Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament Semifinals

After beating Higa and Hyotei, Seishun Gakuen proceed to the semifinals to face Shitenhouji. This 6-episode OVA shows the struggle of the Seigaku regulars to find their true potential and overcome their weaknesses.

The players they will encounter are stronger and have deadly techniques that they need to overcome.

Warning: Spoilers!

The following are the highlights in each episode:

Episode 1: Shitenhouji defeat Fudomine. Episode also showed a match between Tachibana and Chitose.

Episode 2: First match between Seigaku and Shitenhouji.

Fuji is defeated by Shiraishi despite using his Final Counter.

Episode 3: New opening and ending songs.

Momo and Kaidoh versus Koharu and Hitojiri. Match tested Momo and Kaidoh's patience and how well they knew each other's moves.

Episode 4: Taka-san's dream of becoming the number one power player comes true when he survived Ishida Jin's multiple styles of Hadoukyuu.

Episode 5: A doubles match becomes a singles match as Tezuka faces Chitose.

Episode 6: Seigaku proceeds to the Finals.

Kintaro is given a chance to fight Ryoma in a one-ball match. The match lasted longer and ended up in a draw.

***

One of the highlights of this OVA is the 3 Doors of Muga (translated as 'Selfless State'). The players who have this ability have surpassed their limits at one point in the match and are able to copy tennis moves that they have seen before. This will be explained bit by bit during the matches.

Taka-san finally got to test his mettle and the rivals Momo and Kaidoh have shown that they matured.

Bringing a character like Kintaro into the picture furthered my fondness for Ryoma. Kintaro has everything I don't like in a young male character.

I'm giving this OVA a 10 out of 10 rating.

Angry Iskaral with Mogora

Iskaral Pust and wife Mogora.

This drawing can also be viewed through my deviantArt: http://fav.me/d4crvzn

The Paran Siblings

Tavore, Ganoes and Felisin from the Malazan series.

This drawing can also be viewed through my deviantArt: http://fav.me/d4crviu

Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament

Seigaku's journey to the Nationals continue in three short OAVs. The final episode from the main series showed Ryoma leaving Japan for a tournament in the U.S. In the first episode of Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament, Ryoma went to visit his seniors to cheer them on, but because Oishi's injury got worse, the vice-captain decided to let Ryoma play in his stead. This OVA consists of 13 episodes and shows Seigaku's matches against Higa and then Hyoutei.


Warning: Spoilers!

These are some of the highlights of each episode:

 Episode 1: Seigaku cheered for Rokkaku but the team could not beat Higa's players. Oji was attacked by one of the players too.

 Episode 2: Seigaku's first match with Higa. Ryoma plays against Tanishi. Although Ryoma appeared like he was losing, he was actually doing it on purpose.

Episode 3: Fuji (teamed up with Taka-san for the doubles) revealed his Fourth Counter - Kagerou Zutsumi.

Episode 4: Eiji was still upset by Oishi's decision. He decided to play singles this time. At the end of the match though, he told everyone he realized he's better at playing doubles with Oishi.

Episode 5: Inui lets Kaidoh test his limits in a doubles match. Kaidoh wanted to try if he can win a match without using his Snake.

Episode 6: Tezuka reveals his technique called Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami in a match against Kite. Seigaku proceed to the Quarter Finals.

Episode 7: A must-watch episode featuring players from Seigaku and Rokkaku playing beach volleyball. 

Episode 8: Prelude to Seigaku's rematch with Hyotei.

Episode 9: Momo's battle with Oshitari. Momo showed a skill he has learned during his training with Taka-san in the mountains - Instinctive Tennis.

Episode 10: New opening and ending songs. Inui and Kaidoh's match against Hiyoshi and Gakuto. The opponents tried to win a fast match but they did not know they were playing at Kaidoh's pace all along. Tezuka will be facing Kabaji in the next match.

Episode 11: Part of this episode showed a different Tezuka. Kabaji's ability to imitate a player's moves trapped Tezuka in a match with himself.

