Eyeshield 21 DVD Covers: Volumes 22 & 23 🕸🌎

And the plotttt thickens!! Currently on ep 73 (i saw a bit of ep 74 bc the previous ep left me a bit confused) and the team is coming together so nicely! I'm warming up to these guys even more and it's so nice to see their development :D so here's an updated version of what i think of these guys and after that abt the 4 or 3 games they had

Sena

It was nice seeing his growth and if i thought he was motivated b4...NOW he's REALLY into it. Despite this fact, i'm sure some people might find it annoying how he always has that little moment where he feels insecure and unnmotivated but i actually love those moments. It shows us that Sena isn't a machine, he really feels HUMAN and there's always moments where we feel weak and aren't always motivated. He might cower sometimes, sure, but it just shows how his trauma stuck to him. Being bullied for YEARS isn't for the weak so he always has that self-doubt of not being enough and ESPECIALLY with the extra pressure of being ''Eyeshield21'' and him ''needing'' to excel bc he's the ace of the team it's obvious that he would falter. What's great abt him is the people around him who are always happy to show to him that he isn't alone and after that, he's always able to lock in and do his best on the game.

Another thing I realized (which was pretty mcuh clear but wtv) is him being pretty much of a people pleaser, i should've noticed that early bc he does NOT like conflict but his game with Riku and he always coming to him despite winning a point or losing, really shows how he doesn't want to make his friend upset instead on focusing on wtv he had to do. Like, ofc Riku was being pretty rude but on the end of the day, he was doing what he had to: win for his team and see Sena, despite being a friend, as a rival. Sena (for a good part but then stopped) was focused on Riku's feelings and always talking to him to make sure they were on good terms instead of just focusing on winning and overcoming him without any guilt. Sena keeps getting more complex and im all in for that.

i didnt want to make a whole thing for riku bc ive literally been here for 2 hours (srry future me) but WOAH talk abt resentful...y u so mad your friend is getting better bc of something U taught him. chill.

Mamori

There's nothing more to add to the queen herself, she's as phenomenal as ever Oh but that ep where Yukimitsu-Hiruma-Mamori form a HELL of an experience just to show a point to the rest of the team was insane. Her acting skills were superb and i still wish to see more of that trio bc they truly are the smartest on the team. Also, the system she created to be able to talk to the team when they're out of timeouts was also a great idea! Only if FUCK ASS Hiruma didn't destroy her hard work bc he's a genius and all that, I'm sure Yukimitsu could've memorized them too.

It was also nice to see that she was always very protective of Sena since a child (we already knew this but kid Mamory is really cute!) and how she's always open to being nice and warm to anyone just as she did when she welcomed Riku into her friendship with Sena.

Hiruma

The HIGH PRIEST OF EVIL as the HA-HA Brothers very creatively named Hiruma once is now a victim of my indicisiveness....idk abt this guy. I certainly don't LOVE him but I've warmed up to some of his antics fuck </3 Lets start with the bad bc he still isn't a saint.

hiruma really is known in hell FUCK u mean that u WILLINGLY choose a strong nickname for your teammate KNOWING THEY ONLY HAVE ONE TRAIT THAT'S SIMILAR. i like sena as much as the next guy but no one shrinks 30 cm and facing the guy that knows the TRUE eyeshield21 must've been embarassing as fuck. I'm sure Deimon Devil Bats will win against that team but Hiruma commiting identity theft for SOMEONE else is remarkable. Put him in jail after the X-mas Ball. i know, i know, it doesn't really matter if he's fake or not bc what HE is doing is real but IM STILL SALTY ABT IT, I WOULD'VE BEEN EMBARASSED AS FUCK i can only wonder where and what happened to the real Eyeshield21.

Despite that and he STILL being asshole being unnecessarily mean to others but he is doing all he can for the X-mas ball. He made some CRAZY tactics and never gave up a fight no matter how hard it might've looked like. The game against Seibu insinuating for some moments that he could've been crying (ofc he wasn't, his skin is so warm due to being in hell so frequently that even if he was, they'd evaporate as quickly as they'd fall.) and when he went quiet really showed that this matters a hell of a lot to him. Him always trusting Eyeshield21 on the field despite him failing a couple of times, shows that he trusts his team (or his ability to choose competent people for his team but who knows.), i mean, not only E21 but everyone. All of his plans and tactics depend on every single each person on the team so he points out plans for people to achieve them, it's beautiful how everyone trust his plans and always aim to do their best regardless of their position. Hiruma IS the glue of the team and it's...surprisingly pleasant. I never noticed how much he is necessary until they fought the scorpions (i cant recall if that was canon or not.)

