Ep 7. It Makes Me Laugh

Kuroko's Basketball season 3 episode 7, titled "It Makes Me Laugh," centers around the match between Seirin High School and Yosen High School. Prior to the game, the Yosen team was seen practicing diligently, making it clear that they were determined to win. This episode brings more emphasis on the Yosen team as a whole, providing a glimpse into their characters, personalities, backstories, and motivations, some of which are newfound and surprising.

The episode begins with the opening ceremony of the match. Seirin's coach, Riko Aida, is seen having a conversation with Taiga Kagami and Tetsuya Kuroko about what they anticipate the Yosen team's strategy would be. Kuroko, being the mastermind that he is, predicts Yosen's offensive approach by stating that they would try to break through Seirin's defense by relying on their strength. Kuroko suggests that they need to focus on defending their net and utilize their own strategy to score points.

As the match starts, Yosen is seen dominating the court from the very beginning, with their center player Murasakibara Atsushi, making it clear that he will be the team's main trump card. His towering figure, intimidating aura, and unwavering confidence make it obvious that he is a player to watch out for.

However, Seirin soon learns that the Yosen team was not all talk but were also aware of their own weaknesses. They had developed a strategy that allowed them to reduce their margin of error while also amplifying their strengths. Yosen uses a distinct style of defense that prevents Seirin from getting their perfect shots. This causes Seirin to try various tactics that they had never used before, which in turn puts them under quite a bit of pressure.

The game reaches a fever pitch when Murasakibara Atsushi suddenly takes a break, and Seirin sees this as an opportunity to make a comeback. However, Yosen's substitute, Otsubo Taisuke, performs just as well as Murasakibara and completely throws Seirin's plans off balance. This unsettles Seirin, and they start to lose their cool and make foolish moves that only serve to increase Yosen's lead.

This is where the episode gets its title - It Makes Me Laugh. Yosen's strategy: The Warring States Formation is put into action, and Seirin's team is simply stunned by its efficacy. Taiga expresses his frustration over their inability to come up with new tactics by saying that it all makes him laugh. Seirin is then forced to face their shortcomings and must find a way to adapt and overcome the challenge.

The episode's climax builds up with Seirin catching up to Yosen in the game, with the score now tied at 79 each. At this point, Yosen's defense gets even stronger, and it seems like their strategy is impossible to beat. However, Kuroko and Taiga's perseverance, along with some brilliant moves from other teammates, enable Seirin to turn the tables on Yosen. They even manage to shut down Murasakibara, Yosen's most formidable weapon.

The episode ends on a high note with Seirin winning the match against Yosen with a score of 110-98. The Seirin team gathers together to celebrate their impressive victory. Meanwhile, Kagetora Aida, Yosen's coach, acknowledges the strengths of Seirin's team and seems to have already begun planning for their next game. It is clear that the rivalry between these two teams is far from over.

In conclusion, the seventh episode of Kuroko's Basketball season 3 is a thrilling and exciting watch. The episode revolved around showcasing the Yosen team's strengths, making it seem like Seirin might not be able to win. But Seirin's characters show resilience and find a way to turn the tables on Yosen, leading to a satisfying conclusion. The episode is a great watch for anyone who enjoys underdog stories and sports anime.