prillalar | Tenipuri episodes 4-6

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Tenipuri episodes 4-6

More episode analysis. More TezuRyo and some InuKai this time around (like I was going to ignore them!). I'm going to try to post these a few times a week, 3-6 episodes at a time, depending on how much there is to discuss per episode. They'll all be tagged under tenipuri episodes.

4. The Man Called Mamushi

[ much fangirling over Kaidoh deleted ]

Ryoma is downright rude to Kaidoh in this episode. I think he senses how much it will bother Kaidoh. But I note that although Kaidoh is verbally agresssive to all the first years, he stops short of putting the smack-down on them, which pleases me. (Of course, he does send that tennis ball at Kachiro while Kachiro is videotaping him. Hmm.)

Tezuka is watching Ryoma again. Of course.

Anyhow, Ryoma is still being his cocky, snarky self. I don't like him when he blows off Kachiro, after Kachiro has got injured trying to help Ryoma. Is Ryoma truly not interested in seeing the recording of Kaidoh's match? Or is he using a disinterested front to cope with being in a strange country and school? I think more the former, actually. Ryoma never seems to need to cope with anything, at least not until much later.

And a lovely InuKai moment: Oishi and Inui are talking about D-Block and Oishi says he feels sorry for Ryoma, having to play Inui. The subtitles get very muddled right here, but from the manga, both the scanlation I have and the Viz edition, Inui laughs and says that there's another guy, that second year, that Ryoma has to worry about. In the anime, Inui calls him "Kaidoh-kun" -- the only time he uses the honorific with Kaidoh.

Kaidoh is right there, sitting under a tree. "Are you trying to pick a fight, senpai?" he says.

[ more fangirling deleted ]

Everyone is out to watch the Ryoma-Kaidoh match, including, you guessed it, Tezuka.

5. Snake Shot

So, why does Tezuka choose Kaidoh (and Inui, but we'll get to him later) to play against Ryoma? I suppose to see how he'll do against a second-year. (Ryoma has already played Momo and Momo seems to be still recovering somewhat from his sprain.) Also, Kaidoh wouldn't hold back at all in his play. His specialty shot is quite unusual and difficult to deal with. And he's intimidating.

I'm taken aback by how much Kaidoh grins during this episode. An eeeeeeeevil grin. It's pretty creepy. I don't think we ever see it again. I guess because this is the only time he's set up as the bad guy. (Poor baby!)

Tezuka is watching Ryoma. There's a closeup of Tezuka's eye, then it dissolves to Nanjiroh's eye, beginning the parallel between them.

When Ryoma hits the buggy whip shot Tezuka is so shocked his mouth drops open. To me this says he wanted to see how well Ryoma would do and wasn't expecting it to be this well. He later has an internal monologue about his surprise over Ryoma's success in the match, but I get the feeling it isn't very well translated, so it's hard to figure out what he means.

ETA: Kaidoh is also shocked and unnerved. In fact, this becomes a theme for him over the course of the show. It's psychologically damaging for him when someone turns his special moves back on him. He actually seems quite fragile that way, for all his determination. [ end edit ]

I still find Kaidoh's rage and self-punishment shocking. I feel like I haven't incorporated that into his characterization very well. (But I also think he's past reacting quite so badly now.)

Inui tells Kaidoh that it's too bad he lost. It seems on the surface that he's trying to be comforting, but I'm not sure it's that simple. Maybe it's a mind game since Inui and Kaidoh still have to play. Kaidoh, of course, reacts by saying he'll never give up his spot on the regulars. Never!

6. That Man, Nanjiroh Echizen

Hey, there's a girl's tennis club! Who knew?

There's an interesting conversation between Tezuka and Ryuzaki-sensei about Ryoma. Again, I feel like the subs are a little muddled, but she asks if Tezuka is starting to like Ryoma. No, Tezuka says, he hasn't grasped Ryoma's strength yet and wants to match him up against different types of players. She accuses Tezuka of being cold-hearted and he says he's just acting as the club leader should.

Sakuno, tragically not crushed, enters to ask where Ryoma is. After she leaves, Tezuka comments that all the great players have a charisma that draws people to them. Ryuzaki gives Tezuka a very sly look, but I'm not really sure what she means by it. She teases people a lot. I like that about her.

