Tenipuri episodes 66-68

[prillalar]

Note: Unlike previous write-ups, there are significant spoilers for future episodes here. Previous: memories or tagged.

Tezuka, Ryoma, Atobe. The Match. No crack today, but a lot of analysis and questions.


66. Rondo to Destruction

Tezuka and Atobe continue to play. They're both good, Ryoma thinks, for old-timers. Which would be more mockable if they didn't really seem about ten years older than him.

Atobe thinks admiringly of Tezuka as they play. It's 3-2 Tezuka now. Everyone in the stands, both teams, seems nervous. Sakaki tells Atobe that Tezuka seems to be concerned about winning quickly.

Tezuka and Ryoma sit on the bench together, not speaking, not looking at each other. Momo and Eiji giggle about it, because extroverts cannot conceive of people being able to go for five minutes at a time without yapping.

Of course, this is just what Tezuka needs from Ryoma right now: his presence at the match and nothing more.

We swing over to Rikkai where Yanagi and Sanada talk about Atobe's special move, which he hasn't yet pulled out. There's a flashback to last year's selection camp. Tezuka must have been pretty pissed off that he didn't attend when he found out about the lovely purple uniforms they all had.

And so we see the Hametsu e no Rondo, Atobe's flashy smash. He hits the racquet out of the player's hand first and then smashes the ball on the next shot. Seems like a very Atobe move.

Atobe isn't using it against Tezuka, though, and Rikkai find that puzzling. And I've got to wonder -- did Tezuka lob on purpose because he'd heard about it and wanted to see it?

Fuji and Inui do their "I think..." "Oh, you too?" thing they use to mystify and intrigue everyone. In this case, they think the match will be bad.

Atobe can tell that Tezuka's elbow is healed, but that it has somehow put strain on his shoulder. How does this power of his work? I suppose he's able to observe small things that most people don't see and synthesize them into a theory. At first he just sees that it's Tezuka's arm, but after hearing about the elbow, he can narrow things down.

He really is quite amazing. He's a jerk, but he's a jerk who works really hard and is highly skilled. The song that always makes me think of Atobe is Kid Rock's Cocky. "It's not bragging, motherfucker, if you back it up."

Atobe gets a scary Fuji-like wind effect after hitting a shot so hard it blows away Tezuka's racquet (not the smash, though). Tezuka is surprised. Ryoma looks disconcerted. I think he's sensing that buchou might not be able to pull this one off, that it's not a sure thing.

Atobe intends to draw the game out. I can take you out of tennis forever with an hour's time, he thinks. And so we see that Atobe is Not A Nice Person. (Actually, we already knew that from the way he was manhandling An.) A proper sportsman would do his best in a good clean game and not try to deliberately injure someone. (Which makes Ryoma's Drive A at Akutsu quite interesting.)

Flashback to the doctor's office where Tezuka is told not to play long matches or use his drop shot much.

There's a lot of tennis with scary suspense music. Kaidoh tells Arai off for badmouthing Atobe. People call out "Tezuka!" and "Buchou!" at intervals.

And then there is a shot of Tezuka and the sound of breaking glass.

But Tezuka keeps on and Atobe seems surprised. Ryoma is impressed and concerned.

Atobe thinks that Tezuka was actually looking for a long match. Which, if he's right, and he usually is, seems odd. We will return to this later. Inui echoes Atobe's thought, so it must be right. So, what about Sakaki's earlier comment that Tezuka wants to finish the game quickly? Did Tezuka change his mind?

The floating head of Yamato-buchou appears and scares the shit out of me. But it seems to give Tezuka strength. Or maybe that was the therapy.



67. The Last Shot

Show me what you have until the end, Ryoma thinks. Tezuka is ahead 6-5. Everyone cheers. Kaidoh even raises his fist a little.

"Now let's play without regrets," Tezuka says. This is a pretty common theme in sports series. If you do your very best, even if you lose, you can go on with your life -- with the sport or with another occupation -- without regretting it.

They've been playing for an hour and a half so far. Inui puts away his notebook. There's no more data to take. Everything is down to guts now. Another common sports trope. At some point, skill is exhausted and the one with the most determination will win.

Tezuka spares a thought for Atobe: Sorry, but I'm going to take your place in going to Nationals. He serves and as he raises his arm, the Foley sounds like a glacier breaking up or something similar. It's a horrible grinding sound and there's no way it could be good.

But the serve is just as skilled and controlled as in the beginning. He's challenging Atobe. Ryoma approves. Tezuka lobs and Atobe uses the Hametsu e no Rondo. But Tezuka manages to hang onto his racquet and he not only returns the ball, but it starts up the Tezuka Zone! And the cherry on top is the Zero Shiki.

Right about now, we need Hikoichi to stand up and say: UNBELIEVABLE!

