Toppa Bashin – Episode 21

Well the last episode certainly left us on an annoying cliffhanger didn’t it?

Let’s hope it gets resolved with this episode. This particular set of episodes seems to focus on the relationship between Meganeko and Bashin.

And it seems to be developing as we speak, given that Bashin is becoming more aware of Meganeko’s feelings.

As well as whatever’s in her Memo Book, which seems to contain 2 contradictory pieces of information.

1. That Card Sensei is a Nazo-Otona
2. That Guragurii can communicate.

So hopefully we’ll either get Card Sensei’s past more focused on, or Bashin’s relationship to Meganeko.

…Or we have a Valentines Episode featuring My Sunshine.

But Valentines Day is on February 14th, is it different in Japan? Or am I losing my shit?

They just finished school it should be the next bloody summer.

Here we have a Bashin looking longingly at Meganeko’s House/Library/Whatever the fuck you call this thing.

He’s still trying to return that Memo.

God dang Bashin it’s as simple as knocking and returning it, and saying you’re sorry.

Why the hell are you being so moody?

A bark from Nanarin alerts Meganeko.

And of course Bashin has already flown the coop.

But nice of him to leave the Memo near the front door where ANYONE could have taken it between the time of Bashin leaving and Meganeko going outside to check for visitors.

This show is ripe with idiocy, filled to the brim with people doing stupid things for stupid reasons.

Meganeko, is not one of those people.

Thank you for being the light in this dark realm we call Battle Spirits Shounen Toppa Bashin.

A Wild Scene cut appears!

And now Bashin is in a good mood…

God… Dammit.

…AND IT APPEARS WE’RE DOING THIS NOW.

No purpose for this battle whatsoever but apparently they really wanted to engage the audience.

Let’s hope new cards get unveiled.

We’re at… Turn 9? Pretty early.

And Bashin has Goradon, Lizardedge, Eyeburn and Taurusknight on the field.

Meanwhile, Striker has Flyingmirage and 2 Hercules-Geo.

All Spirits seem to be at Level 1.

Ho-Lee Shiet.

Bashin has apparently had 0 chill this game, tearing Striker to just 1 Life on Turn 9.

Without having lost a single life himself. That’s an ouchie.

Bashin attacks with Goradon, Lizardedge and Eyeburn, and all 3 of them are blocked and destroyed.

Bashin still has Taurusknight, so he does have the capacity to win here.

Bashin is AWARE of the fact that he could end this now, but because Striker apparently had a Fruit of Life on the board, Striker has 7 cards to work with.

If any of those are a High Speed Spirit, Bashin will be left with nothing left next turn, and Striker can perform a big turnaround.

Bashin being typical Bashin, he’s spending his intelligence points early.

Simply put there’s no point overextending when you can survive a turn and guarantee victory the turn after.

I’m.. a little curious as to why he attacked and lost spirits for no reason, but I can hazard a guess as to why.

Bashin ends his turn, and Striker is a little bit confused as to why Bashin isn’t immediately butt-rushing the crap out of him.

These Intelligence points are really annoying when spent correctly.

That’s about right, Flame Tempest wouldn’t save his Spirits anyway, better to try weed out any responses from Striker before deciding to use it.

That’s a problem.

Taurusknight and Flyingmirage were both destroyed, but Hercules-Geo has 4000 BP at Level 1.

They’re unaffected by Flame Tempest.

Another weird misplay.

Striker notices the misplay and re-informs Bashin that Flame Tempest don’t work like that.

Striker’s 2 Hercules-Geo snatches 2 lives.

Still 3 lives left to go through, and he’s out of attackers-

WHOA NELLY.

SLOW DOWN THERE STRIKER YOU’RE BREAKING THE HERCULES-GEO’S BACK WITH THIS ONE.

Striker, the jammy bastard Swift Summons THREE! (3!) MachG’s!

And they wipe out the rest of Bashin’s Life.

That was bloody sudden. I wasn’t expecting that.

Bashin’s mistake aside, how the hell are you supposed to plan around 3 fucking MachG’s at any given moment.

The chances that would occur are MINIMAl.

…Something is wrong with Bashin and I don’t like it.

He’s being a good sportsman, he’s complimenting Striker.

He’s ANALYSING his final move… I…

Something is wrong here, who the fuck are you and what have you done with Bashin Toppa?!

