Haikyuu S4 E18: Nekoma are through!
Haikyuu S4 E18 finally showed us the tournament draft for the third day and it sent a shock through me.
Kind of a bummer as well because now we can more or less predict what happens to the Karasuno v Inarizaki match.
The only hope of not losing suspense is Haikyuu’s thin plot armor which was evident in the season 1 finale.
The Trap
As I predicted in my previous episode’s review, the title of this week’s episode refers not to Sarukawa’s trap on Kenma, but rather the counter-trap.
READ: Haikyuu S4 E17: We love Kenma
What was surprising was Kenma’s want to execute a plan on his own expense.
As Haikyuu has shown repeatedly, Kenma’s character takes the most efficient path available, not the bravest. His approach in this episode was different in that respect.
The build up, using his fights with the gutsy Yamamoto in the last episode, smoothly merged into this episode’s narration, which was all about Kenma pushing through his limits.
His will to seal the set solidified his persistence, which was introduced through the Early Riser incident in the previous episode. Even if it meant he would end up flat on his face exhausted, which he did.
Kenma lashing out in embarrassment admitting he finally tried hard at something makes it even more evident that his character just went through a change in attitude.
It is frightening to think that next time Karasuno goes up against Nekoma, they will have to deal with a Kenma that is not only a genius at strategy but now a freshly motivated one as well.
The Promise of Hope
There were two instances in the episode which sent a jolt of excitement through me.
The first was when Sarukawa realized they were being played back by Kenma.
The second was the tournament draw revealing Nekoma and Karasuno’s paths drawn to the same slot on Day 3.
It gives us the suggestion that 4 seasons of waiting is almost over.
The dream of having a Battle at the Garbage Dump is halfway complete.
The same dream which escaped them for a generation is only 2 sets away in Karasuno’s hands.
The end to this week’s episode was promising as ever.
Will the Old Contenders pull through against the Ultimate Challengers? Will the Freak Duo out-do the Mia Twins? Will Saeko’s Taiko Group hold up against Inarizaki’s orchestra?
We have no choice but to wait another week, for an episode filled with great hope, from the sports anime that keeps on giving.
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These days I’m watching,
- Haikyuu S4 newest episodes
- En En no Shouboutai (Fire Force) S1
- Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma S3
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