Shounen Robot x Laserbeam Hangout Thread

[Kaoz]

Hm I dunno. I feel if Youzan wins it might go a bit against what he said about Robo being superior to him and embodying his ideal. If he wins I feel like it'll be by a very small margin, e.g. he takes the first hole and they tie for the rest, or Robo hits the bottom of the flag when it would've gone in otherwise. Something like that. I think they both have to go away from this with wanting to face each other again, so Robo can't lose too badly. I also think it'd be weird if Robo made lots of mistakes at the start considering that even on his first attempt at the driving range, he was really close to the green.

I do agree though that we'll get to hear Youzan's analysis. Looking forward to that for sure.

 

[Brandish μ]

Hmm that could work. Though Youzan can win stroke wise without feeling superior to Robo. He already feels inferior (in ch1) to Robo's ball striking. And Youzan can probably deduce Robo's potential which will drive him as well.

What result here would work best for Robo's character?

Be quite interesting to get interactions on a personal level between Youzan and Robo.

 

[Kaoz]

What result here would work best for Robo's character?

Probably a relatively balanced one? He should realize in which ways he's inferior to Youzan of course, but on the other hand I feel like if it's a blowout his motivation might go down rather than up. Like, suppose he loses by 5 strokes or so, he'll probably just conclude he's not particularly well-suited for golf. I think that if Youzan wins it should end with him going "I won, but..." and with Robo feeling some burning resolve from Youzan to win "for real" next time.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 5, 2017, Original Post Date: Apr 3, 2017 ---

Something that's been on my mind recently: what do you think the scope of the series is actually going to be? Will we stick the high school setting or will Robo ultimately go pro? We know Youzan's goal is to become a professional, but what about Robo?

 

[kahl]

KnB was my favorite manga/anime and I'm not surprised why I'm hooked with Tadatoshi's new series with only 3 chapters out now.

May I ask how often will the new chapters be issue? Thank you.

 

[Kaoz]

May I ask how often will the new chapters be issue? Thank you.

It's a weekly series.

 

[kahl]

It's a weekly series.

Thank you, Kaoz. I'm excited about this new series. The fact that they look like Akashi x Kuroko and Aomine helped out to even liked this. And I haven't known the sport of Golf which added to my curiosity. Haha.

 

[Brandish μ]

Something that's been on my mind recently: what do you think the scope of the series is actually going to be? Will we stick the high school setting or will Robo ultimately go pro? We know Youzan's goal is to become a professional, but what about Robo?

Hmmm well I can see it staying in a high school setting for a while, at least for Robo. I will need to be corrected on this likely, but to my knowledge golfers can go professional at any age provided they win or have good tournament results. So Youzan could go pro soon. Though from a narrative stance we should get more Robo v Youzan before the latter is ready to take the next step, since that will be good for both golfers' development.

 

[Kaoz]

I think they need funding too, but I could see Youzan being able to get a sponsor without too much trouble considering he already seems to be quite famous on the amateur circuit. I do agree though that this won't happen all that soon and that we'll get school and amateur individual competitions first though. But I could also see this, eventually, being a way to either elevate Youzan above the rest or to introduce new rivals down the line depending on his performance.

That said, I don't think we will or should get to see Youzan and Robo compete directly in quick succession. After this mini competition and maybe one proper round, I feel like they'll both work on their game for a while and maybe meet new people and introduce new characters that way.

 

[Spirit]

I'm glad to see that my predictions about chapter 3 weren't too far off. Robo doesn't even know it yet but I think he actually feels... something, for Gold when he watches Youzan play. I did not expect them to face off so early on though. Youzan's ability to hit such a shot with an Iron at that distance is incredible. Robo may well have more talent, but Youzan has the Skill. Still, Robo's Eagle seemed to surprise even him. A fluke? I'm willing to doubt it. He knew where he was aiming.

 

[Kaoz]

Youzan's ability to hit such a shot with an Iron at that distance is incredible. Robo may well have more talent, but Youzan has the Skill.

Yeah, both showed some incredible abilities already. Though in Robo's case I wonder if a 70% swing means 70% distance too - in which he'd be able to go 370 yards at full power. Normally that would be preposterous and realistically I doubt it, but depending on the direction this series is going to take I wouldn't be surprised either if it turned out to be the case. Then Youzan might either be able to go even beyond that or the growth aspect will really barely be about Robo and Youzan will be the one trying to catch up.

Still, Robo's Eagle seemed to surprise even him. A fluke? I'm willing to doubt it. He knew where he was aiming.

He aimed for the hole there for sure. Dunno if he expected it to go in after his drive was apparently off by a meter, but since he was able to use a club he was already comfortable with on the second shot, it's no surprise that this one was right on target.

Either way, I'd expect Youzan to take the next hole. Given that they're probably playing holes 2, 3 and 4 during this match, there's a good chance the next one won't be par 4 and Youzan should be able to take advantage of that.

