HANEBADO! Season 1 Episode 3 She Was Perfect

In HANEBADO! Season 1 Episode 3, titled "She Was Perfect," the story revolves around Ayano Hanesaki, who is a brilliant badminton player, but is aloof and distant towards her teammates. In the previous episode, the girls' team at Kitakomachi High School had to attend an exhibition game with a team from their Shonan schoolmates. Although Ayano was initially hesitant to play, she ended up participating and won her game against her Shonan counterpart. But even after the victory, Ayano did not show any excitement, nor did she celebrate with her teammates.

The episode begins with Ayano's mother, Uchika Hanesaki, coming to see her play. Although Ayano is one of the best badminton players in the school, she seems irritated and resentful towards her mother’s presence. The viewers get a glimpse of Ayano's past as she thinks back to the time when she was a child, practicing with her mother, who is also a badminton player. However, Uchika's strict approach and criticism make Ayano lose interest in the sport, and she abandons it altogether.

Back to the present, Ayano and the team head to a training camp before their next big game. Ayano's distant attitude towards her teammates continues to bother them, and they discuss it amongst themselves. Coach Miyako asks Ayano if she is okay, to which she unconvincingly replies in the affirmative. Later, Ayano has a heated argument with Coach Miyako, where she accuses her of not being able to understand her and her abilities, further adding to Ayano's sense of isolation.

Meanwhile, Nagisa Aragaki, an ace player from another school and one of Ayano's former friends also happens to be at the training camp. Nagisa challenges Ayano for a game of badminton where she questions Ayano's reasons for playing the sport. The game turns intense, with the two of them being equal in their skills. Eventually, Ayano wins, finally expressing her love for the sport through a powerful scream.

In the end, Ayano's distant behavior towards her teammates and Coach Miyako begins to show a slight change, and she even receives a compliment from her mother for playing well. "She Was Perfect" is an episode that delves into Ayano's mindset, her past, and her motivations to play badminton. The episode also gives insights into the strained relationship between Ayano and her mother and how it is impacting the way Ayano approaches her sport and relationships with her teammates.

Overall, HANEBADO! Season 1 Episode 3 presents a deep dive into the psyche of Ayano Hanesaki, beautifully portrayed through a thrilling badminton game. The episode successfully establishes the internal conflict of the protagonist and sets the stage for deeper character development in the coming episodes. It is a must-watch for anyone following the show and fans of sports anime in general.