Episode 12: The Golden Pair versus Shishido and Choutarou. The Hyotei pair showed some resilience but the Golden Pair's chemistry was better. However Eiji and Oishi lost the game when the former stopped the latter's shot. Eiji must have felt (through the Synchronization) that Oishi was at his limit.

Episode 13: Ryoma proves his worth against Atobe. After beating Atobe's technique, the game later turned out to be an endurance match, which Ryoma won.

Seigaku proceed to the Semi-finals.

 ***

The story has a faster pace than the main series. The viewer has to pay closer attention to the dialogue and the comments by the spectators. Inui and Fuji are not the only players who will explain the techniques this time. Everyone will contribute.

I'm glad to see a rematch with Hyotei in the second round. Both teams have shown that they improved.

The beach volleyball episode was hilarious so I advise the viewers to not skip it.

I liked the part where they explored part of Kaidoh's tennis. I've been wondering before how he would manage to win a game without using his famous technique. On the other hand, episode 11 has shocked me. I was happy to see different expressions on Tezuka's face for the first time but it felt so out of character. I did not think it was possible for him to have a weakness like that. Then again, he always keeps to himself and he has to carry the team's problems alone.

I'm giving this a 10 out of 10 rating.

Anyone who likes Prince of Tennis has to watch this. I mean, why shouldn't you?

Onos T'oolan

Tool from the Malazan series. Here's the link to my deviantArt: http://fav.me/d4boipc

Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont

This is the first book that is supplementary to the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Readers who are already familiar with the mentioned series should by now be aware that the Malazan world was not created by Steven Erikson alone. The introduction in the book will explain that.

The book focused on two characters who are caught in the events that transpired on the Night of Shadows - or Shadow Moon.

Temper, a Malazan soldier, has been trying to live an uneventful life. The seemingly quiet and bored veteran however has a past that keeps haunting him. Meanwhile, somewhere in Malaz Island, his complete opposite Kiska stumbles upon an exciting discovery that will open up an opportunity for her to live the kind of life she wants.

Most readers who have read Erikson's books will be familiar with most of the gods and Ascendants mentioned here, as well as the Shadow Realm. One of the highlights of this book is Edgewalker's participation in the events. Part of his nature is revealed here - we know now that he is not human or Jaghut. We also have a good idea of what he looks like.

Part of the mystery of Kellanved and Dancer's ascendancy was revealed here, though readers can only draw mostly speculations as to what happened and how they did it. There was a scene in the book that readers might overlook showing only the aftermath of the encounter between Kellanved and Dancer and Laseen and her Claws. Readers might be wondering if Kellanved was killed but other than the evidences present in the throne room, there are no other clues. First-time readers who want their mysteries solved right away might find this frustrating. It's one of the things I like about the Malazan books though. They provide clues but leave some things unanswered that would force readers to speculate and theorize. If you're the type of reader who likes being spoonfed (and don't want to think for yourself), then this book and the series is not for you.

The Stormriders were also mentioned here several times and readers will now have an idea of what they look like. Their purpose for attacking a certain area however was not stated blatantly but there are hints in the book. Readers should also take note of the attempt of the Stormriders to get near Malaz Island.

Although Ian C. Esslemont's and Erikson's styles differ, the 'feel' of the book is the same. Fans of the series will find no major differences and will certainly have no problems adjusting.

One good thing about Esslemont is that he has better imagery than Erikson. He provides fairly good descriptions of the characters and the setting. Character descriptions however are sometimes repeated in another scene or in another character's point-of-view. It makes you wonder if he copied and pasted the descriptions. But still I enjoyed the book because of that. He was still able to keep the mystery of certain characters without having to sacrifice good imagery.

His actions scenes are better too. I can picture out what's going on in his scenes much easier than Erikson's.

This book has 6 chapters plus a prologue and epilogue. I recommend this to Malazan Book of the Fallen fans and even those who are not familiar with the series. Although most Malazan books are loaded with characters, concepts and mystery, this might serve as a good introduction. It is much easier to follow than Gardens of the Moon (the 1st book in the series) and it introduces two important characters, Kellanved and Dancer, who will play big roles in the 10-book series.

I'm giving this book a 9 out of 10 rating.