Ep 1. The Broom and Ally of Justice

In the first episode of Bamboo Blade, titled "The Broom and Ally of Justice," we are introduced to a group of high school students who are members of their school's kendo club. The main character, Kojirou, is the kendo instructor for the club and is struggling to recruit new members.

One day, a mysterious girl named Tamaki shows up at the club and challenges Kojirou to a match. Despite her small stature, Tamaki is a skilled kendo practitioner and manages to defeat Kojirou. Inspired by Tamaki's skill, Kojirou tries to recruit her to join the club.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Kojirou's former kendo teammate and current rival, Ishida. Ishida is now a successful businessman and holds a grudge against Kojirou for never being able to defeat him in a match. When Ishida hears about Tamaki's skills, he decides to go to the school and challenge her to a match.

The episode ends with Tamaki and Kojirou facing off against Ishida in a three-on-one match. Despite the odds, Ishida manages to hold his own against the three students, but ultimately loses the match. As a result of his defeat, Ishida decides to sponsor the kendo club and provide them with new equipment, allowing them to participate in upcoming tournaments.

Overall, "The Broom and Ally of Justice" is a strong introduction to the world of Bamboo Blade. The characters are likable and the action is well-choreographed, making for an enjoyable viewing experience. While the episode doesn't delve too deeply into the characters' backstories, it sets up the premise of the series and leaves plenty of room for development in future episodes.