Yowapeda / Yowamushi Pedal

Episode 20 –

spoiler

It’s Manami’s turn to shine now as he competes for a spot on his Inter-High team. I enjoyed his back story and how he fell in love with cycling. Of course Manami wins the spot. Now he’ll see Sakamichi again!

I laughed at how impressed Sakamichi, Imaizumi, and Naruko were with visiting Makishima at home. I loved all the thoughts running through their heads. The boys are there with Tadokoro to watch a video. Of a marathon? It’s really a Road Relay in Hakone and Tadokoro wants the first years to watch the runner’s feet – and the road. It’s going to be their course for the Inter-High! That was all the boys needed to hear to watch the video intently.

Afterwards, Makishima explains the difficulties and conditions they will face on this course. They will also be against twenty other schools with six to a team. This means that they will also be fighting against 120 other racers. Sakamichi is starting to feel intimidated as Makishima continues talking. He also finds out that the Inter-High is three days long and Hakone is only the first day! When the first years hear what happened the previous year, they all get intimidated. Nothing like scaring the heck out of your teammates! But I understand why Makishima and Tadokoro are trying to prepare them. It’s going to be a really tough race!

Episode 21 –

spoiler

It’s the Inter-High race from a year ago. There’s a good rivalry between Kinjou and Fukutomi. The accident was a shame, but Fukutomi was at fault. Even injured, Kinjou would not give up, but Hakone still won the second stage. Kinjou brought Sohoku in at sixty-ninth place. Such a shame, especially since he was in the lead before the accident. Kinjou doesn’t tell his team what happened and takes all the blame upon himself. However, Fukutomi does admit his fault and formally apologizes to the Sohoku team. Tadokoro punches him out anyway. I can understand how Tadokoro feels. Emotions tend to run high in competitions.

After the Inter-High that year, Fukutomi comes to Sohoku to visit Kinjou. Once again, he formally apologizes and even presents an apology gift. Kinjou invites Fukutomi to ride with him so they can talk. Fukutomi wants a favor from Kinjou and asks Kinjou to race against him again at the next Inter-High.

Now that the first years know what happened the previous year, they know why it’s so vital to win the Inter-High this year, and why it’s so important to Kinjou. Kinjou knows his team is strong and is determined to win. There will be a lot riding on this race!

Episode 22 –

spoiler

It’s finally time for the Inter-High and Sakamichi is completely intimidated by the crowds of people there. He becomes a total nervous wreck! It’s his first race after all, and it’s much more than he expected. Makishima finally calms Sakamichi down, and now Sakamichi wonders if he’ll see Manami. The Hakone team arrives, but Manami is not with them. He had actually missed the bus, but Sakamichi doesn’t know that. He thinks that perhaps Manami did not make the team.

The opening ceremony begins and when Hakone is called to the sage, Manami makes it just in time. Sakamichi is excited to finally see him. Kinjou and Fukutomi exchange hard looks. Sakamichi approaches the stage and when Manami sees him, Sakamichi holds up the water bottle. It was funny to see how Minami greeted him. Imaizumi skipped the opening ceremony to look for his own rival in the crowd. He hears Midousuji’s voice near the stage and runs towards it.

Midousuji jumps up on the stage and vows to crush Hakone. Imaizumi arrives at the stage at the same time. Midousuji sees him too. I think he really enjoyed looking down on Imaizumi as he makes fun of him and laughs. This creepy guy is really crazy! Why does no one remove this nut from the stage? He continues to provoke Imaizumi until Imaizumi takes a swing at him. He misses, but it probably wasn’t a good thing to do. It comes out that Midousuji is also a cheater that uses underhanded tricks. Before Imaizumi can hit him again, Naruko stands up for his friend.

A real fight is about to break out, but Kinjou stops Naruko, and Fukutomi stops Midousuji, telling him to settle things during the race. Now Sohoku has some really bad rivals from Kyoto Fushimi that they are going to have to watch out for. I like the honest rivalry with Hakone much better.

