Tai-Ari deshita. Ojousama wa Kakutou Game nante Shinai Ep.11 - Must win! Go Mio!

Episode 11 of Tai-Ari deshita: Ojousama wa Kakutou Game nante Shinai dedicates an entire episode to the match between Arisa and Mio, filled with interesting moments and apparently (considering I know nothing about fighting games) incredible skill in the on-screen fight between Guile and Ryu.

Initially, Arisa was dominating; she was the mesugaki we all know at this point, convinced she could win at any time. That seemed true until Mio entered "the zone" and started fighting back, quickly closing the gap, putting Arisa in a tight spot, and causing her to lose control of the match.

Is it necessary to make these faces when you're playing a fighting games? You're not animals fighting for survival are you?!

Arisa actually going out of mesugaki mode for a second, turns out she actually likes playing these fighting games.

A recurring visual motif is the "submerged" imagery, showing Mio (and then Arisa) entering the zone by stepping into a pool of water and breathing through it. I think it's quite a good metaphor for the deep focus they were experiencing, but one thing I don't understand is the blood coming from Mio's nose. Girl, that doesn't seem healthy, you know?

Of course, they wouldn't give us the conclusion right away, ending the episode right at the moment everything was about to be decided. Will Mio be defeated, or will she win and advance to fight Gekido? It would fit the story for Mio to move forward, but I'm not sure there's enough time to actually cover that in the single remaining episode, so maybe she'll lose here?

Also, what will happen to Tamaki, who is currently sitting dejectedly outside the venue thinking about the whole situation? She's even ignoring messages on her phone, and I would like for her to get some additional development at some point. I'm going to be forced to read the manga, aren't I?

Right now, I'm torn on which prediction to make: I'd give 70/30 odds on Mio winning, and 100/0 odds that her mother is watching the stream and finds out they went to play games instead of camping. How painful will the punishment be if that actually happens?

Is it me or Yuu looking so small makes you feel 'gotta take her home'? Like girl, you're too adorable.

Tamaki, stop with this and go to your wife and have some fun. Less stress, more yuri. You'll thank me later!

Also are we ever going to go back to the usual school antics? I don't say I don't like this tournament, but most of the charm I felt from the series was from the cozy secrecy between the girls playing together at night, bonding in their precious student life.