Spoilers Ahead!!!!

So today I watched the recent episode of Vanguard and I have to say, despite Chrono's plot armor and Ryuzu's "Perfect future", Stride Gate is actually taking a good turn. The thing I'm here to talk about is Shion and Shinonome's rivalry and Shion's development in general.

Ever since Shion lost the Kiba Corp and the family sword, he was determined to get stronger to get everything he lost back. At first he was depressed, but Kai was like an inspiration or a mentor to Shion. If he didn't meet Kai, he wouldn't have a big impact on the show since this is one of the main plot points. Over time, he was maturing into not only a strong fighter but a true hero. And this where Shinonome comes in.

Shinonome is like a bored psychic and wants some "excitement" or "twist" in the future he sees. This is why he mess with Shion, so he can see a "twist" and Shion, to him, is the only one who can satisfy his needs. This episode emphasize this. What Shion and Shinonome's rivalry is really about. In a sense, Shinonome was like us, the viewer, watching Shion's development over these major trials and wonder what will happen next. And when Shion won against him, he was overjoyed and want to become stronger. But when Shion saved him and he's not waking up, Shinonome is actually sad. When he was crying to Shion to stand up, he was truly saying that because without Shion, he won't find someone else like him. In the episode, he said that he shaped Shion into what he is, but that goes for him too. Just imagine one without the other. It wouldn't be the same. Their relationship is like Joker and Batman or Junko and Makoto (Danganronpa anyone?) They need one to shape the other, even if they don't realize it. So in the end, Shion and Shinonome's rivalry is done very well so congrats Bushiroad! You did some right! But jokes aside, let me know if you want more of something like this. I just really like this episode so.....yeah....
Until next time,

Fight the darkness, defend hope!
---Shogun Infinite---