He's lucky that smarts and smart loud ass mouth makes SOMEWHAT up to his asshole-ness. oh yeah and i STILL want to see him interact with Musashi, he really seems to hold him to a special regard since he didn't let Monta and Sena touch Musashi's kicking support thing and that flashback where Musashi gets out of the game bc of his father, Hiruma seems frustrated abt it but lets him go bc ''his kick wouldn't be good if he was agitated'' or sum of the sorts but i FEEL that he said that bc well, it's true but also bc he didn't want Musashi to feel bad abt leaving the game to do wtv he felt was right. now that i look at it, why tf is Hiruma so mean to Kurita. He seems to like Musashi more and he aint even there </3 ill never understand the loud mouth hell given demon lord.

Kurita

Kurita...he's still sweet and it's nice to see that the whole team cares abt him and also notices that despite being soft-spoken and anxious he wants to win as much or even MORE (hiruma doesnt count) than anyone else there. He's still as caring AND it was really nice seeing him taking up on Hiruma's role and being a vice-CAPTAIN. Watching an assertive and secure Kurita was awesome and I'd like to see more of him like that. He's also gotten stronger the ''FUNARABA'' is relentless as it SHOULD be!

Monta

I'll gladly and without shame GLAZE THE HELL OUTTA HIM bc Monta outdones himself always. So, what more can u add to a character that you've already claimed as amazing?

I have to say this but it might come off as me protecting him (i am BUT id even do it if Hiruma was in this position) but it was really unfair that the ref didn't count Monta's ABSURD catching of the ball. What kind of rule was that?? ''Oh Tetsuma hit the ground first so the ball was technically his'' FUCK U MEAN BY THAT. As much as I'm aware no one RULES GRAVITY so if Tetsuma fell first it's on HIM, plus he jumped first than Monta and is taller than him so OFC he'd go to the floor first, that made no sense. They said in the beggining that whoever caught the ball won, MONTA did it. He was the one that touched that ball ALONE and all that hard work he did, keeping up with FUCKING TETSUMA which is INCREDIBLE isn't a feat for everyone. It being dismissed as dead ball or what not was pure disrespect and i will NOT stand by it. (im looking at SHIEN tho...ain't his parents rich? kidding but that ref gotta go.) SO that crash out was beyond resonable but good thing was that Tetsuma recognized what it meant if he kept going and stopped him. he also made tetsuma say 'what??' and show somewhat of a different expression so...Monta TRULY is amazing.

He also pulled some crazy stunts in the 3 or 4 games that happened and as always proved that he is a reliable teammate and friend. Always motivating who was in need to a confidence boost but never selling himself short just when he RIGHTFULLY called himself The Catching Ace, which he truly is. It'll always infuriate me when the other characters forget that he's also an amazing player like Eyeshield21. Oh yeah and i liked that he now is able to tackle more precisely and is a tad bit stronger than before! His morale is unwaverable and his dynamic with Sena, him telling that he'd do anything for Sena to be able to run his ass off is always marvellous to me <3

Komusubi

What a development. After the Poseidon arc, he might be my second favorite character bc he grew SO much and it was shown so much more of him which i find really good. I'm sure he was already insecure abt his height and that tall ass banana haired guy making fun of him(it's always the blond ones. what a pattern.) and bringing that out of him again, must've been terrible. That was so upsetting to me bc Komusubi is so cute:((. That even led to him running away from home but another good thing that was brought bc of that was that everyone on the team cared enough abt him to do their all to search for him..Kurita being so worried that he cried for him as if he were his own son was adorable. Plus even the HA-HA Brothers pretending not to care abt him but then searching for him by bike...awesome. Komusubi was always there to wait for them whenever the HA-HA brothers decided to give up playing...4 of them know that everyone in the line is necessary and i love it!

The side quest of him even joining Sumo classes just to be even stronger and Otawara being surprisingly mindfull and having a brain to teach Komusubi how to use the strengh of his rival to his own power was a goated advice, it also shows how good the White Knight team is genuinely a good one. Komusubi trained a HELL of a lot, no complaining, and put all his rage and hard work onto Poseidon's game which even made the banana tall haired asshole acknowledge him as a proper rival. He even was CORDIAL and NICE enough to shake that dude's hand after him bringing out his insecurities after being so humilliated.