The race is about to start as the racers line up with Hakone in the first spot. Supplies are passed out to the Sohoku team and once again, Sakamichi is way too nervous. He falls off his bike before the race even starts, but apparently it’s just what he needed to calm down. Sakamichi seems more focused now, and ready to race. He’s also excited too, and thankful to be on such an amazing team. He vows to do his best as the gun goes off, and the race begins!

Episode 23 –

spoiler

I absolutely adore Sakamichi’s mom! A bit of an airhead and knowing that her son is so into anime, she keeps thinking that the bike race has something to do with anime. LOL And she wants a souvenir! Would a trophy make a good one?

The crowd cheers as the race starts. Sakamichi feels different. He’s never been part of such a pack before and likens it to a “massive animal”. He begins to get nervous again. Imaizumi calms him down and tells Sakamichi that the first couple of miles are just a parade for the spectators. After Imaizumi and Naruko joke around a bit, Sakamichi feels much better. Manami backs up to talk to Sakamichi and the others are a bit stunned that Sakamichi is speaking to someone from Hakone – their rivals. But it’s all good.

At the two mile mark, the flag is waved and the racers take off. Now, the real race begins. Sakamichi hopes he can keep up with everyone. The first part of the course is flat, so it’s time for the sprinters to shine. Naruko is excited and Tadokoro has trouble holding him back. He has a strategy and finally lets Naruko have his way. Both Naruko and Tadokoro vie for the lead, and it’s confusing to the other racers. First, that Sohoku had two sprinters and second, the way that they are riding.

The Misaki racer breaks free of the pack and thinks he’s in the lead, but Tadokoro and Naruko are suddenly on either side of him, and passing him, still arguing about who should go first. And it seems that was Kinjou’s plan! He knew that each one would not want to lose to the other. The competition between Tadokoro and Naruko will keep them on their toes and hopefully, ahead of the pack.

But the Hakone sprinter has caught up to them. I like how Izumida unzipped his jersey. LOL Was that display supposed to intimidate Tadokoro and Naruko? Naruko starts to move ahead again, but Tadokoro stops him. The checkpoint is close and after talking to them, Izumida takes off. Sohoku has trouble catching up to him too. Who will hit the checkpoint first?

Episode 24 –

spoiler

“There’s more to this guy than his eyelashes!” So says Naruko as Izumida remains in the lead! Meanwhile, the rest of the pack remains behind and Sakamichi wonders how his teammates are doing. Fukutomi backs up to speak to Kinjou. He apologizes again for the previous year, but apologizes don’t really matter now. Fukutomi tells Kinjou that he will atone by fighting Kinjou in this race. His Hakone team is strong and Fukutomi promises to beat Sohoku with everything he has. The gauntlet has been thrown down, and Kinjou just smiles. Slapping Fukutomi on the back, Kinjou vows that his team won’t lose either. Both captains seem to think their team will pass the checkpoint first. So who will it be?

Ignoring the wind, Izumida moves further ahead. Tadokoro and Naruko can’t catch up! Izumida trained hard for this race and I can see why he wants to win. With only a few meters left to the checkpoint, Tadokoro and Naruko are still fighting with each other. Izumida is confident of reaching the checkpoint first. However, Naruko is one that loves the wind – and the wind loves him! Naruko speeds up! Due to his increased lung capacity, Tadokoro speeds up as well. Izumida is surprised by both opponents. Izumida apologizes for underestimating Sohoku, as they shoot ahead of him. But Izumida isn’t defeated yet!

Episode 25 –

spoiler

The three boys are still racing to the checkpoint, probably the longest one ever since it’s taking three episodes to get there! LOL Each boy is relying on his own secret weapon and they are pulling out all the stops now. Tadokoro and Naruko are still ahead of Izumida, but he’s slowly gaining on them. I’m not sure who will get to the checkpoint first, but the insights of “Andy” and “Frank” are really amusing me. LOL “Abs! Abs! Abs!” Even Izumida is amazed that Andy and Frank have different personalities. He thought he raised them “equally”! But no matter their personalities, Andy and Frank are perfect in Izumida’s eyes.

