Saturday, December 19, 2015

Extra Game: Chapter 3


After the manga had ended, Kuroko no Basket came out with a sequel. It is called "Extra Game" written by Fujimaki Tadatoshi. This is about the third chapter of the sequel.


      This chapter shows a special color page featuring one of the main antagonists in "Extra Game", Jason Silver. 



     The chapter starts off with Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami's teammates from their school, Seirin, arriving late to the game between team Vorpal Swords Vs. team Jabberwock.  The rest of Seirin along with the teammates of the Generation of Miracles and some rivals are watching the basketball game indoors through different medias, such as computers or TVs. 
watching the game on various media
   The scene changes to show Ryouta Kise blocking Jabberwock from scoring, thus giving Vorpal Swords possession of the ball. Kise passes the ball to Seijuro Akashi, the captain, who then passes it Daiki Aomine. Aomine runs with exceptional speed. He manages to impress one of rivals on Jabberwock with this skill, and the Jabberwock player thinks that he is very nimble for an oriental. Aomine wants to prove his point even more and starts, "Hey, you guys aren't the only ones who grew up playing street ball." He then proceeds to dribble the ball very fast and throws it from behind his back, where it is out of perception from the rival team member he was playing one-on-one with. The ball is heading toward the hoop in which Aomine runs and grabs it, and dunks the ball in, earning Vorpal Swords two points. The current score is Vorpal Swords: 15, Jabberwock: 9.

Order of Aomine's point

     Next it is Jabberwock's turn to rebound the ball. Nash Gold Jr., the captain of Jabberwock, against Akashi, the captain of Vorpal Swords. Nash tries to confuse Akashi by dribbling the ball with speed so fast that it is hard to follow. Nash notices how Akashi still is able to follow the ball, so he passes the ball to a teammate who then jumps to dunk the ball in, but proves no match for Vorpal Swords center Atsushi Murasakibara. Murasakibara passes the ball to the shooting guard, Shintaro Midorima, who has never missed a shot. Midorima starts to explain how his horoscope says his zodiac sign, Cancer, is the luckiest. Some members on Jabberwock begin to doubt him, however he makes the basket, like always. After his shot, the first quarter ends with a score of 20-16, Vorpal Swords in the lead. Everybody cheers for the home team. 
     However, Vorpal Swords coach, assistant coach, and manager all notice one thing: Jabberwock is not being pushed, in fact, Vorpal Swords is being pushed to the brink. Satsuki Momoi, the manager, notices how Vorpal Swords is already sweating more than normal, even though the first match ended. The team seems happy though. Aomine seemed the happiest because he had yet again found opponents who were potentially stronger than him. The rest of the team is encouraged by Aomine's happiness. 

      We then turn to Jabberwock's bench. Nash is telling his team how Vorpal Swords is better than they expected and play much better than American teams they have faced in the past. But he says, "Having said all that, monkeys will still be monkeys." Jason Silver agrees and crushed his water bottle as he sadistically replies, "It's time for a reality check. Show 'em just how wide the gap is between us."

     The second quarter begins. Jabberwock seemingly planned to have Jason Silver up against Aomine. Of course, Aomine suspects something. Jason Silver moves quickly trying to confuse Aomine and speeds past him. Jason races to the basket yet Murasakibara is ready to encounter the 6'11" man who is just an inch taller than him. Murasakibara jumps ready to defend his team when Silver pushes the ball in. The audience is shocked when Silver defeats the fastest and most powerful players in one play. 
Murasakibara & Aomine defeated by Silver
     Jason Silver starts to burst in laughter making yet another "monkey" remark to Aomine and Murasakibara. Aomine and Murasakibara cannot understand what he is saying because they cannot understand English, but both teens know that they are being mocked with the way he is laughing right in front of them. The game continues on and Akashi's shot is blocked by Jason. Everyone is surprised that this happened because Akashi is seemingly the best player on the team. Akashi is obviously shocked himself. This gives Jabberwock a chance to catch up so Nash passes the ball to Jason who then outruns Kise and Midorima and taunts them. To everyone's surprise, Jason Silver jumps from the free throw line and dunks and two handed windmill dunk. Kagami begins to explain how using two hands can give you more power when you dunk, but can sacrifice the jump height. He admits that he, a profound dunker, could not even do that from the free throw line. Junpei Hyuga finally sees the power of the man with the "body chosen by God himself". Jason Silver starts yelling and rambles about he is beating the "monkeys" and how hard work isn't what's being demonstrated. Jason Silver continues to score and raises Jabberwock's score to 33 while Vorpal Swords' score is 24. Then Vorpal Swords calls for a time out. 
       At the bench, Murasakibara is angered by Jason Silver and as he is talking about putting the man in his place, Riko Aida, the assistant coach, notices that this position as defender is putting a strain on his stamina. Kagetora Aida, the coach, decides to sub out some players. He puts Midorima and Akashi on the bench and replaces them with Kuroko and Kagami! Murasakibara seems displeased but Kagetora explains how Kise will be taking on Akashi's duties. Murasakibara wants to handle Jason Silver on his own, but Akashi tells him to listen to their coach and says, "It's impossible for you to win by yourself. You are not enough right now. If you really think differently, then know I've got your back...I get it, you're frustrated. Aomine, that goes for you too, got it?" Both Murasakibara and Aomine seem to agree. This is a great example of how Akashi is a remarkable captain and is able to control the Generation of Miracles. After the pep-talk, it is time to go back to the game. 
the new line up returns to the game

