Bamboo Blade Episode 24 | Atarashii Prelude

Mar 26 2008

[Huzzah-Doremi]_Bamboo_Blade_24_[7C771BB1]

Posted by: Shin in Bamboo Blade, tags: baww

You call Sayako, resident Yuri!

After that inevitable loss at the Kendo tournament, I had figured the following episode would contain lots of emo and self reflecting. But two? Having met her match against the likes of Rin, Tama-chan sinks into a state of depression, as she submits a letter of resignation. Kirino is unwilling to accept the fact that the club’s ace would leave in such a manner and attempts to talk Tamaki out of it. It turns out Tama has taken full responsibility for the team’s poor performance, as she lost an important match that would have guaranteed their advancement to the next stage.

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Unable to convince her, Kirino returns to the dojo to inform everyone about Tama-chan’s sudden withdrawal from the club. To make matters worse, Kojiro acts somewhat nonchalant about the news, as he simply says that there was nothing they could do and that it was Tamaki’s right and decision to do so. Walking off, Kojiro reminds Kirino to decide whether to disband the club entirely or disavow the existence of the two delinquents that had caused trouble. Appalled by her instructor’s indifferent nature, Kirino lashes out at him and runs off in disappointment.

More self reflecting from Kojiro and Tamaki, as Yuuji does his bit to give the latter a pep talk. It didn’t take long for him to make Tama-chan realize that defeat is the stepping stone to success. Wow, it’s a wonder no one had told her this obvious fact right from the moment she lost, but I guess they had to do it to ensure Yuuji-kun plays a part somehow. Right after that she rushes off to meet Ishibashi to seek help in learning the Ascension Stance® He commends her on finally comprehending on what he had tried to impart to her earlier, but then tells her to seek training from another person who knows that very maneuver. Sure enough, Kojiro was that person, as he had used the same stance to defeat his senpai ages ago. Still down from the possibility of the club being disbanded, he declines, only to reverse his decision after Tama-chan displays her newfound sense of determination.

I now truly believe Kamina is the reincarnation of Kojiro.

With that, the only person left to come to terms with herself is Miya-Miya, depressed over the fact that she can’t beat Carrie no matter how hard she tried. It takes Satori to come out of her comfort zone of being timid and shy to talk Miyako into looking forward and to never give up no matter the odds. The only problem that remains is the decision Kirino has to make regarding the club’s future. Not wanting to sacrifice anyone in the process but herself, Kirino decides to step down to bear the brunt, who is stopped by none other by soulmate and best friend, Saya. Relieving Kirino of the burden, the two delinquents in question show up at the dojo for one last time to hand in their own letter of resignation, with Dan-kun challenging one of them to a duel, and winning too. All the problems plaguing the club and members have been resolved, with Tamaki finally returning to kendo, with a new outlook and drive.

Hur, predictable outcome is predictable. It seems that everyone will have one last shot at redemption as next week seems to be yet another kendo gathering. Though I’m pretty sure everyone will win this time around, it will still be interesting to see how it all unfolds, not to mention getting a chance to witness a brand new Tamaki, probably having mastered that elusive stance to defeat her rival.