Correct…

Had Bashin waited for Striker to drop his MachGs, Flame Tempest could have been played then, and left Striker with no Blockers to defend his last life.

I mean he was being stupid.

I’d say he’s acting exactly like himself.

What’s that smell?…

I think it… Smells like bullshit…

Yep. Definitely bullshit.

Thick in the air.

Striker’s fucking FACE…

I swear, anime just has the best shots for people’s faces, this show included.

The amount of “Somethin’ smells like bullshit” in Striker’s eyes right now.

Priceless.

It seems Striker relayed the information to Suiren.

I see Aibou decided to join the other Cornerstone pets as well. Striker’s picked up on Bashin’s weird mistakes.

Apparently Pink has nicknamed Aibou “Chibi-chan” and licked him.

Come on I get that you’re friends now and some animals like to lick for affection but you’re still Aibou’s natural predator.

leave the poor mouse alone.

“The impossible”?

It’s Bashin… I’m pretty sure if he ever goes to incredibly large lengths of stupid the problem will solve itself.

…WHAT!?

They think he’s moody because he DOESN’T HAVE A DATE FOR VALENTINES DAY!?

AGAIN WHAT DAY IS IT? HOW IS SCHOOL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY!?

HOW DID YOU GET TO THIS CONCLUSION AS WELL!?

…Oh okay you’re as confused as I am.

God dammit Striker you’ve lost the plot.

I think if you’re the one giving him Valentines Chocolate, that’s cause for MORE worry.

And this is obviously being explained as chocolate being a distraction…

The problem with distractions is that they’re temporary…

And ultimately do not help solve the problem at hand.

Okay bugger to this, I need to verify when Japanese Valentines day is.

OH.

SO ITS THE EXACT SAME DAY!

AGAIN, HOW WAS THE LAST DAY OF CLASS BEFORE THIS?!

They legit just had Winter break.

…Because she’s a Girl?

This doesn’t look weird whatsoever.

Also I can’t stop laughing at the fact that Suiren is trying to hold back Striker’s Hair.

Innocent is a SUPER weird word to use here, you’re implying he wants to solve Bashin’s depression by getting Suiren and Bashin to start dating.

Which I definitely disapprove.

Striker re-assures Suiren that she doesn’t need to give Striker any Valentines Chocolates…

I’m unsure how Striker is viewing the relationship between the 2 of them right now…

And Suiren just kinda shrugs it off saying she wasn’t planning on giving any to anyone.

So either Striker thinks he’s dating Suiren and Suiren doesn’t.

Or Striker’s just being a cheeky little bastard.

Or both… Could definitely go with both.

We now cut to Meganeko dusting the library.

And again, Kudos to the animators for handling their colour schemes well.

STOP THE BLOG.

THE LITTLE DOGGO HAS SNEEZED.

WE MUST CHERISH THE POOR LITTLE THING! DELIVER THE CUDDLES NOW!

What do you have to say for yourself you monster!?

…

Call off the S.W.A.T. Team, she says she’s sorry.

Clear out boys, nothing to see here.

Welp, she’s started slipping.

Which means this is a One-Way Train Ticket to the floor.

Nanarin barks happily.

Clearly she thought my joke was funny.

You jinxed it Meganeko.

Now what does this have to do with the plot?

Okay someone REALLY needs to educate me on Japanese Elementary Schools because having your last day of class be BEFORE February 14th does not make sense to us Englishmen who don’t finish a class til Summer.

Aibou tries to start a conversation with Bashin but Bashin gets interrupted by an unidentified flying-

…Box from the Sawaragi Corporation.

I almost forgot J existed, where’s he been?

And is this a gift from Kyouka or J? And does it involve Card games?

If it’s an over glorified box of chocolates from Kyouka I might just have to name her best character.

So it IS Chocolate!

Now we just need to figure out if it’s from Kyouka.

CALL BACK THE SWAT TEAM.

THE TERRORISTS HAVE RESORTED TO DROPPING BOXES OF CHOCOLATE.

Seeing Bashin be bombarded with Chocolate is somewhat relaxing to watch.

So one of the 2 Sawaragi Twins just Ordered a guy to make a Supply drop of chocolate to Bashin…

Bro he’s got enough Chocolate to last him a lifetime…

And that’s implying he’ll get through all of it without dying first.

I DISAPPROVE.

IMMENSELY.

