this is one of the best episodes. miyako vs her rival is so satisfying after all the buildup and tamaki vs rin is on a completely different level. animation during both matches is the best in the whole series.

tairue

4 mo

Verified

This was such an intense episode. The pacing here was really smooth and full of action, it completely balances between four simultaneous matches without any shortcomings. The venue here was also completely surreal, it really enhances the tension and the thrill as you can hear the crowd. I really love how they displayed kendo here, I realized it is not just a simple sport as I watch more episodes of Bamboo Blade.

shinywaffles

4 mo

Verified

Yeeessss, finally some good Kendo action without gimmicks! Love that they got serious for once and delivered what the show excels at. Tama's fight was the one I've been waiting for since it has been hinted at for quite a while now. I am not disappointed, the wait was worth it (even if it didn't go as planned).

Episode Context

Bamboo Blade drops its comedic guard here. Episode 22 is a tonal shift, quieter, heavier, and far more introspective than the series typically allows itself to be. After the intense competitive highs of the previous episode, the Muroe High kendo club now sits in the emotional wreckage of a decisive outcome. Tamaki and her teammates aren't swinging shinai this time; they're processing what just happened and what it means for each of them personally. The pacing deliberately slows, making room for vulnerability, self-doubt, and the kind of raw character work this show rarely prioritizes over its comedy. Themes of resilience and the crushing weight of expectations take center stage. It's a necessary emotional exhale, somber but genuine, that reveals how much these characters have grown to depend on each other when competition strips away their confidence.

Runtime24 min

Filler StatusCanon

Plot ImportanceHIGH

Air DateMar 4, 2008

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