Theory Final Tournament Line-up Discussion/Predictions

[Kaoz]

Atleast we Know a glimpse of Ryoga's shots. Also, he is a copy of Nanjiroh, and we have also an idea on the playing style of Nanjiroh(Zone,Closed eyes,Nitoryu)

The only moves Ryoga has shown are multi-ball strikes and Destruction, neither of which will be an issue for his opponent, no matter if it's Ryoma or someone else. As for the rest, we don't actually know these things. They're just assumptions.

Speaking of assumptions, there's another very significant one that we've all been making so far: that the match format in the finals will be the same as in the semis. But, considering that Konomi already changed the format between the quarterfinals and semifinals, there's no real reason why he couldn't do it again. Going back to the D2 -> D1 -> S3 -> S2 -> S1 format would be weird of course, but what if the finals are going to be the same as the G10 matches?

If the finals followed the same format as the G10 matches, suddenly we'd have 13 slots left over rather than 10. This means there would easily be enough space for all 9 remaining middle schoolers plus 4 high schoolers. While I wouldn't consider this scenario probable, it's at least possible and maybe interesting to play around with.

Spoiler: Didn't put a whole lot of thought into this, but as an example

Vs Germany
D1: Irie/Kirihara
S1: Byoudouin

Vs Spain
D3: Kite/Marui
S4: Fuji
D2: Tanegshima/Sengoku
S3: Kintarou
D1: Atobe/Oshitari
S2: Tokugawa
S1: Ryoma

 

[mathematicianrcg]

The only moves Ryoga has shown are multi-ball strikes and Destruction, neither of which will be an issue for his opponent, no matter if it's Ryoma or someone else. As for the rest, we don't actually know these things. They're just assumptions.

Speaking of assumptions, there's another very significant one that we've all been making so far: that the match format in the finals will be the same as in the semis. But, considering that Konomi already changed the format between the quarterfinals and semifinals, there's no real reason why he couldn't do it again. Going back to the D2 -> D1 -> S3 -> S2 -> S1 format would be weird of course, but what if the finals are going to be the same as the G10 matches?

If the finals followed the same format as the G10 matches, suddenly we'd have 13 slots left over rather than 10. This means there would easily be enough space for all 9 remaining middle schoolers plus 4 high schoolers. While I wouldn't consider this scenario probable, it's at least possible and maybe interesting to play around with.

Spoiler: Didn't put a whole lot of thought into this, but as an example

Vs Germany
D1: Irie/Kirihara
S1: Byoudouin

Vs Spain
D3: Kite/Marui
S4: Fuji
D2: Tanegshima/Sengoku
S3: Kintarou
D1: Atobe/Oshitari
S2: Tokugawa
S1: Ryoma

Wow 3 Middle Schoolers in Singles. Well, those 3 are the best middle schoolers left. (Aside from Yuki and Sanada).

If that is the format, it would probably take 2 or maybe 3 years to finish. (IS IT 3 SETS MATCH? OR ONE SET MATCH?)

Anyway, I think that format is unlikely.

 

[iamred]

Ochi playing again would make him an outlier among the G10. Everyone else will have two "proper" matches at most under their belts whereas Ochi has three if you add another. Starting with the ones who most likely won't play another match:

• Mouri: No. 9/10, France
• Tohno: No. 7/8, Greece
• Kimijima: No. 7/8, France
• Duke: Pre-WC, Germany

Byoudouin would need to play against both Germany and Spain to get more than two, which everyone seems to agree is unlikely. Same for Ohmagari. Tanegashima, admittedly, is another candidate for bucking the trend and having a third match in addition to his G10 appearance and the one vs Greece. But you could at least argue that he's actually grouped with Tokugawa, Irie and Oni, whereas Ochi undoubtedly belongs to the G10 category.

Can you make an argument why Ochi is more important than the other G10 and what questions specifically still need to be resolved in his case?

Has Ochi lost a real match? No. Kabaji stepping in doesn't count. The players you mentioned in bullet points have all lost matches straight up, which is why they won't play again against stiffer competition. But Ochi hasn't lost, was Hyotei's former captain, and I don't see Kogami putting a middle schooler in the tier of Kirihara/Marui above Ochi. There is easily more story here.

