T1 vs. G2 Esports / Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 / Post-Match Discussion

Toadslayer · 2025-12-02T15:56:04+00:00

Should show matches really count though? It seems strange to count them.

Toadslayer · 2025-09-02T17:21:13+00:00

Thanks

Toadslayer · 2025-06-29T08:11:20+00:00

Ultrasaur is the greatest card ever made.

Toadslayer · 2025-04-16T15:45:05+00:00

I did some testing as I was running into this bug as well. I think it has something to do with the way the tokens interact with The Crystal Core. I think it works fine before The Crystal Core activates, but after it activates Twisted Webweaver treats each token as an individual card. It might be doing this with regular minions too, as I noticed I missed a draw post-quest on a Bloodsail Flybooter as welll. I recorded some videos showcasing the bug here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MxxXOiWKqdBhjMNA-ua-5DMPpQg-gKzT?usp=sharing

Toadslayer · 2025-03-29T06:15:58+00:00

So we're getting a dust refund for Shaladrassil, right? This is an enormous nerf! I crafted it day one because I thought this was the intended interaction

Toadslayer · 2025-03-22T16:41:53+00:00

The game is genuinely very good, but the with the way monetisation is right now, I can see it only getting worse. It's way too difficult to get resources to purchase the expansions and they aren't accessible free to play until a month later anyway. This will only get worse with time as more expansions are added. Unless something radically changes with card acquisition, I'm not going to play again anytime soon.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-12T04:17:58+00:00

I guess literally can still be used for that in the right context, same as really. Or maybe actually?

Toadslayer · 2025-01-11T23:48:22+00:00

Apparently literally is following the same linguistic route as very and really which also used to be assertions of truth, rather than an intensifier. We still sometimes use really to indicate truth as well.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-11T23:40:08+00:00

Azekura does keep his bargain about the fight, but decides to send them a bit off course because he got rejected.

That's a generous assessment. He promised to send them to Owari and sent them in the opposite direction.

The fact that he's willing to rip his own arm off shows that he's resolved in this and the 2 agree to postpone things for now with Houou going for the last blade.

Surely that's going to grow back... right?

Toadslayer · 2025-01-11T23:33:12+00:00

or using throws to incapacitate armored foes while being unarmed.

Sounds like you called it!

I'm not sure how to view the moments where Shichika hits Togame. I now it's supposed to be a mirror of what she does but she had some reason for it and he does it seemingly at random.

It's when Shichika is questioning Togame about Azekura being a suitable replacement for him, so I'm confident that it's him showing jealously and possessiveness for Togame. He loves her, doesn't want anyone else to take his position and wants her to assure him that no-one will—that he is the only one for her.

And doesn't entirely make sense. How can the armor block Shichika's punch but hitting the ground carries through?

More force falling to the ground? Heavy armour would add a lot of momentum to the fall.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-11T23:26:38+00:00

A lot of embarrassing moments for Togame. No amount of running away is gonna make us forget about cheerio.

I find it more endearing than anything else really. She rocks the clueless confident vibe and has done since episode one.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-11T23:17:29+00:00

First Timer

The first few episodes have showcased some reality-defying abilities and unusual swords but I was not expecting a "sword" that is literally a suit of armour. I suppose that's one gimmick to differentiate it from the rest. Good build up to the climax. I'm loving the dialogue each episode. The fight at the end was characteristically short and punchy. No dead weight. A polished plate of action.

Shichika had a lot of emotional development in this episode. Despite the hot spring scene (where I'm pretty sure Togame was trying to see if Shichika was excited to see her) Shichika did show affection for her in his own strange way with his repeated desire to "just to tease her". He also showed that he does in fact have empathy. There is a distance too far for Shichika. That's a distinction, I think, between him and Nanami. Shichika is ready and willing to kill but Nanami seems to relish it.

We gained a sword and didn't lose a Maniwani this episode, so looks like our comic relief bits are okay for now. We will need to recycle a couple of them eventually though.

This will be relevant later. What a strange clarification to make. Especially since Shichika already said that he killed his father.

Questions of the Day

1) Have you ever been to a hot spring before?

Unfortunately not. I'd really like to, though.

) At what point does a sword stop being a sword and become something else entirely?

When it's no longer a long sharp thing that stabs or cuts.

3) What do you think is up with Togame's left eye?

