Subculture Anime Blog

Tamakimochi~

Summary:

Mei thinks to herself that she will join a different club after today’s kendo event. Her pondering is soon interrupted, however, when Tamaki quickly strikes her. Watching Tamaki’s quick movements, even Mei is able to realize how talented she is. Tamaki discovers that Mei is not experienced in striking when her turn comes up, so she begins giving her some advice. Satori wonders why she is involved in today’s practice, so Kirino tells her that it can’t be helped that they are short on people. As practice continues, Mei pauses to introduce herself to Tamaki. Wanting to see more of her, Mei allows Tamaki to continue striking her. Ishida explains Tamaki’s background to the opposing instructor Hayashi, while everyone notices how amazing Tamaki is. After Kirino describes Tamaki as the club’s secret weapon, the entire opposing team begins wishing for Tamaki to strike them. While observing Tamaki, Satori begins remembering her kendo instincts. Meanwhile, Reimi has only been taking pictures of her beloved Miyako throughout practice. Tamaki and Satori then have a match together due to Kirino’s plans. Fighting her, Satori realizes how strong Tamaki is. Tamaki also notices Satori’s talents, however, as the two have another match. Hayashi notices how fun Ishida’s students seem to be having during the match. Ishida apologizes while mentioning how different it is from when he practiced kendo, but Hayashi mentions how difficultly his own students approach the sport.

As much as Satori attempts to keep up with Tamaki, she is still defeated by her speed. Tamaki wonders if Satori would still like to go again after defeating her once more, but Satori has had enough. In the aftermath, Hayashi begins discussing his own experience with kendo to Ishida. He explains that his father had put him up to kendo, and although he originally opposed it, kendo became a part of himself. Hayashi mentions how he lost another member earlier in the day, but he observes that one has decided to stay thanks to the visit. Hayashi goes on to describe the changes in people’s reason to start kendo. He states that he will not change, however, as the sport itself has not changed. Hayashi declares that he will continue despite the hardships, before returning to his own group. In the meantime, Satori has quickly become a part of the kendo team. The two teams have a final match, resulting in a clear win for Ishida’s team. Hayashi simply tells his girls not to lose the next time, before winning a match of his own against Ishida. The day ends with the two groups parting, though Miyako is still uneasy about Reimi’s presence.

Preview: Mei loves her cake!!!

Impression:

Man, Mei is so awesome. Her situation turned out to be exactly as I predicted it would be, using Tamaki as inspiration to continue kendo. I’m really loving the message Bamboo Blade is giving off, along with humor perfectly placed throughout. It’s amazing how this series makes it so that we can easily become attached to the opposing team’s characters, despite only seeing them for a few episodes. I don’t know what was funnier; the opposing group’s want to be struck by Tamaki and the wordplay, or the blatant advertising that scrolled across the screen afterwards. Ah, the things you can only get with broadcast anime…I had instant thoughts of Rena when the opposing team’s girls asked if they could take Tamaki home, but I laughed even more when Kirino claimed to be Tamaki’s manager. Also, that cat was the funniest thing I’ve seen in awhile.

Tamaki wasn’t the only one with fans in this episode, as Reimi has been revealed to be a full blown Miyako fangirl and stalker. Dan-kun versus Reimi was absolutely hilarious! Satori’s match against Tamaki was as awesome as I expected it to be, especially after they conveniently missed each other in the previous episode. From what I can see, Tamaki is like the already powerful character in a shounen anime. Satori is like the character that slowly gets stronger as she develops. Somehow, I don’t believe Tamaki will be the kendo team’s main weapon for long. Haha, it was all too typical for Satori to be converted so easily as well. Oh, and fake glasses don’t make you smarter! It looks like we’ll be getting more Miya Miya and Tamaki the next time we catch up with the Bamboo Blade gang. I might miss Mei though!