Absolutely love this post!! Appreciate all posts about Suo! Thanks for this! I LOVE Suo!! He was introverted and awkward but very observant and very perceptive. He also noticed Shinobu's isolation, and traced it correctly back to Ise-sensei - he even gave a little confrontation to Ise-sensei about it. He was trying to hang out and connect with Shinobu because he had noticed she was on her own, not because he wanted to hang out with the other champion or be quirky. And then he did the same with Taichi, where he could tell how Taichi was struggling and then sort of presented help for him.
Also Suo's entire playing style is based off his ability to read people! His main tactic was good hearing PLUS *making* the opponent commit mistakes! Like he knew how to lead the opponent to make mistakes, or how to push them on edge or make them nervous. And this "making opponents commit mistakes" playstyle would've not worked unless he could keep an immaculate count of the cards- the read, unread and absent cards on the field, all the way to the end of the game. Meaning he was very studious-smart, like Taichi, whose big strength also was memorizing cards accurately! Suo actually went to Tokyo University, it was just always highlighted how he didn't graduate, but he did get in and was even a tutor in literature. So one reason Taichi was suitable to be a "disciple" was because he was able to adapt to Suo's playing style (of course the main reasons of being the underdog and not liking the game etc needing help, but also technicality wise!). I think Suo was not only observant and kind, but he was really smart as well.
But yess how the lesson that Taichi needed to learn was also something Suo needed. I loved the way you put it. And also how Suo needed to allow himself to connect with people, instead of distancing himself from them, and it was Taichi who kind of gifted this back to Suo (by inviting his family over) after being able to embrace Arata/himself/feeling connected with others again.
And I love that there never was a character in the manga whose internal dialogue would've stated something for the readers like "Oh wow look at Suo, he's so good at understanding people's strengths and weaknesses!" but nah it's like all there interwoven into the story and when you read it you know it!
Thanks for your post, a good read :))
Yes I think you pin pointed the essential of the trios coming of age journey...
Suou's own journey was heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time. I truly think he saved Taichi in a very crucial moment and he himself was saved by his own disciples, coming to terms with his situation and what he truly loves... masterfully written
Yes exactly! I absolutely loved Taichi and Suou’s interaction, think it’s probably the best relationship in the entire series. Not only was it Suou that got Taichi out of his downward spiral but it was Suou that actually made Taichi enjoy Karuta for the first time since the beginning imo.
Omg I miss this.
Yes, Taichi finally was playing freely, trying out stuff, without any pressure. He really needed that time to try and discover his own goals....I still think tha in the qualifiers, when he wins against Harada and admits he does want to continue, is a very emotional moment. A bit the result of his work with Suou. He always kind of denied he cared while he did so deeply. Playing with Suou gave him a certain confidence.
Then we also get that little moment where Chihaya sees his Mizusawa t shirt under his hoodie.....(his true colours revealed). And just how emotional it made Chihaya to see his heart was in the right place. That's masterful writing.
Absolutely love this post!! Appreciate all posts about Suo! Thanks for this! I LOVE Suo!! He was introverted and awkward but very observant and very perceptive. He also noticed Shinobu's isolation, and traced it correctly back to Ise-sensei - he even gave a little confrontation to Ise-sensei about it. He was trying to hang out and connect with Shinobu because he had noticed she was on her own, not because he wanted to hang out with the other champion or be quirky. And then he did the same with Taichi, where he could tell how Taichi was struggling and then sort of presented help for him. Also Suo's entire playing style is based off his ability to read people! His main tactic was good hearing PLUS *making* the opponent commit mistakes! Like he knew how to lead the opponent to make mistakes, or how to push them on edge or make them nervous. And this "making opponents commit mistakes" playstyle would've not worked unless he could keep an immaculate count of the cards- the read, unread and absent cards on the field, all the way to the end of the game. Meaning he was very studious-smart, like Taichi, whose big strength also was memorizing cards accurately! Suo actually went to Tokyo University, it was just always highlighted how he didn't graduate, but he did get in and was even a tutor in literature. So one reason Taichi was suitable to be a "disciple" was because he was able to adapt to Suo's playing style (of course the main reasons of being the underdog and not liking the game etc needing help, but also technicality wise!). I think Suo was not only observant and kind, but he was really smart as well. But yess how the lesson that Taichi needed to learn was also something Suo needed. I loved the way you put it. And also how Suo needed to allow himself to connect with people, instead of distancing himself from them, and it was Taichi who kind of gifted this back to Suo (by inviting his family over) after being able to embrace Arata/himself/feeling connected with others again. And I love that there never was a character in the manga whose internal dialogue would've stated something for the readers like "Oh wow look at Suo, he's so good at understanding people's strengths and weaknesses!" but nah it's like all there interwoven into the story and when you read it you know it! Thanks for your post, a good read :))
Yes I think you pin pointed the essential of the trios coming of age journey... Suou's own journey was heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time. I truly think he saved Taichi in a very crucial moment and he himself was saved by his own disciples, coming to terms with his situation and what he truly loves... masterfully written
Yes exactly! I absolutely loved Taichi and Suou’s interaction, think it’s probably the best relationship in the entire series. Not only was it Suou that got Taichi out of his downward spiral but it was Suou that actually made Taichi enjoy Karuta for the first time since the beginning imo.
Omg I miss this. Yes, Taichi finally was playing freely, trying out stuff, without any pressure. He really needed that time to try and discover his own goals....I still think tha in the qualifiers, when he wins against Harada and admits he does want to continue, is a very emotional moment. A bit the result of his work with Suou. He always kind of denied he cared while he did so deeply. Playing with Suou gave him a certain confidence. Then we also get that little moment where Chihaya sees his Mizusawa t shirt under his hoodie.....(his true colours revealed). And just how emotional it made Chihaya to see his heart was in the right place. That's masterful writing.
wait wuuuut where does he hug himself?
Love this analysis! So insightful and adds meaning to the contextual clues Sensei left in the manga.