Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games ‒ Episode 10
After a few weeks that've been more focused on the fighting games of it all, this week we're back to a more character-driven episode, and the romance aspects of this show. Not to say the fighting games of it all aren't here—they obviously are (and we'll get to that)—but certainly the most memorable aspects of this week's episode come from Aya blushing and thinking about how cool she thinks Mio is upon seeing her win.
Let me be more specific: Not only was that the most memorable aspect of this week's episode, but also, one of the most adorable scenes we've had thus far. Not only are the girls falling in love with fighting games, but also, very much so, each other. Aya not only admires and respects Mio as a player, but she wants to be her “number one.” She's thinking about all this while blushing and focusing on Mio's lips. It's more obvious than it's ever been that she's falling hard for Mio, and she doesn't seem particularly interested in trying to deny that.
But while Mio and Aya's rivalry brings them closer together, in contrast, we have Arisa and her old friend Miyu, whom it tore apart. In hoping to get better enough at fighting games to get Miyu's attention, Arisa very quickly and clearly surpassed Miyu—who, rather than feeling happy for Arisa, fired up for getting better through the heat of competition, or anything even remotely similar, instead became bitter and lashed out at Arisa, who clearly feels guilty about it.
The throughline here is, of course, the contrast of how fighting games can both bring people together, but also, tear them apart. Miyu is still obviously a kid, and probably hasn't learned yet how to handle losing—especially to someone who she perceived as being beneath her. And regrettably, there's plenty of not-kids like this out there as well. Play in enough tournaments—local, major, or otherwise—and you'll definitely run into players like this, and it probably won't even take terribly long. But Arisa, also being a kid, doesn't seem to realize this. Arisa, rather, blames herself for taking away Miyu's passion, and now feels guilted into getting better and better and better.
The irony underpinning this is that Arisa, obviously, has a hard time swallowing loss as well. She spends most of the episode in the bathroom, feeling frustrated that she lost to, of all characters, a Zangief—a matchup which generally favors Guile. Sure, she's not taking things as hard as Miyu did, but she's obviously having a tough time all the same. If she loses to Mio in their upcoming match, she might risk a full blown meltdown at this rate. But maybe, she needs to overcome these tough feelings to understand that she doesn't need to feel guilty over Miyu just being a sore loser. Certainly, she needs to do it to be a better player.
I hope Arisa comes to understand that loss is more than just a part of playing fighting games, but it can actually be a good springboard into learning and getting better. And especially considering her next opponent is Mio—fresh off the heels of an impressively executed win—I'd say there's a pretty good chance of that. Still, whether she wins or loses, she and Mio are both bound to give an excellent match. I have every confidence that we're in for a great episode next week.
Rating:
Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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