English Dub Review: Tribe Nine: “A Man’s Pride”

Overview: The Adachi tribe give it all they have got as Hyakutarou (Gianni Matragrano) and his team goes toe-to-toe with the Ojori Tribe’s imposing star player, Otori Ojori (Corpse Husband)

Our Take: The Adachi Tribe decides to test their mettle against that of the powerhouse XB team, the Ojori tribe. Even with the Minato Tribe’s arguing against it, Hyakutarou’s respect for Shun shows how honorable he really is, despite how cheeky and spirited he is. But taking on Otori, it only gets him so far even when stepping up his game more than he did against Haru and the gang. An issue that has been present since the beginning is the plentiful amount of stills throughout what should be an energizing game. While it’s not a qualm that is completely squashed with stagnant shots still being present, they are becoming less prominent with some quick transitions and cool sprints of frenetic animation. What makes it more enjoyable to watch is how much Otori taunts and brutalizes Hyakutarou and his team’s unrelenting spirit. 

Haru’s offering of help and the feeling of being a useless player begins to eat away at Taiga and acts as an effective motivation for his prideful and hotheaded nature that has been a key part of him. Things get interesting when a player that, not even Shun could supposedly best, comes into play in Aoyama advising Taiga to seek out that very man, Hanafuda Sakura. While not especially original, Sakura is a cool character in his carefree, lothario attitude. Putting Taiga to the test but also tricking him and setting him up to fail, it is his partner Ueno that not only moves the plot forward but also makes a case as being an intriguing character in being a playful yet calming voice of reason for Sakura, but also Taiga. Ueno advising to not think too intently stirs the feeling in Taiga going his own way, differing from Haru or Shun by not thinking so much and doing what feels right. It’s gratifying for Taiga, not to suddenly become an exceptional player or pull off an incredible move, but finally gain some potential as an XB player in a way that’s natural and will undoubtedly make his critical developments and accomplishments more impactful.  With Sakura taking Taiga on as his protégé, it is the start of an interesting new mentor/student relationship, not to mention training, for the fiery-haired and spirited foreign player.