Izumida pulls ahead of Naruko and Tadokoro, much to their annoyance, saying that the first checkpoint is his. But Naruko and Tadokoro catch up and the three racers are neck and neck. Izumida inches ahead again, and continues to pull away, with his chant of “Abs! Abs! Abs!” After discussing their losses, Naruko and Tadokoro find the strength to move forward again and they catch up to Izumida, surprising him. The three are neck and neck again, yet Izumida is still confident that he will be first.

Izumida is ahead again, but the other two won’t be left behind! They pass Izumida, but he speeds forward again. Then the three are neck and neck again. How much longer can this go on? LOL Eighty meters are left and the wind picks up, knocking over the cones. The boys are racing an obstacle course now. Once again, Izumida mistakenly believes himself to be in the lead, but the two from Sohoku have just passed him! In a final burst of speed, Tadokoro passes the checkpoint first, with Naruko right behind him. Izumida is a far third. Well, you just had to know that Sohoku would take it first!

Episode 26 –

spoiler

Since they won the checkpoint, the Sohoku team gets to lead the pack. Cool! Sakamichi is thrilled and intimidated at the same time. Tadokoro and Naruko are still quibbling and Izumida has no idea how he lost to those two. He still thinks it was a coincidence, but Tadokoro explains it to him. Izumida realizes that Tadokoro is right and cries, apologizing to Andy and Frank. He then unzips his jersey to give them a much needed rest. LOL Poor abs!

The mountains will be next and that means Sakamichi and Makishima will be up. All the climbers will. It was kind of gross to see Midousuji eat the fly, but he’s a creepy kind of guy. Sakamichi knows that Tadokoro and Naruko gave everything they had. Now, it’s his turn to give to the team. Kinjou gives the team the final instructions for the climb, and Sakamichi gets to lead them!

Sakamichi soon meets Hakone’s climber, Toudou, but at first he thinks it’s Manami. Toudou is already working on Sakamichi’s mind too. Toudou also announces that he won’t let Sohoku win the mountain. At a sharp turn just before the feed zone, a crash is heard and I think it was Sakamichi. Naruko tells Kinjou that he’s missing from the group! Actually many riders have crashed. Sohoku gets word that someone fell and everyone is worried that it was Sakamichi. Have they lost a climber?

Sakamichi was one of the ones that fell. And he lost his helmet too. He may be injured, but his only concern is getting back to his team and doing his job. Others have recovered and are leaving, but Sakamichi’s chain came off, and he goes into a panic. He finally fixes it, but then an official asks him if he wants to drop out. That throws him into a greater panic. The official tells him that he’s the last one! Sure enough, the feed zone is being cleaned up and Sakamichi is the only rider still there.

Meanwhile, Kinjou knows they’re in trouble. Imaizumi is getting tired, and Tadokoro and Naruko have already done their job. He knows that the mountain will be a further strain on all of them. Kinjou gets word that Sakamichi is in last place. What strategy will Kinjou come up with now? I hope Sakamichi can catch up! Even will all that is going on, the bit after the credits was hysterical. Sakamichi will win over Imaizumi yet! LOL

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Apr. 1, 2014 07:00

Episode 27 –

spoiler

With Sakamichi in last place, it’s up to Makishima to get the team up that mountain. However, Naruko speaks up for Sakamichi, reminding Kinjou that he hasn’t dropped out and that they need him. But there’s no time to wait for Sakamichi, as Makishima points out that the Hakone team is right next to them. Toudou is all ready to go up against Makishima. However, another school has made its move!

Toudou goes after Tatebayashi from Nagano, and beats him back. The Sohoku and Hakone teams climb together once more. Toudou is only interested in racing his rival, but Makishima refuses the challenge. More schools pass as Toudou begs Makishima to race him to the top of the mountain. As much as Makishima wants to, he knows that he needs to stay with his team.