I think that Tezuka must be interested in Ryoma beyond what he thinks he ought to be (not that it is necessarily a romantic interest) and is trying not to let that influence him. Certainly, he's drawn, as a person, not just as buchou.

And then on to fanboy Inoue and the Mystery of Nanjiroh's retirement. Another Nanjiroh-Tezuka parallel: they both focus on Ryoma's development, Nanjiroh up til now and Tezuka after this. Nanjiroh says what Tezuka notices later, that Ryoma's skills are just a copy of Nanjiroh's.

Interesting note: Ryoma tells Sakuno he tried to quit tennis but couldn't.

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Is Ryoma truly not interested in seeing the recording of Kaidoh's match? Or is he using a disinterested front to cope with being in a strange country and school?

I think, at that point, the regulars haven't yet distinguished themselves as worthy. Ryoma's already shown up several tennis club members and beat a regular (albeit an injured one), so he really has no *reason* to be particularly anxious about his match with Kaidoh, does he? And then he has help from the magazine.

Hee, episode #6 was when my Nanjiroh hate began... I long for those days when I just disliked him and didn't want to slice him to pieces before offering his skewered remains to a flock of pigeons. :) :)

Good point about Ryoma -- it's not until much later that he really has to worry about losing. (*sniff* poor Kaidoh)

Kaidoh is right there, sitting under a tree. "Are you trying to pick a fight, senpai?" he says.

*fangirls in an adoring and embarrassing fashion*

I still find Kaidoh's rage and self-punishment shocking. I feel like I haven't incorporated that into his characterization very well.

He only does it the once, though, right? Maybe it was due to Kaidoh losing to someone younger, an unknown. Like, he seems to deal with losing when it's to an equal or a senpai. But losing to a cocky little kid?

I don't know if his extra training is a form of self-punishment or not, although I think it could be read that way. (But since it means that Kaidoh spends all kinds of time with Inui, I'm all in favor of it.)

Sakuno, tragically not crushed

*dies laughing*

It's physically impossible not to fangirl over Kaidoh. And Inui. And Kaidoh.

And good point about Kaidoh and Ryoma -- I hadn't considered the age/seniority factor. He's gained a lot more control in general by the end, which I'm glad for. And that we never see that creepy grin again.

Ryuzaki gives Tezuka a very sly look, but I'm not really sure what she means by it.

I always thought she was teasing him about having put Ryoma in the rankings. A kind of "You're being detached and talking about his charisma even though it's influencing you too." comment.

Yeah, likely. :) I love her -- she knows how to deal with the kids. She doesn't take them too seriously, but respects it when they are serious.

I'm really enjoying your recaps, not having had a chance to rewatch the series yet. This, of course, being my favourite pair to ponder. *sits back and reads*

I think I like them because there's so *much* to ponder. If they were all obvious, I wouldn't care.

I still find Kaidoh's rage and self-punishment shocking. I feel like I haven't incorporated that into his characterization very well. (But I also think he's past reacting quite so badly now.

Also, I think a big part of it is that he loses to a disrespectful younger kid. Not that he ever likes to lose, but I'm sure it wouldn't irk him quite so badly to lose to a sempai. Even worse, Ryouma doesn't seem to take him *seriously.*

I think he gets more used to having his feathers ruffled as the series goes on though, as the universe is very cruel to Kaoru-chan, pride-wise.

This might seem lame, but I'd be interested in your take on Ryouma's father as the series goes on. In many ways he's a stock anime comedic lecher character (one of my least fav anime types, I admit), but viewing him seriously, rather than humorously, he pretty much disturbs me. It does make Ryouma's devotion to Karupin very believable though.

Yeah, Ryoma is pretty infuriating. At least Kaidoh doesn't take the racquet to *him*.

the universe is very cruel to Kaoru-chan

So very, very true. If only he weren't so cute when he suffers!

Nanjiroh is pretty disturbing, I agree. (And I get to use my special icon!) I remember in the manga, when they're playing Midoryama (sp?) and he's talking with the coach about their sons. He says something like "kids are our toys to play with".

