Just watched this
That is one of the strangest/most intense idol show episodes I have ever seen. I honestly couldn't tell to what extent they were serious (Asahi/Okawa).
I don't like seeing the girls cry, but it was cool to see Ojima to stand there and smile all the way through the episode She is the big winner for me in this ep.
For the final match, I did some super slow replays and it really is super close. If I had to decide I would've given it to Ojima. For the re-match, Fonchi had a false start leaving Ojima powerless. But ok, whatever, it's all for fun? lol. Even so, I think this episode is pushing it a bit. I mean, some intergroup rivalry can be a lot of fun, but I think they took it too far. I know they do these gen vs gen battles a lot, but I can't recall it ever being like this.
Btw, Asahi did have a good chance of winning. It's all in her mind. She was so shaken up after the first loss, that there was no way she could've won the second one. Perhaps if the order of the matches would've different, she would've had more time to get herself together. [/over-analyzing] lol
#648 was used as part of the 2hour specials on the normal national broadcast of FujiTV and since there were many other segments that they want to fit in the 2hours special (Idoling meeting with Terry Itou, famous comedian, this crazy sumo and something else) only a digest of the episode was broadcasted during the 2hr special.
My guess is that, the girls knew what was on the line. Unless there's something worth keeping, their scene will be cut. Between Asahi's hatred to losing and Ookawa's fighting spirit, I think #648 is done in good sport. The opening trash talk was definitely epic and Ookawa's Osaka accent just made her sounded more angry than usual. All in all, the whole scene was used in the 2hr special. Asahi once complained that her grandmother was sad that she did not manage to appear much on Nikki, which is why she is always doing her best during games like this. Same goes to Hii-chan too
Since not everyone owns the cable channel for FujiTV to watch the CS broadcast or the On Demand account to watch the extra scene, the national broadcast show are much more valuable to the girls.
It is even a running joke for Ookawa and Asahi now, "Cry = national broadcast"
Asahi definitely could've won the game if she was not so shaken. She got the skill but I think she realized the trick to the throw quite late. She was hip tossing Ojima and Ookawa towards the end beautifully. She is even scolded at home for losing sumo
then her mother taught her the proper technique for her to try for the next event. The whole family has got some really awesome fighting spirit.
I'd love to see Asahi winning against Sakacchi though. That'll be like watching Frank Mir vs Brock Lesnar. Power vs Skill. lol
and yeah I do think that she accidentally bit her lip during the last fall