Who knew that just a few changes in the stipulations would make these fights much more engaging? It also helps that it reestablished the bonds between close friends among the cast, not to mention they managed to sneak in some character development as well. But the real stinger is this setup for what appears to be the final confrontation in the series. With what we've seen so far, this would be quite intense. But for an anime of this quality, that would be a well deserved climax. Can't wait to see it.