KYOUKA IS AN INNOCENT SOUL AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HER IMAGE RUINED BY BEING ANYWHERE WITH IN A THOUSAND MILE RADIUS OF YOUR DUMB ASS BASHIN!

I think she’d be here if that were the case.

The Ships just write themselves.

I don’t even need to stick on any jokes about J being gay or anything, it’s just RIGHT THERE.

Nothing wrong with 2 dudes going out there Aibou, drop the face.

Okyou just casually lying through her teeth.

J x Bashin is the only ship this show needs.

Suddenly Striker turns up and demands an explanation from J.

J somehow goes full Micheal Jackson in this shot. Look at his LEGS.

I need fanart of J in a Micheal Jackson outfit STAT.

What, did Striker also ask J to give Bashin some chocolate?

That’s A LITTLE of the chocolate from your house!? Are you running a fucking chocolate factory?

Now I need a Photoshopped image of J at the Chocolate Factory, there are too many memes to be made here.

Also I swear to god if anyone is kind enough to make Blog memes I WILL feature them, I promise you!

Bashin adequately describing the plot of this show.

STRIKER’S FUCKING FACE.

SO MUCH POTENTIAL HERE TODAY

Also does J even give chocolate to people? I feel like this would be his first time considering the mountain he just dropped on Bashin.

What does that have to do with anything?

Cap just randomly bringing up Football for like 0 reason.

Is That what it is?!

So why was there such a fuss over throwing an end of class party for Card Sensei?

They still have the summer term don’t they?!

MORE MEMEABLE FACES FOR THE MEME GOD.

Striker is… for some odd reason, getting irritated at the fact that J doesn’t play Football and does nothing but play Battle Spirits.

Uh, Striker… You shouldn’t be playing Football to begin with. Remember how excessive practice screwed up your foot? All YOU should be doing is playing Battle Spirits.

…Why are you telling this to Cap?

Out of context, this line seems really weird.

And basically you were right J, this is what Striker wanted.

But he wanted it to be given to him in a loving, compassionate way… Basically get Kyouka to give up her pride for like a day and make Bashin feel like he’s the only man on earth.

And then drop the bad news on the 15th when the joke is over.

It would be hilarious… and it would crush Bashin emotionally…

…What the hell are you looking at me for?

…Neither was anyone else captain…

Neither was J, infact.

To add, there is infact no reason why you would ever NEED to play Battle Spirits in order to give Bashin chocolate.

And that doesn’t fix the current problem of the chocolate already dropped on Bashin, J can’t exactly just “take it back”

CAPTION THE FUCK OUT OF THIS.

Strange to see J refuse a card battle though.

I need to raise the rent on the estate that J is occupying inside my head.

You’d think the show would look for any excuse to have a battle but for the reason I literally just outlined, they didn’t.

These writers really know me.

Also I love how Okyou is just staring at J like “OH NO YOU DIDN’T”

I can’t tell if Striker is referring to Bashin, or J.

And in either case I completely agree.

But I’m actually starting to like J a bit, despite the things he does being a bit on the emotional trigger sort of thing. I still haven’t forgiven him for battling Bashin over sending a “love letter” to Kyouka.

At least help him with the massive boxes of chocolate you asshole.

You couldn’t deliver to his house like a normal person could you?

Bashin finally breaks out of the chocolate prison he was crushed under.

Shame…

God bless non-skimpy character design.

Because that is an unfortunate angle.

…

Pink just chills in Suiren’s chest area?

I mean I know she doesn’t have like pockets or anything but there are shoulders for such a thing. Come on.

Well when you’re in an Idol-Manager relationship, and the company needs you more than you evidently need them, I’m sure she can do as she likes to check on her friend.

Didn’t you battle like… Last episode?

Bashin being Bashin OBVIOUSLY accepts this match, but Suiren says she won’t lose this time.

I’m curious what the purpose of this battle is for.

And they’re not even going to Isekai.

This will make the field review a little easier at least, nothing like cards on the table.

Nevermind I forgot they had the stupid graphic interface that doesn’t realistically make sense.

Bashin’s got an Exhausted Rokceratops, but I can’t tell if Suiren means that Lizardedge is exhausted or not.

Meanwhile Suiren has Draculious, just alone on the board.

Remember when that card caused Bashin a bunch of trouble against the Nazo-Otona?

Draculious is a tough cookie, if only for a vanilla.

Score is Suiren’s 3 Lives to Bashin’s 5.

