Harukana Receive – 05

(Anta no Kokoro ga Orerumade)
“Until Your Heart Breaks”

Fighting jetlag and getting back to an almost normal schedule, here’s last week’s Harukana Receive!

General Impressions

While I really enjoy this show, something that’s been really irking me as of late has to be Kanata’s insistence on using the same move over and over even when it’s not working. Looking back to two weeks ago when Kanata put herself in an incredibly depressing position by getting blocked time after time by a taller player, it was nice to see her embrace a new tactic that could effectively get her attacks over the block. That said, it blows me away that now that the “Pokey” has become her attack of choice, it’s the only thing she’s using. If anything, should she have learned by now that there’s more than one way to tackle a problem? Honestly, this wouldn’t normally get me all that mad except when there’s no one taller than her trying to block her out, why isn’t Kanata varying up her attacks?! God, the more I think about it the more it bugs me since this seems like a prime opportunity for her to try and vary up her play style.

That all said, I must say that the cheery personalities of Haruka and Kanata are doing wonders in alleviating all this extra stress that I’m feeling from watching them play. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t your typical sports show and Beach Volleyball seems to have a lot of nuances that the show is trying to touch on without throwing too much at us. Hopefully this means we’ll get a bit more of a payoff as the matches we see get drawn out longer.

At the end of the day though, it’s tough to say how I feel about this show. It had its ups and downs and I’m hoping we’re about to hit the end of this somewhat downward trajectory as the show bounces back up to even greater heights. Luckily I think a majority of the foundation has been laid and all that’s left now is for Haruka and Kanata to unlock their potential as protagonists of a freaking Beach Volleyball anime. Based on how this week’s episode ended though, it looks like we’re in a great spot to see something amazing happen with Haruka and Kanata’s backs against the wall.

In any case, I’ll see you guys next week (or rather in a few days)! Thanks again for dealing with the tardiness of these posts — jetlag has been killer and I don’t know how you jetsetters deal with it. See you later!

11 Comments

  1. Magnus Tancred

    it looks like were in a great spot to see something amazing happen with Haruka and Kanatas backs against the wall.Kanata might have a plan. As for what it is, I’m not sure myself. Tiring out the shorty? Surprise attack like Haruka’s on-two in their revenge match against Narumi?

  2. SMinstrel

    Kanata must has some tricks up her sleeves. The foreshadowing couldn’t be clear enough.

    • theirs

      I agree, but the question is: what is it? From what she’s saying, it looks like it has to do with their opponents being indoor players. The only major difference I can think of are terrain and number of players (role).

      • SMinstrel

        I will spoiler tag it just in case:I will put my money on Kanata trying to exhaust the other player out.1) The opposing team is experienced in indoor volleyball but unused to beach volleyball, and made numerous newbie mistakes in this episode.2) Beach volleyball is played with just two players per team, but the field is only slightly smaller than normal volleyball field. It’s much harder to move on sand to boot.3) The short player on the opposing team (can’t remember name) insists on receiving every “Pokey” that Kanata made. 4) In short, she’s doing the defending job normally shared by SIX volleyball players all by herself, on a field that’s harder for her to move around.5) She is visibly tired near the ending of this episodes.

      • Worldwidedepp

        Kanata play this Pokey right into the middle of these Two… or to the other Girl and since there are the “only 3 Touch” rule…

      • Worldwidedepp

        or (i would do it) i would suddenly turn from “always play pokey” to smashing or point the ball into the corners with an down smash

  3. Worldwidedepp

    From the Screenshots i see here the “fan service” is okay. Do you know Strike Witches? Yes these Witches with Propeller Engines on their Legs and flying in Swimsuits or Panties visible? So did they focus on their crouch, Boobies or Ass? No, super because when there was some shots its happen naturally or because of “flybye” effects.. This kind of Fanservice can work here, too.. This is my meaning of “focus on Sport and do not try to make the Boobies, Ass shots as the Main dish”Lately there was an Beach volleyball WM.. There should also be plenty of inspirations out theremy Guts tell me “All Green!”

    • Sv

      Haha but the butt anime Keijo!! was also quite fun though.

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