HANEBADO! Season 1 Episode 13 On the Other Side of That Net

Sarah is at the top of her game after winning regional championships, and now, national ones. Her upward trajectory doesn't seem like it'll falter anytime soon, but despite her recent accomplishments, Sarah's sister, Connie, still thinks less of her than she should.

For Connie, it's all about comparisons. She's always been in Sarah's shadow, and though she might be a skilled badminton player herself, it's hard to get attention in the way that Sarah does. Even when they practice together, Connie can't seem to shake off her envy.

But as two fellow competitors at nationals begin to duke it out, rivalries come to the forefront. Ayano Hanesaki, a badminton prodigy and someone with a lot to prove, seems to be the one outshining everyone else. Her opponent, Nagisa Aragaki, has a fire in her heart and refuses to go down without a fight. It's a battle to watch, and it inspires Sarah and Connie to take a closer look at their own relationship.

With the help of a connection to Ayano -- a friend with ties to Sarah -- Connie learns what it means to be passionate about a sport. Though she's not a fan of badminton herself, Ayano's drive is palpable, and it's something to aspire towards. For Sarah, it's a reminder of how pride can be a double-edged sword. While it's great to be proud of oneself and one's accomplishments, that same pride can lead to a lack of empathy for others. By the end of the episode, the two sisters come to recognize how much they have in common, even if they show it in different ways.

The final scene of the episode is a match between Ayano and Nagisa. Though Sarah and Connie are in the stands, they are not just passive observers. They watch and analyze each point, brushing up on their own skills as they see what works and what doesn't. For the first time in a long while, they are working together in a sport. The significance of this isn't lost on them, and the episode ends on a hopeful note as the two sisters make plans to train together and improve their game.