 

[Brandish μ]

Lol didn't realise ch 4 was out...

It was always going to be annoying for Youzan that Robo is not interested in golf. Especially with being raised with such discipline. So that was a good part to this chapter.

Amazing play from Robo in his first hole. An eagle. His driving was great. He probably won't be able to keep up with Youzan if he used a driver but with Robo's ball striking it seems he won't be far off. I do wonder if he'll play conservatively with his tee-off's though since he did not the difference between iron and wood.

Other points for me were Robo not wanting to lose, and Youzan's comment about pressure. I wonder if they come up in the next chapter.

I wonder how this match goes down. Does Robo win say 1X1 but stroke wise Youzan wins? Or vice versa? Or they draw?

 

[Holt]

Well for someone who knew very little about golf, I'm sure learning a lot from the series. For someone so passionate about golf, Youzan definitely won't be able to stand Robo but still, he's ability can't be joked about, It was rather impressive that Robo won the first hole. I guess Youzan will win a hole or two but it seems unlikely that Robo will lose. Even though his calculations are sometimes off, he stil does way to good. I'm eager to see how this plays out

 

[kahl]

Well for someone who knew very little about golf, I'm sure learning a lot from the series. For someone so passionate about golf, Youzan definitely won't be able to stand Robo but still, he's ability can't be joked about, It was rather impressive that Robo won the first hole. I guess Youzan will win a hole or two but it seems unlikely that Robo will lose. Even though his calculations are sometimes off, he stil does way to good. I'm eager to see how this plays out

Same here.

 

[Kaoz]

I do wonder if he'll play conservatively with his tee-off's though since he did not the difference between iron and wood.

It seemed like he didn't quite understand the reason for his shot being off by a meter, so I'd almost expect him to try the exact same thing again on the next hole and check if that one's also one meter away from the spot he aimed for or if the distance is different. On the other hand I wonder if Youzan might start taking more risks on the remaining two holes. It seemed like he played this first one really safe, but he might just have to go for broke at this rate.

Other points for me were Robo not wanting to lose, and Youzan's comment about pressure. I wonder if they come up in the next chapter.

Do you mean they might be connected or just in general?

I wonder how this match goes down. Does Robo win say 1X1 but stroke wise Youzan wins? Or vice versa? Or they draw?

I reckon the circumstances will be more interesting than the result itself. Robo winning holes one and three by one, but losing the second one badly could happen, in which case it might indicate a weakness on a certain type of course, but I'd almost expect the opposite to happen in a way? Like Robo being superior overall, but Youzan, realizing that he's cornered, trying to hit his best shot and actually making it. Putting it that way, I guess I could see Youzan hitting one perfect sound this match.

For someone so passionate about golf, Youzan definitely won't be able to stand Robo but still, he's ability can't be joked about,

For sure. I mean, it must be annoying especially because Robo is so good at it. If he had no talent at all it wouldn't be a big deal, but if Youzan ends up losing against someone who shows so little interest in the sport after undergoing rigorous training, he'll be fuming with anger. I actually wonder what's going to happen if he does end up losing - will he just go back to practicing to one day surpass Robo or will he join Tomoya's efforts to make Robo interested in golf? I think it'd be kinda interesting if Youzan and Tomoya ended up becoming buddies over trying to make Robo join a club.

Btw, something I found interesting: the chapter title is "Youzan vs Robo", not "Robo vs Youzan" even though you'd expected the protagonist to be named first in an instance like this. Maybe it's supposed to show that Youzan really is the challenger here despite his status.

 

[kahl]

I think their match will be postponed for some reason. Idk just feeling it.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 7, 2017, Original Post Date: Apr 7, 2017 ---

For sure. I mean, it must be annoying especially because Robo is so good at it. If he had no talent at all it wouldn't be a big deal, but if Youzan ends up losing against someone who shows so little interest in the sport after undergoing rigorous training, he'll be fuming with anger. I actually wonder what's going to happen if he does end up losing - will he just go back to practicing to one day surpass Robo or will he join Tomoya's efforts to make Robo interested in golf? I think it'd be kinda interesting if Youzan and Tomoya ended up becoming buddies over trying to make Robo join a club.

That's cool like Kuroko and Taiga relationship. But at the same time it would be also amazing if they treat themselves as rivals (of course whenever Robo gets to like Golf now).

 

[Brandish μ]

Do you mean they might be connected or just in general?

Generally. And I mean separately too. Though if Robo gets more competitive he could feel more pressure... so without me thinking so they could be connected.

It seemed like he didn't quite understand the reason for his shot being off by a meter, so I'd almost expect him to try the exact same thing again on the next hole and check if that one's also one meter away from the spot he aimed for or if the distance is different. On the other hand I wonder if Youzan might start taking more risks on the remaining two holes. It seemed like he played this first one really safe, but he might just have to go for broke at this rate.

