An odd thing happens when I watch Tsurune. I simultaneously think to myself, what a calm, quiet little show. It sure is breezy for a Sports anime but then before I know it, the closing credits are rolling over the image. Where did the time go? How did it fly by when almost nothing happened?
Almost nothing in a good way mind you! So let’s see what actually did happen.
Shu’s school (Kirisaki) came in second at the inner high meaning that they now have to earn their place at regionals in the next competition. Kirisaki is a powerhouse so this upset came as quite a shock to a lot of people and is throwing the team off. So much so that Seni or was it Manji…maybe it was Georges. Anyways, one of the redheaded twins decides to quit the team. It’s a thought-out decision that is respected by his teammates but still bothers his brother.
Shu for himself acts cool as usual but is obviously feeling the pressure of the upcoming competition. We also find out that the boy is loaded and has an adorable little sister. They seem to be close, making me like Shu a bit more.
Season 1 of Tsurune was a lot more solitary. It was very focused on the new Kazemain Kyudo club and particularly on Minato. We barely saw any supporting characters let alone rival schools. Shu only appeared at the very end of the season and only for brief cameos. Getting to see how a different school operates and the dynamics of another team is something new for Tsurune. I quite enjoyed it. Rivals are very important in Sports! animes.
Technically, Kazemai don’t really need to try hard in the present competition since they are guaranteed a spot at regionals already. However, they don’t want people to think their last win was a fluke. Besides, you always want to do your best when you love a sport.
Obviously, we know that all the guys had lives before they joined the Kyudo club. Minato is not the only one with potential rivals. With Onogi’s firey personality, he’s bound to make an impression here and there. And it seems he’s run into some past schoolmates who have a bone to pick with him. Although we don’t get the details.
It took me a while to remember that Onogi and Nanao are cousins. That’s why they’re so close despite being completely different. They really pushed the odd couple dynamic this week.
I mentioned it last week and it happened again this week. Tsurune is really giving Ryouhei a chance to shine this season. Which is great. I think he got a bit shafted last time. And the episode went all out, having one of the girls on the team say out loud that he has a gift for natural kindness!
Shu’s little sister and their grandfather(?) (I’m not quite sure who the old man with her was) decided to watch Shu shoot. However, they were a bit lost in the large venue and Ryouhei immediately went to help them out and show them to the spectator seats. He even had a lovely little chat with the girl. It was so cute. And it’s such a nice little overlap for the characters. Shu’s little sister was really impressed with him.
As for the competition, it’s a little less exciting when there are essentially no stakes but Kazemai still did great. They easily beat their opponents and all of them did a pretty good job. Onogi had the best showing this time around, hitting the target every single time. Ryouhei was still the worst with two misses but that means he got two hits so things are looking pretty good.
Unfortunately, Ryouhei was given the wrong arrows after the match and forgot to bring spares. Meaning that he is now two arrows short for the next match. The length of the arrow used in Kyudo depends on your reach and Ryouhei is a lot taller than the other members of the club. So Minato suggested they go ask Shu if he had spare arrows instead since he and Ryouhei are about the same height.
Everyone except Shu and Minato was pretty freaked out by this situation but it worked out well. Shu had no issue lending two of his arrows and Ryouhei was very grateful. Since Minato and Ryouhei became friends in high school, Ryouhei had never gotten the chance to talk to Shu before. Maybe they’ll become friends.
The episode had one last little event for us. A last-minute new rival. Eisuke Nikaido had been Minato and Shu’s senpai in middle school and was also part of the Kyudo club. It seems he’s back and aiming for regionals as well. We’ll have to wait until next week to see how his team does.
Let’s be honest, Shu and Nikaido’s teams are going to make it…obviously…right?
Season 1
- Tsurune Episodes 1 & 2 – Slings and Arrows
- Tsurune Episode 3 – A Shot in the Arm
- Tsurune Episode 4 – Good Form
- Tsurune Episode 5 – Yawatashi
- Tsurune Episode 6 – The restrained beauty of propriety
- Tsurune Episode 7 – Adding a string to your bow
- Tsurune Episode 8 – Straight as an Arrow
- Tsurune Episode 9 – On A Dark and Stormy Day
- Tsurune Episode 10 – Giving it Another Shot
- Tsurune Episode 11 – Little Earthquakes
- Tsurune Episode 12 – The Importance of Being Ochi
- Tsurune Episode 13 – Bullseye