And Suiren plays a new card, Bottom Desuper at Level 2.

A Purple Cost 4 Evil Shadow Family Spirit from BS02.

It works a little like Top Supra, the card it’s an inverse of, however rather than being unable to be blocked by Level 3s and Level 2s, Bottom Desuper cannot be blocked by Level 1 and Level 2 Spirits.

One goes top-down, the other bottom-up.

Of course, either effect only applies from Level 2 onwards, hence why Suiren played this one at Level 2.

Nowadays, the Level-based unblockable effect would seem more like a Yellow effect than a purple one.

Suiren declares an attack with Bottom Desuper.

Because of course they needed to wait for Bashin to declare block to explain the effect instead of Suiren just saying Bashin can’t do that outright.

And just like Top Supra, Bottom Desuper has a GIANT FUCKING LASER BEAM for an attack.

Suiren snatches a life and ends her turn, leaving Draculious as a Blocker.

…You really don’t, you just need a Level 3 Spirit.

Lizardedge is brought up to Level 3 by Bashin, it’s a shame though, while this does let it deal with Bottom Desuper, if Suiren chooses to level it up again it will all be pointless.

Not gonna level up Rokceratops? Or is he anticipating Top Supra?

Which is a bit of a silly thing to even try when you’re playing Red.

Bashin needs some White cards.

That is a Shackles of Doom! Rokceratops is prevented from Blocking since Bashin didn’t bother to level it up.

And now Suiren plays Top Supra at Level 2! If you remember this card, at Level 2 and 3 it can’t be blocked by opposing Level 3 Spirits, and at Level 3 it also can’t be blocked by Level 2 spirits.

Since Suiren has it at Level 2, and The Shackles of Doom is preventing Single Core spirits from attacking or blocking, Bashin can only stop Supra with a Level 2 Spirit… Which conveniently, Bashin does not have.

Lizardedge can still check Desuper though.

SO TAKE THAT LIFE BOY!

Not that it would be that frightening, Bashin has like 4 lives remaining.

He’ll be down to 3 after this attack but that’s not too bad, You’re not in the danger zone until you’re at 2 lives, in which case then you need to badly protect your life.

…Could you not have just given him the chocolate?

This is a shit Valentines present, really.

A peck on the cheek could have been less expensive if it was money you were worried about.

Bashin plays Pot of Greed!

I mean! Double Draw!

It lets him draw 2 cards from his deck!

I’d try to keep a Tally of how many times Bashin’s next move was to play Siegfried off of Double Draw.

But not only have I not been keeping track initially, I can’t even manage the Fuckup Tally by itself because of how inconsistent this show is sometimes.

I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t done this in a while but there hasn’t been any major fuckups as of yet, but in any case, WHAT A SURPRISE. BASHIN GETS SIEGFRIED OFF OF DOUBLE DRAW!

Summoning at Level 2 of course, because them SHACKLES!

Bashin wants to attack with Siegfried but pauses because of Desuper and Supra, he wants to attack but he doesn’t want to be left unprepared for the odd blocking rules set by the pair of spirits Suiren has out.

Bashin alters the Core arrangement of his spirits, putting him in the Sweet spot that neither Desuper, Supra, nor Shackles can cover, Level 2.

Would be a real shape if Suiren just levelled them both up… Or played Desperado…

…Oh she’s onto it.

So what will it be? Desperado or Level up?

Bashin’s an idiot, you’re expecting an idiot to change himself for the better?

Tall order there Suiren.

…Given how Bashin has acted up until recently, as well as his sudden inability to actually apologise to Meganeko, this adds up.

But also God DAMN son, Suiren’s just laying into him.

…Why are you punishing him for trying to be smart about his play?

Bashin’s state, as of currently, despite the asshole implications he’s been giving, has made more smart analysis on the games he’s played than you have this entire series.

Let him wallow, if it makes him intelligent then it’s for the better.

And as if holding on to his Intelligence points like his life (And my approval) depends on them, Bashin ends his turn.

Yeah and you know what Suiren? Fuck you.

Let him suffer through it, stop trying to fix what doesn’t need to be fixed.

He’ll either get smarter as a result or it won’t be his problem anymore.

Simple.

Suiren Levels up Bottom Desuper and Top Supra to Level 3, now in addition to Desuper being unblockable to Level 1 Spirits, and Supra being unblockable to Level 3 Spirits, both are now unblockable to Level 2 Spirits.