That's a good point. He'd hit at 70% again and test. If it's a par 5, I wonder if he tries for more distance?

Yea Youzan doesn't want to lose. Idk the exact rules for who hits first in match-play, but I assume Robo should tee off first since he did on hole 1. So Youzan can observe. I would think he'd outhit Robo this time too, to gain the distance advantage. And it would give Youzan first look at Robo's 2nd shot. Honestly Idk what risks Youzan can take; but if it's a par 5 then he might use a fairway would to get to the hole in 2 shots or something.

I think their match will be postponed for some reason. Idk just feeling it.

That would be quite a tease.

If it rained, do you think that would stop Youzan? Or Robo? I know Tomoya would be gone

 

[Holt]

For sure. I mean, it must be annoying especially because Robo is so good at it. If he had no talent at all it wouldn't be a big deal, but if Youzan ends up losing against someone who shows so little interest in the sport after undergoing rigorous training, he'll be fuming with anger. I actually wonder what's going to happen if he does end up losing - will he just go back to practicing to one day surpass Robo or will he join Tomoya's efforts to make Robo interested in golf? I think it'd be kinda interesting if Youzan and Tomoya ended up becoming buddies over trying to make Robo join a club.

Btw, something I found interesting: the chapter title is "Youzan vs Robo", not "Robo vs Youzan" even though you'd expected the protagonist to be named first in an instance like this. Maybe it's supposed to show that Youzan really is the challenger here despite his status.

Youzan seems like the type that will go back to practise much harder in order to best Robo. I imagine he is the sort of character that will remain 'Robo's' Rival throughout the series even though at points, their skills could be world's apart. I think Robo is interested enough in golf already, but youzan is bound to remain his friend/rival

 

[Kaoz]

Idk the exact rules for who hits first in match-play, but I assume Robo should tee off first since he did on hole 1.

Whoever wins the previous hole gets to hit first on the next one, so in this case Robo gets to start again.

If it rained, do you think that would stop Youzan? Or Robo? I know Tomoya would be gone

Hm not sure about rain, I don't think there's any rules or etiquette against playing when it rains. But they did mention that it's getting dark, so I imagine he will call the match if the sun sets before they can finish.

 

[goldb]

Hm not sure about rain, I don't think there's any rules or etiquette against playing when it rains. But they did mention that it's getting dark, so I imagine he will call the match if the sun sets before they can finish.

Depends on how strong the rain is. Unlike football matches where they'll play in harsher conditions, golf isn't the same; they have to judge how much of a handicap it is to players. Same goes for wind( which is used as natural obstacles in courses in Scotland) in certain cases.

I was curious to see how Robo would play with a different club, but he seems to have picked it up quite well and adjusted accordingly. To be fair this is quite fair weather they have there, so wonder how quickly he'd be able to calculate and adjust in harsher climates. I guess that's where the experience of playing for a while will come in.

The action pages capture the swinging motion so well, thoroughly enjoyed those.

The last page was funny as hell, Youzan and Tomoya's expressions when they see the ball rolling in. Two more holes to go though, so let's see how Youzan recovers.

 

[Kaoz]

I would think he'd outhit Robo this time too, to gain the distance advantage. And it would give Youzan first look at Robo's 2nd shot. Honestly Idk what risks Youzan can take; but if it's a par 5 then he might use a fairway would to get to the hole in 2 shots or something.

I've been thinking about this idea for a little bit and one thing that I wonder about is how much of an advantage that's actually going to give Youzan. Let's say it plays out as you say and Youzan covers a lot of distance on the first two shots, the question becomes if he can actually get into scoring position for an eagle or will need to settle for a safe birdie. Since Robo managed to eagle on a par 4 hole, it's not inconceivable that he could three-hole a par 5. So in this case Youzan would pretty much be forced to take the risk and go for an eagle himself.

On the other hand, if he can do that the distance between him and Robo should be quite significant since even after two shots, Robo should still be a ways off the green. So even if Robo is in a similar position as on the first hole, it might feel different in reality when he has to score just to tie (as opposed to hole 1 where he would've still tied easily if that second shot had missed the hole). So I wonder if this is where the pressure could come in.

That would be quite a tease.

Here's another question: how big would the difference be between them being forced to stop playing before finishing the third hole and the whole contest simply ending in a draw with each of them winning one hole? Of course there are still a lot of potential variations here, but could there be cases in which the match being stopped early would be preferable for plot reasons?

The action pages capture the swinging motion so well, thoroughly enjoyed those.

The last page was funny as hell, Youzan and Tomoya's expressions when they see the ball rolling in.

Completely agree here btw. Youzan's determined and angry faces near the beginning were quite nice as well for that matter.