What’s the show? Hanebado! Episode 11.

So what happens in this episode? Maybe it’s because the show was off last week, or maybe I’m losing my mind, but I actually really enjoyed this episode.

You mean the show that in past episode reviews you’ve called “annoying,” “inconsistent,” and “frustrating,” that show? Yes, and those adjectives still hold true. But for some reason, I found myself strangely okay with Ayano’s nonsense.

And why do you think that happened? Well, despite the weak characterization, the show manages to impress at times. It has transformed Ayano into an actual horror movie villain. The accompanying string music in one scene gave me chills, like something out of Psycho. It’s hard to believe how over-the-top Ayano has become. Even Fairy Tail villains are more subtle than her!

So it’s so bad it’s good? I hesitate to say that because it doesn’t do justice to the other exceptional aspects of the show. I don’t usually re-watch shows, but I’m tempted to with the knowledge that Ayano turns into such an over-the-top villain.

So, are you going to talk about the plot of this episode? There’s not much to discuss. It mostly serves as a preamble to the big final between Nagisa and Ayano. Ayano’s mother is as reprehensible as ever, Nagisa is a pillar of strength, and everyone else around them is varying degrees of “nice.” Ayano might as well grow a mustache and tie people to the railroad tracks! There’s a good scene where Elena tries to understand why Ayano is treating everyone poorly, and I can’t believe she doesn’t slap some sense into her!

Uh-huh, so do we get some actual badminton this episode? Absolutely! Well, we get precisely two points into the game, but it’s so well-written and gripping that it makes me want to watch a cut of the anime with only the badminton scenes!

Well-written how? The attention to detail in Nagisa’s strategy to outwit Ayano is masterful and flawlessly executed. It feels like a different show during these scenes, even though it’s always been this way; it’s just more apparent now.

So, what are your overall thoughts on the episode? In addition to being frustrating, as I mentioned before, because of the inconsistent characterization and conflicting ideas about what the show should be, it’s also frustrating that more thought wasn’t given to the long-term story and character development. However, if you view it with a certain mindset and forgive its flaws, you might enjoy what makes the show great. I’m almost inclined to recommend it again to those who have dropped it. Ayano’s villainous transformation has real comedic potential, if that’s your thing.

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