In a means, it is virtually too simple Ewe! Tonbo. I am such a sucker for what it does that so long as it does it comparatively nicely, I am hooked. And that certainly occurs, and extra. I am a fan of the execution of each halves of the story, the sports activities and the character arcs. That golf has by no means had an anime like this earlier than is sort of stunning (I definitely mentioned that years earlier than the booming golf anime growth began). Ewe! Tonbo will not be an enormous industrial success, but it surely supplies a mannequin for future golf collection and lays the inspiration for additional progress within the subgenre.
As for the problem of Tonbo going to Akureki Island (seemingly one other fictional location in an actual chain), the principle hurdle there was all the time going to be Gon-ji’s approval. I by no means thought he would say no; he’s a realist. Not solely does he know he is in his personal third act, he additionally is aware of how restricted Tonbo’s choices on Hino Island shall be (in some ways). This can be a (comparatively) brief journey to a different island within the Tokara chain, but it surely represents a primary step in a a lot bigger journey. Igaiga and Gon definitely know that – even Tonbo feels it.
Has the collection proven whether or not what Igaiga is doing is true? It is tempting to say sure. Igaiga is definitely doing it for the suitable causes. However I am not so certain, and I feel the remainder of the episode hints at that Ewe! Tonbo won’t draw back from shades of grey right here. However no matter you concentrate on Tonbo staying on the island and bypassing a golf profession (and an training), she definitely should not be afraid to run off and see extra of the world. She loves golf, whether or not she plans to take part in it or not, and Hinoshima solely exhibits her a microscopic portion of what the sport has to supply.
To persuade Tonbo to take these first hesitant steps, Igaiga tells her about his personal demons. And he definitely owes her that. There are not any monumental That is stunning right here, however I did not essentially see the truth that he turned embroiled in a fraud scandal coming. As a sportsman that’s concerning the lowest potential degree. It is definitely additionally the fault of the kouhai who made the request within the first place, however Igaiga can solely blame himself for hesitating on that putt (and maybe lacking it on function). And much more so since you hesitate to present the cash again.
The purpose right here is that certainly, Igaiga do blames himself – he would not attempt to keep away from duty. I believe Tonbo would have supported him anyway – she is a toddler and he’s an grownup whom she has grown to like. But it surely’s clearly vital that Igaiga owns this. The issue is that he additionally has different tasks right here, specifically setting issues proper along with his son, and to some extent he makes use of Tonbo as a proxy as a result of he would not have any baggage with him. However, for him that is nonetheless a type of reconciliation. Islands like Hinoshima, with their shrinking populations, are sometimes locations the place social outcasts go to flee the gaze of society and the sensation it makes them, so in that sense Ooi Tonbo! is sort of reasonable.
As for Akurekishima, it’s certainly even smaller and extra distant than Hino. And regardless of the “evil” on their jumpsuits, the dockworkers present the island’s customary consideration: They provide to drive the couple to Kuta-san’s (kuta is Japanese for “mud”) home, the place they by no means say a prayer would have for. discover one other means. It seems to be a dilapidated bungalow in the course of the tropical forest. And Kuta (the venerable Houki Katsuhisa) is kind of as anticipated – one thing near the bearded hermit he seems to be. He made a reputation for himself as a golf photographer, was thinking about course design and neighborhood exploration, and the remaining is historical past.
Kuta-san additionally has some historical past with Tonbo – he met her when she got here to Hino, simply earlier than he left. He tells the couple that whereas individuals can’t management how they die, they’ll management how they dwell. Similar to the subsequent step in golf, the life they lead is a alternative. And this was are alternative – to promote his possessions and depart society behind. His phrases will be learn as a counterpoint to Igaiga’s imaginative and prescient of Tonbo’s future. There isn’t any doubt about that, however whether or not she sees it that means is much less sure. Kuta designed the course at Hino, took off when even that spot turned too mainstream, and designed a single gap at Akureki.
As a golf fanatic, that is one thing of a fantasy materials. Kuta’s creation is one thing of a designer’s dream come to life: the last word entice, and I do not imply the bunkers (though they’re a part of the entice). It’s undoubtedly Kuta’s platonic excellent gap – a 140-yard monster that defies simple mastery, a Gordian knot greater than a golf gap. Additionally a little bit of a golf Rorschach take a look at – and it is going to be fascinating to see how Igaiga and Tonbo attempt to unravel this one.