Kagami and Aomine work together to block Silver
    Jabberwock notices Kuroko is in the game and remember the incident from last night, when Kuroko encountered them and attempted to talk to them. Then its Jason Silver Vs. Murasakibara. Silver quickly runs to the basket but is blocked by Kagami. Silver proclaims that he will use more force and working alone won't help, and that's when Aomine comes to help (even though he and Kagami don't want to admit they are helping each other.) Aomine and Kagami both effectively knock the ball out of Silver's hand. The crowd goes wild! Vorpal Swords begins to advance to their basket. Kise passes the ball to Kuroko who uses his amazing passing skills to that "our run starts now!"

My personal opinion: This chapter gave me this feeling. I felt warm and content, those words are the best to describe what I feel about this chapter. The readers got to see what Vorpal Swords would do under extreme pressure as well as being frustrated. My favorite part was when Akashi helped calm down Murasakibara and Aomine were angry. The readers got insight on how Akashi was the best captain during Teiko. I hated how Jabberwock constantly taunted Vorpal Swords with the "monkey" insult. Repeating the same insult eventually gets old! They'll regret their words once they fight Kuroko. They have everything but a shadow on their team! 



Words: 1296

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Extra Game: Chapter 2

After the manga had ended, Kuroko no Basket came out with a sequel. It is called "Extra Game" written by Fujimaki Tadatoshi. This is about the second chapter of the sequel.


   
    After team Jabberwock from America completely disrespected pretty much the whole country of Japan regarding basketball, Kagetora Aida decided to have a revenge match to get a sincere apology out of Jabberwock and prove to them that they are not "monkeys".

     The second chapter, "We're all gathered here" was released March 13, 2015. 
     
Riko and Satsuki enter
      Chapter two starts off as Kagetora Aida is explaining to his new team about the upcoming match. The match is in a week and Kagetora encourages the boys to play as hard as they can. As he is talking, two girls walk into the room. It is Riko Aida, Kagetora's daughter, and Satsuki Momoi, the former manager of the Generation of Miracles! Momoi then runs up to Tetsuya Kuroko and gives him a big hug. She has had a crush on him since they were in middle school. Sadly for her part, he does not return her feelings. Kagami seems more surprised to see Riko, his coach. 

Momoi hugs Kuroko
   Kagetora tells the boys that Riko is the assistant coach and Momoi is the manager. Akashi then asks who the bench players will be, & as if on cue, they walk in. The are Junpei Hyuga from Seirin, Kazunari Takao from Shutoku, and Kousuke Wakamatsu from Touou Gakuen. Hyuga thinks to himself how incredible it is to be in the same room with so many great basketball players and if he really belongs with them. And if Akashi had read his mind, he tells him to relax and that he is welcome here.                                                            
      Kagatora begins to explain the purpose of why the back ups were chosen specifically. He says they were chosen "not only for their skills, but for the sake of rounding out the team". After explaining, Kagetora yells for the new team "Vorpal Swords" get to work. 


the bench players from left to right: Wakamatsu, Takao, and Hyuga
The team Vorpal Swords consists of the Generation of Miracles Seijuro Akashi, Shintaro Midorima, Daiki Aomine, Atsushi Murasakibara, Ryouta Kise, and Tetsuya Kuroko, Seirin's ace Taiga Kagami, and also Junpei Hyuga, Kazunari Takao, and Kousuke Wakamatsu.
The scene changes to team Jabberwock. They aren't practicing, instead they're partying. A man on the team named Nick asks his captain Nash Gold Jr. about practicing though. He also mentions that they were given a gym to practice at. Nash replies "...our new opponents are even younger than the previous ones. They're roughly the same age as us. Probably a bunch of super uptight Japanese... who insist on 'fighting' on equal terms no matter who their opponents are. It's quite commendable that they really do have each and every one of the personality traits irritate me. Those kinds of monkeys are the kinds I hate most of all."