Why do you think Marui's character goal has anything to do with Jackal? Wouldn't Jackal have been featured more prominently in the no. 7/8 match in this case, for instance by being involved in Marui's negotiation in some way?

Not when Yukimura - a vastly more important character - and his injury was still in play. It's pretty clear Jackal feels bad Marui moved on in this series, I just think it would be an easy resolution to Marui's character arc for him to return to his old doubles partner. Marui doesn't have much else in terms of backstory - yet he is clearly one of the better doubles players Japan has. But I admit I am spit-balling about Marui's character resolution.

Is there any reason why Spain won't follow the Rikkai trend and win the first two matches of the round while losing the remaining three? Sure, that makes the third and fourth matches less open-ended, but it simply provides a different narrative flow, which may be more appropriate for a final.

Ryoga isn't significantly less mysterious than Medanore. While we've seen him hit a couple shots before, the limits of his abilities are still completely unknown. Also, Yukimura was introduced pretty early on, so wouldn't that match Ryoga's timing more?

I don't foresee Kogami repeating himself so obviously, but to answer the question, once again, I don't think Ryoma plays S1. I think he plays S3, and having the match be 1-1 at that point makes the stakes of his match as high as possible and even allows a much higher probability that he could lose. I think Tokugawa plays S1 with Medanore, because I believe Tokugawa is the best on Japan (which this series is really about, not Ryoma per se although he is obviously important) and Medanore has been set up as the best on Spain (small chance a transfer like Ryoga is S1, mysteriousness is immaterial on this point).[/QUOTE]

 

[Kaoz]

Has Ochi lost a real match? No. Kabaji stepping in doesn't count. The players you mentioned in bullet points have all lost matches straight up, which is why they won't play again against stiffer competition. But Ochi hasn't lost, was Hyotei's former captain, and I don't see Kogami putting a middle schooler in the tier of Kirihara/Marui above Ochi. There is easily more story here.

Then by that logic, Mouri hasn't lost a real match either. Unless you want to argue that his match against Ochi during the Kanto tournament is somehow still relevant, despite his massive improvements since and it not being against the current competition at all. As far as his recent match history is concerned, Mouri's had one win and one loss that doesn't count, so from that perspective, there shouldn't be anything preventing him from facing tougher opponents.

As for Kirihara and Marui playing over Ochi, sure, realistically it doesn't make sense, but as you said yourself just the other day, it's more about the story than the realism. And in the story, the MSers are more important.

Finally, I'm still genuinely curious about what backstory you're expecting from an Ochi match. Not saying it needs to be super detailed or turn out right or anything, but I suspect you have some idea of what it could be. If it has something to do with his history at Hyoutei, wouldn't Atobe or Oshitari make for more fitting doubles partners than Fuji?

Not when Yukimura - a vastly more important character - and his injury was still in play.

But his injury wasn't still in play at the time. Based on what we knew, there were no injury concerns anymore. Konomi opted to bring it back specifically for that match. It didn't even have much of a payoff down the road, considering it remained unmentioned in Yukimura's next two matches and was then written out again at the beginning of the current one. The only remaining impact was on Mouri's and Yanagi's relationship.

I don't foresee Kogami repeating himself so obviously

Why not? He's repeated himself a lot over the past 20 years when it comes to match results:

• With the exception of Hyoutei 1, the first match of a tournament always ended with the main team winning in straight sets.
• With the exception of Hyoutei 1, any match that did not end in straight sets had the winner of the round lose the first completed match of that round (this covers St. Rudolph since D1 ended before D2 there).
• The winning team of a round has never lost the middle match of that round.

Depending on how you frame the story throughout Kanto, you could even argue that every final followed the two losses into three wins structure and no other match has.

Also, I didn't really want to make this about Ryoma, but since we're there, he's still the main character. Even leaving aside that Konomi referred to him as the protagonist in an interview when the series began, it's telling that we constantly followed him even during the hundred chapters he was away from Japan.

