5:14 PM
Jun 12, 2014 5:16 PM
#42
sirika said: [ Ow i understand it alright. I understand that this show was all about raping the hardworkers, and that talent is all it matters. I can understand sakuma losing as he even admited that he had no talent at all, I can understand wenge losing as even if he had some talent he wasnt even worth being in the top team in china. But when we talk about the fu**** WORLD CHAMPION losing to someone who was just a scrub one year ago and is FU*** INJURED this all turns into fairy tails material The only reason Kazama lost was just because the writer decided that we need to watch the cheesy ending when Tsukimoto finally smiles again because he can play vs Peco. Thats really all. No you don't. |
For the curse of life, is the curse of want. And so, you peer... Into the fog, in hope of answers. |
Jun 12, 2014 5:55 PM
#43
It was an epic match between Peco and Kazama. The black and white conversation between Peco and Kazama was so emotional. |
Jun 12, 2014 6:19 PM
#44
Does anyone if the Trance music that comes on during the "hero" parts has a name and if so what is the name of the artist? |
Jun 12, 2014 7:23 PM
#45
If only Masaaki Yuasa would direct anime series more often. Like at least one series every year or something... Anyway, Ping Pong is definitely awesome(this episode particularly) and hopefuly the final episode will not disappoint. |
Jun 12, 2014 7:24 PM
#46
Episode 10 "But Ryu will be fine. No one's waited for a hero longer than he has. So I know one will come for him someday." Even though Kazama claims he doesn't believe in heroes anymore, he desperately needs one. The match cuts at a shot of Kazama fist pumping to draw parallels to the robot who also needs saving. "But you can't always climb high enough to look down on people like that!" Because some people can fly! There's an interesting irony in Kazama wearing the good shoes, yet calling Peco's paddle a toy. "You'll find out one day. The sorrow of invincibility. The pain of praise. The weight of what you carry. The isolation and anguish. Eventually your effort will feel meaningless, and victory will feel hollow. Vulnerability brings defeat. Defeat is death." What a great monologue, very passionate too. And it's elaborated on even further in the next quote. Unleash the dragon! Oh my god, this tremendous scale lol. It's like Kong vs. Kazama all over again. The difference is Kazama can be saved this time. Fireballs from the dragon's mouth lol. "You have to climb that steep mountain one step at a time. There's an abyss down below, and it never ends. Your only choice is to keep climbing." Kazama is winning for the sake of winning. While winning leaves him miserable, losing is even worse! Or is it? I also like how they bring the climbing/flying metaphors back to the flashback with his father. Makes sense, that was a time when Kazama was still happy. "Don't think anybody will save you, because nobody will! If you don't want to be bullied, get stronger. Win, win, and win some more!" "What's wrong, hero?! Well?! I thought you were the hero! Aren't you going to fly? aren't you going to save everyone?!" Peco is the foil to Kazama's No More Heroes mindset and this aggravates him. "Ryuichi believes that victory has to be his lot in life. That it has to be an inevitability. I'd guess table tennis is nothing but pain for him. That is one brand of strength. But..." There's more to life than winning at ping pong. Shit, there's more to life than ping pong. Period. Sakuma's newfound happiness in his retirement is proof enough of that. "You can find the fun in it, Peco. Time flies when you're having fun. Whenever you played, you had such a good time you'd forget any injury." I believe this expresses what this show is all about. It's not about who wins or loses. It's about having some goddamn fun, all for the love of the sport. And like Sakuma once said, no one loves the sport more than Peco. The stars that briefly show up around the knee are a nice touch. "The strongest players let you fly the highest." Climbing is winning. But flying... Now, that's fun. "I made it up. It's the hero's song." So, Smile has been humming the hero's song this whole time. Wonderful. "Ping pong is a freaking blast!" "Yeah! This is a game! Either rubber's fine!" "It's like he loves the sport so much he can't hold it in. Getting to play with someone like that... For me at least, it's..." Peco's ping pong is not the pain, sorrow or anguish Kazama spoke of. Peco eventually stops concerning himself with the thought of how he is ever going to win. Instead, he just wants to have a helluva time. Dig the bird surpassing the monster-like Kazama. However, the bird isn't simply leaving Kazama in the dust. It's helping him. It's saving him. Kong inspired Peco and now, Peco inspires Kazama. "Don't step back, Kazama! Forward! Forward!" "Shut up, idiots!" "He smiled. Why?" Yay, Kazama is finally playing for himself. Quite literally, he even shuts out the rest of the world for a few moments. Ping Pong is fun again and yet another parallel with Smile. "I feel no anxiety. There's no need to be afraid. I like this place. It's glorious. That's right. We can fly. People can fly." What a turnaround. Like Kong, Kazama has also found liberation through loss. Smile's up next. I'd love to see Abroad Dude get another little moment in the finale, because the previous episode made him looks like less of a comic relief character and more of a thread uniting everyone's journey to find themselves. On another note, Yuasa's Adventure Time episode is out and I thought it was pretty good. |
