(L+CR) Harukana Receive

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Xeiros

What do you mean by most targeted? You don't target any player in beach volleyball, you want to avoid them so the ball lands on the sand on their side of the court.

Did you watch episode 2? It's clearly explained how the weakest of the team is the most targeted. That doesn't mean they shoot at the player but they shoot at the side of the court that player is in. Ayasa explained how Kanata, being so short, is gonna be targeted all the time.

Now as far as Kanata's height goes as I've already stated, it does not in any way hamper her ability to receive the ball which is what she'd have to do if the serve were closer to her.

The problem is not receiving. The problem is attacking. The one who receives also has to attack, but Kanata is easily blocked due to her height. By targeting her, they force Kanata to be the one attacking the most, which gives the opponent team a clear advantage.

[FlareKnight]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Did you watch episode 2? It's clearly explained how the weakest of the team is the most targeted. That doesn't mean they shot at the player but they shot at the side of the court that player is in. Ayasa explained how Kanata, being so short, is gonna be targeted all the time.

The problem is not receiving. The problem is attacking. The one who receives also has to attack, but Kanata is easily blocked due to her height. By targeting her, they force Kanata to be the one attacking the most, which gives the opponent team a clear advantage.

I suppose the point can be made that there is the chance for a two stage attack like we saw in the second episode. Kanata receives and then Haruka straight up just spikes that. But that can't be something easily done all the time and likely good serves aren't going to make that easy either.

So I'm in full agreement. The problem is attacking. Nothing being said counters that being an issue. The opposition isn't directly aiming at Kanata but they will likely focus on her side and that does mean she has to tackle her weaknesses on the attack for their team to succeed. At least to the point that Kanata doesn't appear to be a weak link. Then the serves could go to either side depending on circumstance.

[SPARTAN 119]

Originally Posted by videoman190

Images

Butt slap count: 4

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Originally Posted by Infinite Zenith

There's a fourth one

I logged into this thread wondering if these would make an appearance, and I was not disappointed. Apparently Emily's ass is so smackable that even her sister can't resist XD!

Originally Posted by Infinite Zenith

Having seen all of the ass-smacking antics, there's quite a bit more in this series that shows the beginnings of Kanata's return to beach volleyball, especially with Haruka's remark that a point is a point. It's worth reiterating that there's a series beyond the fanservice

Originally Posted by Infinite Zenith

The fact that these are here at all should already speak volumes about what sort of show Harukana Receive will be: the characters' goal is to have fun first and foremost, with everything else being icing on the cake

But in all seriousness, it is nice to see a sports series the has some meaning and story beyond the fanservice, what with Kanata's struggles with getting back in volleyball after so long, as well as her issues with the complex related to her height.

That being said, while it is nice to see a story behind it, much like the characters involved, I am definitely watching Harukana first and foremost for fun. I am thus far quite enjoying the characters, particularly Haruka for her energetic personality and Claire and Emily for their opposite, but complimentary personalities. Of course, the fact that both of are quite visually appealing in terms of my taste in the female figure also helps a lot XD!

[alex_drian]

Originally Posted by Xeiros

What do you mean by most targeted? You don't target any player in beach volleyball, you want to avoid them so the ball lands on the sand on their side of the court.

Every rally starts with a serve. The server wants to the ball to land inside the court. They do not want either player to touch the ball so they're not going to aim for either one, but of course one of the two will be closer and will attempt to receive it.

Now as far as Kanata's height goes as I've already stated, it does not in any way hamper her ability to receive the ball which is what she'd have to do if the serve were closer to her.

Strategy is one the main aspects of beach volleyball. This was stated in the series during episode 2 by Kanata herself. Remember when Hanuka learned about and tried to use a cut shot? Narumi was able to receive it only because she was already in the proper position ahead of time. Had she been positioned for a straight, and say Haruka managed to blow through Ayasa's block, she would not have been able to save it.

This will hopefully be explained in the show detail (or you can just look up what each one means), but those hand signals we've been seeing these past three episodes are key in defensive plays and strategies. Basically as was stated in the show, it's less about overpowering and more about out-thinking the enemy team by reading their movements and positioning accordingly.

Oh dear, I could have seen so much Haikyuu that I think is about overpowering.

[Kanon]

Mainly an episode dedicated to Haruka and Kanata getting closer and the all important choice of swimsuits for the upcoming tournament, with quite a bit of bounc-, I mean, training here and there. I didn't pay attention in previous episodes, how did Kanata call Narumi in the flashbacks? I noticed she used "-chan" for her in this ep during her talk with Emily. Feels like this is important.

It was nice to get Narumi's POV too. She was really mature about the whole thing. She had already accepted she and Kanata would get new partners sooner or later. She was just shocked that Haruka managed to do what she couldn't do for Kanata so easily. She's over it now, and harbors no hard feelings. Quite the contrary, she's happy Kanata can play again, even if it's not with her.

[grecefar]

sigh... the went too far beyond yuri bait, I'll drop this now.

[Magewolf]

Originally Posted by grecefar

sigh... the went too far beyond yuri bait, I'll drop this now.

