OVA 1 - My Critical Review

[prillalar]

Hee! So fun!

Does anybody know what Ryoma said about why he was back? That's pretty much the only thing I'm puzzled about. And Suwabe was so voicing the taxi driver.

Oh, Oishi. Oh, Tezuka. And it was SO strange to see Oishi playing Ryoma there instead of Tezuka. It just changes the dynamic so much. So much less significant. And Tezuka standing there watching them play for his love the Regular spot. Strange and a bit sad. I am trying not to be bitter over it.

And we should have seen more of Oishi and Eiji after that. Next time, hopefully.

Otherwise, this was love. I'm really not that critical of the anime because the quality has always been spotty. It was fun, it was more Prince of Tennis, George Lucas was not involved. What more can I ask?

Can't wait for the next episodes!

Comments

[branchandroot]

Oh, the cab driver was so totally Suwabe. I laughed.

And squeaked when Oishi blushed for Tezuka.

[prillalar]

I squeaked too.

[wonapalei.livejournal.com]

Do you mean when they were on the way back to the school? He basically said that he didn't come back to play, but to cheer everyone else on, so there was no need to worry about screwing up the order for him. (God, he's grown so much. I can't imagine him ever saying this in the beginning of the series.)

[prillalar]

I'm more wondering what Ryoma said about the US Open. Did he win? Did he lose? Is it over? Why did he come back? I just want to know how they try to patch things up. :)

I can't imagine him ever saying this in the beginning of the series.

You're so right.

[sarahofcroydon.livejournal.com]

You're so right... something about playing Tezuka makes it so much more significant, like it truly is about the nationals and their relationship, as opposed to Oishi's own personal angst or testing himself or figuring out where he stood in the team or whatever that was that was about. It was quite sad.

And-dammit-(because I'm not meant to be thinking like this :P) ... in the context of a T/O relationship (and outside of! XD) where do you think Eiji fits in? I got the impression that he really wasn't among your favourite characters after the hilarious mini-play you wrote (a tragedy in three acts) but I've wanted to suss out your stance for a while!
:3

[prillalar]

something about playing Tezuka makes it so much more significant, like it truly is about the nationals and their relationship, as opposed to Oishi's own personal angst or testing himself or figuring out where he stood in the team

Oh, I know! The manga really is all about Tezuka and Oishi and their drive to the Nationals. That's what that match was all about. And now, yes, it's just more of a personal thing. And an odd one. Clearly, in the OVA, Oishi knew his wrist wasn't up to it. Why did they have to have that match at all?

Eiji isn't my favourite character, but I still like him a lot, even if he does annoy me at times. Sometimes he's downright adorable.

And I think that he and Oishi are really great friends and doubles partners, but that they maybe don't have a lot in common outside of tennis. Which I guess isn't that much of an impediment to a middle-school romance, but really is for anything longer lasting.

I've often found it odd that I don't even really find them that slashy in the canon. I don't know exactly why not, but they just don't ping me that way. And that something about the Tezuka-Oishi partnership does.

[sarahofcroydon.livejournal.com]

Why did they have to have that match at all?
YES!! I realised that on the tram on the way home... if Oishi knew he wasn't up to task, that's a very... dramatic way of telling everybody. It's reminding me of his staged manga conversations with Tezuka... but then again, it striked me more as something he was doing for himself.... I'm so confused! XD

And that's very interesting... I'm not sure where I got it from, that there seemed to be a mutual hate of Eiji by T/O fans... perhaps it's a Japanese fanart thing, whenever it's Oishi-uke it's to Tez to the exclusion of everyone else (excepting the random Atobe and Oshitari for some reason... :P)

[prillalar]

I couldn't hate Eiji! And he's definitely got to be present in Oishi's life, even in TO fic. Just like Scully, and Mulder and Skinner. *g*

I don't think in terms of seme and uke for my pairings, but if I did, well, Oishi would top Tezuka every damn time. I could see Oishi uke to Eiji more easily than to Tezuka.

[sarahofcroydon.livejournal.com]

I take my hat off to you for saying that!!! ♥

Tezuke is indeed a beautiful thing. XD