• We saw how he joined the US team.
• He made a brief appearance at the end of the pickup battle.
• He essentially had the second match of the Pre-WC, while also spectating and influencing the third one.
• We checked in on him after the Australia matches.
• He was again present during the Switzerland matches.

And then he rejoined and took care of an entire team together with Kintarou.

I won't argue against Tokugawa also being a very important character, having played two of the longest matches of the series so far, but he hasn't been as constant of a presence as Ryoma has. Because of that I find it very reasonable to put Ryoma a little ahead of him still. Maybe also noteworthy, just as Oni, Irie (and soon maybe Byoudouin) wanted to pass the torch to Tokugawa, Tokugawa was willing to do the same for Ryoma.

 

[iamred]

Then by that logic, Mouri hasn't lost a real match either.

Mouri played in the quarterfinals and clearly wrapped up his character arc already. Remember that I am basing much of what I am saying on character development and closing.

As for Kirihara and Marui playing over Ochi, sure, realistically it doesn't make sense, but as you said yourself just the other day, it's more about the story than the realism. And in the story, the MSers are more important.

I already have Marui playing, however, and Kirihara's development has been tied to realizing TnK is not necessary to play tennis. His arc can close with that.

Finally, I'm still genuinely curious about what backstory you're expecting from an Ochi match. Not saying it needs to be super detailed or turn out right or anything, but I suspect you have some idea of what it could be. If it has something to do with his history at Hyoutei, wouldn't Atobe or Oshitari make for more fitting doubles partners than Fuji?

To that point, Ochi has been used as frequently as other HSers who you would list as playing in the final matches, and he hasn't lost. It would make sense for him to reappear, whereas it wouldn't make sense for losers in the WC to reappear, especially since he's got so many ways in which Konomi could develop his character. This is a guy with a pro level serve, can use intimidation effectively, and a clear doubles player who outsmarted Heracles. I can easily see him having to develop his game against a Germany team who likely can handle his serve and won't be intimidated so easily.

Further, he's Hyotei's former captain. If my prediction is right, this will make it the second time in these WC matches that he plays with a former Seigaku player and the third time he's played in a doubles match with a Seigaku player (if we count Niou-Tezuka). We don't know much about what happened in the MS national championships when the 3rd years HSers were there except that Ochi raised Hyotei to a national level. I can see how playing another match with another Seigaku MSer and hearing how their passion and drive eventually led to the Nationals victory reminds him of the passion it took to raise Hyotei to national level heights, especially since he otherwise has had very calm, indifferent play (why is he like that? easy development Q&A).

But his injury wasn't still in play at the time. Based on what we knew, there were no injury concerns anymore. Konomi opted to bring it back specifically for that match. It didn't even have much of a payoff down the road, considering it remained unmentioned in Yukimura's next two matches and was then written out again at the beginning of the current one. The only remaining impact was on Mouri's and Yanagi's relationship.

It was in play, we just didn't know about it. Or think of it rather from Marui's perspective - HE didn't know about it. Further consider that returning to Jackal before the WC makes no sense, whereas at its close, it would.

Why not? He's repeated himself a lot over the past 20 years when it comes to match results

Fair enough, but the points you make ironically match my predictions.

Also, I didn't really want to make this about Ryoma, but since we're there, he's still the main character. Even leaving aside that Konomi referred to him as the protagonist in an interview when the series began, it's telling that we constantly followed him even during the hundred chapters he was away from Japan.

Sure, because Konomi always planned to bring him back, so it makes sense to see what he was doing in the mean time. Nevertheless, this hasn't been a series *about* Ryoma per se as PoT was. He isn't in every match and doesn't need to be, since the series isn't *ultimately* about him, although on an individual character basis, he is still main.

I won't argue against Tokugawa also being a very important character, having played two of the longest matches of the series so far, but he hasn't been as constant of a presence as Ryoma has. Because of that I find it very reasonable to put Ryoma a little ahead of him still. Maybe also noteworthy, just as Oni, Irie (and soon maybe Byoudouin) wanted to pass the torch to Tokugawa, Tokugawa was willing to do the same for Ryoma.

