Match of the Millennium

It's the Ichikast! We once again find Ichika set up in her bedroom, though she looks much more well-rested than she did last episode. She's smiling, too! Production values look to have improved as well; the camera is the best one yet, and the audio is clear! "Hello! May I first say thank you to everyone who sent me such lovely messages of support after the last broadcast. Everything is fine, now, and I have caught back up with the demands of my schooling. My training also continues at a pace, and with the final tournament in sight, I hope that I can show everyone the fruits of all that hard work soon. Anyway. Let's talk about the fights." At the bottom of the screen a still image of Genie taking a heavy blow to the head from Djamila's staff star-wipes into view. "First up is Fadel-san against Bouvier-san. This was a showcase for Fadel-san's development, though I couldn't help but think that Bouvier-san had been thrown off by the locale. The prisoners were quite distracting at several points in the match, and I wonder if that might have played into things. I do not mean to take away from Fadel-san's skills. She has obviously improved continuously throughout the competition and has always been one of the top contenders. Nevertheless. I know that Bouvier-san is a fierce talent, and I only hope that Blaze buck their trend and find a way to bring out the talent of their fighters in future rounds." The next shot is of Kenzo sustaining a headbutt from the immense Braun, but it is caught right at the moment that the electrified chain begins to tear into the furry fighter. "Kuroiwa-san versus Jagerbrud-san was a fascinating fight. Kuroiwa-san's greater experience as a fighter clearly showed in the pacing of the match, but Jagerbrud-san possesses solid instincts which allowed him to find moments to capitalise on regardless. I think this may be my favourite of the fights from a technical perspective. Each fighter brought a very different approach and showcases each very well." The next shot is of Laurel delivering a brutal downwards strike with her sword to a Sarah who has been bound in place by a swarm of ghosts. The shot is caught before the blow actually connects. Ichika, needless to say, does not look happy. "Once again, one of the new competitors uses techniques which go far beyond the realm of safe for a sporting competition. I once again call upon Blaze's tutors to offer some kind of guidance to their student. I have little else to say about this fight." The next shot is of both Ayala and John Doe laid out on the barroom floor. "This fight was a little confusing to me." Ichika admits, scratching at the back of her head, "Feldspar-san repeatedly seemed to imply that Doe-san is like one of the living dead. I admit, I haven't seen Doe-san's back catalogue, but I'm not sure I agree with the assessment. Doe-san's style is the kind of rough and ready street brawling that we often see from big city competitors, combined with a theatrical flare one might expect and a tenacity that took me by surprise when I saw it in person. Leaving that aside, it was a wonderful match and I would highly encourage everyone to watch it." And then we have Hawksley, stalking towards Iris, flames providing a backdrop with screaming spectators fleeing and a bedraggled Iris facing him down. Ichika's frown returns; if anything, deeper. "Another instance where it felt as though the spectators were put at risk. Moore-san has consistently been one of our most competitive fighters, and I was very grateful to him for his assistance in the Rumble, but I can't help but think that we are starting to prove some of the detractors of the fighting world right! We have to be mindful of the safety of the public!" She sighs, shaking her head, "Nevertheless. It was also good to see that Iris' resolve remains strong. It could very well have gone either way."

Ichika claps her hands together and smiles, "Now we talk about Thunder versus Frost! I have to say, I was surprised by many of the outcomes here. So. Let's begin." The first picture is so heavily censored it is impossible to tell what is happening at all. "Constance Coalbridge versus Buck. Ah. Well." A dark blush rises on Ichika's cheeks. "I'm not really sure how to convey what happened in this fight. There is a certain level of ... danger, that one puts ones outfits in when fighting. That's just, part of the risk. But it does feel that Coalbridge-san puts hers at risk more commonly than perhaps most other fighters. Buck still put in a great fight under very testing circumstances, and the actual fighting was good on all sides, but... let's move on." The second shot is Zarine reforming from a swarm of bats. This is possibly the most badass screenshot of the compilation. "Chevy against Cernik-san was a genuine shock to me. I don't think I've ever seen Chevy lose her temper like that, not even during the past... unpleasantness. Cernik-san, though... was the picture of restraint. Even when pushed to her limit. And she showed genuine care for the audience, which is more than I can say for some of our more experienced competitors. It looks as though the chances of us crossing blades during the competition are now lower, depending on exactly how the tournament is structured, so... I would like to say, if Cernik-san watches this or someone can pass the message on to her, I would genuinely like to spar her. Getting an impression of someone from these things is always imperfect, and I would like to see her Truth." The next shot is of a crowing Buford and a rather bloody Hated R. "I ... have been pleasantly surprised with R-san's performance as well. As I mentioned last week, his showmanship is obvious even if you dislike his style of music, and his tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds is inspirational. Maclanky-kun remains a boorish oaf who seems determined to insult every demographic simultaneously, but, R-san made his fight watchable. Which is no mean feat." Her own screenshot - Tamaki-as-Ichika bringing down a heavy gourd onto Ichika's head as she tries to rise up through her signature corkscrew slash. "Tamaki-san was as difficult to fight as I thought she was going to be. This was a disorienting experience for me. I have been trying to find my way through fights by following my instincts, but it became very obvious to me very quickly that Tamaki-san is better versed in that style of fighting than I am. I attempted to change my approach, and that did not work either. In the end, I can only say that I was simply outfought. I have replayed this fight many times in my head, and I do not think there is a single decision I made which I would have made differently. I simply need to be better." She grins, then; which is a much better look on her than the stern and serious or disapproving girl she's been thus far. "And so next time we fight, Tamaki-san, I will be!" Then the final picture: Nixie casually stepping out of the way of an incredible inferno, looking largely unconcerned about the flames roaring past her. "Greene-san put up an incredible showing here. Her ability to attack from all angles and evade retribution is impressive. I have nothing to say about her opponent." Ichika offers a small bow to the camera and then straightens, smiling. "This was a good round of matches. It is hard to believe we only have one more to go before we are truly in the endgame of the New Fighting Generation. The closer we get to the end... the more I feel that I still have so much more to learn. Don't worry! I have no intention of stopping any time soon." And then the broadcast stops. She doesn't even have to fumble with the camera.