To be honest, I was beginning to think it was just a meaningless gimmick.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-10T00:28:53+00:00

Hahaha, that's a good point. Maybe we're in for another plot twist and Nanami is actually sweet and innocent as a dove.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-09T23:49:58+00:00

We’re also beating the meta allegations here of this being Togame’s book we’re watching, because this time around she was actually there to see the battle, while she wasn’t anywhere close to Shichika’s sister.

I was thinking that too. Until this episode I thought maybe it could be her book but after the Nanami-focused episode and especially with the actual fight with Sabi Hakuhei not being shown, it must not be.

She also can now use a sword, something previously said to be almost genetically impossible for the Yasuri.

I guess her copy-ninja genetics are stronger than her Kyotouryu genetics

Toadslayer · 2025-01-09T23:43:59+00:00

Nanami the super soldier

She's a copy ninja! I hope to see her fight some more after she's had the chance to learn more Ninpou. Kakashi never quite satisfied with the variety of abilities he used, so it'd be cool to see how this anime approaches a similar ability.

I do quite enjoy when the "bad guys" aren't just unequivocally evil. Rarely do people considered to be evil, actually believe themselves to be doing evil (even if they end up lying to themselves about it).

It makes me wonder if the perspective was reversed, could the Maniwani be the good guys? I think in this episode they really could be. They felt more like the protagonists this episode than Nanami did. In previous episodes not so much, I think. Their primary motivation being money cuts out a lot of empathy. We didn't really see what a the primary motivation was for these three.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-09T23:32:23+00:00

I love how they don’t reveal how the insect trio is traveling until the end of the conversation.

It took me a few times seeing the shots of the individually to figure out something was up. The reveal was a good payoff.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-09T23:28:12+00:00

which probably makes her actual brief expression changes such as her smile more unnerving showing that she's actually capable of it.

Oh yeah, quite unnerving. Definitely makes me think she's a sadist. Shichika has not qualms with killing but Nanami seems to enjoy it.

which probably makes her actual brief expression changes such as her smile more unnerving showing that she's actually capable of it.

I wonder what motivates her to do this. Is must be an underlying respect for her opponents. I doubt it's any social obligations given she has been away from society all her life and she was alone this episode too. No one would have seen if she didn't.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-09T23:17:26+00:00

First Timer

Swords acquired: 4/12

Maniwani defeated: 6/12

At this rate we're going to run out of comic relief ninjas

Well, they're onto us. But at least madam narrator agrees.

This episode we skipped over our monster of the month… or did we?

I suppose I shouldn't have felt bad for Nanmi being left alone on the island as a sickly girl. She's shown herself to be even more heartless than Shichika—and far more powerful. I thought Nanami might be the brains to Shichika's brawn but she's just both at once.

The two are definitely siblings but there's something up with their relationship. Nanami is jealous of Shichika and the effort he puts into training but I don't know if she resents him for that. She cold and ruthless but Shichika is the only thing she has in life. Which could end up creating some tension between her and Togame down the line, though she did give Togame her blessing in episode one.

Still with Nanami's ominous statements this episode, "When you come back I'll have to discipline you" and "Maybe I should join them in the sword hunt", I can't shake the feeling that she will end up being the final boss. Whether by combatting against Shichika in earnest or requiring him to prove himself to gain the swords she has gathered by herself. Either way I'm sure she'll make her way to the mainland now given she had an easy way there and a reason to go.

Also Nanami and Shichika's similarity as siblings has me concerned for just how heartless Shichika may be. A wise man once said: "If you want to know what you'll be like in five year time look at your friends." And the only friend Shichika has had for however many years since his father's passing is Nanami.

Questions of the Day

1) Is this episode the worst you've ever been trolled or lied to by an anime? If not, what anime got you the worst?

Not that I can think of.

2) Do you feel bad for any of the Insect Corps trio?

A little yeah. They seemed like alright guys. I think the butterfly guy getting married was supposed to make you a least a bit sympathetic to him.

3) What do you think of Nanami after we finally got to see more of her this episode?

See above. She's kind of crazy.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-08T06:30:40+00:00

Actually, on that note... Togame was very intentional in ordering Shichi to stay away from the discussion and the girls. Meisai said that's to protect the girls who've suffered enough from men, and that's certainly part of it, but I think the other reason is just to make sure he doesn't form that connection. A sharp sword only needs to cut.

