I think this episode should be called ‘How Hikari Pwns Everyone’ - she starts off by triggering the Prince(ss?) of Tennis thing by reawakening Kaname’s sense of honour and causing Ms Snake Eyes to give up the teachings of Megumi Kannazuki. Then she easily deflects Shion’s attempts to manipulate her into persuading Amane to run for Etoile. To top it all of, she manages to heal Yaya’s heart and restore our dark-haired goddess’ will to sing while maintaining the Amane x Hikari line.
The power of Onsokumaru compels you!
Always works that pervy yellow ball noooo juuutsuuu~~
Ok, maybe not when upholding your principles crosses your partner…
That’s it for the ‘plot’ screenies. Onwards to Yayaism!
I don’t think Yaya could really resist the unique blend of Hikari’s eleven secret herbs and spices. The latter has deployed her entire arsenal including apology (for causing Yaya suffering) sprinkled with care and concern, flattery (I love Yaya’s voice and everyone loves Yaya’s voice too), social duty (Bring happiness to world with your singing) and the killer waza of “There’s also a place for your in heart” while getting Yaya to grope her boobs. No wonder Yaya says that she’s lost to Hikari and now has to actively cheerlead for Hikari x Amane.
Wow your entries getting faster and faster XD
Brutally put, this episode kinda sucked. I’m absolutely unable to warm up to Blandie, sorry. In fact, I felt more empathy for Momomi this time, and that should say enough ^_^;
Yeah to me this episode sucks too. Sucks to me in the sense that it’s a waste of time.
Not one of my favourite episodes, but I still found it enjoyable.
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Episode 22:
Duel
Extremely little screentime for Tamao in this episode, with only one significant scene for her. We get instead, a lot of Kaname. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a killer blow to the episode, but thankfully, with the aid of Amane’s presence, and Hikari, the episode remained bearable to watch.
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**) No opening narrator this time, but we get a soliquay by Kaname instead. Initial foreshadowing that the episode will feature her prominently.
**) When they showed the scene of Kaname harrassing Hikari, my first thought was that they were recapping an earlier episode, but heck no, it was Kaname’s XXth attempt at ’seducing’ Hikari. Good grief. Even Hikari, normally a docile girl, could not stand the ridiculousness of it anymore and stood up for herself. Go Hikari, go!
**) The weakest part of Strawberry Panic’s plot came about when they had Kaname experience doubt after Hikari’s parting words. Up until this episode, there had been no explanation for Kaname’s motives, no foreshadowing, no hints, no anything. Everything that Kaname had done so far, were just brushed in evil; making it very hard to accept this sudden turnabout in her behaviour.
**) Nagisa corrected herself when she called Shizuma, “Shizuma-sama”, and said, “Etoile-sama” instead. A distancing in their relationship?
**) The relationship between Hikari and Yaya was interesting in that Hikari is now much more outspoken and confident in herself, whereas Yaya has become reclusive.
**) Tamao was openly talking about the Etoile elections in front of Nagisa. Perhaps as a way to relieve her stress? It is a well known technique that in order to calm oneself, one can talk out aloud. People might think you are nutso, but that is not an issue for Tamao( anymore).
Too bad Nagisa ruined the mood by moping about Shizuma. It actually startled Tamao( Nagisa needs more brainwashing).
**) “You are the chosen one.” You know… I think it would have been so much better if they had followed Star Wars and made Kaname scream it out instead, after which, Amane will hold up her tennis racket like a lightsaber, and then all the inner geeks within us will shrivel up and die from the overbearing corniness of it all.
**) Hikari’s apologies to Yaya were a bit confusing to me, because it has never been made clear whether Hikari is actively aware of Yaya’s feelings, or has Hikari been repressing the thought that Yaya likes her more than just a friend? Still, it cannot be denied that whether intentionally or not, Hikari has repeatedly ripped out Yaya’s heart and put it through a meat-grinder. One of many reasons why I prefer anime-Hikari to manga-Hikari( who is basically a lobotomised vegetable, more so than anime-Nagisa).
It was also sweet that Hikari and Yaya finally come clean with each other and made things clear. While angsty Yaya has been a main staple of Strawberry Panic, it was starting to get a bit ho-hum.
**) The series takes one step forward in fulfilling one of my desires by having Tamao selected to be Miator’s Etoile candidate. Mmm… crushing the competition will be fun, although there are murmurings that Amane and Hikari will become the elected pair instead. :(
**) Towards the end of the episode, Yaya finally sings. A sweet moment.
**) Ending eyecatch for this episode was Kaname.
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Random Thoughts on Ep22:
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..) Urgh… too much ELD-screentime.
..) Questionable turnabout in character for Kaname. Weakest character development in SPanic so far.
..) Horrible, HORRIBLE usage of metaphors. Using metaphors for the sake of using metaphors is not how one should use metaphors. Maybe Kaname should join Spica’s Literary Club for lessons on metaphors( and other literary devices).
..) Why are Kaname and Momomi popular among the Spica students? They mention this often but fail to back it up with onscreen events. Another weak point of the storyline.
..) Whoever is in charge of the dramatic BGM’s timing ought to be fired and replaced with somebody else. The BGM is good, so props to the composer, but the timing is often misplaced, which results in an overbearing corniness. Most corny moment in Ep22 goes to the scene where Yaya proclaims that she cannot sing anymore( dun-dun DUN-DUN).
I ain’t no expert, but wouldn’t you agree that the scene would have been better if they had cut out the BGM and allowed the audience to focus on the weight of Yaya’s words? As opposed to distracting their attention with that out of the blue drama-BGM.
..) Sigh… the innuendo of placing Yaya’s hand on Hikari’s bosom.
..) Dramatic piano during a tennis match( during the finals moments of the match)? It felt corny at first, but after repeated viewings, it wasn’t so bad after all. I guess you really can have piano in almost anything.
The soothing piano that followed the end of the match was very well done though.
..) Amane&Hikari are definitely the most normal and most natural couple in SPanic.
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With that, I conclude my entry on Ep22. A little shorter than normal, but that is because I am more of a Tamao-centric guy. So deprived of Tamao screentime. I feel malnourished.
Some screenshots for the Tamao fans,
“So that hussy is still on your mind, eh?”
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Tamao sees. Tamao hears. Tamao is everywhere.
Cheers, and thanks for reading. Onwards to Ep23!