Jun 12, 2014 7:31 PM
#47
It made me teary-eyed. Upsets happen in real life. It's uncommon but it does happen so Peco taking down the top dog is nothing to be surprised about. They both won. Peco has regained his true form and Kazama finally met the hero he has been waiting for and had fun while playing ping pong. Though if I was to weigh in on it, I'd say Kazama achieved a bigger victory with all the weight on his shoulders finally lifted. If he continues to play ping pong after this, he's going to be one hell of a player with his newfound perspective on the sport. |
"May those who accept their fate be granted happiness." "May those who defy their fate be granted glory." |
Jun 12, 2014 7:36 PM
#48
brianwuzhere said: Episode 10 "But Ryu will be fine. No one's waited for a hero longer than he has. So I know one will come for him someday." Even though Kazama claims he doesn't believe in heroes anymore, he desperately needs one. The match cuts at a shot of Kazama fist pumping to draw parallels to the robot who also needs saving. "But you can't always climb high enough to look down on people like that!" Because some people can fly! There's an interesting irony in Kazama wearing the good shoes, yet calling Peco's paddle a toy. "You'll find out one day. The sorrow of invincibility. The pain of praise. The weight of what you carry. The isolation and anguish. Eventually your effort will feel meaningless, and victory will feel hollow. Vulnerability brings defeat. Defeat is death." What a great monologue, very passionate too. And it's elaborated on even further in the next quote. Unleash the dragon! Oh my god, this tremendous scale lol. It's like Kong vs. Kazama all over again. The difference is Kazama can be saved this time. Fireballs from the dragon's mouth lol. "You have to climb that steep mountain one step at a time. There's an abyss down below, and it never ends. Your only choice is to keep climbing." Kazama is winning for the sake of winning. While winning leaves him miserable, losing is even worse! Or is it? I also like how they bring the climbing/flying metaphors back to the flashback with his father. Makes sense, that was a time when Kazama was still happy. "Don't think anybody will save you, because nobody will! If you don't want to be bullied, get stronger. Win, win, and win some more!" "What's wrong, hero?! Well?! I thought you were the hero! Aren't you going to fly? aren't you going to save everyone?!" Peco is the foil to Kazama's No More Heroes mindset and this aggravates him. "Ryuichi believes that victory has to be his lot in life. That it has to be an inevitability. I'd guess table tennis is nothing but pain for him. That is one brand of strength. But..." There's more to life than winning at ping pong. Shit, there's more to life than ping pong. Period. Sakuma's newfound happiness in his retirement is proof enough of that. "You can find the fun in it, Peco. Time flies when you're having fun. Whenever you played, you had such a good time you'd forget any injury." I believe this expresses what this show is all about. It's not about who wins or loses. It's about having some goddamn fun, all for the love of the sport. And like Sakuma once said, no one loves the sport more than Peco. The stars that briefly show up around the knee are a nice touch. "The strongest players let you fly the highest." Climbing is winning. But flying... Now, that's fun. "I made it up. It's the hero's song." So, Smile has been humming the hero's song this whole time. Wonderful. "Ping pong is a freaking blast!" "Yeah! This is a game! Either rubber's fine!" "It's like he loves the sport so much he can't hold it in. Getting to play with someone like that... For me at least, it's..." Peco's ping pong is not the pain, sorrow or anguish Kazama spoke of. Peco eventually stops concerning himself with the thought of how he is ever going to win. Instead, he just wants to have a helluva time. Dig the bird surpassing the monster-like Kazama. However, the bird isn't simply leaving Kazama in the dust. It's helping him. It's saving him. Kong inspired Peco and now, Peco inspires Kazama. "Don't step back, Kazama! Forward! Forward!" "Shut up, idiots!" "He smiled. Why?" Yay, Kazama is finally playing for himself. Quite literally, he even shuts out the rest of the world for a few moments. Ping Pong is fun again and yet another parallel with Smile. "I feel no anxiety. There's no need to be afraid. I like this place. It's glorious. That's right. We can fly. People can fly." What a turnaround. Like Kong, Kazama has also found liberation through loss. Smile's up next. I'd love to see Abroad Dude get another little moment in the finale, because the previous episode made him looks like less of a comic relief character and more of a thread uniting everyone's journey to find themselves. On another note, Yuasa's Adventure Time episode is out and I thought it was pretty good. amazing analysis dude. #respect! is the adventure time ep subbed? :o |
Jun 12, 2014 8:01 PM
#49
Jun 12, 2014 8:01 PM
#50
This episode, as well as half the other episodes, was PERFECT. ONLY ONE MORE EPISODE GAHHH but this anime has been brilliant. I want more work from this director. |
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