Bamboo Blade – 26 (Final)
NO, I WANT MORE. My final impression is included…
Summary:
A butterfly lands on Tamaki’s blade as she practices in the morning. She wonders what she should do, when it flies off by itself. Looking out into the sky, she realizes that the spring has come. Tamaki later waits nervously in the city, finally meeting Rin as scheduled. The two grab a bite to eat first, then discussing to each other how they are doing in school and with practice. Rin again suggests that she will not lose their next match, and Tamaki agrees to do her best. The two finally see the Blade Braver movie on the big screen, leaving with passionate smiles on their faces. Rin suggests that Braver might have looked a little cool, and Tamaki believes that Schneider was too. In her home that night, Kirino wonders about her soon becoming a third year.
A boy named Makoto and a girl named Shinobu approach the dojo at school the next morning. Although Makoto is hoping to join a club as a first year, Shinobu is not very enthusiastic about joining the kendo club. When the two enter the dojo, they find that Tamaki is the only one inside. Tamaki allows the two to wait inside, but she nervously waits until someone else arrives. Satori arrives next, but she also wonders what she should do to keep the new students interested. After being called upperclassmen by the two, Tamaki and Satori excitedly attempt to entertain Makoto and Shinobu. Shinobu is disappointed that the two are not doing anything related to kendo, when Miyako arrives to preform her own stunts.
When the boys arrive in the room, Makoto wonders if Yuji is the club’s president. However, Danjuro is surprisingly revealed to hold that position. Shinobu prepares to leave, but she falls because of sitting on her feet for two long. Shinobu then expresses her dislike in kendo, because there is no meaning to it. With this, Tamaki steps up to state that this is not true. All at once, the kendo club claims that kendo is fun. As Satori and Kirino arrive just in time, they prepare to show the new students what kendo is really about. While watching everyone face each other, Shinobu notices that everyone seems like a different person while doing kendo. Over that, Makoto believes that everyone looks like they are having fun. Danjuro mentions that Makoto looks like a himself of the past, before having the team stop.
Makoto and Shinobu are impressed by the team, especially by Tamaki, but Makoto wonders if they would be able to obtain such levels. Kirino suggests that would come with practice, and that their teacher is the least skilled anyways. The kendo instructor is currently Yoshikawa-sensei, but after arriving late, she soon announces to the team that she will be taking a break because of having a baby. The whole team congratulates her, but they soon wonder who will be taking her place. Yoshikawa suggests that there is another instructor who is good at kendo, when Kenzaburo enters. Kenzaburo is only Yoshikawa’s husband, and the real instructor is introduced as Ishida himself. He attempts to pretend that he is Blade Braver, but he is soon overwhelmed by Kirino and the rest of the team’s happiness.
Ishida and the others explain to the kendo team how he was able to regain his position, and Ishida notices the two new students soon after. When Makoto and Shinobu introduce themselves, the team is shocked to find that they are both siblings of Tomoya and Iwasa. Kirino greatly hopes that the two will join for their older siblings’ share as well, so the two agree to think about it. Ishida prepares the team to practice as he returns with his things, and Kirino is brought to tears at the sight of the doll she made for him. Shinobu notices that everyone in the room seems like they are friends with each other, as the usual club activities go on.
When they gather that night, Kenzaburo wonders what Ishida had been doing up until this point. Ishida describes all of the jobs he had worked with Nobu’s help, all of which were quite tough. The next morning, Tamaki’s father decides to have a match with his daughter for the first time in awhile. He notices how strong she has become, but he still does his best to face her. While riding to school, Tamaki recalls all of the events she has went through during the previous year of kendo. With a smile on her face, she tells her mother that she has become a second year student. Tamaki loves kendo.
ED: “BAMBOO BEAT” by Ryou Hirohashi, Megumi Toyoguchi, Sachiko Kojima, Houko Kuwashima & Rina Satou – We are shown how the entire casts’ lives have gone on during the second year. At the end, Tamaki meets a new rival at a competition.
Impression:
Noooo! I was already freaking out after hearing Saito Chiwa playing the new student Shinobu, and I had a smile on my face throughout the entire episode. Everything just fell into place so perfectly, and I’m surprised that they even managed something of a time skip. I loved seeing Rin and Tamaki’s date, especially with the double starry eyes after the movie. The new students are a perfect set up for more development in the new year, and the new girl at the end just has me screaming for more. Danjuro was hilariously awesome as the new club president, and I was really surprised to find out that Yoshikawa was married to Kenzaburo (I thought she had the hots for Ishida). But yea, I call a sequel. I don’t care if I have to wait two or three years to see it. I will watch it. The ending was just a perfect set up for continuation, and I’m way too lazy to pick up the manga.
Final Impression:
Before Bamboo Blade started in the fall, I was interested in the appearance of another love comedy/harem type show. I was quickly corrected by manga readers, in that this was not that type of show at all. I still looked into it with a bit of hesitation, but I was quickly surprised at how interesting and fun the first episode was. Deciding to keep up with the series, I was continually overjoyed at how wonderful each episode had me feeling by the end. Bamboo Blade turned out to be a heart warming slice of life type story, with characters that could be appreciated on many different levels. The tournaments were extremely exciting, but the best parts of the show continued to be watching the team members carry on with their normal lives.