Toudou’s pleas finally get to Makishima and he accelerates. But he thinks better of it and remains with his team. Toudou just screams out his rage. He needs to be reminded that for the pride of Hakone, he needs to take that mountain checkpoint first. Toudou goes on ahead and it’s killing Makishima that he can’t go after him. Meanwhile, Sakamichi is trying to catch up. Will he make it in time?

Episode 28 –

spoiler

Sakamichi needs to get past 100 riders in order to reach his team, and he is determined to do it! And he’s singing! Meanwhile, Makishima predicts that his situation will change in three minutes. He knows Sakamichi won’t let them down. In fact, the entire team knows that Sakamichi will be with them soon. But Hakone is positive that Sakamichi won’t get past the other cyclists behind them.

And it’s true. When Sakamichi reaches the main pack, there’s no way to pass them. His pace slows and he has no idea what to do. But he won’t give up. People are depending on him! He figures out a way and rides along the edge of the gutter. It’s not easy, but he manages to pass much of the main pack. And he’s done it! Sakamichi has passed 100 riders! But the last one is the scary Midousuji, and I think Sakamichi is about to have a fight on his hands.

Midousuji is not about to let Sakamichi pass him. Sakamichi is starting to feel intimidated, but knows he has to overcome it. He speeds up and thinks he’s past Midousuji, but when he looks, Midousuji is next to him again. Looks like it’s going to be a race between just the two of them for a while. And Midousuji is creepier than ever, as he puts Sakamichi and the Sohoku team down. He leaves Sakamichi in the dust as he pulls so far ahead.

Knowing that his team is waiting for him and that gives him the incentive to speed up again. He finally leaves Midousuji behind as he keeps accelerating. And there in the distance is the Sohoku team! Yay, Sakamichi! You did it! He apologizes as he catches up, but Makishima was right – three minutes, exactly! Arakita of Hakone is just stunned, but I think Manami is pleased. As soon as Sakamichi joins his teammates, Makishima takes off! It’s time for him to settle the score with Toudou!

Weekly Shounen Champion announces the results of their official Yowamushi Pedal character popularity poll

Episode 29 –

spoiler

Toudou is in first place on his way up the mountain and his school is there to cheer him on, but some of his clubmates note that he looks a bit overworked. Much more than he should be. What happened to him? His clubmates think he’s sick and perhaps he is. But he’ll need to do something because Tatebayashi from Nagano is gaining on him! For a second there, Toudou thought it might be Makishima. Disappointed, he speeds up.

But there is someone behind Tatebayashi and from the onlooker’s descriptions, Toudou just has to look back. Yes! It’s Makishima! But it can’t be him. He left Makishima far behind with his team and he wouldn’t abandon them. But Toudou just has to look back again and Tatebayashi passes him, with a shout of triumph. Toudou sees that it is indeed Makishima as the “Spider” catches up to him.

Tatebayashi thinks he’s won the mountain, but the peak is still two kilometers away. Anything can happen within that distance and I’m sure it will. Of course, now that Toudou can compete against Makishima, he perks right up and the race is on! Tatebayashi is a bit surprised to find two competitors immediately behind him when he was so sure he left everyone far behind.

Within seconds, the happy duo of Toudou and Makishima pass Tatebayashi, and he can’t catch up to them again. I think his dream of “Mountain King” just bit the dust! Toudou now knows that Sakamichi caught up to his team and made it possible for Makishima to face Toudou. Toudou had no idea Sakamichi was a climber and intends to thank him after the race, and the duo continues their race to the summit checkpoint.

One kilometer goes by very quickly and one is left to go. Both boys are happy that they get to race one another as they’ve always wanted to do. For the final kilometer, the friendly rivalry gets more intense, since this will be their last climb together. This is not a race between schools, but a race between friends and neither boy intends to lose, as they both speed up. 800 meters are left and the boys continue to fight it out, occasionally bumping into one another.

