Entry 011: Eyeshield 21" Ep. 106-120

Dear Internet,

                It is about time that the Kantou Tournament got under way.  With this last batch of fifteen, I have now finished 120 episodes.  So, that means only 25 episodes left.  I would not be surprised at this point to learn that the series got canceled without a real ending.  It would not be the first time I have seen this happen.  Memories of numerous shows, like "Deadman Wonderland," are called forth where the show stops before a final resolution is made, usually because of the source material moving slower than the new medium version.  But that is more for me to tell you about once this is over.  Now, I have to deal with this group of episodes.

                Agon Kongo, the monster wide receiver, has got to be one of the most refreshing antagonists that this show has offered.  Before or after nearly every single match that has been played on this show, it has become customary to humanize or de-villainize the opponent of the month.  From Shin of the White Knights to Rui of the Chameleons, every single challenger that appears is made to be sympathetic with enough time or a short back-story.  They are either also aiming for the Christmas Bowl or attempting to conquer their own hurdles.  Agon is none of these thing and that is good, or at least for the story it is.  Not only is he the embodiment of the argument that natural talent supersedes effort, but his motives are that of a villain, an actual villain.  On the sidelines of the scrimmage match against the Poseidons, he dislocates Kengo Mizumachi's arm.  In scenes later on episodes down the line, he beats random gangsters until they bleed for his own amusement.  

                But how is this a good thing, you ask, Internet?  With every other antagonist that this show offers, there is always some level of restraint.  No other player shown is willing to break bones and hand out injuries for their own amusement.  With Agon, Sena and the rest had a real threat to their lives.  The match that they were playing was no longer a question of whether it was the last game they would play together but whether or not it was the last game they would be physically able to play.  For a change, the stakes of the game were raised.  Instead of not making it to the Christmas Bowl, the Devil Bats members worried about living to see tomorrow.  The only problem with Agon is the last scene he has in episode 119.  I can deal with him making a resolution to train for a change and actually developing himself rather than relying on his base talent.  What makes me do a double take is him grabbing a referee by the collar and throwing him with no mention of penalization.  Sure, it was after the game ended, but he just committed an assault in front of a stadium of witnesses.  I guess it is just going to be ignored.

                I hope that the episodes until the next game are few.  I am almost through this show, Internet.  Just a few more to go.

Yours in digital,

BeepBoop