They are first cousins and sisters, there is no yuri in the main characters.

[grecefar]

After this chapter it doesn't look like that for me, so drop.

[Infinite Zenith]

To clarify, romantic love is being used as an analogy for the closeness and trust amongst players. Yes, it's rather overtly presented in this episode, but there is no yuri to the extent of romantic love between Kanata and Haruka.

[FlareKnight]

Not a bad thing to dive into Haruka's head a bit. Wanting to close the gap a bit between her and Kanata seems logical. Moving to focus on the blocking makes sense. Haruka has been going through the various basics of the sport and blocking is a key part she needs to cover so Kanata has less ground to cover on the defense. Kind of glad that Kanata's swimsuit choice won. Think it works fine for the two of them and Haruka seems more comfortable with it than Kanata would have been with Haruka's first choice.

Full respect for Narumi in how she handled things in the past and how she's doing in the present. It did have to hurt to see how Haruka was able to help Kanata, but at the same time it's a result she did expect to see someday. She is happy for her being able to jump back into the sport. I think it says a lot for how well they are handling her that I do feel a bit bad that these two won't make a comeback as a team.

[BBOvenGuy]

Originally Posted by Infinite Zenith

To clarify, romantic love is being used as an analogy for the closeness and trust amongst players. Yes, it's rather overtly presented in this episode, but there is no yuri to the extent of romantic love between Kanata and Haruka.

Indeed. And nice blog post, by the way. I liked the Lombardi quote.

I felt like the bit with the minsa pattern was actually an attempt to get any suggestion of yuri out of the story. It was already established that Haruka doesn't quite get the local customs (still not sure what exactly bothered everyone about her class introduction), so it's entirely believable that she doesn't know what the pattern represents. And even though Haruka does say that she loves Kanata, the context is pretty obviously not romantic (they're already family, after all). If Haruka had been making a serious romantic confession, they wouldn't have played the scene for laughs.

Speaking of romantic love as an analogy for closeness and trust among players, I'm reminded of Taishou Yakyuu Musume, where Akiko and Koume learn that being a pitcher/catcher combination is like being a married couple.

[Liddo-kun]

Watched episode 4:

Hmm, more training... this time on blocking. Lost in the rock paper scrissor for the pink swimsuit. Well, I think the blue one is better anyway.. just personal preference.

Oh, as for the yuri bait... it's obvious bait... but I don't mind. xD There are other threads if I want some real yuri.

[Random Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Liddo-kun

There are other threads if I want some real yuri.

...One of these things is not like the other. Yes, I know there are only two of them, so technically both of them are unlike each other. But still.

[EroKing]

NSFW

Megami

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[EroKing]

Nice tactic by Kanata to wear the opponents out, they still haven't realized it despite being so out of breath

All that slow beach volleyball action was more pleasure inducing than porn. This show is making sports anime great again

[Kanon]

The action was really nice. I can already see where this is going. HaruKana will win and Kanata's awesome performance will inspire Mai, who pretty much has the same issues as her.

And damn, Eclair are overpowered. We knew they were Narumi and Kanata's rivals as kids but I didn't think they were this strong.

I wonder who the chick who is overdressed considering the weather is. She seems too young to be a coach, but given that she's not paired with anyone in the OP she doesn't seem to be a player either.

[Infinite Zenith]

Originally Posted by Kanon

I wonder who the chick who is overdressed considering the weather is. She seems too young to be a coach, but given that she's not paired with anyone in the OP she doesn't seem to be a player either.

I'm curious to to know, too. As memory serves, she's Akari Ōshiro, but her role is not specified yet. That being said, she could be a coach despite her appearance – I am mistaken to be ten years younger than I am with a nontrivial frequency, so it's entirely possible Akari is just older than she looks.

Overall, this was an interesting episode, certainly more action-packed than the last one with the beach volleyball, although I'm of the mind that the slow motion somewhat takes away from the pacing in a match.

[Kanon]

Yes, I suppose it's possible she's older than she looks.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Kanon

HaruKana will win and Kanata's awesome performance will inspire Mai, who pretty much has the same issues as her.

It looks the other way around to me. The other team is better at balancing their strengths and weaknesses than HaruKana, and the latter could learn a few things from them. Kanata in particular should try other things besides the pokey. There's no way she's gonna have much success at national level if that's her only weapon.

[FlareKnight]

Honestly I'm not sure which way this is going to go. They could have it be a defeat that Kanata and Haruka can learn from. Seems entirely possible. But it also feels like they are building up to something within the match itself. Kanata can't be this stubborn about doing the same thing over and over without there being a purpose to it. If she just wanted to score more points then you'd think she could score with some timely spikes with them backing off and not blocking her.

The only issue is that I'm not sure what she's trying to do here. Wear down Mai who she is targeting? Maybe since the other pair are indoor players she's trying to make them move more on sand which they may not be used to?

Could go either way since Kanata and Mai have similar issues regarding their heights and sport of choice. As much of their issue in this match is also just Haruka's inexperience. If her blocks were more on point they'd have a much easier time. Should be interesting to see how the next episode goes.