Everyone cheers. Except Ryoma. He must have an inkling.

Inui rambles on about the match. I search the stands for my lacrosse boys.

Just one more shot. That's all Tezuka needs. One more point to win the match. One more point. And the happy, you can do it! music plays. Right up until Tezuka gasps, drops his racquet, and falls to the court clutching his shoulder. (In the manga, it looks like he screams here, but he's not that loud in the anime.)

There's a Ryoma reaction shot, but it's Oishi who really gets the focus. "TEZUKA!" he yells.

All the regulars run out to the court. All except Ryoma. (And Kawamura, since he's still at the hospital.) None of them ran out on the court when Ryoma possibly had his eye gouged out.

Why doesn't Ryoma run out? Is it that he alone understands that Tezuka will continue to play? Is it that he's so shocked he can't move? That seeing Tezuka break has caused him to doubt and he's crushed in that moment? That he's comfortable on the bench?

Of course Tezuka sends them back. He's still going to play. Of course he shouldn't. And of course this is why Ryuzaki had to be away from the court, so she couldn't stop him.

Oishi hovers by the bench while Tezuka and Ryoma sit. (Oh, Oishi, darling.)

Atobe has what he wanted, but he's not happy about it. Seems that playing Tezuka taught him a thing or two about sportsmanship.

Inui and Fuji warn Tezuka not to keep playing. He's just going to hurt himself further and he's not going to win. Tezuka tests his arm. Ryoma is motionless beside him on the bench. He's not looking at Tezuka. What is he thinking? What a moment for Ryoma. I doubt he thought this could happen.

Tezuka walks out to the court. Oishi runs ahead and stands in front of him, just like he did when they were first years. They look at each other for a long time. "Oishi," Tezuka says. (Oh my god, I ship them so hard.)

"Are you trying to fulfil the promise you made with Yamato-buchou?" Oishi asks. "To open a path for the club to go to Nationals?"

There's an aural montage of all the team members's determination.

"We are going to Nationals," Tezuka says. And Oishi lets Tezuka step onto the court. Ryoma smiles a little.

Oishi has to be the one to give permission. Everyone else is shocked that he didn't make Tezuka stop. And if it had been any other player, I'm sure he would have. But the promise to Yamato and to each other takes precedence.

Kawamura is back from the hospital and he raises the Seigaku flag.

Ryoma gets up from the bench. He knows what he has to do now; nobody tells him to. Throughout this scene, his eyes have been in shadow under his cap. He stops behind Tezuka, still not looking directly at him. "Don't lose after you've won against me."

"I won't lose." But of course they are preparing for his loss.

Ryuzaki is back so she makes a little speech about her stubborn boys and how that's the mark of a real player. But I doubt she knows just how injured Tezuka is right now.

Momo leaves too, to help Ryoma warm up. I guess the stress of the match is getting to him.

Atobe takes the last point and they go to a tiebreak. After Atobe's serve, Tezuka gets shiny glasses! He takes the point and Atobe is shocked. But Tezuka's serves suck, so Atobe takes those. I'm actually surprised Tezuka doesn't switch to his right hand to serve. Even if he hasn't practiced right-handed recently, it ought to be better than his injured left arm.

Atobe is seriously impressed. He didn't expect Tezuka so play so recklessly, to be so determined for Seigaku. He determines to try his best, no matter how long the tiebreak lasts.



68. The Never Ending Tie Break

I am writing this the same day Genius 304 dropped and oh the episode title makes me giggle.

Ryoma and Momo return to the court. 35 all. Neither Atobe nor Tezuka will let points slip.

"Buchou!" Ryoma says. He's clearly shocked. No one can believe it.

Atobe was wrong about Tezuka. He thought Tezuka was calm, but now he can see Tezuka's passion. Atobe says the match is meaningless to him but he will put his all behind every ball.

Tezuka's passion is still not really evident from his expression. Just from his actions.

Kachiro asks Oishi why he doesn't stop it. Oishi says they are using tennis to compete in a battle of will. I don't really know what that's supposed to mean.

Tezuka hits a zero-shiki, but it won't work properly and Atobe returns it. Then Tezuka's return hits the net and he loses the match.

Everyone is shocked. So was I, the first time I saw this.

When they shake hands, Atobe raises Tezuka's hand and the crowd gives them an ovation.

Ryoma comes down to the front of the stands and he and Tezuka look at each other. Tezuka has broken his promise to win the match.

Ryoma is ready to play, since they are 2-2 with one tie. And it's Tezuka, not Ryuzaki, who sits on the bench for the match. Tezuka reminds him of his admonishment when they played their match. Become Seigaku's pillar of support. They look at each other even longer.

