anime episode summaries

Farewell My Friend! But I Still Believe in You!

After swallowing the 2nd (yellow) pill, Chouji uses his Partial Multi-Size Technique, allowing him to stretch out his body parts so he can crush the Jiroubou from afar. He smashes the enemy with his hand but the enemy then uses Chouji’s outstretched arm to pick him up and throw him. Afterwards, Chouji uses his Ultra Multi-Size Technique which makes him as big as a mountain and he drops on top of the enemy.

Jiroubou reaches Cursed Seal Level II (he changed appearance, too) and uses Rising Palm to lift Chouji up and throw him away. Chouji feels pain from the side-effects of his special pills and he can’t stand up. Chouji gets beaten around and he recalls his childhood in which he’s playing ninja with some kids and his team looses in hide-and-seek because of him. The enemy absorbs Chouji’s chakra and he throws him around. He then eats Chouji’s chips and tells him he’s a pathetic loser that nobody wants. Chouji then recalls his childhood again where nobody would want to team up with him because he’s too slow. His dad tells him that someday, Chouji will find a friend who will accept him for what he is. The enemy tells Chouji that he’ll come after Shikamaru and the others after he’s done with him.

Yatta!Shikamaru and the rest make marks on the tree barks they pass by so that Chouji will be able to follow them. They resolve to get Sasuke before Chouji catches up. Jiroubou’s teammates wonder why he’s late. Chouji thinks of swallowing the remaining red pill but he knows that it’ll kill him. Shikamaru recalls the day he and Chouji became friends. As Jiroubou prepares to kill him with his Crushing Palm, Chouji swallows the last pill and dodges. Chouji grows butterfly wings and stops Jiroubou’s Rock Slam. Chouji declares that he’s 100x more stronger than before. He punches the enemy for 1) eating his snack, 2) calling him fat and useless, and 3) insulting Shikamaru. Chouji gathers all his remaining chakra into his arm and gives the enemy one last powerful punch. Jiroubou dies but Chouji drops to the ground, too.

Chouji walks for a while and sees the marks his team left. Chouji is touched and cries because he realizes he has friends but the pain he feels makes it impossible for him to go on any further. Chouji drops against a tree and Shikamaru gets a bad premonition.

Night Before LIVE

Saku in his element.Koyuki and Saku are excited about DyBre’s new album. During homeroom period, Koyuki’s class is deciding on the representatives for the swimming intramurals. Hyodo and gang nominates Koyuki in almost all the events (50m butterfly, 200m medley, 100m backstroke) while insulting Saitou-san as well. Koyuki doesn’t mind though. Koyuki and Saku watch another Beck set. Ryuusuke does some mad DJ scratching techniques with Lucille. Saku also praises Chiba’s charm and Taira’s funky bass work. However, he mentions that the current drummer, Toudou-san (Ryuusuke’s bandmate from Serial Mama), is the one holding Beck down. Over dinner, the band worries about their financial situation.

During the intrams, Hyodo and gang are surprised Koyuki is winning in swimming and that their class is cheering him on. Saitou-san is coaching him furiously (wearing spandex trunks, of course). Hyodo’s lackeys (I guess some of them are from the other sections), who are apparently competing, too, resolve to defeat him in the other matches. Koyuki wants to give up because of fatigue but Maho-chan shows up wearing a bikini, offering to help him stretch. While stretching, Maho tells Koyuki that Toudou-san is quitting and that Beck may disband without a drummer. To motivate Koyuki, Maho promises that she’ll do anything Koyuki wants if he wins. Maho-chan cheers him on and although Koyuki bumps his head into the gutter, he wins anyway. Hyodo looks pissed. After the intrams, Koyuki finds Saitou-san teaching Momoko-sensei how to swim.

Koyuki and Saku see Toudou-san leaving Ryuusuke’s place. Ryuusuke sees Saku reading a drumming magazine. They ask Saku to play drums (and he’s good!). Ryuusuke and Taira discuss about letting Koyuki and Saku join Beck. Taira doesn’t mind Saku joining but he thinks Koyuki isn’t good enough yet. Ryuusuke says chemistry is the most important aspect of a band, even more than technique. Chiba tells Koyuki and Saku that Beck’s going to have another live set soon. Beck practices some more.

More screenshots:

Beck’s last set with Toudou-san
Maho helping Koyuki stretch.

I love Ryuusuke’s shirts.
Koyuki and Taira practicing.