That makes my point for me. As yet, Byoudin has not officially passed that torch, and when he does, it would be to Tokugawa first. Yes, Tokugawa has said he would do the same for Ryoma, but it doesn't make sense for him to pass the torch before the torch is his in the first place. This, coupled with the fact we haven't seen him play individually in the WC (but have seen Ryoma, and recently, too), finally capped off with the important points I think you missed - 1) that Ryoga (non-Spaniard) would not make sense as S1 compared to Medanore (hyped as their #1 from the get-go); 2) that S3 at a 1-1 match score makes the Echizen match more unpredictable - makes it pretty likely that Tokugawa, not Ryoma, plays S1.

 

[Kaoz]

Mouri played in the quarterfinals and clearly wrapped up his character arc already. Remember that I am basing much of what I am saying on character development and closing.

And Ochi already played against Greece and doesn't really have an arc to wrap up. I feel the disagreement here mainly comes from whether the group league is part of the tournament we're in now or not. I suspect that if Ochi had played the exact same match, but in R1 vs Aramenoma, it'd be more obvious how similar his position is to that of the remaining G10.

As for Ochi's character, sure, there's stuff you could do with him, as you rightly pointed out. But the same goes for Kaji or Ohmagari or Date. Whatever could come out of Ochi being part of Hyoutei would largely be new to this next match, rather than a continuation of themes we've seen in his previous ones. It was the same with Mouri for that matter. Beyond the vague reference to the Big Three, his character development happened almost entirely in the France match.

It was in play, we just didn't know about it.

That's not how it works. There was a conscious decision on Konomi's part to make the injury a thing again. If it had never come up in all of NPoT, nobody reading it would've considered that some sort of omission. Because of this, it wasn't the only option and he could've made the negotiation about something else if he had wanted to align Marui's character development more closely with Jackal.

Fair enough, but the points you make ironically match my predictions.

They really don't. The one point I made in that paragraph is that Konomi has by and large stuck to patterns when it comes to match results. The match results for finales is that the main team gets backed into a corner and then makes a big comeback. This contradicts your prediction of them splitting the opening rounds to create a middle match that could go either way.

 

[iamred]

And Ochi already played against Greece and doesn't really have an arc to wrap up. I feel the disagreement here mainly comes from whether the group league is part of the tournament we're in now or not. I suspect that if Ochi had played the exact same match, but in R1 vs Aramenoma, it'd be more obvious how similar his position is to that of the remaining G10.

As for Ochi's character, sure, there's stuff you could do with him, as you rightly pointed out. But the same goes for Kaji or Ohmagari or Date. Whatever could come out of Ochi being part of Hyoutei would largely be new to this next match, rather than a continuation of themes we've seen in his previous ones. It was the same with Mouri for that matter. Beyond the vague reference to the Big Three, his character development happened almost entirely in the France match.

Think about how your two bold statements oppose one another. Hyotei and Rikkai HSers getting more attention from Konomi just makes sense, especially given Ochi has won against WC competition and the others you mention haven't.

That's not how it works. There was a conscious decision on Konomi's part to make the injury a thing again. If it had never come up in all of NPoT, nobody reading it would've considered that some sort of omission. Because of this, it wasn't the only option and he could've made the negotiation about something else if he had wanted to align Marui's character development more closely with Jackal.

You've said nothing here that I am disagreeing with lol. My point is that since I think Marui is going to play again, it would have made no sense for Marui to return to Jackal at that time, right before the WC. So what else can Konomi use for the negotiation? Yukimura's injury. There's really not much else we know about Marui that Kimijima could have negotiated about, and since Konomi opted against so developing Marui's character, it just makes sense he is willing to stick to what we already know about the guy: he likes sweets, net play, his captain, and has always teamed up with Jackal pre-WC. What else would you predict for the closing of his arc (since this discussion is presuming he has one) than a return to Jackal?

They really don't. The one point I made in that paragraph is that Konomi has by and large stuck to patterns when it comes to match results. The match results for finales is that the main team gets backed into a corner and then makes a big comeback. This contradicts your prediction of them splitting the opening rounds to create a middle match that could go either way.