It’s funny, but my final impressions for this season have just not come off as solid as they have in the past. I just don’t feel like anything is really ending. The end of Bamboo Blade simply suggested a sequel in the future, and I am so ready to watch it. Unfortunately, the manga has not progressed very far ahead of where we are. Still, when the time comes, I will be very excited to see more. Until then, I’ll never forget all the wonderful events and characters of Bamboo Blade.
20 comments
20 Comments so far
Leave a reply
Bamboo Blade stayed at the top of my list since the beginning. I will really miss it…I have no idea what can replace it in the on-coming season.
When is the epic Blade Braver OVA coming out in the US? Can’t wait to see SHINAIgirl in action, so get Carrie translating ASAP!
Noooooo!!!!!! How could this happen?!
Eh?! Yoshikawa and Kenzaburo? I really thought she would be paired up with Ishida too. Haha. I guess it was hinted at a previous episode when Kenzaburo was defensively denying he asked for Yoshikawa’s number. LOL.
I really liked and enjoyed this series. The subtle funnies are the best, plus Tama-chan’s facial expressions FTW! The kendo matches, though short, were always awesome! If they’re ever going to make a season 2 or whatever, I’m definitely up for it as well. Oh, and I still want some Bamboo Blade plushies or keychains! =)
Welp, looks like it’s about time (finally) for me to marathon this series
WTH. Kenzaburo/Yoshikawa was totally out of left field. Ishida/Yoshikawa shippers was ROBBED, WTF
Nah, but seriously, pretty awesome show, especially considering most of the last 1/3rd of it was Anime Original.
Look on the bright side – at least Yoshikawa-sensei didn’t become part of Dan The Man’s harem.
Hey, keep hope alive, man. I’ve seen worse shows get second seasons.
[...] already written a great summary so not much add [...]
I’ll miss this show, as well as your nice commentaries and screenshots of the series. Thank you so much for your contributions!
Did Delicious Cake Mei have a growth spurt?
It is as if, since they knew this was going to be an inconclusive ending, they went ahead and made it super inconclusive, by throwing in new characters and hints of more thing to come. Awesome.
Let’s hope for a second season (or faster scanlations
)
I’m gonna miss this show so much.
what? no YuujixTamaki? Yes, imma miss this anime too …
Dang. I have to agree with the feeling that the show never really ended. Lots of shows that ‘ended’ but never really did. I’m still waiting for Moyashimon sequel and Ookiku Furikabutte sequel. Maybe even a Claymore redux if the manga progresses enough.
Kojiro is Kirino’s.
the ending was nice. Some of the other animes ending this season had endings that was not satisfying at all. As if they went along with the plot and realized that there’s 3 eps left to finish.. and then rush it. But this series had great timing and just kinda gradually painting a concluding picture. The comedy and facial expressions were all GREAT too! Thoroughly enjoyed this series.
When I read about a kendo series starting in the fall, I was hesitant. Kendo is something that attracts me and I wasn’t too sure how it would really turn out…Until I watched the first episode.
I liked the OP but hated the ED, thought the comic parts were fun but it wasn’t going to be enough. I thought I should give this series a bit of a chance by watching a couple more episodes. Next thing I know, I had dreamy eyes whenever Kirino appeared OR felt like hugging something when Tama-chan showed up with one of her funny facial expression.
Sure, the animation part is not the best. Sure, it might look repetitive. It’s not a work of art but it pulls you through its characters. Bamboo Blade became one of my favorite series up since the past fall. I got to find something else to give me my fix of cuteness. About now, I feel a certain emptiness not being able to watch my favorite kendo girls.
2nd Season coming? I’d be one of the first to smile.
PS.
WTH? Ishida did not end up with Yoshikawa?
awesome one of the best animes of the fall season
Still I have to compare this to Umisho in a way (except for the romance)
sports slice of life is a must
and when before i watched the first episode i was a bit nervous to what my expectations were for the series
but ever since, it has far exceeded it and I was really happy to pick this up and put some comments about it in totali’s site
This last episode made me laugh, made me say “awww”, made my fists high up in the air and made me screaming for more.
I want to note some of the good moments for this episode
1.Wow I never really expected Yoshikawa to do it with Kenzaburo, did anyone really saw that coming?
2.I was really glad that Ishida was back after that sudden leave last Ep but glad hes back. Kirino was so emotional and she has every right to.
3.the ED credits had alot of cameos and thats a plus for an ending and I am seriously wondering whos that new rival Tamaki’s looking at?
Still it was very amazing to watch these series. it had everything. from comedy, action, to slice of life, to drama. They pretty much wrapped it up with attachable characters and a good story. Well until the manga puts more story, and when the a second season ever comes, I will forever miss this show.
10/10 Am I really being too nice what? It just put a smile in my face the way it ended.
Like many others here. I have really enjoyed this series. I was glad I choose to watch this along with the other anime I watch. Looks like Ishida took too long to make his move on Yoshikawa unlike Kenzaburo. I do sense a teacher complex with KirinoxIshida, but I don’t wanna jump into conclusions! I will also be looking forward too a second season. Lots of fun watching Bamboo Blade!
Who was that girl with the bubble in her mouth? Looks like she has a thing for Ishida.
All I can say is.. This was a truly fine anime.. It’s just too bad it had to end so quickly..
Yup amazing anime and very surprising i must say. They lose quite a bit which came like a total shock. Second lose=WTF?!! I was like come on goddamnit! Bamboo Blade makes you care and in the end it is a great anime. Ohyeah the ending was BADASS, Tamachan facing the purple haired warrior was brilliant and i must have seen that scene for the 100thtime:p. Amazing Show!