That was altogether the most satisfying episode of Yowamushi Pedal for a good little while.  Right down to the omake, actually.  There have been bits and pieces of vintage Yowapeda in almost every episode of Glory Line, but not many episodes where they’ve all come together the way they did this week.  I think it got pretty much every plot decision right, and didn’t frustrate with any more flashbacks or draw out the eternal cliffhanger of the Day 2 finish line.  The race finally ended, and the right guy won it.

There’s no doubt in my mind that it was the right guy, because Akira was definitely the one I was rooting for as the line approached.  I know objectively that he’s a horrible sportsman, and certainly the most bizarre member of this cast, but he’s just a genuinely interesting freak.  Once more, I find that almost in spite of myself I’m admiring the guy.  His tenacity is genuine, and I’m not so sure his simplistic take – “desire is all that matters” – is either wrong or undesirable in and of itself.  There’s a fascinating purity to Akira-kun that makes him really compelling as a character.

I think my favorite part of the episode was Midousuji’s victory speech – especially when he said “Kimo!” and then “Sorry – there was a problem with the mic.”  It was such a cheeky moment, and the crowd’s reaction to it was perfect.  The rest of the speech was pure, over the top Chimera-kun excess – splendid in its absurdity.  And I love the “He’s right!” stuff coming from the audience – the idea of Akira as a folk hero is something new for Yowapeda, and I think it could create a really interesting dynamic.  Including for him – will Midousuji continue to express utter disdain for the world if it decides it loves him rather than treats him like a grotesquerie?

The other interesting part of the finish was Mizuta rallying at the end to snatch fifth place away from Onoda-kun.  Not that 5th/6th matters much in the big picture, but Mizuta was left for dead – including by Akira-kun – and this seems to indicate that he’s made of sterner stuff that he appeared to be, and will be a factor on the final day.  And Midousuji is going to need at least some help, one would imagine, going up against a HakoGaku squad that hasn’t even unleashed its main weapon and a Sohoku squad with plot armor on their side.

It’s still hard to make a case for Sohoku seriously contending on the final day.  Imaizumi is distraught (though bless dear Sugimoto for his impassioned defense), Aoyagai is hurt (not that he’s that great to start with), and Kaburagi and Teshima are… Kaburagi and Teshima.  No, the only real cause to believe in Sohoku is the same as ever – the great randomizer, Onoda-kun.  He’s the man with the magic, the one who makes the impossible happen – and as long as he’s involved, Sohoku will always have a chance.  Not only can Sakamichi do incredible things, he inspires his teammates to rise above themselves.

That was the other reason this was such a smashing ep, of course – it had plenty of Onoda being Onoda, and that’s been too rare this season.  He’s still the beating heart of both the Sohoku Six and Yowamushi Pedal, and hopefully now that we’ve reached the final day the stage has finally been cleared for him.  He has a showdown with Manami-kun coming surely, and it’s no coincidence that he’s run into Toudou-san on his moonlight ride (I think the first thing anyone wants to do after riding 100 backbreaking kilometers is ride some more).  Makishima is going to factor in before this is all said and done and Toudou seems a likely bridge to that, and Chekov’s lighter climbing gears have been introduced, too.  Maybe we’ll be really lucky and it will all come down to Onoda, Akira and Manami at the end – and we’ll finally get back to Yowapeda at its very best.

Ofuromake:

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