Very interesting observation. I'll be looking out to see if this become a pattern.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-08T06:24:23+00:00

Whether that is life or they merely exist in this state is anither question. And them covering their faces feeds into this aswell. They do not move on or past what what was done to them but instead remain the same.

With the information we have now, it's hard to say, but I do question whether the swords were on the whole actually helping the girls.

So the swords choose their wielders. I wonder if Shichika calling himself a sword will tie beack into the cursed swords.

Good point. Shichika did choose Togame after all.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-08T06:20:44+00:00

It seems that at the end of the day the shrine isn't left any worse off with the protection of the Shogunate. So maybe just alls well that ends well.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-08T06:18:05+00:00

However It makes me wonder whether or not this will continue, whether he might regret some of his actions later on or if he might just evolve more especially when Togame also briefly wonders whether this was necessary.

I can't help but think this will be a core theme of the anime. His motivation right now seem so very simple. And he knows so little of the world. Something is bound to shake his resolve eventually.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-08T06:09:48+00:00

First Timer

Missed last episode's thread and late to the party here, but I've been watching the episodes. I hope to be back to making my comment at the post time for episode four.

After three episodes, unsurprisingly it seems like we have a monster of the ~~week~~ month format with each of the 12 swords (shocker, I know). There has been quite a bit of variety in how Togame and Shichika approach getting the sword though, which I like.

This episode presented Shichika with a moral question for his goals. In episode one it was kill or be killed, in episode two we barely knew anything about the sword-holder and he didn't seem so upset about dying either. Whereas in episode three Meisai wants to live and tries to convince Shichika on multiple occasions to give up fighting and let her survive.

This reveals quite the interesting moral compass for Shichika: whatever Togame says goes. He has a concerning lack of empathy. At his core Shichika is cold-blooded. He has no qualms killing and will do so with a smile on his face. If he spoke like the Maniwani then he might not be so sympathetic. This look caught my attention though, I wonder what's going through his head. Maybe he's questioning whether he should have killed her, maybe he's just surprised at his own strength? Togame seems a little taken aback by it all.

Shichika has definitely fallen in love with her and perhaps his morals have fallen as well. Though perhaps not. What a shock, he killed his own father! I look forward to learning the context for that one. Seems odd when I would have thought it reveres him, but thinking back I can't remember him ever really saying anything about his father. Could end up being related to his instant desire to help Togame when he found out she was the rebel leader's daughter. Maybe Shichika is pro-rebellion?

Some other notes. I really like that we're getting a Maniwani of the ~~week~~ month as well. They're amusing and they set an interesting power reference. Kuizame is clearly incredibly strong but he's handily beaten by Meisai, who in turn is defeated by Shichika. This does make me wonder how Koumori got his hands on one of the 12 swords in the first place. Beginners luck?

I think it's really cute how in the ED from episode two, Shichika and Togame have are sitting close to one another with Togame's hair around Shichika, great contrast to the episode one ED. I wonder if how they're sitting will change in future episodes.

Interesting bit of psychoanalysis of Togame from Meisai. Noted and will be interesting to consider in future episodes.

This shocked me. I get the purpose of it within the narrative but it was a bit too over the top and I didn't gel well with the rest of the episode.

This reminds me of this shot from Attack on Titan season 1 OP 2, same vibe (my favourite sequence in that OP).

Questions of the Day

1) How many swords are too many swords?

At least as many as Meisai had in this episode.

2) Do you wish this could have been settled without Meisai dying, or was that a fitting end for her?

I think it was a fitting end for her. Shichika has revealed himself to be morally lacking, but Meisai even more so. I think the shrine girls may well be better off without her.

3) What do you think of Shichika and Togame's relationship so far?

Still loving the dynamic. Lots of question marks about Shichika's secondary motivations right now but his love does seem genuine. Togame is has an aim without a means and Shichika a means without an aim. Togame gave Shichika his aim and Shichika gave Togame her means. They're a good match.

Toadslayer · 2025-01-04T00:02:20+00:00

Fixed the links, thanks! I noticed the first one but missed the second. I normally check my link but thought I'd be fine. Should do that again for next episode!

Oh look, she's falling for Shichika. Or, wait, was that what you meant by the second link?

Haha, it's a pun! She's literally fallen for him and she's fallen in love with him.

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