Subculture Anime Blog

What? No gattai?

Summary:

A young girl named Rin watches Blade Braver on TV, during an episode where Braver and his allies are saved by their enemy Schneider. At the end of this, Rin is put to tears. At practice, the kendo girls are given a day off by Ishida because of his own circumstances. Many of the girls quickly decide on plans for the next day, while Yuuji meanwhile asks Tamaki if she is free the next day. He has tickets to a show where Blade Braver would appear, instantly interesting Tamaki. Finding that Yuuji is the only other free person, Tamaki picks him to go with her. This makes Sayako and Kirino suggest that this is a date. When she reaches home, Tamaki is reminded that her father’s friend will be coming to the house the next day. Tamaki is relieved that he will not be arriving until the night, so she reaffirms that she will help. That night, Tamaki has trouble sleeping due to her excitement towards the next day.

Yuuji wonders about getting around the theme park the next day, but Tamaki has already investigated everything. The two start watching a show featuring the Cosmo 13, while Yuuji wonders if it is okay to be watching with a bunch of kids much younger than them. He finds that Tamaki did not hear his question, however, as she was completely absorbed by the show. When Yuuji asks if Tamaki likes the Cosmo 13 as well, she gives him a detailed review of the series. Yuuji notices that this is the first time he has heard Tamaki say so much. Suddenly, the Death Armor from Blade Braver appears to attack the Cosmo 13 with his Death Friends. Blade Braver appears to assist his comrade, however, making Tamaki ecstatic. All of the crowd cheers, except for Rin. When the announcer suggests that she cheer as well, Rin states that she will only cheer for Schneider. Tamaki notices this, but the event continues with interviews for Blade Braver and Cosmo One. The crowd becomes extremely excited when news of a movie is announced, but Tamaki still sees that Rin will not change her expression. When Braver announces that Schneider will be appearing in the movie, however, Rin is instantly interested.

The rest of the kendo girls find that they have all shown up for practice in the dojo anyways. A conversation is brought up about Yuuji and Tamaki’s date, but they all decide that there probably isn’t much going on between the two. A quiz starts back at the sentai show. Yuuji finds that Tamaki is actually taking place in this, but Rin is there as well. Both Tamaki and Rin have their eyes on the prize of Blade Braver dolls, but Rin is actually only interested in Schneider. Tamaki and Rin take the lead in the show, leaving the younger kids in the dust. The announcer suggests a singing contest to turn the tables, which worries Tamaki. Rin has no problem with this, amazing everyone by singing the Schneider theme song. Tamaki is unable to sing despite Yuuji’s cheers, making the contest end in her loss.

Even though the autograph signing from Braver has started afterwards, Tamaki is too saddened from losing. Rin gives her the big prize of dolls, however, because all she wanted was Schneider. After Rin takes her leave, Tamaki finally suggest that they will attend the signing and other events. On the train ride home, Tamaki thanks Yuuji for the wonderful time she had that day. When Tamaki reaches home, she is shocked to find Blade Braver standing in front of her. Of course, this is actually an acquaintance of Tamaki’s father. Tamaki is happy to help their visitors, and is excited when they suggest that she can help with some of the Braver events. It turns out that she will be working with the girl she met earlier, Rin. However, Rin does not even remember meeting Tamaki.

Preview: Tamaki and Rin…..Braver and Schneider??

Impression:

This episode was awesome!!! I was already expecting a cool Blade Braver special, but there were so many other good parts to this episode. I really liked how Yuuji and Tamaki were set up for a “date”, since their relationship has kind of been building up to this point. Of course, they kind of put it off as a joke as expected. The only love love that will go on in this show is between Miya Miya and Dan-kun! It was so funny seeing Yuuji feel awkward for being around so many kids, while Tamaki was completely absorbed by the show. Tamaki is the typical otaku, while Yuuji is the sensible normal guy. Tamaki’s full review of the Cosmo 13 show was a riot, but it sadly reminded me a bit of myself. I don’t know what to think about the Cosmo 13. It just seems like they purposely made them lamer than Blade Braver.

The introduction of Rin made for some great situations. I already knew what was coming when the episode started off with her. With Braver fan Tamaki and Schneider fan Rin, we might get a enemies to friends situation just like we saw earlier in this episode. The contest in this episode was really funny, but I’m pretty disappointed that they didn’t actually have any vocals when Rin sang the Schneider theme. What a twist for Tamaki to have her hero so close to her. I almost thought Braver was going to be Ishida during the lunch shots in this episode. The next episode looks like it’s going to be a continuation of fun, with some actual background on Rin.