"kids are our toys to play with".

that *is* scary O___O;;

Interesting note: Ryoma tells Sakuno he tried to quit tennis but couldn't.

that's something that bothered me the first time i saw this episode too. and my anxiety grew more when later in the series, Tezuka said something like what would be waiting for Ryoma at the end of the tunnel (meaning after he overcomes Nanjiroh)?

and what bothered me even more was how Ryuzaki-sensei seemed to have brushed it aside as if it wasn't important. (that's just the impression that i got though)

i don't remember where, i think it was during Echizen's match against Sanada? someone noted that Ryoma's skills aren't born from talent. rather, from a special kind of training that's been given to him and it's been ingrained in his body. (and even Ryoma himself might not know it.)

these things tend to make me think that Naniroh may actually be more scary than he seems. ^^;; but that's just me. i haven't read all of the manga and watched all of AniPuri so there might have been things that clarify these issues later on. if anything, Nanjiroh might have had a very good reason why he did all this. (like, he probably noticed Ryoma's potential at an early age or something...?)

and also, it's nice (especially for TezuRyo fans) to think that the moment Tezuka noticed this problem (Ryoma's tennis having no direction 'after the end of the tunnel'), he tried to prevent it from happening. even at the cost of his arm.

The whole thing with Ryoma against Sanada is much weirder in the manga, or when Ryoma plays Kirihara. I think there's a special name for that loss of consciousness that he exhibits there, but I can't recall what it is.

I don't think Nanjiroh ever has a good reason for being a jerk. I could somehow deal with him better if he seemed like a hockey dad, or something, yelling at his kid to do better. But he goads Ryoma and mocks him. I wish we knew more about how he trained him earlier. We only get a glimpse or two.

and also, it's nice (especially for TezuRyo fans) to think that the moment Tezuka noticed this problem (Ryoma's tennis having no direction 'after the end of the tunnel'), he tried to prevent it from happening. even at the cost of his arm.

That's the main thing I'm hoping to figure out more about by doing this. It puzzles me, that Tezuka would go so far. But more about that when it comes up. :)

I love reading these recaps -- I just rewatched the first 60 eps (all I have) a few weeks ago myself, and wanted to talk about them with everyone.

Ryuzaki gives Tezuka a very sly look, but I'm not really sure what she means by it.

I assumed that look was Ryuzaki being amused that Tezuka didn't see his own charisma.

I'm glad you're enjoying them! I'm having a fun time with them.

And good point about Ryuzaki. I think you're right.

Hi again! Great, another one - I'm enjoying your writeups :)

About why Tezuka chose Inui and Kaidoh - I once read a fic that suggested the lineups have a lot to do with not breaking apart potential doubles pairs, since doubles are such a weak point for Seigaku. So, Oishi, Eiji, Fuji, and Kawamura, the ones most likely to form doubles pairs at this point, are kept out of the block with 3 potential regulars. I can't remember if Tezuka knew Momo played Echizen already, but he might not have wanted to strain Momo, who was injured.

She accuses Tezuka of being cold-hearted and he says he's just acting as the club leader should.
Cold-hearted? O.o I think most people assume Tezuka's trying not to play favorites. Though, I kind of got the same feeling with Tezuka allowed Ryoma to play with the injured eye. Although Tezuka was giving Ryoma what he wanted, Tezuka may also have been thinking, "I want to see him overcome this hurdle," which just seems cold when Ryoma's injured.

Ryuzaki gives Tezuka a very sly look, but I'm not really sure what she means by it. She teases people a lot. I like that about her.
*Snicker* I like her attitude, too. In any case, I really thought she was talking about Tezuka's own charisma and leadership here. There's some line in these episodes about Tezuka being the one most like young Nanjiroh, too... at the time, I didn't think about it too much and figured it was about tennis skill, but now I wonder what she meant.

Certainly, he's drawn, as a person, not just as buchou.
*Nods* But silly Tezuka is so incapable of being social, he can only express his interest by proposing a tennis match. -_-;;

here's a closeup of Tezuka's eye, then it dissolves to Nanjiroh's eye, beginning the parallel between them. ... Another Nanjiroh-Tezuka parallel: they both focus on Ryoma's development, Nanjiroh up til now and Tezuka after this.
Oooh. It began this early? *hits self in head* I didn't really notice the connection until later >.>. But it's interesting that it's still Nanjiroh talking about his development in the beginning, but it switches over completely to Tezuka to actually making it happen in these early episodes.

Also, I died laughing at the Inui kiss scenes. But that's just how dork Inui would think about kissing. :D

About why Tezuka chose Inui and Kaidoh - I once read a fic that suggested the lineups have a lot to do with not breaking apart potential doubles pairs, since doubles are such a weak point for Seigaku.

