Cross Game - 34
Japan: the only country in which elementary schoolers can become masters of aikido. After watching anime for quite a while, I still haven’t figured out how they manage to pull off their notorious work ethic.
In any case, another very nice episode for this show. There’s lots of slice of life, as this episode shows the start of the new year. Although I don’t think that you should be watching this series for its plot, there were quite a few new developments in this episode: Momiji has herself a boyfriend (interestingly enough, she denied it in front of Kou, and yet she called him her boyfriend (in third person, strangely enough) during her silly little “Cross Game Quiz” at the beginning of the episode.
Also, this episode returned to Aoba’s own ambitions: she’s never going to be able to participate in Koushien, and instead of joining a female baseball team, she just stubbornly hangs around with Kou’s team. Kou in the meantime also keeps hanging around Akane (helping her with delivering). It just shows how the two of them, even six years after Wakaba’s death, still are very much influenced by her memories. After all, if Akane would have looked differently, I doubt that he would have given her as much attention as he is now.
Overall though, this was a very fun episode. Seeing everyone hang out and spend the first day of the new year in their own way was very enjoyable to watch. Screw the baseball matches, this is what makes Cross Game awesome.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Azuma in the next episode preview…wow.
Comment by Troyen — November 23, 2009 @ 9:05
When Azuma went by the batting center and heard Aoba hitting, he got the first smile on his face that I can recall. I wonder if he is going to make a move for Aoba now that Kou has Akane (sort of)? That would leave the catcher out in the cold though. Looking forward to next episode. This series has slowly snuck up on me, becoming my favorite of the year outside of Bakemonogatari.
Comment by Dagmar — November 23, 2009 @ 12:41
It should be physically impossible to participate in Koshien if you are a female. However the author of the manga and so far the director of the anime have made it a focus to point out that whatever Wakaba dreams/thinks is possible, it will come true. And part of Wakaba’s Koshien dream is that Aoba will play CF. Will it actually happen? We have to wait and see.
Comment by jho — November 24, 2009 @ 0:05
ye big spoiler in the preview at the end, although hinted at in the episode :)
Comment by Greenthy — November 25, 2009 @ 13:06
i tried to scratch off Momiji’s nose cause I thought it was a black spot on my screen.
Comment by taka — November 26, 2009 @ 11:53