He's just so sweet and a diligent hardworker, he's an amazing character and his dynamic with Kurita keeps as cute as ever!!

The HA-HA Brothers

Another pair that had a sweet development. No more quits for them and they're still motivated to win! Obviously they're still hot-headed but i've seen them defending (subtly) their teammates and that's so cute. They finally see themselves on the team and it shows. When Jumonji suggests that Eyeshield21 wouldn't go to Ishimaru's running thing but SENA could go as himself and the other HA-HA Brothers agree with him is so sweet...lying to master of hell Hiruma together as if they're a family really warmed my heart. Even Jumonji recognized that they were a team made me so warm inside :D. They can also hold a convo with the other guys without yelling or getting mad, lovable assholes

Yukimitsu and Ishimaru

Yukimitsu unfortunately didn't make the team but HE WILL AND I'LL DIE IN THAT HILL. Just as Monta and Sena said, the team will not be complete until he finally makes to an official game. He was another member that never gave up on the others despite not being there to play with them.

Ishimaru is here since i'd count him as an official member since his bizz with the track team is pretty much settled. People calling him plain always makes me feel bad for him </3 i'll forever defend 'plain' characters (ojiro from MHA, GET BEHIND ME). He's overall a nice guy and I'm glad Sena returned him the favor of joining the track club to substitute the guy that injured himself.

Suzuna and Taki

I'm finally came to terms with both of them. They're mostly doing their own thing so they're forgiven from their past sins. Suzuna's cheering outfit is pretty cute and now it doesn't seem like she's trying TOO hard to fit into the team, she feels like she belongs there now and I'm starting to like her more.

Well Taki is still there! I was worried abt some future showdown between him and Monta but none of that happen, secondary characters SEEM to know their place so fine by me! i've even started to like his 'A-hah-ha!'

Shin and Sakuraba

First of all, I'm really glad that Sakuraba finally stopped being a model and can fulltime dedicate himself to football as he always wanted but WOAHH THAT CERTAINLY IS A NEW LOOK. He went from regular 2nd year to inmate-fresh-outta-jail pretty quickly BUT i got used to it and at least he's playing and practsing hard just as he promised to the kid so i'm still cool with him! Plus I still want to see more interactions of him with number 3 bc that episode showing wtv was happening in Oujou was a good one and i wish there were more eps like that! I LOVE deimon but pls i wanna see what the opps are up to as well!

Shin is as cool as ever, i can sense him silently supporting Devil Bats despite his nonchalance OH and the advice he gave Sena when they were abt to face Poseidon was pretty neat as well.

'Kid' and Tetsuma

I just have to say that i'm happy that 'kid' has an actual name and I won't have to call a grown guy by a silly nickname anymore. Plus his name is Shien which is cute, I wonder why they don't use it that much? Wtv, i NEED to thank Tetsuma for shutting up my GLORIOUS king Monta or else they wouldn't have that other chance at playing. I have two alternatives to why he stopped Monta: a) he recognized Monta as a worthy opponent bc no one was able to take the ball from him while Monta was able to do it twice so he stopped him so that Devil Bats could play again OR b) he thought the refs position was somewhat unfair and wanted Devil Bats to have a second shot. REGARDLESS of the motive, what he did was cool and Tetsuma keeps being a character that i really like. Seeing him and SHIEN as kids was so cute! But i still wonder if that was the first time they met? Cuz in the flashback Tetsuma just appears on Shien's window and invites him to play..maybe their parents were friends? But they have a nice friendship and it's so cute that Tetsuma was just always the way he is-- the frown and the silence aren't new and i like it!!

Musashi

i was in ALL the games thinking just ''is he finally gonna join?'' ''is he coming?'' ''is it now?'' the time never came. But at least we finally got an explanation on why Musashi quit the team and the reason is pretty commendable. Being selfless enough to give up on something you really like just to make sure people around you can keep their jobs is not something just anyone would be willing to sacrifice. He's a good guy and him keeping up with the games shows that he still cares abt his teammates and the progress of Devil Bats but i really wish he came back to the team :(. I never realized on previous matches, probably bc they weren't serious, how MUCH of a difference having a kicker does. They could've won games more comfortably if Musashi was there but he has his priorities and it's ok. I still hope he comes to the following match and that his dad gets okay so he can play without guilt lmao