Hiyoshi seems scary. He's likely to be Hyotei's next captain. Inui has all his data. Not, you know, Ohtori and Shishido's, just Hiyoshi's. Momo seems a little worried by Inui's thoroughness. Does he know that Inui carries Momo and Kaidoh's pictures around with him?

Hiyoshi has this long, rambling internal monologue about how he's going to move up in the order and take the Singles 2 spot. In fact, he will eventually take Singles 1 from Atobe. Which I'm not surprised he says, in general, but to say that right after that match! How does he think he's going to surpass that level in a few months?

While Hiyoshi is being self-absorbed, Ryoma serves and puts an ace by him. Next, a twist serve that makes Hiyoshi drop his racquet. Hiyoshi returns the last Twist serve, but then Ryoma hits a right-handed Zero Shiki!

Ryoma is clearly fired up. Especially with Daddy Tezuka watching. Is he trying to tell Tezuka that he's going to climb even higher, just like Hiyoshi was thinking? I really do think there's a bit of a challenge to Tezuka here, not just "I am inspired by your wonderful play".

Hiyoshi has a rather weird form, based on a type of martial arts. He takes the next two games. "You're unexpectedly good," Ryoma says and switches his racquet to his left hand. He is such a show off. He talks trash to Hiyoshi.

People think Ryoma won't be able to keep up the fast pace in the second half. But if Ryoma was playing in junior tournaments in the states, he would be used to playing at least two sets in a match.

Ryoma easily defeats Hiyoshi. Fuji is awed by Ryoma's prowess. He looks a little scared, even.

And all's well that ends well. But did this really end well?



Ruminations

Promises

Tezuka promises Ryoma that he will win the match, but loses it. At twelve years old, can Ryoma be philosophical enough to see that Tezuka did his best to keep that promise? And note that the promise was extracted not on behalf of Seigaku, but on behalf of Ryoma himself. "Don't lose after you've won against me." I'm really not sure how this broken promise affects Ryoma. He plays his match with verve, he doesn't seem down. But it's got to be a blow.

And how does it affect Tezuka? He must think of it. He's the kind who will always do what he says he will. He must feel even more responsibility to Ryoma now.

Tezuka also promises both Yamato and Oishi that Seigaku will go to Nationals. And that promise he keeps. Even though he loses this match, his leadership of the team and his mentoring of Ryoma make them strong enough to push through. Even this loss is inspiring to the team. I've always thought that Tezuka's influence over the team was the greatest when he was away from them. They worked even harder so they wouldn't let him down.


Pressures on Tezuka

If Seigaku loses to Hyotei, they don't go to Nationals. That is a huge source of pressure, both to Tezuka as an individual facing this match and as the captain of the team.

Besides taking his team all the way, as the captain and as a renowned player, he's got the weight of people's expectations on his back -- his friends, his club members, his fans. He has a responsibility to do his best.

As well, the stands are full of high school and even pro scouts. How he performs in this match may have a great impact on his future.

He has chosen to mentor Ryoma and to have Ryoma there to watch the match. He has to show Ryoma a good game, to show how a real sportsman approaches his sport, in order to promote his growth.

I suspect Tezuka puts a lot of pressure on himself as well. Oishi says he practices in huge amounts.

He must be pretty tense, poor guy. Did I mention he's also president of the student council?


Why Does Tezuka Go So Far?

That's really the question. What with all the promises and responsibilities and pressures and expectations, there's not much else he can do. He's got an iron will. He won't give up, no matter the cost.

There's a real "with your shield or on it" theme in sports series, I find. Even if you could sustain a career-threatening (and sometimes worse!) injury, it is still nobler to continue, than to return to fight another day.

I think there's more, though. Tezuka does this for Seigaku, for Oishi, for Ryoma, for himself. But I think that he may also, likely unconsciously, do it to escape. He must know that even if he wins, he's going to be out of tennis, at least for a while, perhaps forever.

When we see him later in Germany, he is so relaxed, much more so than we ever see him at Seigaku. He laughs! He is friendly with the other patients! He fantasizes about Sanada! *koff* He is out from under the pressure. And there's a bit of a feeling to me, in the anime, that his return to Seigaku isn't a sure thing. Nothing anybody says, maybe more what they don't say.

(The differences between the manga and anime are intriguing, but I'm only dealing with the anime here. See my other post for more on this.)

Tezuka loves tennis, but I wonder if the position he is in is too much for him, if the pressure is crushing that love out of him. When he's away, he can regain that. Is this why it seemed to Atobe and Inui like he was going for a long game?

Still and all, at no time during that match does Tezuka look like giving up. Often, we see one of the team sinking during a match and being pulled up by their teammates or by their opponent or something. That doesn't happen here. Even Oishi and Ryoma are just there. They probably lend him strength by their presence, but it's not like he seems to need it to convince himself to keep going.