First one, then the other takes the lead, and this is still going on at the 400 meter mark. Makishima has reached his limit, but still has the resolve to continue on, since it’s Toudou he’s up against. Toudou is feeling the same way. At 100 meters, the boys are still neck and neck. Will the race end in a draw? Do either of them have the strength left to pull slightly ahead to win the checkpoint?

Both boys are numb at this point but are willing to give “every last drop” in order to win. And they are still even with one another. Yelling out one another’s names, they cross the mountain checkpoint. And the results are in! Hakone has won! But it wasn’t by much. Toudou thanks Makishima for the past three years. The Hakone and Sohoku teams are told the results and Sakamichi is a bit disappointed until the time is pointed out to him.

Sohoku has nothing to be ashamed of and Kinjou orders Sakamichi to take Imaizumi and Naruko and get to Makishima. The Hakone and Sohoku teams still have their own race to finish! Can Sakamichi lead his team to victory? He must be exhausted as well, since he spent a lot of energy catching up to his team. However, I’m sure Sakamichi can do it. It was even nice to see Manami tell Sakamichi that they might have their own epic race one day as Toudou and Makishima just did. Makishima not taking Toudou’s call at the end of the episode was hysterical. Toudou looked like a stalker. LOL

Episode 30 –

spoiler

It’s down to Sohoku and Hakone for the lead! Kinjou and Imaizumi vs. Fukutomi and Arakita! It’s only three kilometers to the finish line, but plenty can happen in just three kilometers. Arakita is another strange one, but he’s like an animal on the hunt when it counts, and his prey is the finish line!

It was interesting to see how Arakita met Fukutomi and got into cycling. And why he’s so determined to get Fukutomi over the finish line now. Imaizumi is fighting his own battle. Hakone passes Sohoku! But it isn’t over yet. With 500 meters left, Imaizumi has caught up to Arakita. Now the aces take over and it’s Kinjou and Fukutomi, racing neck and neck to the finish line. Suddenly, Midousuji comes flying out of nowhere! Will he end up winning?

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Episode 31 –

spoiler

Now that everyone is tired, Midousuji has made his move. And it’s just as he’s planned. All he has to do is pass Kinjou and Fukutomi now and he will win. Midousuji is also a bit on the insane side. He’s after a total three day victory, but I really hope he doesn’t win.

Kinjou and Fukutomi are still competing for the finish line and are not all that concerned with Midousuji. The finish line is in sight and my heart is in my mouth again. At the fifty meter mark, Midousuji tries to pass Kinjou and Fukutomi, but they are still in front of him! That annoys him and at forty meters, he takes the lead. At thirty meters, it’s Fukutomi. At twenty meters, it’s Kinjou. And at ten meters, it’s impossible to tell.

All three riders cross the finish line, seemingly at the same time. And all three are congratulated. So who won? Even the officials seem to be having a hard time over the results. And it’s a three way tie! I wasn’t expecting that. No one else was either. It’s an unprecedented win. The three are honored at the awards ceremony and Tadokoro gets his award for winning the sprint. It’s a very proud day for Sohoku.

Toudou gets his award as well and calls Makishima to the stage. But the embarrassed guy refuses to go and Toudou later berates him. Manami visits with Sakamichi. But there isn’t anything to talk about if they aren’t riding. LOL Toudou pays Sakamichi a compliment as well. However, it’s only the first day and there is no time to relax. Tomorrow’s race will be even more brutal. Later that day, Tadokoro gets sick and collapses. He doesn’t want Makishima to tell anyone either.

Episode 32 -

spoiler

How can Makishima keep Tadokoro’s illness a secret? How can he not? If even one member is missing, the team won’t survive. Tadokoro insists that he’ll be fine after some rest, but I’m not so sure. I think his illness is more serious than that. However, Makishima does keep the secret. I wonder if Kinjou saw through the flimsy excuse. And Makishima looks so worried, the others are sure to notice.

Imaizumi is fighting his own demons. He just lost to Midousuji – again. All the preparations to beat him came to nothing. He’s starting to feel like a useless loser and thinks there’s no reason for him to be in this race any longer. Kinjou asks if he’s feeling ill, but Imaizumi says it’s nothing. Kinjou compliments him on the day’s race.

