TV Review | Tsurune Season 2 (Episode 12: The Linking Shot)

“This week’s episode of Tsurune is the match we were all waiting for this season – Kirisaki versus Kazemai. Undoubtedly, this is the most intense match of kyudo of the series. You get as invested with this match as you would with a real match. It makes you feel so many emotions, that is the beauty of sports.”

The Nationals finally started during last week’s episode of Tsurune. The Tsujimine team was eliminated after a tensed match against the Kazemai school. Now, it is time for the return match between Kirisaki and Kazemai. This is the culmination of the second season with the match we were all waiting for. So it makes sense that this episode is entitled like the season itself – The Linking Shot.

BEFORE THE MATCH

This is a crucial episode so it needs to take all the time there is to tell us this story. As such, there is no opening credits sequence, the credits roll as the scene happens. The opening scene sets the tone right away. We get a flashback of Minato and Shu during the beginning of their training with Saionji. It’s all been leading up to this moment. Besides, beginning the episode with them does make sense. They are the most important players of their respective teams and when you see how the match ends, it is all about them. Obviously, before a match you need a little scene of the characters getting ready. This is what you get with this episode. It helps building up to the big moment.

THE QUARTERFINALS

If the Tsujimine versus Kazemai match was a tensed confrontation because of what was happening between the characters, this one is quite different. The Kirisaki versus Kazemai quarterfinals is everything you could have hoped for and so much more. It is as intense as it gets. The sound of the arrows, the sound the characters are making, the music, the visuals, everything is so perfectly created. Everyone is at the top of their game and there is no way to tell where the match is headed. And we see each character taking their shot, nothing is cut. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. That is what you call sports. Indeed, you get as invested with the results of the match as you would watching a real match.

And because it is THE match we were all waiting for this season, it doesn’t end so easily. In fact, the two teams are so good that they reach the tie-breaker rounds. You don’t get one tie-breaker round but two. This tells you how intense it is to determine a winner. And the final shots is all about Minato and Shu. These very last seconds before we see where their arrows landed, us as the audience we are out of breath. It is an epic moment of kyudo. Undoubtedly, this is the best match of kyudo we have seen in this series. I am truly impressed with this episode.

ROOM TO GROW

Even though, Kirisaki ends up winning both this match and the Nationals, Minato and his friends have fought the best they could and have given everything they could during this tournament. Like Minato and his friends, I was actually teary when I saw them loosing. That is the beauty of sports, it makes you feel so much, and you share these emotions with the teams who play the game. There is an invisible bound between them and the audience. So yes, it is a defeat but it is also a huge win as they have surpassed themselves.

Even in defeat, there is always room to grow. This is what I love about this ending. It is quite hopeful. Everyone has a sporting attitude and wants to continue kyudo. They all know there is always something to learn to improve their game. And honestly, I want this franchise to continue for as long as it can because it is absolutely fantastic.

VERDICT

This week’s episode of Tsurune is the match we were all waiting for this season – Kirisaki versus Kazemai. Undoubtedly, this is the most intense match of kyudo of the series. It is impressive in every way, keeping you on the edge of your seat. You get as invested with this match as you would with a real match. It makes you feel so many emotions, that is the beauty of sports.