Tezuka's Loss

In the fight against Atobe, Tezuka is at a disadvantage. It's clear to everyone, especially Atobe, that the match is uneven because of Tezuka's injury and Atobe can't really boast about beating Tezuka.

Tezuka opponent is really himself. His injury, his pressures, his promises -- that's what he's fighting. It's quite depressing, actually.


The Effect on Ryoma

I really don't know. He's not quite as hard as Tezuka to figure out, but we still don't really get inside his head. He's just seen the man who defeated him but gave him confidence broken down. It seems to have fired him up initially, but how is it going to be over time? I shall watch for that more over the next few episodes.


Your thoughts, as always, are encouraged.

Comments

[storyteller.livejournal.com]

Tezuka ... "wanting" to be injured (or rather, letting it happen) to get away from the pressure of tennis is such an interesting idea. I sometimes fall into the habit of being so overtly-critical with him in the Dumbledore kind of way and expect him to be able to do everything, but he's a kid -- and you know his recuperation stage was really probably the best thing that could happen to help him grow as a player.

Because I also still don't understand why he did that -- I mean, if he withdrew, Ryoma'd probably still kick ass and they'd still beat Hyotei. Unless he thought that unless Ryoma witnessed his defeat he wouldn't be able to beat Hiyoshi?

Hmmm hmmm hmmmm.

[prillalar]

I've been trying to understand Tezuka for almost two years now. I think, finally, I'm as close as I'm going to get, at least from the canon now available.

I think, like Aja says below, it's about courage. To me, it seems like stupidity for him to keep playing, but that's clearly not the take-away. If Tezuka doesn't do his best until the end, he's going to let so many people down, including himself.

[seii-ryu.livejournal.com]

Just curious, does withdrawing due to injury mean a draw or a forfeit? Because in the latter case, Tezuka has to keep playing.

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

Fuji and Inui do their "I think..." "Oh, you too?" thing they use to mystify and intrigue everyone.

*draws hearts all around them*

There's a Ryoma reaction shot, but it's Oishi who really gets the focus. "TEZUKA!" he yells.

I just rewatched this episode, and I cried at this. And then I felt really stupid. But poor Oishi.

"Oishi," Tezuka says. (Oh my god, I ship them so hard.)

Well, yeah. Why don't more people? Sigh.

Does he know that Inui carries Momo and Kaidoh's pictures around with him?

Hahaha. If not, I really want to see it when he finds out.

At twelve years old, can Ryoma be philosophical enough to see that Tezuka did his best to keep that promise?

Given that Ryoma's hero worship really doesn't drop after this match, I'm going to guess that he got it. He's a smart kid, if an incredibly bratty one. :)

[prillalar]

Well, yeah. Why don't more people? Sigh.

I know, I know. It's such a boutique pairing. Probably most people can't see past the GP. But I think that Tezuka/Oishi, even though it seems so sad here, has the best happily-ever-after potential of any tenipuri ship. I can see them ten years from now, living together quite happily.

Whenever Tezuka says, "Oishi," I want to cry.

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

I think Konomi ships them and that's good enough for me. :D

Actually, I will probably go into the Reasons Why Marks Has Two Pairings (or More!) for Every Tenipuri Character and That's Okay! some day. Or possibly I'll just write every pairing I support, since that will take approximately a hundred years.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

Of course, this is just what Tezuka needs from Ryoma right now: his presence at the match and nothing more.

I love how they're both so focused on the match at that point - their body language says that they're both hyper-aware of each other but Ryoma's staring at the court and Tezuka's drawing strength just from his additional focus. I also love how tensed and ready Ryoma looks as he starts watching Tezuka at the end of ep 63. It says so much about how completely he identifies Tezuka with Tennis (to go back to Branch's comment about Ryoma as Avatar - I'll say again that I think they each epitomize tennis to each other.)

did Tezuka lob on purpose because he'd heard about it and wanted to see it? <-- That's what I always think every time I see that match. He does want Atobe to come at him with everything he's got.

Fuji and Inui do their "I think..." "Oh, you too?" thing they use to mystify and intrigue everyone.

Yesss and this is where I remind the world that I want to see more Inui/Fuji! So much sadistic mystifying potential!

A proper sportsman would do his best in a good clean game and not try to deliberately injure someone. (Which makes Ryoma's Drive A at Akutsu quite interesting.)

But Ryoma will grow out of the tendency to use tennis as revenge, I think, as he grows more and more focused on the game itself. Ryoma would never deliberately try to injure another player for his own means; but it's interesting how that puts Mizuki and Atobe in the same category, with all the implied vanity between them. :))

Why doesn't Ryoma run out? Is it that he alone understands that Tezuka will continue to play? Is it that he's so shocked he can't move? That seeing Tezuka break has caused him to doubt and he's crushed in that moment? That he's comfortable on the bench?

