They used to say about boxing that great matchups make great fights. The same is true of sports anime to an extent, depending on the sport. And I think it applies to cycling, which while nominally a team sport in the end (more so in fiction even than real life) usually comes down to individual battles. In general terms, contrasting styles usually make great matchups. Hagler vs. Hearns (or Leonard). Ali vs. Frazier. Midousuji would be an interesting matchup with anybody, because he’s a human contrast – there’s nobody like him. But if Yowamushi Pedal is going down to the last two, it wound up in a pretty good place (again).
Once upon a time in Enoshima, our two principals had a fated meeting. It was great to see the always-amusing Mr. Pierre, who hardly gets any oxygen at all from this series. He wants his overstressed boys to get a break from cycling, so gives them an enforced rest day. To the three second-years (who he knows are the spine of the team) he gives passes to the Enoshima Aquarium. Naruko is initially resistant, but once inside he turns into a genki schoolboy. Sakamichi gets separated from his friends (for a second there I thought that lady was going to treat him like a lost child), and he’s left his phone in the car. Who shows up to help but the mountain prince, Manami-kun?
Of course in sports manga we get the “fated rival” thing all the time. But Yowapeda puts a nice spin on it, because with these two it’s really authentic. They check the boxes for contrast, too. Manami is an iconoclast who rides primarily to challenge himself, while Onoda rides for the team first. Manami is totally confident in his own greatness, while Onoda never gives himself enough credit. Manami rides with grace and economy, using his gears to drive his engine, while Onoda relies almost exclusively on his insane cadence. In real cycling too the elite climbers are a mix of different riding styles, which is what makes those peak finishes at the grand tours that much more exciting.
In dramatic terms this series really has it covered with these two. I like both of them, and would be perfectly happy to see either win. And they like – and respect – each other, too. There’s no trickeration with Sakamichi and Sangaku – they just enjoy pushing each other and feeling the thrill of the moment. This is the second year in a row they’ve been the last men standing, of course, which takes luck and chance off the table – they’re the clear best riders in the race. Which means, really, that it’s about time Sakamichi acknowledges how good he is. One of the things a great athlete has to do to be great is acknowledge their own prowess. Riding for the team is fine – but Sohoku needs to be clear about who their ace is and tailor their strategy to supporting him.
As the crowned heads of Yowapeda gather to watch – like Makishima and Toudou-kun, who still have their hilarious rapport – Manami and Onoda inch to within 1.5 km of the finish. This finish is much higher than the previous inter-highs – over 2000 meters, which is enough to make the air meaningfully thinner. But as Teshima told his troops, everybody is in the same boat – you just have to embrace the pain and keep pedaling. This back and forth is obviously going to continue to the finish with neither rider breaking clear – in that sense there’s not so much drama. But with these two the sparring is more than entertaining enough to carry us to the climax.
