Volume 20: Their Own Style of Tennis

Chapters 168-176
Fanta: 2
Lame Puns from Dabide: 3

Plot Events: Kawamura and Momoshiro defeat Kurobane and Amane; Fuji and Eiji begin their match against Saeki and Itsuki

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Not much happens in Volume 20, at least plot-wise. The first chapter or so wraps up the ends of the previous tournament. For a moment, it looks like Kamio’s getting molested by Uchimura (you know, the other guy on Fudōmine), but it turns out to just be a congratulatory backslap. Then Sengoku has a scene of soul-searching during which defeat inspires him to improve, but it is so short as to be uninspiring. So disappointing all ‘round.

There is a moment in which Tachibana manages both to appear sportsmanlike and rub the loss into Minami’s face by assuring him humbly that if Akutsu had been there, no doubt Yamabuki would have won. (Ouch!)

Tezuka sends Seigaku a text message, which they analyze like girls getting a note from their crush. You guys… stop. Just… stop. Stop being so sentimental. (And Tezuka, geez, is a simple “Congratulations on your win” too much to ask?!)

Here’s something that makes me curious. Seigaku’s practices are evidently being held during the lunch break at school, since Ryōma is skipping them for an after-lunch nap. Is this an issue of confusing translation, or do they actually have a lunch break that’s long enough for sports practice? If so, what are the other children doing during this time? And what time does school get out?! They must be there all evening! D: I hope they’re not skipping lunch to practice…

Next, the manga introduces us to Rokkaku, hinting, typically, that they are so intimidatingly powerful as to be nigh undefeatable. I know I should be impressed that Dabide defeated a hundred Hyōtei players, but they just mentioned Rikkai in the last chapter, and now Rikkai is my measuring stick. Rikkai isn’t a particular favorite of mine, but, honestly, nobody else measures up to Rikkai. I mean, their tennis makes people go fucking blind. (Amirite?! y/y)

Bane and Dabide show up, looking crabby—rival teams always look crabby when they first appear; possibly this is to make us feel that they are Good At Tennis—and rescue the pudding Momo is bringing to Ryōma “from a girl”. Bane is pretty awesome as he Lays Down the Law; the sunshine behind his head makes him look like GOD.

I’m not sure what to think of Saeki. He seems both comfortable and not-out-of-his-league with Fuji, which makes me instinctively not trust him.

Aoi really, really, really looks like Curious George.

And their coach… dude. That crazy old guy just STOLE Ryōma’s Fanta money!!! Ryōma doesn’t seem bothered by it, though, which means that maybe he is not as bad of a kid as I think. :3

The first match is Kawamura and Momoshiro (aka “Seigaku’s Heavy Artillery Combo!!” LOL) versus Bane and Dabide (aka At Least In Their Early Twenties). Oh man, do I love Kawamura. He’s so fricking adorable. Adorable… and embarrassing. *headdesk*

Rokkaku’s coach is a bit weird, but it’s kind of cute that all the neighborhood kids learned to play tennis together. ♥ (It makes me feel good almost against my will—like romantic comedies, quilting, or grandmothers.) I really like Bane a lot, too. In addition to being the coolest man alive, he is also genuinely concerned when he hits Kawamura with the ball. I definitely approve of him. As for Dabide, I’m distracted by his hair. There’s… so much of it. So, so many pictures of his hair… *mesmerized* (Also… Who else reads all the references to Dabide’s “extra-long racket” as penis euphemisms? Raise your hand. You know you do it.)

Whoa! Ryūzaki just showed up and had a coach-like thought! It was just a thought; she didn’t actually use it to coach anyone, but still. Progress!

Momo and Taka-san score a point and do an epic FIST-BUMP. (Cue Dabide and Bane looking wind-blown). Their success is explained by telling us that when they play together, they are able to exponentially multiply their power! Prince of Tennis math is confusing. Is that like how with Hadōkyū you can have 110% of something?

In general, though, this match is pretty fun to watch. (Well, “watch”, anyway.) Momo is using actual tactics, which kind of impresses me. If people could jump like this in real life, tennis would be as cool as that most overtly epic of men's sports, Olympic figure skating.

Say what you will about the flaws of this manga… Bodies in motion are not one of them.

Taka-san wins the match for them, prompting everyone to be shocked. (“Who would have thought that it would be Kawamura who hit the big shot?”)  I feel so bad for him. D:

Okay, on to Doubles 1!

A racket cracks on team Rokkaku! It’s a visual metaphor!!!

WTF, Saeki, Fuji, why are you having some kind of cocktail party small talk before your match? Itsuki agrees with me THANK GOD.

This match is also fun to watch. Nothing much happens; everyone’s good at tennis, and they’re all playing well… Oh, damn. I should have known Fuji would get all dramatic. Saeki’s certainly rivaling him on the scary front. Eiji’s terrified looks are starting to make me feel kind of nervous myself.

OMG you guys! Eiji’s acrobatics are blocked HOW WILL THEY WIN AT TENNIS NOW!?!?! Never fear, kids. Fuji is magical and will not lose. …Excuse me, not magical. “A genius”.

And randomly we’re on the beach. WTF. This is a flashback… Hopefully, it will make sense and do something constructive, such as giving us important background information about the characters or making a visual metaphor more meaningful.

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Nope, it was totally pointless.

Back to the tennis match. How do people have time to give their partners these detailed instructions in the middle of—oh wait. TENNIS IS NOT ACTUALLY THAT FAST