Like the District or the Prefectural finals? You just mean Seigaku vs. Rikkai lol.

 

[mathematicianrcg]

We can stop this Japan cannot lose because they are the main team. That is not the case anymore in NPOT.

Seigaku never loses, even in District,Kantou, or nationals

While Japan lost to Germany and Switzerland. Japan is vulnerable to a loss. They do not have the " We are the main team, we cannot lose" armor anymore.

 

[iamred]

We can stop this Japan cannot lose because they are the main team. That is not the case anymore in NPOT.

Seigaku never loses, even in District,Kantou, or nationals

While Japan lost to Germany and Switzerland. Japan is vulnerable to a loss. They do not have the " We are the main team, we cannot lose" armor anymore.

The point is that if this were to be the final arc in the series, there is no way Japan will lose. Have they lost matches that ultimately had no meaningful impact on advancing in the WC? Sure, to create some hype. Analogously, Ryoma lost unofficial and therefore relatively meaningless matches in PoT to create hype for the real ones. And if there were to be further arcs, then I would happily say I have no idea what will happen. But I started my prediction with "If Konomi is ending the series with this..." and I stand by it as stated.

 

[erosares286]

We can stop this Japan cannot lose because they are the main team. That is not the case anymore in NPOT.

Seigaku never loses, even in District,Kantou, or nationals

While Japan lost to Germany and Switzerland. Japan is vulnerable to a loss. They do not have the " We are the main team, we cannot lose" armor anymore.

I think its too early for japan to win the world cup, imagine, rank 23 then out of nowhere become champ. Entering the top 4 is already a big accomplishment for them so i stick with my prediction, Spain will win this tournament.
Btw, if ryoma stays with the US team, do you think Ryoga will stay also? And if they both play with US, do you think US will win the championship?

 

[mathematicianrcg]

I think its too early for japan to win the world cup, imagine, rank 23 then out of nowhere become champ. Entering the top 4 is already a big accomplishment for them so i stick with my prediction, Spain will win this tournament.
Btw, if ryoma stays with the US team, do you think Ryoga will stay also? And if they both play with US, do you think US will win the championship?

If Ryoma and Ryoga stayed in US, they would probably win against Spain, and even the championship

Why?

Ryoma and Ryoga disappearance hurt USA's deep rotation. Now, Usa has only Ralph,Alan,Dodo,Kiko, to anchor the team.


And that 4 played against Swiss. So, there is a big chance they did not play against spain yet. As Kaoz said,it is probably Giesel, Pacino, and Rocky that lost against Spain's D2 and S3.

Remember Swiss is ranked no.2 while spain is ranked no.4.So, it is logical for Usa to have a stronger lineup against Swiss than Spain. I think they do not want yo repeat players, especially when they have a surprise reaction that Ralph will play back to back

Now, Ralph is forced to play back to back because of Usa's thin rotation. That will not happen if Ryoma and Ryoga is still with them.


And lastly Ryoga.

In POT, Whatever Ryoma's team is, it is the champion. Now, I predict in NPOT, whatever Ryoga's team is will be the champion

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 24, 2020, Original Post Date: Jun 24, 2020 ---

The point is that if this were to be the final arc in the series, there is no way Japan will lose. Have they lost matches that ultimately had no meaningful impact on advancing in the WC? Sure, to create some hype. Analogously, Ryoma lost unofficial and therefore relatively meaningless matches in PoT to create hype for the real ones. And if there were to be further arcs, then I would happily say I have no idea what will happen. But I started my prediction with "If Konomi is ending the series with this..." and I stand by it as stated.

To whom Ryoma lose unofficially though in POT? As far as I know it is only Tezuka. Fuji is leading Ryoma 4-3 when it is interrupted.But Tezuka and Fuji is both his teammates. Ryoma always lose to nanjiroh(Does not matter really).

