You know I hate to bury the headline, but there are so many headlines here I don’t even know where to start. In the first place it was a great episode, probably good to establish that. But I almost typed “great finale” and had to stop myself. I don’t know what to call this episode, really. If it walks like a finale and quacks like a finale, how can it not be a finale? This episode sure did those things. But there is another episode – and on January 4 at that. That’s weird already, but it seems there’s some confusion about that coming ep (and since there’s negligible interest in Ooi! Tonbo in English finding information is a lot harder).

As best I can tell that episode – like “Episode 1” this season – is some sort of recap. Sucks, right? But wait – why would you have a recap in a series finale? Some are asking that, and it is a logical question. So does that mean Ooi! Tonbo Season 3 is happening? Beats me, but I guess it’s possible and if so, I would expect some kind of announcement when the “finale” airs (which is what happened with S1). Obviously I sure hope so. Golf anime is finally experiencing the boomlet I’ve been predicting for years, and this show has proved reasonably popular in Japan if not overseas.

In my mind I can’t not see this week as the finale, as it exhibits every trait you’d expect from one. It’s a great one too, capping a second season that in the end proved the equal of the first for me. Great final episodes are a mixed blessing, because they just make the pain of a series ending that much sharper. But I’ll take that over the alternative – and if indeed we are getting a third season, that’s the greatest balm you could ask for.

As a golf fan, I have to say I was thrilled to see so many subtle aspects of the game highlighted here, and the sense of realism adhered to so rigidly. The whole Hinoki storyline was a bit dramatic but that license was on the narrative side, not the golf side. We start out with Tsubura trying to replicate the shot Tonbo hit. She does a darn good job too, though Igarashi is right in pointing out that this isn’t really her game. Still, under the circumstances – needing a par to survive – if there was ever a time for Tsubura to abandon her obsession with the percentages and take a risk that was probably it.

Then we have Ema, whose story was pretty compelling in the end. She’s on the cart path, and entitled to a free drop. But she’s required to take that drop at the nearest point not closer to the hole – which would have been totally blocked by a tree. So she chooses to play off the asphalt – which is her right. And she too takes a big chance, putting all her weight on her jacked left leg to try and hit moonball through a gap in the trees with enough juice to get all the way to the green. And damn if she didn’t pull it off.

Last week I said “I have a weird feeling Ema could hole out from the trees for a freak eagle or something”. And I tell you what, when I saw her ball land on that slope I was convinced it was going to catch a zephyr and roll right into the cup. But no, phew – didn’t happen. What did happen was she leaned on her putter so hard she broke it. Now broken putters are a part of tournament golf – we’ve seen pros damage them (sometimes through anger) and have to putt with another club. That would normally mean choking up on a three wood, but this was especially insidious for Ema – remember, she hits everything left-handed except her lob wedges and putts. Meaning using the three wood is next to impossible, forcing her to use her only other right-handed club – the lob wedge.

Then we have Hinoki. And boy, she really played this pantomime right up to the closing curtain. Here’s the thing – her admitting the truth in the end and disqualifying herself is better than clamming up and signing her scorecard. But by continuing to play for 31 holes under false pretenses, she impacted the result. She influenced the pace of play, and her partners might have made decisions based on something she did. They also strategized on the assumption that Hinoki’s score was legitimate. Her admission doesn’t make this all right, and if she’s suspended she deserves to be (which she doesn’t deny, at least).

As such the whole drama on 18 (and there was plenty) played out before Hinoki’s confession. Hinoki’s putt (safety) or chip (aggression) dilemma is as classic as it gets. Ema and Tsubura being on the exact same line is a huge part of the game too. The chance to go to school on the other’s putt can be a huge advantage. That’s why Ema insisted on putting first rather than having the putts paced off – she wanted to help atone for getting Tsubura into trouble off the tee. But her putt strayed off line, and Igaiga is exactly right that this can have the opposite effect on the playing partner, sparking doubts about the line.

I was pulling hard for Tonbo here, though I like Tsubura and Ema just fine. She is indeed a monster, as Tsubura calls her. To win in her first competitive event, having barely played on a real course, and do it with half a set of clubs? She’s a beast. And while this season – far more than the first – was all about the competition, there were still great character moments with Tonbo and Igaiga. He even comes to the rescue of Hinoki – though of course we’re aware that he knows full what can happen when a father pushes their child too hard. It’s disappointing not to see Igaiga try and reconcile with his son, but if there is more anime to come maybe that will be addressed at some point.

It would really be heartening to see Ooi Tonbo get another season (and how about multiples, let’s be greedy). It’s nice to see the good guys win, and this series is definitely one of the good guys. I’m not sure I can recall many series changing so much from a first to a second season and maintaining such a consistent standard of quality. Good characters, excellent realism, drama between the lines – this is what great sports anime is really all about, and why I love the genre so much. Whatever does or doesn’t come next, this has been a terrific ride.