I believe it's because he knows Tezuka doesn't want them to come. Tezuka's telling them "don't come" directly parallels Ryoma telling Sakuno not to come onto the court in ep 18 (19? you know, his match with Shinji). He's not the only one who knows Tezuka wouldn't want them to come, but he's the only one among them, I think, who innately understands that Tezuka's will is to go on at any cost. Because that's what he himself would do. And I think he is shocked to the core. There's a reason he keeps his cap down the whole time Tezuka is back on the bench.

Tezuka tests his arm. Ryoma is motionless beside him on the bench. He's not looking at Tezuka. What is he thinking? What a moment for Ryoma. I doubt he thought this could happen.

I think in that moment he's really overwhelmed, and that a number of interlinked things are dawning on him all at once: 1) that Tezuka isn't invincible; 2) that Tezuka didn't want him to watch this match because he wanted to show him about invincibility, but about courage; 3) that Tezuka risked his arm to play Ryoma all those weeks ago in order to show him what tennis was really about; 4) that Tezuka made him warm up with him because he knew this might happen, and still went onto the court and played the best game he could; and 5) that Tezuka has asked him in his own way not just to support the team, but to support him. It all hits him, and it all boils down to Ryoma realizing that Tezuka knew he might not be strong enough to do this on his own, and he wanted Ryoma on that bench with him for a reason that had nothing to do with teaching Ryoma how to do tennis moves.

:(( oh Hal, I love them so much.

Possibly I should hit post at this point because I already know I'm exceeding the comment limit.

[prillalar]

it's interesting how that puts Mizuki and Atobe in the same category, with all the implied vanity between them

What's most interesting to me is that Mizuki is never really redeemed from that. He's humiliated by Fuji; he's not taught to be a better person. And that really says a lot about Fuji too. His tennis, at that point, was not transformative. (I have to get into Fuji at some point too -- but another day.)

that Tezuka didn't want him to watch this match because he wanted to show him about invincibility, but about courage

That's a great insight. It really sums things up.

that Tezuka risked his arm to play Ryoma all those weeks ago in order to show him what tennis was really about

I can't believe I forgot about this aspect while I was going through this time. (There's just so MUCH in these episodes -- it's hard to keep it all straight.) You're so right. It's finally dawning on Ryoma what Tezuka really did for him.

oh Hal, I love them so much

Oh, I know. This is what the show is all about. *sigh*

[seii-ryu.livejournal.com]

I don't remember very clearly, but Tezuka says, at one point, "Don't hold back." or something similar. He's obviously going to be upset if Atobe goes "easy" on him because of some weird sports manga code of honour. In a way, he has to prove to himself that he is capable of putting others first. It was unnecessary self-sacrifice from Fuji and Inui's pov, but to Tezuka, to not play while he was able is probably the worst thing he can do.

I think Ryoma not moving is actually simple- he's shocked that the person he looks up to isn't invincible after all. He's also probably realizing just what Tezuka losing will mean, for him and the team...

Anyway. *points at bookshop's comment* That pretty much says it all.

[prillalar]

Yes, Tezuka can't do anything but play his very best. And the victory is hollow to Atobe because of how far Tezuka went. It's completely a code of honour thing. It would be disrespectful of either of them not to give their all.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

Momo leaves too, to help Ryoma warm up. I guess the stress of the match is getting to him. <-- I love that Momo gets more and more perceptive as the series progresses; I think he's in his own way sensing that Ryoma wants the support, too. (I'm so in love with future captain!Momo. He comes so far and grows so much.)

Atobe was wrong about Tezuka. He thought Tezuka was calm, but now he can see Tezuka's passion. <-- He says something like "I thought you were more calm and manipulative" - which really always strikes me as odd. I always wonder where Atobe got that impression of Tezuka. Calm and methodical, absolutely, but I don't think there's anything manipulative about Tezuka at all. I think in some ways he's one of the shows most straightforward characters.

And wah, his passion is not evident from his expression. He looks so pained. :((

"Buchou!" Ryoma says. He's clearly shocked. No one can believe it.

:(( HIS VOICE when he says this.

Tezuka hits a zero-shiki, but it won't work properly and Atobe returns it. Then Tezuka's return hits the net and he loses the match.

Everyone is shocked. So was I, the first time I saw this.

It just broke me, and still does.

And it's Tezuka, not Ryuzaki, who sits on the bench for the match. Tezuka reminds him of his admonishment when they played their match. Become Seigaku's pillar of support. They look at each other even longer.

