Even when your most powerful weapon has a cool name like the "Snake Shot," it always pays to take things to the next level—and in today's new episodes of The Prince of Tennis, Kaido's favorite shot is about to get a whole lot snakier! Next, we get another peek into Ryoma's background as Coach Ryuzaki flashes back to the days Ryoma's father was the scourge of the courts! Check out the latest episodes in the Prince of Tennis section!

Episode 17: A Little Gesture of Triumph
Kaido’s new move “The Boomerang Snake” ends up amazing everyone and himself! He regains his confidence and restarts his strategy—to tenaciously wear down a player and finish them off with one strike.

Episode 18: The Love Letter
Ryoma starts his match with Fudomine’s Shinji Ibu, and Coach Ryuzaki remembers when Ryoma’s father Nanjiro was a student of hers.  

He’s the great leader of the Soul Reapers, he’s got the wise, wizardly, longish beard down pat, and today we celebrate his birthday! Join us in wishing a happy B-day to Genryûsai Shigekuni Yamamoto from Bleach, and catch up with the Bleach anime series while you’re at it in the Bleach section!

 

---

 

Genryûsai Shigekuni Yamamoto certainly has a lot to celebrate when his birthday roles around. Not only is he the oldest of the Soul Reapers, he’s also the founder of the Soul Reaper Academy [see episode 46 to learn what it’s like to be a Soul Academy student]! The entire structure of the modern Seireitei is based on his hard work and discipline, and he’s been on the job for over two thousand years. So raise your zanpakuto in a birthday cheer for the Head Captain!

 

But don’t let this Soul Reaper’s great age fool you, he’s nobody’s cuddly grandpa. Underneath his concealing uniform lies the battle-hardened body of a true warrior. And he isn’t one to let sentiment get in the way of the job. When his two favorite protégés challenge his authority during the Rukia incident, Yamamoto doesn’t hesitate to whip out his zanpakuto to teach them a lesson [episode 55]. Luckily for Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake, events interrupt the fight, otherwise they would have been toast. Or ash, to be accurate. Yamamoto’s zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, is the stongest and the oldest of the fire-types. And is has the greatest destructive power of all the zanpakuto in the Soul Society! It’s a good thing the old man knows how to hold his temper.

 

Centuries of existence have taught Yamamoto the importance of the rule of law, and he is a strict believer in the principles of justice. And while he won’t let compassion get in the way of carrying out a sentence, he is willing to show some kindness to the convicted. When Rukia is awaiting her execution in the Senzaikyu, Yamamoto visits her to listen to her last request. Although he has no plans to grant her request that Ichigo and the other ryoka not be punished, he allows Rukia to believe that her friends will be spared so that she can go to her death with some peace of mind [episode 54].

 

But Yamamoto’s unwavering adherence to tradition could be his greatest weakness. Time might move more slowly in the Soul Society, but things are changing nonetheless, and a leader has to adapt… 

 

-- Pancha Diaz (Editor, Bleach manga)

Happy Birthday, Gaara!

Birthdays are a sensitive subject when it comes to Gaara. If there’s a ninja with a traumatic past in all of Sunagakure, it’s him. At least his brother and sister, the sand siblings, would be there to help him enjoy the festivities. I can imagine Kankuro would have a puppet show to put on and Temari might have a fan dance or two. If watching two elite shinobi turn their combat skills into party entertainment doesn’t put a smile on someone’s face, I don’t know what will.

Don’t let the symbol on Gaara’s forehead fool you, it may represent love but that doesn’t mean he’s throwing up the peace sign! That’s the thing about Gaara, it’s hard to tell whether you should be running at him for a hug or running away for pissing him off. Kankuro and Temari know that all too well. I imagine at least one person might snap in the middle of singing the most awkward Happy Birthday ever and run away screaming, “don’t kill me!” [Original Series Episode 48: “Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!”]

There are a lot of really determined shinobi running around Konoha Village, but few have as…unique a take on motivation as Gaara. [Original Series Episode 75: “Sasuke’s Decision: Pushed to the Edge!”] I cannot think of any birthday games in which someone would loose an arm. Then again we’re talking about a village that trains and employs ninja. Basically, it’s best just to keep things simple. Like tag. No one hits anyone or cuts anything with tag.

Gaara may seem severe, and indeed he is, but he’s also a genuine hero. Everyone’s favorite pretty bad-boy Deidara tries dropping the biggest “piece of art” on Konoha Village and who saves the day? None other than everyone’s favorite sleepless sand demon. [Shippuden Series Episode 5: “The Kazekage Stands Tall”] THAT is worthy of celebrating his birthday!

Some love him, some hate him, but ultimately, deep down, Gaara is a good guy. He’ll appreciate any show of affection, as long as there’s heart behind it.

-- Stephen Bajza