And given that Bashin has made all his Spirits Level 2, he can’t block them whatsoever.

And Suiren plays… An X-Rare?!

Well I was expecting she would get a new X-Rare from a Nazo-Otona, not just pop out with it, but it shows improvement for this area of the show after losing to a down and out Bashin.

I know the text can’t be read and I haven’t attached an effect, but this is BS02’s Purple X-Rare.

The reason why I won’t discuss it’s effects now is because it will give us something to discuss at the end. This will definitely be our Card of the Day.

Besides, maintains the surprise for the rest of the episode, I’ve been worried about ruining big moments like this for you.

The Suiren activates Destlord’s first effect! Which exhausts all Level 2 Spirits on the board (including hers) when it’s summoned!

Since Bashin literally made all his Spirits Level 2 to avoid Suiren’s unblockable combo, all his spirits get exhausted.

Though I’m a little confused, why didn’t Suiren level down Desuper and Supra, summon Desperado, then put them back to Level 2?

Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Though bumping them to Level 3 is smarter incase Bashin attempts to refresh them.

Suiren attacks with Supra, Desuper and Destlord, taking out the rest of Bashin’s lives.

Well that was some mad strategical play on Suiren’s part, kudos to her card game ability.

Not so much Kudos for her trying to un-depress Bashin, It’s done him more good than bad.

But I SUPPOSE he needs to apologise to Meganeko, and being scared of negative consequence gets in the way of that.

Because Bashin is a Hyper-active 12 year old with a strong aversion to emotional stress.

What does THIS have to do with anything?

God you’re a shit talker Suiren, stay on point.

Because those are not things that Battle Spirits teaches you Suiren.

I’m not sure how you drew that conclusion but I think you should put it back where you pulled it from, which I can only perceive to be your ass.

Again, WHAT DOES BATTLE SPIRITS HAVE TO DO WITH THIS CONVERSATION!?

My Mother doesn’t understand Gaming and I had several arguments with her over it.

Did I suddenly stop talking to my mother because she “didn’t play video games” and “didn’t understand video games”?

No, I did what a normal person would do and fucking explained it.

You’re well versed in Battle Spirits, how about you use that knowledge and do something with it you fiery haired cretin?

Bashin does what I wish he would do with this show and leaves abruptly.

So much for that Battle.

We timeskip to My Sunshine’s dressing room, and she’s (understandably) exasperated.

Apparently NOT that trying to explain anything to Bashin in a way that isn’t outright telling him is a fool’s errand.

You need to consider the intelligence of your target to understand basic things before attempting to get them to come to that conclusion.

And finally the scene gets interrupted by My Sunshine’s manager.

Well isn’t that just lovely?

Alright what’s the next scene?

We have a depressed Meganeko, that’s the scene we switch to.

And we got that GOOD animation now, nice.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED FIGURING OUT A SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM MEGANEKO?

I DUNNO, PERHAPS, LEARNING HOW TO PLAY? YOU DO HAVE ACCESS TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO TEACH YOU.

OR AT THE VERY LEAST CARD SENSEI

My S.O. is a Bookworm, so I more than envy the people who can fully immerse themselves in a good book.

I can barely pay attention to anything that isn’t immediately flashy and moving across the screen so books are generally not great for me (I do go out of my way to read articles a lot though, perhaps I should try again)

This is an obvious metaphor to Meganeko’s relationship with Battle Spirits.

Battle Spirits is “The Book Meganeko has yet to read”, she knows it exists however has never perused it, and doesn’t understand people that HAVE read it.

The only time she will truly understand is when she opens up the book and reads it herself.

Another comparison to Meganeko’s situation, she doesn’t understand why Bashin loves Battle Spirits because she hasn’t immersed herself in it in order to understand.

Now we cut to Bashin watching Batosupi TV, on the topic of Valentine’s day.

Welp, this episode just took a turn for the boring.

…Can mice eat chocolate?

Aibou is just munching on a piece in the corner there…

And now I want chocolate, one moment-

It seems Commentator-San hasn’t received any affections from the girls he’s been creeping on.

Good.

When you’re in love, Valentines Day is great.

For everyone else, they call it “Single Awareness Day”

Ah, well I suppose that ties in to that other scene rather than just using it to relay what My Sunshine was thinking trying to convince Bashin.

Good on the writers for doing this, I commend them.

…What?

