Mou Ippon! Episode 9: Judo Pride

Something that built up since Day 1 happened at last.

Last time Michi and Sachi began their first round battle. Although Sachi had the height and power advantage Michi wouldn’t go down easily. The big cutie got a waza-ari but our heroine wasn’t out yet.

After more back and forth action Michi briefly saw Little Midoriko and recalled a special technique especially made against larger opponents. Then it happened…For the first time on a big stage Michi not only won a match but with an Ippon. The childhood dream had come true for our heroine! It’s definitely worth the wait and made up for her lame running gag.

However, the gang/her harem reminded her this tournament was contested under elimination rules, meaning you kept going till you’re eliminated or everyone on the enemy team were beaten. Fortunately as Hot Coach noticed Michi had momentum on her side as she’s still pumped and focused. Kotoko tried a more defensive approach after watching Sachi’s match but Michi’s too much to handle so she too fell to her mighty Ippon game.

So Team Sachi were down to their captain Natsu. She’s in a tough spot since it just became a Gauntlet Match for her. Things were made worse by a cheering section of adult judo club members rooting for their revitalized club. The problem was their “cheers” felt more like pressure on poor Natsu. Luckily Kotoko helped by calming down the meatheads.

Though Michi already faced two opponents Natsu’s surprised she still had plenty of energy. Throughout the episode we were treated to Team Sachi’s backstory from their formation and training. Like Team Michi they too revitalized their high school judo club that was retired after a long period of inactivity. The big moment for Natsu came when she remembered an important saying of their club:

“Softness subdues hardness”

At first everyone thought it meant there’s a secret technique for a small warrior to take down a large foe but it actually meant taking advantage of an opponent’s momentum or something like that, meaning an energetic fighter rushing in on you may have an opening. Natsu found one and got a Waza-ari on Michi.

Unfortunately Natsu soon made a similar mistake Michi did and our heroine took advantage scoring the third Ippon in a row. Clean sweep for Team Michi!

Though there could only be one winner both Michi and Natsu had a similar reflection after the match. They’re happy they didn’t quit judo. For Natsu she found the Heart of Judo and Michi’s hard work finally paid off. Also like my dear friend Dr T noticed Michi has similar yuri harem powers as the great Yu Takasaki but just didn’t realize it.

Later the two fated rival teams met up again. Michi thanked Midoriko for the winning move she taught her and repaid her ice cream debt. On her end Midoriko won an award of her own taking down a five girl team by herself. Tsundere cuteness ensued. Meanwhile Towa and Erika shared a moment.

The Best Girl moment of the episode was when she told the team about their next opponents. Himeno remembered seeing her doing research the night prior. Even though she couldn’t compete she wasn’t going to sit idly by. Next time it’s the second round.

This show has been pretty good but aside from the dumb gag a minor gripe I have with it is Nagumo not yet fulfilling her dream of competing alongside her beloved Michi instead of just cheering her like usual. Hopefully we get to see her in action before the end of the show.