Suzuka ep.7-8

August 28, 2005 | 14 Comments

Again, a quick double-feature review, since the subs are already out. In general, episode 7 had deplorable art sinking to new all-time lows. Check my comments on the thumbnails for three examples of absolutely nonprofessional work. In fact, it has gotten so bad that I was started to giggle about it instead of being annoyed. The episode itself showed Yamato in a fairly bad light too, so the enjoyment factor was quite limited. Contentwise, however, it was a necessary followup to the surprise ending of episode 6.

Episode 8 on the other hand was very good again. The art was back to decent levels, and some frames were actually really pretty. Also, with the introduction of the last major character, Hashiba Miki, the story gains one key role: A smart and likable friend of both Suzuka AND Yamato who is finally able to give Suzuka some much-needed reality checks. This alone will make the story much easier to enjoy already. Finally, we have some very well-done character development for Honoka. She's having it tough, but she is doing what she can to deal with it. I like the girl alot!

Episode Ratings (7/8): o/+

Again, no summaries, but only comments. After he's handled the rejection in a graceful way, Yamato's way to deal with the blues is a bit less admirable, because he can't shake the "end of the world" doom and gloom quickly enough.

Miho was a pleasant surprise to me. It's evident that she figured out what happened to Yamato, and her teasing "comfort" was very much like her. This is the second time after talking to Suzuka in her apartment that Miho showed that she's no clingy bratty harem-anime cousin which wants to get into the male lead's pants, but rather a supportive family member instead.

Suzuka lost some brownie points with me by rushing into her apartment without even saying a word. This was simply cruel. Well, at least it was obvious that she was very embarrassed, so it's partially forgivable.

Bluntly put, I can't stand the uber-annoying Yuuka/Megumi duo. Yes, they're storytelling devices, but really unlikable ones. This is the only scene in the entire manga up to chapter 73 that Yuuka comes over as bearable and not just an annoying meddler. The fact that she also has an unresolved crush and has been trying to "better" herself is giving her some much-needed depth, but I still can hardly get myself to like her. Besides, if this is her new, "improved" version, I don't want to think how she might have been before ^_^;;

In the manga, Yamato was clearly intoxicated when he screamed his determination to pursue Suzuka, which makes the scene a bit more forgivable. In the anime, it only felt embarrassing to me - and if I was Suzuka in this scene, I'd have given him a piece of my mind afterwards.

Naive as he is, he likes the idea of joining the track club when Miyamoto-senpai renews the invitation. This way he can be closer to Suzuka, he says. Right into her face of the girl who just rejected him. I mean, how stupid can you get? Especially since he didn't seem to understand why she angrily chewed him out.

The main problem with Yamato as a character as I see it is his lack of intelligence, or more politely, of common sense. He is totally unable to give his actions a check "what will (s)he think when I do or say this?" and then adjusting them. Instead, he does whatever comes to his mind and acts surprised at the outcome, be it good or bad. This is fine to a degree, but makes the identification with him unnecessarily difficult.

The Honoka interlude was interesting in one aspect: So far, she has been pictured as a pure, naive and sweet harmless girl. In this scene she was developing some horns and showed clear traces of selfishness aswell. For once, it's a little bit strange to tell the one you love that he should rather give up since he's bound to fail... but from her perspective, it's making sense. Also, it's giving her character a little bit more complexity too.

Miyamoto-senpai's discussion with Suzuka over the data he dug up about Yamato was interesting. It's obvious that Suzuka is still extremely annoyed with Yamato's carefree and nonserious attitude, and she is convinced that he will slack off when he joins the club. Nevertheless, she showed no real interest in the data (which strikes me as strange, I would have expected her to be at least a bit curious), and it reveals an important character trait of hers: She loses her objectivity when she feels strongly about something, and she is unwilling or unable to step back and self-reflect when she discusses things with someone else.

So Yamato has joined and is falling apart in his first training session. Oh, how I know this feeling *laugh*

Participating in a stiff sports training after months of slacking off can be horribly painful. Of course, Yamato was exceptionally stupid to talk while running, but we already have established that intelligence is not among his primary or secondary traits.

Suzuka of course is the wrong girl to expect compassion from. Still uber-pissed that he dared to invade her sphere of influence, she's giving him extra hell. Fortunately for him, Suzuka's friend Hashiba Miki is there to lift him up a bit and give him some emotional support. I've mentioned several times that Miki is my favorite character in the show. The main reason why will become evident later.