Is there someone who beated Ryoma unofficially which is in other schools back in POT in the manga? As far as I know, none. (sanada vs ryoma unofficial is only in anime)

 

[erosares286]

If Ryoma and Ryoga stayed in US, they would probably win against Spain, and even the championship

Why?

Ryoma and Ryoga disappearance hurt USA's deep rotation. Now, Usa has only Ralph,Alan,Dodo,Kiko, to anchor the team.


And that 4 played against Swiss. So, there is a big chance they did not play against spain yet. As Kaoz said,it is probably Giesel, Pacino, and Rocky that lost against Spain's D2 and S3.

Remember Swiss is ranked no.2 while spain is ranked no.4.So, it is logical for Usa to have a stronger lineup against Swiss than Spain. I think they do not want yo repeat players, especially when they have a surprise reaction that Ralph will play back to back

Now, Ralph is forced to play back to back because of Usa's thin rotation. That will not happen if Ryoma and Ryoga is still with them.


And lastly Ryoga.

In POT, Whatever Ryoma's team is, it is the champion. Now, I predict in NPOT, whatever Ryoga's team is will be the champion

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 24, 2020, Original Post Date: Jun 24, 2020 ---

To whom Ryoma lose unofficially though in POT? As far as I know it is only Tezuka. Fuji is leading Ryoma 4-3 when it is interrupted.But Tezuka and Fuji is both his teammates. Ryoma always lose to nanjiroh(Does not matter really).

Is there someone who beated Ryoma unofficially which is in other schools back in POT in the manga? As far as I know, none. (sanada vs ryoma unofficial is only in anime)

Agree with you, if echizen brothers stay with the US, they have a very strong line-up, anyway, excited for this month, maybe we will see the result between spain vs us, also between tezuka and yukimura

 

[mathematicianrcg]

Agree with you, if echizen brothers stay with the US, they have a very strong line-up, anyway, excited for this month, maybe we will see the result between spain vs us, also between tezuka and yukimura

The weakness of USA is the MS. Their MS is really weak to the point that Ryoma did not even played them. Their MS also lose terribly against Randy and Albert. I rank Rocky as below average player. And obviously he is better than their MS. Only Ryoma was their competent MS back then. And now Ryoma is gone too.

Yeah. Spain Vs USA should have been finished now. But there is a part of me that Konomi can give a plot twist and make Spain Vs USA 2-2(It will imply Ralph beat Ryoga, unlikely but not imppssible)

Yukimura and Tezuka, that is the main game/event next chapters. Hope it will be a match to remember

 

[erosares286]

The weakness of USA is the MS. Their MS is really weak to the point that Ryoma did not even played them. Their MS also lose terribly against Randy and Albert. I rank Rocky as below average player. And obviously he is better than their MS. Only Ryoma was their competent MS back then. And now Ryoma is gone too.

Yeah. Spain Vs USA should have been finished now. But there is a part of me that Konomi can give a plot twist and make Spain Vs USA 2-2(It will imply Ralph beat Ryoga, unlikely but not imppssible)

Yukimura and Tezuka, that is the main game/event next chapters. Hope it will be a match to remember

I think Japan has the most stacked MSers in the tournament. Honestly im disappointed when konomi bring ryoma back to japanese team, imagine, ralph/ryoga vs byou/tokugawa, ryoma vs kintarou, usa w/echizen brothers vs japan will be a good match-up

 

[iamred]

But Tezuka and Fuji is both his teammates.

How is that relevant to my point? You skipped over the bulk of what I'm saying and end up admitting the rest anyways.

 

[mathematicianrcg]

How is that relevant to my point? You skipped over the bulk of what I'm saying and end up admitting the rest anyways.

If I skip the rest, that means I agree.

The only one I am contending is you said that

" Ryoma loses non meaningful matches in POT to create hype for the real ones"

But no one in POT non seigaku players that beat Ryoma to hype themselves.

How is Ryoma losing to Tezuka and almost to Fuji unoffficially related to creating hypes for the real matches?????

