Yeah, so the result of the match was predictable. But like always with this series, it’s everything around it that made it memorable. The euphoria, the different reactions of everyone,. That made this really into a colourful episode. It’s really refreshing to see another sports series in which it doesn’t mean the end of the world if you lose: in this series, what matters is the long run.
It seemed like everyone had a different way to interpret the match: Murakoshi was simply glad to have another win again. The fans on the other hand were ecstatic that they finally won again, while that one fan of Tsubaki in particular got his old passion back. That Japanese forward meanwhile was immediately thinking how he destroyed himself during that match. The Nagoya coach was more looking into the future (which really fits his professional outlook), while Tsubaki was already seeing more and more opportunities to break through his defence. The football is one thing, but what really makes this series memorable is how it brings all of these different characters together.
Also, I like how the creators handled Tsubaki: he’s really meant to be this future talent who is still very rough around the edges, but yet he’s far from your average shounen hero. He’s really still a rookie and this series knows it. He has the ability to pull these crazy stunts, but that’s all exactly because he just loses himself in his soccer. This episode also stressed very much that football is a team sport by letting Gino score. Also, I loved the way he was at a loss for words when those Brazilians came up to him, and had to answer that interview.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Yeah, I didn’t expect anything big except for the definitive conclusion of the match. As you said, this was really an opportunity to drink in the atmosphere of success. The excitement of that older fan was nice to see. I loved seeing that older photographer blow off the rookie. He definitely got some great shot that is going to be revealed in a future episode!
I think you wrote Tsubaki instead of Tatsumi. ^^
I really like how this series is progressing. Will be exciting to see if they can maintain the momentum from this match to progress the story while keeping matches interesting but also not bogging the series down with an endless string of league “upsets”
I’m sure it was mentioned on other episodes but I hate how they have the Japanese dub over the spoken Portuguese+ subtitles. While I’m indifferent one way or the other its disconcerting to have the Portuguese during the recap/early in the episode and then have the characters voiced by a totally different sounding Japanese VA later, then to go back to the Portuguese in the end. especially cause they use it for stupid lines like when Carlos is surprised by Tsubaki’s expression prior to his pass to Gino.
I guess its cause they don’t want the viewer to be distracted by reading during the “action” but I think the switch in VAs is even worse.
I wonder if the last episode will contain a 20 minute recap?
I especially loved Tsubaki’s inexperience while dealing with reporters. He doesn’t think of tactics or what he’s doing – he’s just doing it. He has a long way to go.
Good point for opposing coach – he didn’t ignore his japanese players, he wants them to play along with Brazilians and learn something from them. He’s less evil than I imagined 😀
i just finished watching this episode, and there are a few gripes that i have with this series. one, we aren’t clearly told what positions the players hold and what formation that they use in their match. i like to watch football matches, and without these, i feel like i cant really see how the match is going on, and i also cant gauge for myself whether the players are playing well in their positions. there is also the lack of a wide overview of the matches, like in tv broadcasts of live matches. instead, all we get is mostly close ups of one-on-one situations with monologues of the players, or just a few scenes of attacking or defending plays.
the other gripe i have is with those fans. maybe there are people like that in the real world, but i quite hate it especially when one of those old fans of ETU kept saying how before this Tsubaki was useless, but now he’s suddenly playing well. and how the leader of the radical fans kept saying how they are the most important part of the team, and how they have to cheer so their team can win.
Was the “Milk Crown” on the billboard something else or was it really a reference to the manga? And if it was manga then which one? The Shoujo one? The hentai one? And most importantly what’s the connection?