Rui

ik it's filler but Rui said sum like ''What's the difference between you (Hiruma) and me?'' and the difference between Rui and Hiruma are more than clear: Hiruma sold his soul to the devil. But on a serious note, Hiruma is an asshole allway round but there's no doubt he's the most committed and determined player on his team. He IS scary but his love for his goal is so true that made the other players 'infected' by his motivation and now all of them share a common goal: go to the X-mas ball. Besides the obvious fact that they all want to do it for themselves and how footbal changed their images of themselves and they want to show how much they've grown. On the other hand, only Rui seems to care abt the X-mas ball, there must be one or another player to care but it's not the WHOLE team. Rui is scary but that's pretty much it, he doesn't go to unholy lenghts to assure victory for his team and motivate them. Oh and Deimon Devil Bats see Hirumas as an asshole BUT they respect him as an american football captain, I think that Zokugaku only see Rui as strong BC of their whole troublemaker attire and look, not bc of football.

///////////////////////////////////////////

Now onto the games, I just have a HUGE doubt: i wonder why deimon can't have 3rd years playing, i truly don't remember if they mentioned why or sum. I don't really think deimon is THAT much of a prestigied high school to want their students to focus on their 3rd year studying for finals....or maybe the principal just gave them a sort of ''last chance'' since the american football team in the beggining only had 3 official players, so maybe they just gave them a last chance to play or something of the sorts..but knowing Hiruma he could have used his demon lord tactics to manipulate the principal so IDK!

So if i recall correctly there was Deimon against the Anima(?) guys, the ones that thought they were better bc theyy had science and drugs on their side; the game against Scorpions (idk if it was canon or not); Poseidon and Seibu. My favorite one was against Scorpions but the Seibu one was also really good! But it made me feel tooo much anxious for my taste LMAO even more than Poseidon. Anima won't have any commentary cuz idgaf, Scorpions was ok bc it gave development to some characters and Seibu commentary is around Monta, Shien and Tetsuma, and Hiruma so i'll have just a review on the one agaisnt Poseidon so lol,,,

DEIMON DEVIL BATS X KYOSHIN POSEIDON

Perfect, it was just perfect. This game made me mad, sad and happy. The game having only a point difference shows that either team could've won and how both of them are strong. The game was so nerve wrecking that at some points i truly thought Devil Bats was going to lose.

I really hate when people underestimate others so i really couldn't care less abt wtv was going on with Poseidon cuz if u can't even respect your opponents, you're not worthy enough to playing w/them imo. But I can say that they were really tough opponents and the blond one got really on my nerves bc it was clear that that game meant something to him. He WANTED to win it and him always snatching Eyeshield's final touchdowns was annoying but amazing play-wise.

Even though everyone shined in their own way this game came to set something clear which is: even though Eyeshield21 IS the ace and basically the 'face' of Devil Bats, he isn't the only amazing player there and he's not there alone, just like Yukimitsu said. Plus, his role here was also amazing, he never gave up on his team and was always there to give a pep talk to the team in order to keep them motivated. He was fighting alongside them just like anyone. Monta was also superb in here (as always), not one moment doubting E21 and being always a reassurance for him. That last move he pulled was AWESOME helping E21 with a little more height in that dive and it shows how reliable he is: he said he'd be there for Sena if he needed him. His tackles along the game were really good too and him catching that ball that Taki missed in Poseidon's try for another 2 points was also amazing. Komusubi had an inspiring growth from all this, he had to overcome the taunts from that tall blond guy and it really affected him, being the smallest on his team. His hard work was insane to overcome that gap of heights with strenght and it really proved to work. I jumped off my seat when he tackled the tall one in the last second. Spectacular really, he was amazing during this and he even came to the guy and shake his hand (id be totally pissed so Komusubi is way better than me) bc one way or another, that guy made Komusubi grow and he was an outstanding opponent. The line as always was there doing their work and the HA-HA Brothers motivating E21 was beautiful to see despite their divergences. Hiruma too despite being who he is, he never doubted his team which shows that he IS a team leader and trusts his team. He came up with crazy techniques that came to be really useful. E21 i think that he finally understood that this is not HIS team, not that i think he did it bc he is conceited but bc it's what the media think he is and that he absorved that thought to himself. He's IN the team with everyone else and that without them, he wouldn't have gotten so far. But im glad we was able to overcome Kekei(?), the blue haired guy's technique, tackle and despite being afraid and unmotivated sometimes, he truly has friends in that team.

uhh so yeah, yap session over.

Eyeshield 21 DVD Covers: Volumes 20 & 21 🕷🦶