Posted inFirst Impressions Kuroko no Basuke

Kuroko no Basuke 3 – 13

53 Comments

OP2 Sequence

OP2: 「ZERO」 by 小野賢章 CV: 黒子 (Ono Kensho CV: Kuroko)

「青い空の日」 (Aoi Sora no Hi)
“A Day with Light Blue Skies”

With the Kaijo arc finally out of the way, the story is taking a step back and finally giving us a good look into Kuroko’s past which goes hand-in-hand with the Generation of Miracles.

Long Over Due

Seeing how the show’s name is Kuroko no Basuke or the Basketball which Kuroko plays, it makes sense that we’d eventually get to see the back story for the titular character, right? While it would have made sense to give us some explanation maybe a season or two ago, I won’t argue that there’s something really fun about watching a younger Kuroko. And by really fun, I mean the shock of watching him nearly get crushed by the overwhelming pressure of Teiko’s basketball team. From his inability to stand out in any category and constantly dropping in internal team rankings, that overwhelming feeling of despair really caught me off guard.

Which in the long run makes sense since I doubt someone actively develop a skill set like Kuroko’s without some sort of adversity staring them right in the face. And even though we know just how far and effective Kuroko’s misdrection has become, what stood out wasn’t how he developed the skill but the reason why he even pursued it — Akashi. Something about how Akashi was able to see Kuroko’s latent abilities and enabled him to improve himself by giving him a glimpse of what to do was downright scary.

Flipping onto the lighter side of things, I was really happy that we got to see just how close Kuroko and Aomine. It’s been clear as day that the two had something special between them but seeing Aomine grow from a simple practice buddy into a true friend just felt good.

Looking Forward

Without the pressure of needing to win a game, the story’s hit a really interesting spot. While it is technically a flashback, the fact that we’ve never treaded here before and the story’s willingness to finally tell us everything means we’re in for one hell of a ride. Even though we all know what will eventually happen as the Generation of Miracles begin to completely destroy their opponents, I can’t wait to see all the things that lead up to that point.

Catch you next week! Also, if you didn’t catch the singer for the new opening, it’s Kuroko’s voice actor — and boy does his voice sound good!

 

ED2 Sequence

ED2: 「アンビバレンス」 (Anbibarensu) by SCREEN mode

Preview

53 Comments

  1. PTYW
    April 5, 2015,

    It feels fresh to see them so young and bright.

  2. Blue
    April 5, 2015,

    I was truly surprised to see just how much manga ground they covered in this episode.

    • Richie Kim
      April 5, 2015,

      That’s because many manga scenes have been omitted.

      Though I should be grateful that they’re doing this in order to cover the final arc truthfully, my favourite scene of the bromance conversation of Aomine and Kuroko has been omitted.
      That was a good sign of their friendship that I wished I could see that conversation in the anime.

      That happens in the last quarter of this episode, so you’ll get the feeling it doesn’t fit right, especially Haizaki’s scene looks like it’s been too abrupt.

      Nevertheless, it’s still a good episode for me to watch Kuroko’s efforts in becoming the Phantom 6th man. 😉

    • Cusack
      April 6, 2015,

      I also felt that this episode’s pace was a bit fast.

      • Kuroko the Best Shooter (Kuroko hype \o/ captain)
        April 6, 2015,

        According to this tweet, The new OP/ED will be used for 4 episodes, so I’m assuming this means Teiko arc is 4 episodes.
        https://twitter.com/kurobasanime/status/583489739258363904

        A good thing, in my opinion, because I heard the last match is the longest and I hope it gets enough episodes. I also heard parts of the Teiko flashback are already covered in the Kuroko no Basket: Tip Off Special so you might want to check that out.

      • Caspi
        April 6, 2015,

        So there will be a 3rd OP and ED once the Teiko arc is over?

      • Kaye
        April 6, 2015,

        If that’s true then I wish the 3rd season had 28 episode instead of 26 so they could properly adapt Teiko arc in 6 episodes.

      • Heike
        April 8, 2015,

        I’ve been waiting to see the Teiko arc animated and I’m glad that it’s finally here. I love the new Teiko OP and ED too. I see that people are saying it’s rushed, I don’t feel that it’s rushed, but it definitely seems to be moving at a faster pace.

