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Originally Posted by Requiem-x
By the way, did no one else notice (or at least mention here) that in the latest Saki chapter (the main manga I mean)
In that page where Mihoko gives her awesome mistress her own bento, she has both eyes open?
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Haha... our monthly dose of yuri couples are here. That scene with our fav captain and bucchou reminded me of happy domestic bliss. And it looks like Ikeda is pretty accepting about it, maybe she found out about Miharu's secret affection for her?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Requiem-x
As for the other star of the show, I have to say, while seemingly devastating, Awai's ability is kind of underwhelming in a way, basically inflicting slow start on everyone at the beginning of the match, and it sure doesn't help Himeko and Mairu's ability is apparently the best way to counter it. I can definetly see how it could be a threat to Saki, though, given her playstyle, and speaking of Awai and Saki, I really like how the supernova is having much more fun with mahjong than Miyanaga imouto at this point of the nationals, it just fuels the whole "Saki is the last boss" idea even more.
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Awai's ability is actually good all things considered. A 5-6 shanten for Awai's opponents while Awai gets a normal starting hand basically gives her a head start on all the other players.
We must also remember that normally Shiraitodai should have a massive lead on everyone due to Teru. At that situation, a 5-6 shanten starting hand on the captain round would be disastrous for Awai's opponents. As her opponent would need large hands which are usually slow as hell but due to Awai's ability the only way they can squeeze a win is to go for the speedier but smaller hands. Beside that, a 5-6 shanten hand starting hand is damaging psychologically. In real life mahjong if I have that as a starting hand I'll probably lose hope in my hand and just bail defensively.
Now let's see how it would stack given Awai's opponents:
vs. Himeko
It is already shown that Mairu and Himeko's ability can circumvent Awai's ability. Of course, Himeko and Mairu's ability itself has a lot of loopholes and is a bit predictable.
vs. Ryuuka
I don't know yet. But, Ryuuka looks intense in this match. And yeah, Ryuuka and Toki really need to get married already.
vs. Shizu
You know I have a funny feeling that Awai's ability is probably one of the few abilities that Shizu can actually do good about. Awai's ability is essentially giving someone very bad starting hands. And what do we know about Shizu?
Ako said it best when she described one of Shizu's best qualities as baseless optimism. Shizu is exactly the type of person that won't quit and will push her hand through even if it is bad. Shizu won't be getting deux ex machina skill, right now it is actually possible that Shizu can score some hands by being bullheaded and not giving up. That said, I do believe that 4 out of 5, Awai will complete her hand before Shizu does - Awai does have a considerable headstart. But, the important thing is the 1 out of 5 wherein Shizu will actually have a chance. And this could be done because Shizu doesn't know when to give up.
Addendum: Of course, this will also work for any player the refuses to give up and it looks like no one in the captain match is going to lose hope anytime soon. And it would require the player to have good draws to compensate for the bad starting hand but hey some chance is better than no chance at all.
And now the match-up we are probably waiting for. How does Awai ability stack with our resident demon overlord that is waiting for her in the finals?
vs. Saki
To be honest I'm a bit disappointed in Awai's ability vs. Saki. In paper, it would be quite easy for Saki to make mincemeat of Awai's ability.
Awai has an absolute safe zone wherein due to her ability it is impossible for players to be able to build a hand within 6 turns except for Himeko and Mairu's ability which seems to circumvent it. This is frankly a bad match-up for Saki who likes to abuse the dead wall for extra turns meaning it is highly possible for Saki to make a hand within Awai's absolute safe zone. Beside that, Saki also has insanely good draws that getting to tenpai would no problem even if she has a bad starting hand.... sigh... you get the idea...
I sincerely hope that Awai has some extra abilities or the finals are not going to be exciting as I hope to be. I'm really looking forward to Shiraitodai as the final boss... Hmm... perhaps since Awai has the star theme going on for her maybe she needs to have a meteor shower or a cloudless night to show her true power or something which will coincidentally happen at the day of the finals...
If not I'm sure Ritz-sensei can arrange a minor mental breakdown for Saki again. God knows, Saki has a lot of established issues for Ritz-sensei to choose from to do her plot related nerfing. Its not like it would be out of place either, Saki having a BSOD happens at almost every match that at this point I'll be pleasantly surprised at any match wherein Saki will not have any psychological issues. Heck, with the Teru situation in the finals, I am almost expecting it.