(L) Cross game

[ZODDGUTS]

Poor Koh, the loss must have affected him more than I thought because he couldn't keep he's promise with Wakaba about going to Koshien. Now he had mental break down at the end of the ep that he's imagining Wakaba now.

[Guardian Enzo]

Spoiler for 29:

Well, again, that was just perfect. Heartbreaking as it was to see Kou and team lose, all I could think about when I was watching him with his usual "no biggie" facade is, "I wish someone would give that poor kid a hug - he really needs it." And lo, every one of the third years did! Because he gave them a chance they never would have had otherwise, and just about everyone excpet Kou - even Aoba - recognizes that instead of apologizing, he should take some pride in almost single-handedly leading his team to Koshien.

Clealry, Ichi-nee and Azuma are the two people who see the relationship most clearly. Her advice to Aoba was heartbreaking, and his summation of the burdens Kou carries equally so. Azuma came to realize that his own burden - guilt about his brother - was nothing next to Kou's. Things were developing so nicely and then, boom! The apocalypse, 2012 on the Mayan calendar, the streams are crossed, dogs and cats living together... I haven't read the manga and I don't know what happens, but I sure hope that isn't really Wakaba. Things are going to be complicated enough even if it's not. And this is going to be a tough week to force myself not to visit the manga thread.

[Proto]

We are going to put juicy spoilers in every post just for you.

But indeed, I have high expectations for the next set of episodes. We are in for a lot of good stuff I hope.

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by Proto

We are going to put juicy spoilers in every post just for you.

But indeed, I have high expectations for the next set of episodes. We are in for a lot of good stuff I hope.

I agree, this anime has yet to let any one of us down so we should have faith and believe in the next episode. I have a feeling that it's going to be a huge episode and might very well be just as good, if not better than this last episode.

[golthin]

Originally Posted by DeX-kun

I agree, this anime has yet to let any one of us down so we should have faith and believe in the next episode.

I am amazed at this anime. Maybe it is because of the source material that already was so good, but so many good shows seem to be place on this broadcast time. Cross game share the same broadcast time as another one of my all time favorite shows -Gurren Lagann-. If they keep being loyal to the source material, they have a winner here.

[MeoTwister5]

I'm just waiting to be blown away again. I've been blown away 3 times by this show, and I'm almost sure that such an event is just around the corner.

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by golthin

I am amazed at this anime. Maybe it is because of the source material that already was so good, but so many good shows seem to be place on this broadcast time. Cross game share the same broadcast time as another one of my all time favorite shows -Gurren Lagann-. If they keep being loyal to the source material, they have a winner here.

Well, I've seen plenty of good source materials in various forms only to be buried by it's anime adaptation. I give a lot of credit to the anime staff and Adachi for being able to create such a faithful anime and at the same time get the messages across in such a way.

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

I'm just waiting to be blown away again. I've been blown away 3 times by this show, and I'm almost sure that such an event is just around the corner.

It could be even closer

[Reckoner]

Wow, this week is already tough.... I'm trying SO HARD not to pick up the manga. This is really painful...

So how about some speculation from us non manga readers...!

Assuming that this Wakaba is just a look a like... How would it affect Kou and Aoba?

Assuming that this is really Wakaba... How would this affect Kou and Aoba?

I say that either way, this will help both characters realize how much they appreciate each other's existence in the absence of Wakaba all these years.

[Willen]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

Wow, this week is already tough.... I'm trying SO HARD not to pick up the manga. This is really painful...

So how about some speculation from us non manga readers...!

Assuming that this Wakaba is just a look a like... How would it affect Kou and Aoba?

Assuming that this is really Wakaba... How would this affect Kou and Aoba?

I say that either way, this will help both characters realize how much they appreciate each other's existence in the absence of Wakaba all these years.

There is absolutely no way that this new person is Wakaba. She died. Accept it.

Now, as to if this person is a Wakaba look-alike (assuming that Kou hasn't lost it and is just imagining that she looks like Wakaba), this will complicate the thawing of Kou and Aoba's relationship. I see a few possibilities:

1. She is personality-wise nothing like Wakaba. So her appearance doesn't change things much except that we've got someone who reminds them of Wakaba walking around. Unsettling at first, but this may give the relationship between Kou and Aoba a needed nudge.

