3.Man, I had absolute chills during that final scene when Chinatsu entered the room, from the music and everything… But these cliffhangers need to stop, jesus.
6.Why’d it end like that? Waited 2 weeks for this episode
どうしてあんな終わり方なんだよ? この回を2週間も待っていたのに!
7.I better see something happen between Taiki and Chinatsu next week
来週こそ、大喜と千夏の間で何か進展があるところを見せてくれよ!
8.I can’t believe this is how I officially start my holiday season, getting Christmas caroled by Blue Blox. Even in fictional sports romance Japan Mariah Carey takes over Christmas. Crazy,
2.Ngl when that reindeer costume appeared I instantly thought of the Nokotan theme song. It’s still November for us but Christmas came early–what a great basketball game they treated us to. They then also really show you everyone’s respective priorities on Christmas Eve: date night, date night, friends’ night out, family time, and… gym session (lol).
6.The boy with the crew cut almost seemed the third lead of the show this episode. How exactly does he know every detail of Taiki’s life, like he did witness Taiki’s foot race with Matsouka but how did he know he gave the ticket to Chinatsu’s friend? That was also funny how he was upset he didn’t have a gf on Xmas but Haryu was right that that’s when you’d least want one because you’d have to spend the day with family anyway and you’d have to get her a present, probably better to wait after the New Year in Japan and ideally after Valentine’s Day. He also mentioned KFC, apparently a sponsor of this show along with 7-Eleven 🤣
1.I like the “show, don’t tell” approach with Chinatsu for the sequence when she’s looking for Taiki until the end. We can see what’s she feeling with the sense of urgency to seek him out when she could just wait for him to come home, going by different places they shared memories together, and a few images she has in her mind with him. There doesn’t need to be an elaborate inner monologue for a sense of impact.
2.Yumeka never stopped loving basketball OR Chinatsu, she was just so caught up in all her own inadequacy and troubled home life that it forced her to run away from what she cared about. But she’s older, has a great boyfriend, and can see that Chinatsu hasn’t given up (because of Taiki) so she doesn’t have to either. Find a girl who will run all around the city and look at you with so much longing as soon as she finds you. That’s Chinatsu with Taiki at the end. Taiki is getting his romantic Christmas Eve after all!
3.I love the suspense and pacing in the back half of the episode, just following Chinatsu with very little dialogue as she searches for Taiki. Going around to all the places they shared moments together. Its so wholesome. I thought we were close to a confession before and it feels like we are again now, but we haven’t checked back with the cactus and seen it bloom yet, so maybe not yet. It does also make sense to only reveal it as bloomed after the confession though as that’s more dramatic than the other way around.
4.When you go back and rewatch that sleepover scene from episode 21 last season (and this episode reaction video, particularly the discussion at the end), I think this has been the most interesting aspect of season 2.
(https://youtu.be/s8MWEGlsh_c?is=4jIwXZd6QNR3jXHC) We can tell that Chinatsu was interested in Season 1, but has been so sidetracked and is not a pursuer like Hina so it appears like she’s indecisive about him. But now in this season, we are finally seeing her prioritize Taiki and has finally realized her full feelings.
5.But anyway, S2 has actually been crazy good! The direction in the last sequence keeping it only ambient sounds and diegetic music and no monologue makes it feel so intimate as Chinatsu searches for Taiki. It’s like live action cinema! Just a character’s actions driven by their objective and the world standing between (however briefly here). Says so much with so little. That their romance wasn’t completely believable in S1 I remember was a common complaint. Well I sure as fuck believe it now. Surely it can’t be they can’t be that far off from consummating it… right? Also, nice to see Hina moving on from Taiki. Who knows if she’s still in love, but considering how clingy she was to it, it’s heartwarming that at least she appears to believe she has a future without it.
6.I don’t know much about women’s basketball in Japan, but the previous times I’ve seen Chinatsu’s weird jump shot brought up, someone said that the two-handed form isn’t uncommon for women’s basketball in Japan, especially for longer shots. I looked up some clips, and at least I found this one of Kokoro Tanaka at last year’s Asia Cup doing something similar. So it might be a real thing. Edit: If you wanna be upset about shooting form, watch these free throws lol
7.Score! Yumeka had regained her love for basketball. Seeing a match up close reminded her what she had missed by stepping away from the court. While Chii and her had proclaimed their desires to play alongside the other, it’s not like she could transfer back to Eimei. Chances are she’d join her current school’s basketball team and perhaps one day face Eimei in a tournament. She’d make a formidable rival for Chii. Speaking of scoring, Taiki also accomplished it when Chii realised what he did. From how she ran searching for him while revisiting the places she had been with him, to that longing look when she found him. It wouldn’t be long before the cactus bloomed. Can’t wait how their encounter would go next week. Felt bad for Sousuke, though. While he did go on a date with Yumeka that evening, she wasn’t wearing knee-length socks. So much for satisfying his fetish.
8.Seems like that flower that was starting to bloom back in season 1 but got sidetracked with other priorities, is finally being realized by its owner as she is nourishing it and realizes it! (Reference to the Season 1 episode when Chii talked about her feelings for Taiki at the sleepover with Karin)
1.People spend Christmas Eve with their significant others, their families, their friends, their teams…but Chinatsu only wants to find Taiki even before she has the full context of what he did That is what makes this story hit hard. Taiki is the first person Chii wants to tell about her reunion with Yumeka. Then she finds out what he went thru to get the ticket. There doesn’t need to be an immediate confession. Taiki and Chii are already acting like each other’s partners.
