Hello!
I have been hearing people tell that Tyson defeated Kai due to plot armor, is it true?
Hello! Thank you for your ask!
I know which discussion you're referring to, I was strictly planning to stay out of it due to the absolutely one-sided and highly opinionated some of the statements in the original post were but I will try my best to address it as politely as I can!
And sorry in advance, if this turns out to be lengthy.
To begin, statements like these can never be "true", wherein true is being used to refer to something that is considered canon in the course of the story. Why, one might ask, because when manga authors or screenwriters write a chapter/episode, they don't go "Oh well, this win will be attributed to the Plot Armour", they need to explain to the readers/watchers what was the reason behind the win with a scene or dialogues and in case of the episode and match in question here, @rainbow-pearls and @where-them-kinomiya-at already mentioned a lot of these in the original post, which clearly gives us a valid explanation for Tyson's win from the viewer's point of view.
Viewers are free to disregard these (as they often do) and come up with their own theories or reasonings behind the win, but the canon facts will remain to be true regardless.
Some things which weren't mentioned in the original post, is what I'd like to touch upon next. Tyson's win in G-revolution, was not in fact, his first win against Kai nor was it Kai's first ever loss in the series (he loses to Johnny of all people for f-k's sake in S1), so it's not something unexpected or a decision that was made out of the blue to make sure the protagonist comes out on top (the definition of plot armour) , it completely fits the narrative route the story has been taking so far.
Of course, Tyson is the protagonist, so his growth and development is what carries the show forward, him winning a match is not a last ditch effort by the creators to save the show's plot in S3. He wins and loses consistently throughout the three seasons, something Chief praises him for because he believes that to be Tyson's strength as losing gives him the infinite potential to improve on his skills and constantly challenge himself to become better.
Other things pointed out in the original post were his strong bond with Dragoon, or his stamina since Hiro states that the win could be attributed to mere seconds or Tyson's luck, and to that I would like to add that his form was also in top condition during the final match. In the first half of the tournament he's under a lot of pressure and stress, and also dealing with his teammates abandoning him or trying to gel with Daichi, which reflects in his form and he ends up losing. But after Egypt, when he deals with these issues and recovers his mental health, he comes back into form and is able to unleash his strength and skill as a Blader in the second half.
However, personally, I do think that Tyson is stronger than Kai, in fact I believe that Kai thinks the same too otherwise he honestly would not go up against Tyson as often as he does, since his goal is to always be the strongest. Kai sees something in Tyson that pushes him to not just challenge him again and again, but also guide him during battles, battle alongside him and believe in something bigger than just strength or skill (aka the power for friendship lol). This, I believe, takes root in Kai's mind when Tyson is able to use Dranzer to defeat Kai and Black Dranzer (the biggest testimony to Tyson's strength in all 3 seasons tbh) and Kai understands that the Beyblade and Bitbeast is only as strong as their Blader.
In my personal opinion, Kai is as interested in Tyson's journey as the rest of us. Kai has been taught that top notch skills and strength is what makes a good Blader but after meeting Tyson and the others he realises that, belief in yourself and your teammates/partners/friends and the willpower to keep pushing forward is important to win a match as well. What Kai seeks is absolute strength and that is what he finds in Tyson, not just as a Blader, but as a teammate, a rival and ultimately, a friend.
And it was also pointed out, that if Kai should've won against Tyson, then for the exact same reason, Rei could've won or so could've Max, but they didn't because there is something about Tyson and Kai that put them above those two, and similarly there is something about Tyson that puts him on the top.
And finally what I'd like to say is that, the S3 tournament final is in no way the end of Kai's Beyblading career, he and Tyson will continue to challenge each other during the course of their lives and sometimes Tyson will win and sometimes Kai will win, (as he does in the beginning of Rising manga I believe) and the outcome of their battles will always depend on not just their individual strength but external factors as well, so I don't see a point in denoting these wins to terms like "plot armour", because literally anything in the plot can be denoted to this, depending on the likes/dislikes of the person reading/watching the series.
At the end of the day, Tyson and Kai will continue to win and lose against each other and still neither would ever think less of their rival, so why should we?
Thank you so much ayushi for answering this! I agree with each point you've stated here with transparency and extreme genuineness. I really really appreciate that. You were honest and open enough to express your thoughts. Also thanks for mentioning me in the post.
I'd take the honor to re-highlight (re-quote) your statements which I liked the most:
1.However, personally, I do think that Tyson is stronger than Kai, in fact I believe that Kai thinks the same too otherwise he honestly would not go up against Tyson as often as he does, since his goal is to always be the strongest.
2.And it was also pointed out, that if Kai should've won against Tyson, then for the exact same reason, Rei could've won or so could've Max, but they didn't because there is something about Tyson and Kai that put them above those two, and similarly there is something about Tyson that puts him on the top. PERIODT.
3. I don't see a point in denoting these wins to terms like "plot armour", because literally anything in the plot can be denoted to this, depending on the likes/dislikes of the person reading/watching the series. PERIODT, again.