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 25, 2020, Original Post Date: Jun 25, 2020 ---

I think Japan has the most stacked MSers in the tournament. Honestly im disappointed when konomi bring ryoma back to japanese team, imagine, ralph/ryoga vs byou/tokugawa, ryoma vs kintarou, usa w/echizen brothers vs japan will be a good match-up

Yes. And Usa has the least talented MSers.

Usa Vs Japan can still happen if Germany beats Japan and Spain Beats Usa.

But echizen brothers is not with USA anymore making the rotation of USA very stiff. As they needed to play 3 untalented Msers. They always put Dodo in doubles with a MS to balance their lineup.(Since Echizen brothers leave)

As for if Japan Vs Usa battle for 3rd, that will be a good matchup especially if @Kaoz is right that alan,kiko, and dodo did not play against spain.

 

[Kaoz]

Think about how your two bold statements oppose one another. Hyotei and Rikkai HSers getting more attention from Konomi just makes sense, especially given Ochi has won against WC competition and the others you mention haven't.

I wouldn't say Mouri has gotten more attention either, though. He wasn't treated more favourably than Duke, Kimijima or Tohno. So I don't see that as a reason to expect Ochi to get a more favourable treatment just because he's from one of the known middle schools.

The other reason why I'm skeptical is that, according to Konomi's interview in volume 23.5, the high schoolers' main function is to serve as mentors to the middle schoolers. Ochi and Oishi's doubles match even symbolized that. If that stays true, it seems to me that Ochi's own backstory is less significant and doesn't guarantee him another match to dive more deeply into his past.

What else would you predict for the closing of his arc (since this discussion is presuming he has one) than a return to Jackal?

I'd expect Marui's combination with Kite to be expanded on rather than being diminished. I could also see some development involving Kaji if there's a more generic goal for Marui, like becoming the best volleyer or something along those lines.

Like the District or the Prefectural finals? You just mean Seigaku vs. Rikkai lol.

Yeah, I do. To put it another way, the finals against Fudomine and Yamabuki were midpoints whereas the two against Rikkai were (potential) endpoints. As in, the series was very, very unlikely to end after either of the former, but could've well ended after either of the latter. I'm expecting the WC finals to be an endpoint though and re-use that pattern accordingly.

 

[André Vinícius]

But echizen brothers is not with USA anymore making the rotation of USA very stiff. As they needed to play 3 untalented Msers. They always put Dodo in doubles with a MS to balance their lineup.(Since Echizen brothers leave)

I don't think the rule of 3 MSr still counts, since Germany already used only 2 MSr agaisnt South Africa (and probably will use only 2 agaisnt Japan) but this rule could still be active since Germany already broke rules before when Tezuka (apparently) played agaisnt 2 teams in the group stage (TUBE and South Africa)

It would actually be funny if Germany won agaisnt Japan and then be declassified for so many rule breaking and Japan go to the final

 

[Kaoz]

I don't think the rule of 3 MSr still counts, since Germany already used only 2 MSr agaisnt South Africa (and probably will use only 2 agaisnt Japan) but this rule could still be active since Germany already broke rules before when Tezuka (apparently) played agaisnt 2 teams in the group stage (TUBE and South Africa)

They used three: Tezuka, Frankensteiner and Bertie.

Also, I wouldn't really take the cover showing Tezuka against TUBE at face value. He was probably just shown there because he's Germany's most iconic player, similar to how Ryoma was surrounded only by American high schoolers after the Sweden match, rather than unknown middle schoolers.

 

[André Vinícius]

They used three: Tezuka, Frankensteiner and Bertie.

Also, I wouldn't really take the cover showing Tezuka against TUBE at face value. He was probably just shown there because he's Germany's most iconic player, similar to how Ryoma was surrounded only by American high schoolers after the Sweden match, rather than unknown middle schoolers.

Right, Bertie is an MSr forgot about that it's been years believing he was a HSr and I was only pointed that this year, but in the end about the situation about TUBE the ones in line should be the ones that played, USA agaisnt Denmark (i believe that's what you're referring) you can't really say who is in the line (even though seems only 1 MSr played) so it can pass but in Germany case seems clear Tezuka was in the line up and this is a completely useless situation Konomi created, seems something he didn't think through before doing