Each team prepares for the next day’s race. It was funny when Sakamichi’s mom showed up. She still doesn’t understand about the race, but she encourages her son and that counts for a lot. Sakamichi feels like he can do anything now. The next day, Sohoku makes their entrance to a cheering crowd. Today’s stage of the race is over 100 kilometers, and it’s going to be another tough course.

Sakamichi doesn’t like having his picture taken! It’s just too much for the shy kid. He’s also a bundle of nerves again. Everyone lines up for the race, with the winners in the lead. Sakamichi becomes more focused. Kinjou has given him his orders and he know the team’s strategy. And the race begins! Sohoku suddenly realizes that Tadokoro isn’t with them. In fact, he hasn’t even left the starting line!

Episode 33 –

spoiler

Tadokoro has finally left the starting line, but it’s obvious to others that he’s ill. He won’t be able to last long and he already made Makishima promise to leave him behind. Sakamichi knows that something is very wrong. Teshima and Aoyagi catch up to Tadokoro and give him a push, but an official catches them and makes them stop.

Just as Tadokoro resolves to catch up to his team, the pack passes him. Now, he’s last. Naruko keeps bothering Makishima about Tadokoro, so Makishima has to break his promise and tell them why he’s abandoning Tadokoro. Upon hearing that Tadokoro is sick, Sakamichi feels that they should go back to him and help. Makishima explains why they can’t do that, so Sakamichi says he will go alone. Makishima has to explain why they can’t afford to lose him either. But Sakamichi still wants to go back.

As Tadokoro struggles, he comes upon Sakamichi. Of course Tadokoro yells at Sakamichi for coming back. Tadokoro wants him to go back, but Sakamichi says he will take him back to the team. Sakamichi has an order form Kinjou – to bring the entire team to him.

To speed things up, Sakamichi is going to sing! And he wants Tadokoro to join him, but he refuses. However, Tadokoro eventually gives in if it will mean passing other riders. It was hysterical to see Tadokoro singing! Especially that song! But now I wonder how Tadokoro knows the song without Sakamichi prompting him. And they do begin to pass other riders. But what must they think of these two singing about a princess? LOL

Tadokoro has put his faith in Sakamichi and he isn’t disappointed. He’s actually starting to believe that he may catch up to his team. Tadokoro is slowly recovering his energy too, all thanks to Sakamichi and his princess. And creepy Midousuji is working on Imaizumi’s mind again, telling him that his Sohoku team has fallen apart. Thankfully, Kinjou won’t let him listen. Unfortunately, the rest of Midousuji’s team has shown up and Hakone is moving up as well. But where is Sohoku? Imaizumi begins to wonder if Midousuji is right.

Episode 34 –

spoiler

Where is Sohoku? Imaizumi goes into a panic. Was Midousuji right? Did his team fall apart? Midousuji continues to taunt Imaizumi. Kinjou tells Imaizumi not to let Midousuji provoke him. However, Midousuji continues with his mental torture of Imaizumi and it seems to be hitting its mark.

Midousuji and his team move on, but the damage is done as his words echo in Imaizumi’s mind. Kinjou needs to snap Imaizumi out of it and fast. Meanwhile, Midousuji’s team has caught up to Hakone and now Midousuji is playing the same mind games with Fukutomi and his team.

Hakone’s Shinkai takes Midousuji up on his offer of a race to the checkpoint, which is five kilometers away. Shinkai is fast, but Midousuji is keeping up. However, his silly mind games don’t seem to be working on Shinkai. And Midousuji isn’t gaining on him either. His plan doesn’t seem to be working here. Good! I really don’t want to see creepy Midousuji win.

Yowamushi Pedal Cycling Anime’s 2nd Season Premieres in October

posted on 2014-05-18 06:44 EDT
Final episode of 1st season airs on June 30

Jul 22nd, 2014