2. She is scarily similar to Wakaba and Kou and company use her as a surrogate. She happily accepts the role since she's coming from a tragedy of her own. This cheapens the story so far, so I don't think this is likely.

3. She is scarily similar to Wakaba and Kou and company use her as a surrogate. But she gets freaked out by the similarities and comparisons and moves far, far away. This allows the relationship between Kou and Aoba to continue after the derailing.

There's more possibilities, but I'm wondering what this may mean for Akaishi.

[BetoJR]

Originally Posted by Willen

There's more possibilities, but I'm wondering what this may mean for Akaishi.

That's actually something I'd like to see addressed, as well. GREAT episode, yet again.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by BetoJR

That's actually something I'd like to see addressed, as well. GREAT episode, yet again.

Yes, me as well. He was just as devastated by Waka's death as Kou.

[ac195]

Proto, Rumblefish...

I'll admit it might just be me.

I'm someone who enjoys a well done close up on an expressive face, a slight clutch of a fist, or anything along those lines... rather than a repeated line or a flashback of something that just happened 10 mins ago.

For me, the only thing worse than a flashback of something that just happened... would be a flashback of a flashback (unless used for comedic purposes).

[totalnet]

I completely forgotten that Seishū had lose this game to Ryuō. But then the new OP kind spoil the result for me, because they added the players from Ryuō to the OP. You know Seishū will have to face them again.

[jpwong]

Originally Posted by totalnet

I completely forgotten that Seishū had lose this game to Ryuō. But then the new OP kind spoil the result for me, because they added the players from Ryuō to the OP. You know Seishū will have to face them again.

Even if they weren't in the OP, it should be fairly clear from the game that they're going to be the single largest obstacle to Seishu getting to Koshien when they come back in their third year. It would be almost unthinkable for them to loose by such a slim margin and then steamroll Ryuo the next time they play.

[Sackett]

Originally Posted by Willen

There's more possibilities, but I'm wondering what this may mean for Akaishi.

Agreed. I have no idea where it is going, but I get the feeling Akaishi might have an even harder time of dealing with it.

Poor Akaishi. Kou and Azuma are baseball talents, plus they work very hard. Akaaishi though, he's working just as hard and is as focused (in clear contrast to the rest of the team who are all working hard but don't have the same level of drive). Still, Akaishi is just not as skilled as either Azuma or Kou. I think he's feeling it too.

It makes him a very interesting character-

[MushroomSamba]

Originally Posted by Sackett

Agreed. I have no idea where it is going, but I get the feeling Akaishi might have an even harder time of dealing with it.

Poor Akaishi. Kou and Azuma are baseball talents, plus they work very hard. Akaaishi though, he's working just as hard and is as focused (in clear contrast to the rest of the team who are all working hard but don't have the same level of drive). Still, Akaishi is just not as skilled as either Azuma or Kou. I think he's feeling it too.

It makes him a very interesting character-

Yeah, with the coach's psychological jabs and the thought of what Azuma said running through his mind ("if the team loses with both Azuma and Kou on the roster, it'll be their teammates' fault"), he's gotta be feeling some pressure. But even with his poor at bats, he's still a rock on the team, both with his defense and his understanding of the game. He's sort of like an on-the-field coach, in some respects.

I can't really imagine how he'd look and act in a state of deep doubt. He's been pretty steady emotionally all series long. I'm really interested to see how he handles the whole Wakaba scenario with all the other baggage he must be carrying at this point.

[poko-kun]

Ep. #30

This episode sure gives less work for fan-subber.

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by poko-kun

Ep. #30

This episode sure gives less work for fan-subber.

I really wish you could stop teasing me, although I enjoy reading your vague comments Well I'll be eagerly awaiting the subs to be released

[poko-kun]

You can watch Raw, I dare say.

[Proto]

This is a series that is better enjoyed at one's own pace, so whichever form he prefers would be the ideal one for him. I mean, we already know the manga script to heart from having read it so many times, so we have an unfair advantage there with the raw.