I love that Tezuka sits on the bench. It's such a complete role reversal but such an important affirmation of the way they empower each other, the way that this match has moved the support pillar imagery from a general Team Seigaku thing to a specific 'you support me as I support you' thing. And I think it's really key to note that, yes, Tezuka has broken his promise, but he hasn't lost his ability to give Ryoma the strength he needs. And Ryoma knows that. (In the anime at least - like I said in storyteller's thread, I think you can argue that in the manga he does feel a sense of betrayal and loses faith in Tezuka, only to regain it back later on. In the anime, he doesn't.)

Have exceeded comment limit again, hitting post.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

Hiyoshi = such an idiot. Every time I see this match Hiyoshi seems more and more incompetent to play against Ryoma, particularly in attitude, to the point where I'm like, 'how on earth could they think Hiyoshi, with this kind of attitude, would be a better captain than Shishido.' Shishido is all about the team spirit. Hiyoshi is even more self-absorbed than Atobe, and also, the fact that he's not even concentrating on the opening serve never fails to piss me off. Clearly I have pent-up issues from Ryoma's match. :))

but then Ryoma hits a right-handed Zero Shiki!...I really do think there's a bit of a challenge to Tezuka here.

Yes. I don't read this moment as a challenge to Tezuka but as an acceptance of Tezuka's challenge to him. If you have achiasa friended, she talks about this all the time, but just to recap what both she and I have said about this moment a million times: this is Ryoma sending a message straight to Tezuka: I'll become what you want me to be, and more - I will do what you can't do, I'll hit the shots you aren't able to hit. It's significant that Ryoma's match with Hiyoshi feels like a coda to the piece-de-resistance that is Atobe v/s Tezuka - they can't even be bothered showing the ending. Because the point of this match structurally is not to watch Ryoma beat somebody, but to watch Ryoma finish the game Tezuka starts. Once we've seen him hit the Zero Shiki, we know. It's all been told in that one shot. He's going to finish where Tezuka left, he's going to go farther than Tezuka, and Tezuka stays on the bench to watch because he is telling Ryoma he will push him all the way. Ryoma's use of his right hand to hit the zero shiki is a bit of a challenge, I think - maybe not a conscious one on Ryoma's part, but a definite message that Tezuka picks up and follows through on in 74-75. Because, you know, other people have better things to do like pack for a foreign country, but Tezuka has to make sure he pushes Echizen to a new level one more time before he leaves (because they might not get to be together in this way for a long long time, so he wants to leave Ryoma with something precious). But I digress.

____________

At twelve years old, can Ryoma be philosophical enough to see that Tezuka did his best to keep that promise?

I don't think there's any recrimination in his voice (The Breathy Buchou Voice!) when he comes back and finds Tezuka still playing. Ryoma looks at Tezuka then and sees courage, not betrayal. (And, I guess I want to elaborate here that the way I read this differently in the manga is that when Tezuka returns from Kyushuu Ryoma expects him to prove himself, and doesn't really acknowledge his status as captain right away, whereas in the anime I think Tezuka is proving himself to Ryoma right then.) I think the way Ryoma openly exclaims "He got it!" when Tezuka hits his failed Zero Shiki signifies that Ryoma still believes in Tezuka up until the end.

It's possible that that belief is tempered by Tezuka's loss. I think one way to read Ryoma's actions at the beginning of ep 74 when he plays Tezuka, is that he's confused and a bit resentful that Tezuka is asking him to go full strength against an injured player, because a) what's the fun in that, and b) what's the point supposed to be? But Tezuka evolves so quickly then that any misgivings Ryoma had are, I think, completely done by the time he's been roundly defeated at that point. And I'm only bringing that match up now because I think that by the end of that match Ryoma would follow Tezuka to the gates of hell and back, because he's not only gotten the message clearly, but had his faith in Tezuka's actual playing ability renewed. (And I think it incidentally says so much about the two of them that Ryoma could be in the process of being roundly defeated by Tezuka, and be completely focused on how to break the zone and beat his opponent, and yet still come away so encouraged by the game and so *_* about Tezuka. One basic reason I think Ryoma will take Tezuka with him into the future is because I think he really does desperately want Tezuka to stay on his pedestal, as much as Tezuka wants Ryoma to remain on his.)

GOD I AM NEVER GOING TO GET DONE. *hits post*

[prillalar]

I'm so in love with future captain!Momo. He comes so far and grows so much.

I really love how Momo progresses, but I'm still holding out for Kaidoh-buchou. :) In a few of the recent full team pictures from Konomi, Kaidoh and Tezuka are standing together with similar postures. In one, everyone is kind of goofing off except those two, who are both standing straight with their arms folded. Foreshadowing, I say!

He says something like "I thought you were more calm and manipulative"

I just checked this and the sub is "I thought you were more calm and calculating" which makes more sense.

I love that Tezuka sits on the bench. It's such a complete role reversal but such an important affirmation of the way they empower each other, the way that this match has moved the support pillar imagery from a general Team Seigaku thing to a specific 'you support me as I support you' thing.

