OP2:  “Be The NAKED” by Lead

No breathers here.  Hinomaru Zumou is offering a lesson on how to rush through a source material the right way, to the extent such a thing is possible.  I hold no grudges – Gonzo and Uda-sensei (ably partnered with Yamamoto Yasutaka) are doing what they have to do, seizing the day – they have two cours, period, and they aren’t wasting them.  The thing is, you can rush without giving the impression that you’re rushing, and Hinomaru Zumou has managed to accomplish that almost every week.  That’s where the experience of the anime team really comes into play.

We launch into the inter-high with a new OP – Episode 15 being an odd time to launch one – titled “Be the Naked” (you can’t make this stuff up).  And without a hell of a lot of preamble we get right to what could be seen as the main event – Ushio vs. Tennouji in the individual competition.  The team event may be the traditional pinnacle of a manga inter-high. but with Ushio’s chance at a pro career seemingly resting on his winning the individuals, that mantle is more debatable here.

Hinomaru has done a fine job establishing Tennouji as a properly imposing top boss.  He’s imperious and cocky without quite crossing over into unlikeable arrogance.  Part of that is that he so obviously busts his tail to be as good as he is, part of it that he is as good as he is – he walks the walk he talks.  But it’s also that he’s walked the path Ushio is walking.  Tennouji used to be small, too, so he had to learn how to beat guys bigger than him all the time.  When you think about, a guy learning how to win that way and then having a growth spurt that gives him a proper sumo body (188 cm of pure power) is the perfect storm for a monster Yokozuna’s development.

After three bouts routine enough most of them don’t make the screen, it’s time for Ushio and Tennouji to face off.  And as the ep notes, that’s probably better for Ushio in the long run since at least his body and mind will be fresh for the bout.  I believe Tennouji when he says he respects Ushio and the struggles he’s overcome, both because he understands them and because he seems like the sort of guy that would respect any opponent as mentally tough as Ushio.  But that respect means that he’s thoroughly researched Ushio, to the point where he’s ready to counter every attack before they even become an attack.  This is a monster who does his homework.

It’s a hell of a fight, no question – Ushio is more resourceful than he’s ever been.  But in the end he still loses, and he’s not one to relish moral victories (and I suppose drawing first blood would count as one).  It’s a beautifully choreographed and drawn bout, even with relatively modest amounts of animation.  And in the aftermath, the question turns to what happens next.  Ushio’s injured his left arm (again), and Shinya is determined not to let him wrestle at least for the rest of the day.  Indeed Ushio has two more shots at this, but as he points out Shinya and Yuuma do not.  And there’s a wild card here  – invitations to the nationals can be extended to more than just the individual champion.  It’s just that Tennouji has dominated so much that no one has been extended one for the past two years.

The problem is, if Ushio is sidelined for the day, how does Daichi survive his absence?  Either they go 4 vs. 5 and forfeit a match or Kirihito wrestles in Ushio’s place.  Kei has surely improved and he’s due to win a bout or two this time around, but as far as the Daichi squad knows he’s an automatic loss up to this point – meaning Shinya, Yuuma and Chihiro would have absolutely no margin for error unless Kirihito steps in.  Of course the team won’t lose before Ushio gets a chance to wrestle again (the narrative demands it) but it’ll still be interesting to see how it comes to pass.

ED2:  “Sakura Sake” by Yoshida Yamada