Subculture Anime Blog

What’s so great about Braver? Huh? Huh? Wanna fight?

Summary:

When Yuuji meets back up with the rest of the team in the dojo, Kirino and Sayako wonder how his date with Tamaki went. However,they find that nothing has come out of it as expected. Tamaki watches as the actors practice for the movie in another dojo with Rin. She is impressed with the new developments, and further sees that Rin’s attitude changes when Schneider is brought up. When Tamaki lays out a towel for Rin while she is in the shower, she notices that she has a Schneider shirt to go with her pajamas. Tamaki’s father has a conversation with his acquaintance about Rin, hoping that she and Tamaki could get along. When Rin notices the dvds Tamaki has in her room, she wonders why she likes Braver. Tamaki gives her many reasons, but Rin changes the subject before Tamaki can ask her anything in return.

The girls prepare to go to sleep, but Rin becomes excited when she notices the clock that Tamaki attempts to set. This happens to be a Blade Braver item, so the two girls begin having a long discussion about their interests throughout the night. However, the two begin arguing when they cannot agree on the roles that Schneider and Braver play in the show. With this, the girls are forced to play a Braver dvd to continue their argument. The girls end up watching Braver throughout the night, finding that it is already morning by the time they are done. On the car ride to the site, Tamaki and Rin have fallen asleep next to each other, certainly getting along.

Tamaki is very nervous at the site of filming, then learning that Rin will be playing a small part as well. When the actor for Schneigirl comes down with an illness, Rin readily offers to play the role as a replacement. Since this changes Rin’s original role, Tamaki is also given the chance to play a role. Tamaki is very nervous while playing her part, but Rin does very well. Tamaki freezes when she was suppose to run with the other actors, and fights back at Schneigirl when she sees her. This confuses the directors, but Rin and Tamaki are totally into it. When they charge into each other, the other actors are forced to stop them. The team then takes a break, but the director is actually impressed with the two girls. Tamaki and Rin are a bit disappointed with themselves, but they also feel like they couldn’t stop themselves. Rin expresses that Tamaki is strong, but she is stronger because of being Schneider. Tamaki states that Braver has never lost, and Rin states that this is actually the reason why Braver cannot beat Schneider who has. The girls are called back for the second shooting, so Tamaki and Rin hold hands on the way back.

Meanwhile, Kirino and Sayako discuss the kendo club’s progress at home. Kirino believes that Tamaki is largely to credit for the club’s turn around, but Sayako believes that Kirino has done a lot as well. This creates a slightly awkward atmosphere for the two. Satori and Danjuro help Miyako run, when Carrie appears to meet them. She again states that she will not loose to Miyako, when Satori defends Miyako by describing how hard she has been practicing. Carrie leaves after challenging Miyako again, and Miyako again states that she will win. Ishida meets Yuuji at the dojo, finding that he is practicing the hardest out of everyone. When Ishida wonders what happened in his absence, Yuuji states that Tamaki has made a new friend and rival. Rin confirms that Tamaki is in the kendo club on the ride back home, telling her that they will meet at the competitions. Rin states that they will finish what they started there, so Tamaki readily agrees.

Preview: Aw, Tamaki is so proud of her role.

Impression:

WOO!!! Friendship power!!! No, I didn’t drop this show with six episodes left. Come on. I’ve just been busy with other things, and when I blog eight shows out of the season, a series or two is going to get delayed once in awhile. It doesn’t really matter though, because this is the type of show that can be appreciated at any time. Anyways, this episode was great. The meeting of friends through close family ties was so true to life, and I really loved Rin and Tamaki’s interaction. This is also a case of best friend becomes greatest rival, which should make for some nice developments in the not so distant future. The first fight between Rin and Tamaki was actually pretty awesome, and the animation was surprisingly good for it.

I laughed when Carrie showed up again, but it definitely wasn’t a huge surprise. It’s awesome that Satori was the one to support Miya Miya along with Dan-kun. Miyako obviously likes Satori secretly, since she’s always asking her for help. She even let her drive the Miya Miya mobile! Kirino and Sayako also had some more yuri close friendship vibes in this episode. It’s always nice to remember that they were the first members of the kendo club, and it’s fun to watch them reminisce about how much the club has advanced. I also liked how they totally expected Yuuji to have some developments with Tamaki. Those two are obviously being set up to grow old together. That is, unless Satori gets to Yuuji first! It looks like we’re already heading to another tournament in the next episode, so I’ll have to get on that next week tomorrow.