I like that thought. Their connection is so personal in the anime. Tezuka must still be in such pain but he sits there and doesn't let it show, to support Ryoma.

When I was watching this, it made me think of the OP later on, where Ryoma steps out onto the court and Tezuka is there on the bench watching him and the stands are empty. It's clearly a dream, but I don't know if it's Ryoma's dream or Tezuka's.

I think you can argue that in the manga he does feel a sense of betrayal and loses faith in Tezuka, only to regain it back later on. In the anime, he doesn't.

I was re-reading my anime vs manga post after finishing this and was reminded of the Tezuka-Oishi match. Who do you think will win? somebody asks and everyone says Tezuka, except Ryoma. Ryoma says, "Oishi-fukubuchou" and then turns away from the court. He's still hurt. It's just like when your cat punishes you for going away for a few days by ignoring you.

But, yeah, in the anime there doesn't seem to be anything parallel to that. Especially since Tezuka boosts him with the right-handed match before he leaves.

[branchandroot]

Re the promise. I've never read that so much as a promise or a vow, not like Tezuka's vow to take his team to Nationals. Because it's such a standard expression. That's what every team that loses to Seigaku tells them while Seigaku is playing anyone else, most notably in the Regionals matches against Rikkai. What it always boils down to is "I lost to you, now you're carrying my honor along with your own; if you lose, then I lose by proxy, so don't lose". When Ryouma tells Tezuka that, he reinforces the rival (or, at least, future rival) aspect of their relationship. It's highlighting the competitive part of their relationship, rather than the unified part (the team aspect that the Nationals vow calls on). And Tezuka accepts that and answers as he would to a competitor who said that.

That, to me, helps explain why Tezuka is challenging Atobe so brazenly to a long game, why he sticks it out to the utter, bitter end, and why he hasn't /actually/ lost in a very significant way. And why Ryouma, I would say, understands that Tezuka hasn't exactly lost. I think this is why Ryouma is so fired up, and why he's such an unspeakable little show-off in his game with Hiyoshi. Tezuka was challenging Ryouma, at the same time he was demonstrating what true loyalty to one's team means and looks like. Ryouma is answering Tezuka in kind.

Though I always wonder just how multi-purpose Tezuka's game, here, is--whether he's trying to galvanize Atobe at the same time as Ryouma. Tezuka seems to have some really strong tendencies to mentoring (even his trainer in Germany, for crying out loud); I wonder just how far they extend.

[prillalar]

And Tezuka accepts that and answers as he would to a competitor who said that.

I guess. :) I just want to heap more significance on anything they say to each other. I do think that there is more significance there, though, if not in the words, than in the postures and the voices. The way Ryoma won't look at Tezuka and keeps his eyes in shadow and his head lowered. The way Tezuka stands up straight and answers firmly.

And even though it's a standard phrase, it's not a flippant one. I've just been watching Hajime no Ippo and it's that reminder that he's carrying the honour of all his former opponents that helps him to stay conscious and win his match.

Tezuka was challenging Ryouma, at the same time he was demonstrating what true loyalty to one's team means and looks like. Ryouma is answering Tezuka in kind.

Yes, exactly. Ryoma is finally starting to get it now.

Though I always wonder just how multi-purpose Tezuka's game, here, is--whether he's trying to galvanize Atobe at the same time as Ryouma.

Hee! He is quite a meddler, isn't he?

[wonapalei.livejournal.com]

Momo and Eiji giggle about it, because extroverts cannot conceive of people being able to go for five minutes at a time without yapping.
I totally wanted to give Eiji a slap upside the head for this. (They're having a MOMENT, dammit! Stop ruining it!) Except, it's so exactly what Eiji would do that I can't.

Fuji and Inui do their "I think..." "Oh, you too?" thing they use to mystify and intrigue everyone.
I really want to see these two play doubles one day. Maybe against Shitenhouji? Or even Rikkai? Please, Konomi-sensei?

Kachiro asks Oishi why he doesn't stop it. Oishi says they are using tennis to compete in a battle of will. I don't really know what that's supposed to mean.
I think this goes back to the code of honour thing. Just as Tezuka and Atobe are obliged by the code to play with their all, no matter the cost, their friends/minions/teammates are obliged to let them do it. Trying to stop them would be like slapping them in the face (actually, probably a bad simile, given that bitchslapping doesn't have quite the same meaning in Tenipuri as it does in the West; but you know what I mean). Ryoma understands this instinctively, I guess, since he lives by the same code, and that's why he never even considers stopping Tezuka. By the same token, even though it tears you apart, you have to watch them do it; I think turning away or covering your eyes would also be dishonouring them.