2.Great episode. Taiki made a massive gesture by pushing Yumeka back into Chinatsu’s life. I’m glad that his efforts were positively consequential. Something as selfless and pure in intention proved fruitful for someone he deeply cares for. It’s not something often portrayed well. I totally felt the impact Chinatsu had from learning about Taiki direct effort to make it happen. It’s also great to see Hina going about her life. Clearly still deeply affected by unrequited love, but able to continue life despite it. Something I enjoy seeing considering how hurt she was in the first season. All other interactions and cutscenes were also nice to see. I continue to be surprised by the writing and execution of this anime and can’t wait to see the following episodes.
3.The first half of the episode is a nice reminder that, despite the romance, this show is still a sports anime. Those were some solid animations during Chii’s game! Taiki turning his legs to jelly to win that ticket for Yumeka was absolutely worth it because it definitely reawakened Yumeka’s love for basketball after seeing how Chii gave it all on that game and even winning it with a buzzer beater! That scene between Chii and Yumeka at the end of the game was great! I’m glad to see them pour out their hearts to each other and finally make up. And it looks like we might be seeing Yumeka on the court again soon after this episode. I do love that after learning from Yumeka that Taiki was the one who got her the ticket , Chii started looking for Taiki when she couldn’t reach him on his phone. She definitely wants to thank him and probably tell him about the game and Yumeka. Just look at the way Chii looks at Taiki when she finally found him! Thank goodness, Taiki is all alone at the gym when she found him because it looks like things are about to get interesting next episode. <3
4.Seeing Yumeka go from how she was in episode 1 to here has been a great emotional journey. And while Chinatsu already liked Taiki, I think she fell a lot harder for him after finding out he was exhausted that day because he was winning a ticket for Yumeka to see her play. But of course they blue balled us with that ending, making us wait a week to see what she’s going to say to him. I doubt she confesses her love yet but I bet she’s at least tempted after this.
5.Those last two minutes were so cosy, Chinatsu being alone at school at night with Christmas music playing in a classroom in the distance made me nostalgic for those end of year times of my own childhood. The vibes there reminded me of the rainy episode of haruhi which is one of my favourites. Looking forward to what these two have to say to each other next week.
6.Yumeka rediscovered her love for basketball after watching Chii. Chii love for basketball began after watching little Yumeka. Yumeka and Chii finally talk their true feelings out and promise to one day play basketball with/against one another again one day. Yumeka whispers a silent prayer telling her Dad she rediscovered her love. Chii needs to find Taiki more than celebrating a team win with her teammates. Is it just because Chii wants to thank Taiki for giving Yumeka the basketball ticket? Or is it that Chii wants to tell Taiki everything about reuniting with Yumeka? Will Chii confess her feelings to Taiki? The storytelling is peak. The basketball and sports animation is peak. Blue Box is peak.
7.Oh that ending was tough to pump the breaks there. Very soap opera ending with something about to happen and then roll the credits. It was kind of nice to see Taki do all of this without really any thought for how it might benefit him. Instead he just did what was right for Chinatsu. Nice to see the friendship restored and also to see that even if Hina isn’t over Taki that she is making some progress. I wonder about Kyo. He seems invested in Hina’s heartache as a friend though clearly there’s something more going on with Ayame. Making cookings for Kyo’s siblings. Kind of sweet. Kyo had that magic sound effect look at her in profile as well. Maybe we’ll get a side romance to follow? Seems promising with all their back and forth before when she was on super defense of everything Hina.
8.The animation for Chi’s basketball game was gorgeous and smooth. In general, this anime just looks so good with its bright warm colors. I was so happy to see Yumeka and Chi reconnect after the game with Chi realizing how much work Taiki put in to set everything in motion. It was beautiful to watch.
Yumeka never stopped loving basketball OR Chinatsu, she was just so caught up in all her own inadequacy and troubled home life that it forced her to run away from what she cared about. But she’s older, has a great boyfriend, and can see that Chinatsu hasn’t given up (because of Taiki) so she doesn’t have to either. Find a girl who will run all around the city and look at you with so much longing as soon as she finds you. That’s Chinatsu with Taiki at the end. Taiki is getting his romantic Christmas Eve after all!
Yumeka rediscovered her love for basketball after watching Chii. Chii love for basketball began after watching little Yumeka. Yumeka and Chii finally talk their true feelings out and promise to one day play basketball with/against one another again one day. Yumeka whispers a silent prayer telling her Dad she rediscovered her love. Chii needs to find Taiki more than celebrating a team win with her teammates. Is it just because Chii wants to thank Taiki for giving Yumeka the basketball ticket? Or is it that Chii wants to tell Taiki everything about reuniting with Yumeka? Will Chii confess her feelings to Taiki? The storytelling is peak. The basketball and sports animation is peak. Blue Box is peak.
But anyway, S2 has actually been crazy good! The direction in the last sequence keeping it only ambient sounds and diegetic music and no monologue makes it feel so intimate as Chinatsu searches for Taiki. It’s like live action cinema! Just a character’s actions driven by their objective and the world standing between (however briefly here). Says so much with so little. That their romance wasn’t completely believable in S1 I remember was a common complaint. Well I sure as fuck believe it now. Surely it can’t be they can’t be that far off from consummating it… right? Also, nice to see Hina moving on from Taiki. Who knows if she’s still in love, but considering how clingy she was to it, it’s heartwarming that at least she appears to believe she has a future without it.