How are you just going to forget the reason you were brought into this interview? It’s a Valentines Special, come on now.

Okay I understand you have to keep your friendship with Bashin a secret to keep your Suiren persona, but don’t throw your manager under the bus, poor guy.

Bashin’s inherent aversion to being able to be a normal human being for all of 2 minutes and talk to Meganeko like one isn’t exactly very petty.

Sure I advocate that Bashin’s little depressive episodes are good for him because they’re making him at the very least a bit smarter about things, but I can at least admit that being unable to talk to anyone about a serious topic purely on the merit that they don’t play Battle Spirits sounds like something that could really affect him much later in life.

She’s regurgitating Bashin’s words.

This is one clever muffin, if only because apparently she’s allergic to telling Bashin information directly.

Yes! It’s almost like explaining yourself is PART of how you resolve arguments!

This almost sounds like the Anecdote with my Mother.

I WONDER THE FUCK WHY!?

Bashin decides now is an excellent time to go running to Meganeko.

I feel like that ship has sailed captain.

NEVERMIND. You’re lucky Meganeko actually gives a shit.

This is honestly really sweet, I’ll refrain from hating on the Orange-haired muppet until this is over. I actually want to see this through because it’s cute.

Bashin finally arrives at Meganeko’s house.

But hold on, wasn’t Meganeko like… outside the house? Looking for you?…

She’s not gonna be home.

If only if only, The woodpecker sighs.

Chill at her place til she gets back? Though you’d have to ask permission from Grandpa.

But it’s a viable option, and one she would appreciate.

But is Meganeko going to see Bashin? I suppose we’ll see a Hayami appearance soon.

Meganeko was reading her Memo while standing outside an apartment complex that isn’t the one where Bashin lives.

…Is she going to Card Sensei’s house? Come on now.

Meganeko’s Grandpa also works part time as an answering machine.

But for all serious messages that need to be given…

Good. He’s getting it.

That makes me happy.

Now let’s see what the hell Meganeko wants with Card Sensei.

If I was a teacher and I had a student hounding my ass at random times of the evening I think I’d get a bit fed up.

But at the same time how can you ignore the wishes of a student who really relies on their teacher? It’s also adorable.

My paternal instincts are confusing me.

First of all, a 12 year old student giving a Teacher who looks at least to be 3x her age Valentines Chocolate is suspicious as fuck and the Teacher should have said no.

but then again I’m holding her to English Standards, I think the Japanese simply use Valentines as a day to express kindness to the people you are thinking about, rather than simply as a show of love.

Which is kind of nice, come to think of it.

But also, Meganeko just WALKS into Card Sensei’s house after giving him said Valentines Chocolate.

I’d make an “I’ve seen enough Hentai” joke but it’s not funny given the context.

And this scene absent of even SOME of the context? Holy hell it looks bad for Card Sensei.

Also don’t the Japanese have stricter manners than us? I’m sure Meganeko barging in like this would be seen as extremely rude if she wasn’t specifically invited.

And Meganeko darts STRAIGHT to Guragurii.

Guragurii noping out of the situation.

I’d say he’s afraid of Meganeko but come on, she’s MEGANEKO.

She’s like the kindest soul in this entire show.

OUTSIDE OF EVEN SOME OF THE CONTEXT.

THIS SCENE IS REALLY WEIRD.

Anyway it seems that Meganeko’s about to go from “Kind Soul” to “Badass Mofo”

She’s just layin’ down all of the bombshells right now.

Card Sensei could just deny ALL of these accusations right here and Meganeko would have 0 way to verify them.

Outside of Guragurii popping out of his shell and saying something.

As a result of the accusations laid forth by Meganeko, Meganeko then BEGS for Card Sensei to teach Meganeko how to play Battle Spirits.

Not “Relay this to Bashin”, Not “Tell me why you’re one of them”

She’s gone to the Cornerstone holder’s natural enemies, and requested tutelage.

The Balls on this one. And she’s a GIRL.

She doesn’t actually get to finish this sentence, and just repeats her Beg.

Are the accusations meant to be a veiled method of blackmailing him? Are you saying that Card Sensei is possibly the strongest player to tutor her?

I don’t get what the purposes of the accusations are, it’s known that he knows how to play Battle Spirits.

That… Voice didn’t sound like Meganeko OR Card Sensei.

Meaning!

THE TURTLE SPEAKS

Also could they stop using the “Cute Girl” statement, it’s giving off way worse vibes than they’re meant to be.