Inui has all his data. Not, you know, Ohtori and Shishido's, just Hiyoshi's.
Oh, he has the SP's data; it just didn't do him much good, since they hadn't actually played any tournament matches together yet. And somehow I can't see Atobe letting Inui spy on Hyoutei's practices. So he had Shishido's data from against Tachibana, and Ootori's he probably heard through the grapevine--the Scud Serve would definitely have made the rounds--but as far as their dynamic together, he had no clue until he saw them. Also, he was surprised by the speed of Shishido's Rising, not the fact that he had it, which shows that he simply didn't know what their late-night training had done to sharpen Shishido's reflexes.

I've always thought that Tezuka's influence over the team was the greatest when he was away from them. They worked even harder so they wouldn't let him down.
And I just realised: this was foreshadowed way, way back in the Fudomine match, when Tachibana walks off the court to go flashback with Inoue instead of staying to watch his team.

[prillalar]

I really want to see these two play doubles one day.

Oh, yes, Fuji-Inui would be the doubles pair from hell. Yes, please, Konomi! And Momo-Kaidoh for the other doubles pair.

And I just realised: this was foreshadowed way, way back in the Fudomine match, when Tachibana walks off the court to go flashback with Inoue instead of staying to watch his team.

Oh my god, you are so right. That's brilliant.

[chasingwhispers.livejournal.com]

I suspect Tezuka puts a lot of pressure on himself as well. Oishi says he practices in huge amounts.

He must be pretty tense, poor guy. Did I mention he's also president of the student council?

*Flails* Who?! Tezuka is?? Or Oishi? Because, when did we hear that Tezuka is??? I know Oishi's class president or something, but does Tezuka have a position beyond tennis? I can tell you aren't an Atobe fan, but I can't control my lust love for him, and I know for certain he's Hyoutei's student council president. I'd find it intriguing that Tezuka is his alter ego in this aspect too, if that's what you meant. :D

[prillalar]

Tezuka is the school president. Oishi is the rep for his class. I think that was in the first fanbook. It's more manga than anime canon, really.

I actually like Atobe a lot! I just see his flaws for what they are. :)

I hadn't considered that parallel between Tezuka and Atobe -- I didn't know that about Atobe -- but it's a cool one!

[emcyclopedia.livejournal.com]

... This is just... Oh, wow.

Reading this made me so... *falls harder for TezuRyo*
Dammit, I need to rewatch everything!!

And then again... they hinted my 2nd favourite pair...

He fantasizes about Sanada!

... Yes. Yes, he does. ^______^-

[prillalar]

His little Sanada tennis fantasy in Germany is so damn cute. And Tezuka is very rarely cute.

There's so much to think about in this match -- I'm glad it was useful to you. :)

[histoirede.livejournal.com]

As always, I enjoyed you thoughts a great deal ^-^ (But I don't have anything interesting to say...)

>"Now let's play without regrets," Tezuka says.

I'm pretty sure that was a "yûdan sezu ni ikkô" that was badly translated in the anime (even if I might be wrong)...

[prillalar]

That could easily be -- I usually pay more attention to the audio, but this time around I was trying to get as much detail down as possible.

[i-smile.livejournal.com]

The song that always makes me think of Atobe is Kid Rock's Cocky.
It's true, but it would probably piss Atobe right off to hear that he's characterised by a Kid Rock song. :D I've admired Atobe since this match, when you see he actually does have the skills he claims. Even if he doesn't quite have a way with women.

the stands are full of high school and even pro scouts. How he performs in this match may have a great impact on his future.
I can't imagine anyone would want to take Tezuka on after seeing his performance in that match. He kept his promise to go to the Nationals, but what the coaches who might be watching are seeing is that he kept playing, even while injured, to an eventual loss. (In a middle school tournament, no less. I doubt that any of them considers that important when weighed against Tezuka's ability to move his arm in the future. And they shouldn't, either.) Even if they could see that the win wasn't satisfying to Atobe, that Tezuka might have won were it not for his shoulder, would they want to take on a player who might throw away their training and his career on one match, regardless of how important the match is objectively, if he wants it enough? I can't imagine his display would help his career at all. (Assuming he intends to continue in tennis past middle school. I rather like the idea that he's been planning to quit, just like Kawamura, once he's made a good standing at Nationals a sure thing.)

[prillalar]

what the coaches who might be watching are seeing is that he kept playing, even while injured, to an eventual loss

I think this depends a lot on whether these are real coaches or shounen sports series coaches. Raw determination is valued *very* highly by the latter. But it always makes me cringe to see people play injured like this, even when I know it's not real.

I rather like the idea that he's been planning to quit, just like Kawamura, once he's made a good standing at Nationals a sure thing.

You know, I think that's very possible. This injury probably makes it difficult for him to consider going pro and the pro life is a difficult one anyhow.

He would probably die inside a little when he gave it up, but he would never let anyone see that.