1. S1 has so many good moments. Its a bit hard to choose... So I'll probably just divide it into epic and heartwarming.
Epic:
Wow... there are still to many... but if I have to choose one I'll probably pick the one where Saki helped Kana by feeding her a chankan.
Koromo was dominating the game and all hope seem to be lost since Koromo can win the game anytime. Kana was also beyond depressed at that point, then Saki called a pon on the tile that Kana needs to win and then promoted it to a kan allowing Kana to ron off her. Saki even got her point sticks out before Kana even realized that she can ron.
I really liked how understated and subtle that scene is. Beside the epicness, it is also the point that Koromo lost control of the game. And then there's Saki's mahjong awesomeness there that even though she didn't technically win I remember thinking at the end of the episode that losing never looks this good.
Heartwarming :
Well anytime there is a
dream/flashback Teru and loli Saki sequence I feel like saying awww...I need a box tissues, their interaction is just so hnnng worthy. Teru acts like the perfect oneechan and loli Saki is just diabetes inducing.
But, the most heartwarming moment for me was when Saki and Nodoka made a wish to the temple and Nodoka told Saki what her wish was.
"I prayed that I could stay together with you and everyone else forever, Miyanaga-san. To keep winning in the nationals just like we did in the prefecturals, and be by your side Miyanaga-san... forever!"
Oh god... if I ever doubted that Nodoka has a massive crush on Saki that moment erased any doubts on my mind.
2. On the achiga side picking my favorite moment was surprisingly easy... its definitely when the Achiga's encountered Saki on the corridor and felt her aura. It helps that this moment was when I got interested in the Achiga anime...
That scene definitely draws you in, the Achiga team are talking with one another even discussing the possibility that they are meeting Nodoka when the BGM changes and the screen blurs... there is someone approaching wearing a Kiyosumi uniform and everyone is feeling her overpowered aura... then they remember that Nodoka isn't the one who beat Koromo ...