     
    The next scene shows Vorpal Swords working hard at practice -unlike Jabberwock. Each individual shows off their skills: Kuroko -passing, Kagami -jumping high and dunking, Midorima -shooting, Aomine -high speed drives, Kise -layups he may have copied, Akashi -full court observation with a vast point of view, and Murasakibara -dunks made easy due to his height. Riko thinks that they could be better as teammates but that is expected with making such a quick decision with such little time. 
    Then it comes to educating Vorpal Swords about their rivals. The father-daughter coaches tell the team that they should focus on two players: Nash Gold Jr. and Jason Silver. They start off explaining Jason Silver's height and weight. They also mention that his position is center. Silver's weapon is his "physical dominance, speed, power, and flexibility". "One might say it was a body chosen by God himself," is how they would describe the way his body works. Momoi comments that God chose poorly because "his personality is horrible; he's a philanderer." She also adds that Silver avoids practice and does not work on improving himself. Kagetora tells Vorpal Swords Silver's true strength in terms they can better understand: "He has the ability to surpass Aomine, leaping ability that surpasses Kagami, and power that surpasses Murasakibara." Kise asks Aomine what he thinks of this. Aomine smiles, "I couldn't have asked for anything more, I can't believe I actually have someone I'm looking forward to playing against." Kagami also seems very excited too. Murasakibara doesn't seem too thrilled because it is his job to guard Jason Silver. 
     They move on to discuss the other player, Nash Gold Jr. They discuss his weight, height, and position, which is point guard. He is a well rounded player and beholds the nickname "the Magician". This suggests that he has many trick plays. However, Gold Jr. hasn't shown the world all of his tricks. Akashi decides to guard him and everyone seems to agree on this idea. Midorima declares that he will shoot three pointers against them. Kise is happy and says that they'll win for sure whoever their opponents are. He then adds, "BECAUSE WE ARE STRONG!", which earns him a kick from Aomine. Kagetora then has to leave to prevent Jabberwock from ruining places. After he leaves, the team begins to practice. 
The team practices
the team practices
 Six days later, they finish their last day of practice before the match. The team's confidence is really high, and yet again Kagetora must leave early to check up on Jabberwock. Hyuga asks Riko how she thinks the team is doing and she says that they have exceeded expectations in such a short period of time. Kise asks Kagami if he wanted to end the practice with a one-on-one. They start to play and reminisce about the first time they had played basketball on the same side. It was when Kuroko stood up to some bullies and Kagami and Kise had to join Kuroko's side to defeat the bullies in basketball. At the mention of Kuroko, Aomine and Midorma asks where the latter was. He had disappeared right after Kagetora had left. Kise and Kagami begin to wonder what could have happened and then scream, "It's just like last time!" This was probably a reference to the day Kuroko stood up to the bullies. 
    The next scene shows Nash Gold Jr. asking Kagetora why he had bought his "kid" with him. Out of nowhere, Kuroko greets him, "How do you do?" And in response, Kagetora screams in surprise. He did not know Kuroko had followed him. Kuroko ignores the coach and continues, "My name is Kuroko Tetsuya. I'm part of the team that is facing you tomorrow." Nash Gold Jr. doesn't believe him even though Kuroko is telling the truth. Jabberwock scoffs and bursts into laughter and begins to doubt Vorpal Swords. Jason Silver puts his hand on Kuroko's head and tells him to "go home, kid." Kuroko ignores him and asks Gold Jr. why would he call them "monkeys playing basketball".
      
The scene changes to the Generation of Miracles plus Kagami running through the streets looking for the Phanton Sixth Man known as Tetsuya Kuroko. 
      
     We then come back to Kuroko's confrontation with Jabberwock. Nash says if they somehow win against his team, then "what's wrong if a monkey plays basketball?" Kuroko fires back, "Last I checked, there aren't any requirements to play basketball!" It is very rare to see Kuroko get this angry, for he rarely shows emotion. Nash then insults Kuroko and his English and then kicks kuroko into the table!
 


Kuroko is kicked into the table by Nash Gold Jr. 
      Nash picks up Kuroko by his hair. Blood is seen dripping from the side of Kuroko's mouth. Nash tells him that a "monkey's" opinion does not matter. The Generation of Miracles arrive and see all the commotion. Kise bends down to Kuroko's side to see if he is okay. Aomine questions Jabberwock about what they did to Kuroko, and Jason Silver only replies with a nasty insult about how he should expect a show of dancing monkeys at the match tomorrow. Vorpal Swords only gets more furious. 
a "monkey's" opinion does not matter
Just as things are about to get worse, Akashi stops things. He says what Kuroko would have said, "Let's settle this with basketball." Jabberwock yet again degrades Vorpal Swords as they are leaving. Akashi mumbles, "Shut your mouth... just wait and see what happens."

      The next day arrives and the announcer announces the upcoming match. Jabberwock insults Vorpal Swords again, but they stay silent. Then, it's time for the tip off! Murasakibara and Silver jump for the ball. Murasakibara earns the ball and passes it to Akashi who then passes to Aomine who scores! Aomine tells Jabberwock to get ready to "Kiss the ground they walk on!". He uses their own words against them. 
Vorpal Swords score first
    The match Vorpal Swords Vs. Jabberwock has officially started with Vorpal Swords scoring the first points!

My personal opinion: My first word at this...WOW! First off, I did not expect so much action in this chapter. I was really amazed at Jason Silver and Nash Gold Jr.'s strength, I knew they were strong, but their level is very high. And the fact that they are such bad sports enrages me. From all those insults at the characters I have come to love ticked me off, but when Nash Gold Jr. kicked Kuroko really got me mad. Fujimaki Tadatoshi did a fantastic job of making the readers engage with this story, and I am sure other fans may have been just as enraged as me. This only gives Vorpal Swords more support and I doubt that there are any fans hoping for Jabberwock to defeat them. I'm team Vorpal Swords all the way! I can't wait to see what unfolds in the next chapter and the remainder of this sequel. I hope I'm not disappointed! 

1657 words