While Yamato is barely surviving the drills, he's stealing glances at his crush, only to realize how much the both of them are apart. He as the barely-keeping-up rookie and she as the admired champion. He can't even manage to join the clubmates after training because he'd throw up on any food he'd consume (I also had this experience, I can sooo relate).

Again, Miki is there to bring him a towel and exchange some friendly words with him. Her compassionate nature is exactly what Yamato really needs now: A friend he can talk to and who is giving him the feeling to be welcome in the club. The fact that she is also a good friend to Suzuka and able to fill him in on some of her background info doesn't hurt. In any case, it's thanks to her that Yamato does not throw in the towel and quits the club.

Gorou-chan has the best scene here. His look at Yamato's whining is simply priceless :)

As for the rest, Hattori continues to be a smart and considerate friend by picking Yamato up after his first training session. I also enjoyed seeing him poke Honoka for stalking Yamato like that. I'm still not 100% sure if he was only being a bit mean to her of if he rather tried to encourage Honoka to do more than just stand and stare. My jury is still out on this.

Honoka is simply no track club material, or is she? She's telling Gorou-chan about her personal misery, and what she gets instead is romantic advice from Yuuka. Poor her. Especially when she learns about Yamato's dedication to Suzuka.

Some word about the art: The manga is quite a bit more ecchi, but tastefully so. To be honest, it's a bit sad that the anime is quite a bit more prude, but I think this is to make a clear distinction to other typical ecchi animes. Nevertheless, a bit of eye candy can't hurt, and we're getting QUITE some eye candy here. I won't complain ;)

There's some bitter irony in the fact that Honoka is in exactly the same position as Yamato. Both have their crushes right in front of their noses, and both aren't receptive to their counterpart's feelings. The difference is however that Yamato has already confessed and was rejected, while Honoka is hedging her bets and did not come out openly. Recovering from her shock, she manages to fulfil the first of her dreams, being eating croquette with Yamato. And in order to fight for him, she makes the fateful decision to join the track team too - WITHOUT telling Yamato about her intentions. Which means that she may have less talent than him, but certainly more brains :)

Predictably, she makes a major impact upon her club entry - as manager! Yamato's sprint rival immediately falls for her and literally drools like a dork. The perceptive Miki realizes that she is immediately very close to Yamato and remarks as much to Suzuka, whose irritation reaches new heights. Especially when Miki playfully offers to massage him, her anger boils over and she yells at the two of them. Do we sense pangs of jealousy here? I think I do.

Miki won't have this kind of treatment and gives Suzuka a well-deserved reality check. What the heck is the matter with her, and why is she so riled up about Akitsuki? (After all, she doesn't know about Yamato's situation with Suzuka). Outwardly, Suzuka denies everything, but Miki's words hit home, and upon seeing Yamato fighting hard, she even bursts out seething with anger, predicting Yamato's dropping out real soon.

This is Miki's second important function: As a friend to Suzuka, she is going to be a voice of reason, giving Suzuka some much-needed feedback to think about. And while she isn't strong enough to do so immediately, Suzuka will find herself pondering her friend's advice time and time again. Since she is terribly stubborn, having Miki like Yamato has Hattori to set his head straight is a valuable asset.

Training alone while Yamato is having fun in the company of others, Suzuka eventually fails to pass her normal entry height, 164cm. Emotionally totally out of balance, she literally screams in frustration before she thinks back about her time with Yamato in the recent past. Reliving the fun she had, her anger seems to gradually dissipate, leaving a confused and by now slightly amused-helpless Suzuka behind, pondering and lost in thoughts.

Review

Episode 7 was what I call a "necessary evil" to explain the post-confession settings, but it was very forgettable with horrible art. However, I was very happy with episode 8, especially how they introduced Miki and handled the Honoka chapter. In fact, they did it better than in the manga, not for the first time - and this is giving me some hope that when we jump into the next important drama arc, this will pay off.

The fact that Suzuka will catch some flak back from now on when she gets out of line will make alot of her bitchiness more bearable. Besides, Miki is fun and enjoyable to watch. AND to hear - I like her seiyuu's voice alot, a very fitting choice.

All things considered, after the dip of episode 7, a very well-paced episode 8, making appetite for more!

© memento 2003