  3. sterben
    April 5, 2015,

    that aomine and the “FUA” pass was the best tho

    • chibi-killua
      April 6, 2015,

      This Aomine is more likable. If only he didn’t change and stayed this way.

      • Hitler-kun
        April 6, 2015,

        I still can’t get used to seeing this cheerful and overly-friendly Aomine.

  5. random viewer
    April 5, 2015,

    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%2013%20-%20Large%2008.jpg
    The start of a beautiful friendship.
    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%2013%20-%20Large%2024.jpg
    His debut game…
    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%2013%20-%20Large%2025.jpg
    He really did get a nosebleed that it’s unbelievable.
    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%20ED2%20-%20Large%2006.jpg
    Deja-vu…. I saw this before…I think.

    • chibi-killua
      April 6, 2015,

      It was nice seeing the early development of Kuroko and Aomine’s friendship as well as Midorima and Akashi.

    • SexyNoJutsu
      April 7, 2015,

      That first knuckle bump! I loved the early friendship between Aomine and Kuroko. So sad they will never go back to that.

      • SexyNoJutsu
        April 7, 2015,

        Great to hear that! That’s how it should be. I’m already looking forward to the Extra Game. 🙂

  6. Red HeartGold ZX
    April 6, 2015,

    I was kinda looking forward to Kuroko and Momoi moments
    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%2013%20-%20Large%2022.jpg

    In my opinion, it would’ve been better if this is the kind of animation Kuroko has whenever he uses his misdirection in-game
    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%20OP2%20-%20Large%2007.jpg

    Love triangle, anyone? o.O
    http://images.randomc.net/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke/Kuroko%20no%20Basuke%203%20-%20OP2%20-%20Large%2003.jpg

    • Kenpachi Fried Chicken
      April 6, 2015,

      Momoi has huge oppai even as a middle schooler.

    • WarriorsHeart
      April 7, 2015,

      I really miss how magical misdirection was portrayed as in the very first episode of this series and am glad that this episode has reproduced that awesome effect.

  7. Cusack
    April 6, 2015,

    The new OP and ED are pretty good. Pretty awesome seeing how it all started, they all look so young haha

    • Barry
      April 7, 2015,

      I know Teiko arc is dedicated to Kuroko and the Generation of Miracles but damn, no love for Kagami at all in the new opening and ending.

      • WarriorsHeart
        April 7, 2015,

        Don’t worry. He’ll be back.

    • lesley
      April 6, 2015,

      Wow this episode was amazing. Favorite so far from this season! So great that we can finally learn more about Kuroko as we hardly know anything about him.

    • SexyNoJutsu
      April 7, 2015,

      “In my first game, I tripped and I had a nosebleed” – Kuroko to Furihata

      We finally get to see that in this episode. Also it was cool to see everyone looking so young!

  12. Yukie
    April 6, 2015,

    Kuroko w/ emotions! So Akashi was the one who turned Tetsu into his current deadpan self.

    • SK
      April 6, 2015,

      I don’t think he was being that harsh though. Sometimes, there are talent gaps that hard work just cannot make up for, and if it wasn’t for the assist from Akashi, nothing Kuroko did would have enabled him to make the first team. In the long run, stringing him along knowing he had no shot would have been more cruel, in my opinion.

    • kim
      April 7, 2015,

      Woot! Teiko arc! I can’t help but become an Akashi fangirl through out the entire episode.

  16. Richie Kim
    April 6, 2015,

    Is it me or Nijimura doesn’t get enough spotlight?
    Even if he only appears in this flashback arc, he was considered the best power forward, and might have been around Kagami’s level (when Kagami first challenged Kise).

    Of course it’ll be great if Mr Fujimaki is planning to bring Nijimura back in the manga (maybe you never know if he became stronger than before).
    But for now, I would like to see how charismatic Nijimura can be to the team back then.

    • Heike
      April 8, 2015,

      Yes, I’d like to see more focus on Teiko Captain Shuzo Nijimura. I hope he gets more screen time next week.

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