Of Kabajis and Oujisamas

[prillalar]

Okay, that was a bad, bad joke. Somebody thwack me.

Anyhow, after reading mitethe's summary of Genius 287, I finally actually started to *think* about the matchups.

It seems like Tezuka wants Ryoma to play Atobe in order to push himself further. (You will recall that in the manga, Ryoma and Atobe have never played.) To make him grow. Which makes perfect sense.

It wasn't until just now that I finally figured out that Atobe must be doing the same thing with Kabaji.

I really haven't thought about the Atobe-Kabaji relationship all that much. I doubt if too many people have. But here we're seeing a real parallel to Tezuka-Ryoma. It makes me wonder what Atobe does for Kabaji. All we see is Kabaji following Atobe, carrying his bag, doing whatever he asks. The perfect kohai.

I don't think Atobe would neglect his reciprocal duty. Of course, he'd go about it in his own outrageous way, but Atobe isn't one to fall short of expectations. So he must be a good senpai to Kabaji.

Oh, now I want to know more. I want to see them together, practising, working. And I almost, almost, want Kabaji to win. If he does, I won't cry.

*hearts them all*

Comments

[trinityhelix.livejournal.com]

>>If he does, I won't cry.

omg i'd cry. XDDDDD

lol. i felt so bad for tezuka's injury-- i think i'd fall over if he lost against hyotei again. ;_;

but omgyes for the atobekabaji flashbacks, because character background/motivation = LOVE. XD

[prillalar]

True, I doubt Tezuka could lose twice against the same team. That would just be wrong. And lead to people whispering that he's weak against Hyotei. (But aren't we all?)

[trinityhelix.livejournal.com]

>>he's weak against Hyotei

...i am thinking many inappropriate thoughts right now. &hearts

[prillalar]

I'm sure they're really quite appropriate. :)

[padfoot]

Mmm, I totally agree. I think what crystalised Atobe's protective side for Kabaji was the movie extra, if you've seen that - where Atobe shows care for Kabaji's feelings. I definitely think it's feasible that Atobe would want to motivate Kabaji by putting him up against Tezuka, having seen Tezuka's strength firsthand. After all, everyone in Hyotei seems to have a ruthless side except Kabaji, which is perhaps why Atobe feels the need to push him a litte bit. I've always found the way Kabaji and Atobe interact to be oddly cute.

Although honestly, I'm too much of a Tezuka fan to entertain the thought of Kabaji winning. XD;

[prillalar]

I loved how Atobe was with Kabaji in the extra. So sweet. :)

Hmm, maybe Tezuka and Atobe arranged it all beforehand...

[cellia.livejournal.com]

Oh man! So cool to see you giving this such scrutiny!

Atobe/Kabaji is my favorite Atobe ship. I know some people see anime!Kabaji as a type of personal grunt to Atobe... but Atobe (such a fabulous guy who could surround himself with fabulous sophisticated people) seems to value having Kabaji near him much more than can be explained by just wanting a personal manservant. Kabaji isn't a fawning sycophant, just very devoted to Atobe. I see a very spoiled-princess/long-suffering boyfriend slash dynamic between them, but even without the slash, they are very sweetly devoted to one another.

The Tezuka-Ryoma parallel is *brilliant.* gah!

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

yes yes yes!

[prillalar]

I'm not quite at the place where I can ship them, but it definitely seems more feasible than it used to.

Atobe (such a fabulous guy who could surround himself with fabulous sophisticated people) seems to value having Kabaji near him much more than can be explained by just wanting a personal manservant.</i That's a really good point. He doesn't seem to cultivate anyone else's company. Ah, so much to think about!

Right, Kabaji? Usu.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

OH GOD I LOVE KABAJI SO MUCH. I love the Atobe-Kabaji dynamic so much too because it always has seemed to me that everybody overlooks Kabaji, everyone except Atobe. And oh, they are so sweet together. It's not thug-ism if you really are loyal, and there is that mutual respect there. That is the thing between them--Atobe's respect for Kabaji--that never gets up-played in canon but seems very constant to me. Wah, I LOVE THEM.

Re: Right, Kabaji? Usu.

[prillalar]

Admit it, you love everybody!

They really are sweet. I'm glad I'm finally starting to think about them. I'm really much too Seigaku-centric.

Re: Right, Kabaji? Usu.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha. I totally love everybody. I do. Except: I don't get the Rikkai thing. I don't. Kirihara, sure, but the rest of Rikkai are just so wooden to me. I'd take Fudomine (who OWNS my SOUL, or at least SHINJI does) over them any day. :(

I am totally Seigaku-centric, but so is the series, so I don't feel, like, conflicted over it or anything. Besides, I more than make up for it with my rampant and adoring LOVE FOR SHINJI.

Re: Right, Kabaji? Usu.

[prillalar]

I like Yanagi and Sanada. Yanagi is an android and I like androids. Plus Inui likes to shag him sometimes. Sanada is just cool. The Boy and I have whole conversations about Sanada's coolness.

"Sanada is so cool," one of us will say. "Yes, he's really cool," the other will reply. "The coolest ever!" "Except for Racer X." "Right, nobody is as cool as Racer X." "Ooooo, what if they met up?" "And fought crime together!" It goes on from there.

Shinji is rambling love! He needs to be oddly slashed with Ryoma now and again, while Kamio is with Kaidoh and Momo is with An.

Re: Right, Kabaji? Usu.

[akatonbo.livejournal.com]

Shinji is rambling love! He needs to be oddly slashed with Ryoma now and again, while Kamio is with Kaidoh and Momo is with An.

*cheers* Even if I do like the idea of Momo/Kamio a little better. But Kamio/Kaidou would be really entertaining also, and Momo/An is cute.