Again, why does Meganeko being a “Cute” Girl matter in this context? Especially to an old fart like Card Sensei.

WHAT.

GURAGURII IS CARD SENSEI’S TEACHER?

You are literally referred to as “Card Sensei”, Meganeko’s Master is the VERY THING I’d expect you to be.

How can you say no to that face?

Fuck my pessimistic hate for normal characters being circumvented by none other than Meganeko.

She makes it SO much harder to hate this show more than I already do.

We now cut to Bashin who is walking home alone with Aibou.

Actually, the last time Bashin was on the streets in the dark, there was that bearded Nazo-Otona that wanted to fight him super bad.

We don’t have nearly enough Episode time for another fight, but this kind of character development would warrant another X-Rare for Bashin to use.

Aibou is as pleased as I am with Bashin’s choice.

As one should. If people were persistent about giving apologies we’d have less fights in the world really.

Well, the drama hasn’t been completely done away with, but the characters involved have gotten some good character development.

also, we can’t forget, MEGANEKO IS NOW LEARNING BATTLE SPIRITS!

This instantly puts this episode high on my list, Meganeko is a refreshing character amongst the stupidity that is the 4 Cornerstone holders.

That being said. Talking animals are meant to be a symbol of a Cornerstone holder, so the fact that Guragurii can talk to Card Sensei makes very little sense.

Unless he himself is a Chosen Card Battler, would be really odd if he was considering that he’s also a Nazo-Otona.

And Uchuuchouten wants to acquire the Cornerstones and awaken them, so again it’s very odd what Card Sensei’s motives are, despite the fact that he means well.

The Colour of Guragurii’s little orb also throws people starting Battle Spirits through this show, for reasons I will not mention because they are spoilers.

But in any case, lots of interesting stuff for next episode, I’m happy Bashin got the high amount of flack that he did for being, well, Bashin.

It was a good episode that really focused on how characters feel toward each other. Though specifically toward Bashin.

J rushes to Bashin’s aid when asked to, however is dismissive of Striker.

Striker feels very strongly about Bashin but doesn’t quite understand what he goes through.

Suiren understands what Bashin goes through and what troubles him, but finds it difficult to convey what he’s meant to do so that he figures it out himself.

It’s all very unique interactions, the oddball seeming to be J as J didn’t really seem to care about what was going on, despite the fact that he dropped a mountain of chocolate on him merely because he was asked to.

I can’t tell if J openly wishes to help Bashin or simply didn’t understand the gravity of the situation but acted anyway. Which is a sign of a… Negligent friend.

It was a good episode, and now for our card of the day!

I was right, Our card of the day was The SevenShogun Destlord!

A Cost 7 Purple X-Rare in both the Nightling AND Ogre Wizard Families, from BS02.

Destlord isn’t particularly strong in the BP department, it’s only 4000 BP at Level 1, requires 6 Cores to get to Level 2 which only bumps it up to 8000 BP.

But the reason why it’s strong is because it works well in Suiren’s Lock combo, with Shackles of Doom covering single core spirits, Bottom Desuper covering mainly Level 1, and Top Supra covering mainly Level 3, the opponent’s immediate recourse will be to change everything to Level 2.

And that is where this card comes in to finalise that combo, once they do that you can play Destlord and make an all out attack after exhausting all the opponent’s Spirits.

Note however that it’s When Summoned effect only occurs at Level 1, when summoning a Spirit in Battle Spirits you’re allowed to Select the starting level for that Spirit, if you were to summon this at Level 2, you wouldn’t be allowed to use the When summoned effect.

This is an interesting issue they correct later of course, with most effects at earlier levels occuring at Later levels as well, including “When Summoned” abilities.

That second ability relates Destlord to Desperado however, at Level 2 when Destlord defeats an opposing Spirit, you gain Core in your reserve equal to the number of Core on the opposing Spirit that Destlord defeated.

Odd how the SevenShoguns at present both have Core boosting abilities, normally an aspect of Green (their natural enemy)

But in any case, Destlord needs to be handled with care, it’s naturally weak and not fit for any deck not specifically designed to accommodate it. And of course is definitely designed to be used with Desuper and Supra, given their Level based abilities.

And that is our Blog post for Episode 21! Next episode should be fun! I’m hoping Meganeko finally gets a Card Battle! I’ll see you guys next time!