Oh, that's an interesting theory. I could buy that. Tezuka certainly has a lot of power over the selection of regulars. (The Boy has gone on at great length to me about how "the Seigaku ranking system is flawed!" and presenting his improved system. *g*)

There's some line in these episodes about Tezuka being the one most like young Nanjiroh, too

That's always weirded me out because I can't think of anyone *less* like Nanjiroh than Tezuka. All they seem to have in common is great tennis talent and the Zone. Hmm. When I look at Seigaku, the person I think is most like Nanjiroh in personality (though much less of a jerk) is Momoshiro. You know, Ryoma's best friend... I'll try to address that more later on, once we see more of Nanjiroh.

And glad those kisses amused you. Adorkable Inui. :)

I kind of despise Kachiro, and think of him as the female Sakuno. Like, they're both the definition of "yokei na osewa" which literally means "excessive care"--"care" as in "looking after" like when Fuji says to Mizuki "thanks for looking after my brother" (ooh, *chill*, heh)--but which comes with implications about not respecting other people's space or being a busybody. They bother me because they remind me of the prisoners in Cool Hand Luke who idealized Luke and used that ideal to fulfill their fantasies in their pathetic lives without caring about him. lol. In the manga (which I'm reading with my limping Japanese) Kachiro says he joined the club 'cuz he wanted to wear the cool jersey. Wtf? His dad's a former pro, but he couldn't be bothered to learn tennis until he saw the cool uniform? <--also? could be read as sooo gay, hee.

They're both really passive aggressive. "I went through all this trouble just to help you by taping the scary sempai; wait, where are you going? I just care about youuuu." And when Tezuka hurt his arm, Kachiro was all, "but NO ONE cares about the buchou like ME," "how can they not CARE?" Bleh. And jeez these kids are dumb: you'd think whenever Ryoma's not in the lead, the world's going to end. Ok, so I mostly forgive them for that last because I realize they're there as exposition!boys, but still. ("Oh my god! He'll never win!" "Oh my god! He made a one-point comeback! He's on the road to victory!")

It's an interesting parallel with Tezuka and Oishi's conversation on the train after Tezuka beats Ryoma. Er, this is all mangaverse, which I regard as canon. ...and I need to get to bed, but I'll be back expounding before you know it--certainly before you wanted it. ^-^

Yeah, I'm not sure why Kachiro has never picked up tennis before now. He really doesn't bother me, though. I liked his development through the Tezuka arc, how he learned that not everyone expresses their concern in the same way.

It's an interesting parallel with Tezuka and Oishi's conversation on the train after Tezuka beats Ryoma.

Hee! Tezuka/Oishi is my manga pairing; TezuRyo is just in the anime for me.

Ok, so now I'm curious about your take on TezuRyo. Not that I wasn't curious before, but I likely have a mangled idea of it. Like, what is the ideal they see in the other? Or is it about ideals? I know in the anime they seem to have an obsession with showing their true tennis without being in the state of (copy-like?) self-realization, y'know, where they go into that weird state where they start using other people's tennis that they've learned through their bodies. Do you buy that interpretation? That there's some essential self that's buried in and embodied by their tennis, I mean. And that it's this self that Tezuka wants to draw out from Ryoma, and that Ryoma wants to give to Tezuka. ...or is it completely different altogether? (And how does Nanjirou fit in?)

*g* My take on TezuRyo is what this whole exercise is about, so I can't really answer you yet. I find Tezuka so difficult to figure out that I have to think and think and think about his possible various motivations. And by posting about them, I hope to make other people do some of the hard work for me.

I know in the anime they seem to have an obsession with showing their true tennis without being in the state of (copy-like?) self-realization, y'know, where they go into that weird state where they start using other people's tennis that they've learned through their bodies. Do you buy that interpretation?

I don't really see them having that obsession in the manga; rather, it just seems to me that the whole self-actualization thing is left out altogether. Certainly, they all -- all the characters -- want to show *their* tennis. Of course, they are all junior high boys. *g*

The essential self -- I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about that much so far. I think that's certainly an interpretation in the manga, especially remembering how Tezuka sees that image of a samurai when he looks at Ryoma. But in the anime, I don't think they think about it that deeply. I shall have to ponder.

Even if that is what Tezuka wants to do, the question I'm trying to answer is: why?

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Tenipuri episodes 4-6

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