Heartwarming / Sk8 the Infinity

As a Moments page, no spoilers will be marked. Proceed with caution.

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General

• The running thread surrounding Langa's "joking" Declaration of Protection culminates in an emotional way when Langa gets in front of Reki to protect him from Adam in episode 11.
• While Miya starts out as someone who claims he's fine being alone as he was abandoned by his previous friends due to his skills outmatching theirs, he comes to genuinely care for and enjoy the company of the group.
• Over the course of the story, Langa's stoic nature slowly gives way to his growing passion for skating where he will occasionally smile brightly or excitedly listen to Reki as he teaches him.
  • Comparing episode 1 Langa to episode 2 Langa after he met Reki, the Character Development is already clear of how much Reki means to Langa after he had lost his father and his passion for anything. As the story goes on, it's notable that the only time Langa is genuinely smiling is when he's around Reki. So when Reki isn't with him, he can't feel excited or find a reason to smile.
• The ending song is a calming breather after the episode and the Bail Reel shows how despite how good and accomplished the other characters are at skating, they're still going to make mistakes and just have to get up again and learn from it.
  • Adam's Bail Reel which has been covered by Tadashi to not show Adam as infallible gets changed in episode 11 where Adam is shown about to fall but instead of covering it, Tadashi actually runs out and catches Adam in a Bridal Carry. The reel is even renamed "Catch Me".
• Word of God confirms that Cherry and Joe have known each other since they were practically in kindergarten, which goes to show how despite their bickering, the two know the other well enough and truly care for each other in their own way.

Episode 1

• Reki's introductory speech that sets up the whole show. Even if he still messes up when he skates, it's clear how much the sport means to him and how much happiness it gives to him.
  • His enthusiasm is so unbridled that even when his other classmates don't indulge him in his interest, Reki soon makes a friend out of Langa who does.
• Oka looking out for Reki and trying to remind him not to fall for any of Shadow's taunts during their race. It doesn't work, but he's still the only guy looking out for Reki. Even back at Dope Sketch he points out Reki's lie when the other claims he's fine.
• The main reason Langa is looking for a part-time job? He wants to help support his mom. While later on it's shown she doesn't seem to have any financial problems, Langa still wants to help her out either with money or around the house.
• Reki being the first person to reach out to Langa despite how aloof the other comes off as and sometimes tried to avoid Reki throughout their first few meetings where Reki talked non-stop about S.
  • Langa's eyes lighting up for the first time after Reki performs an ollie over him, when up until that point he had nothing but a blank expression.
• The dullness in Langa seems to dissipate a little as he thinks over Reki talking about how fun and exciting skating is.
• While Langa seems eager to try skateboarding out for the sake of it, he also simply mentions "But Reki, you're injured, aren't you?"
  • Reki being worried for Langa all throughout his race against Shadow and even attempts to give him some pointers at the start so he could avoid hurting himself.
• Cherry vouching for Langa. He knows the kid doesn't know a thing about skateboarding, but still believes he has the potential to surprise everyone at S.
  • He even offers to give Reki a ride on his bike so they can keep up with Langa.
• Langa feeling a connection between skating and snow-boarding, with his heart beginning to beat and his eye seeming a bit brighter than before.
• Reki watching Langa soar through the air and is stunned as the other is being reflected in his eyes.

Episode 2

• The entirety of episode 2 is a montage toward Reki and Langa's growing friendship, which is heartwarming on its own, especially moments like them moving a skateboard back and forth to snack on fries/chips with ketchup.
• Reki's reaction to Langa after he finishes his race? He at first seems like he's angered or even jealous, but instead his eyes are shining brightly as he happily yells about how amazing Langa was.
• While their introductory scenes don't seem to paint Cherry and Joe's relationship in a cordial light, it becomes clear as time goes on that while they bicker, the two have known each other since high school and are really close friends. It's just the play-fighting they get into consists of 90% angry bickering and 10% genuine affection.
• Langa's mom who is worried about how her son is adjusting to life in Japan also worries over his increasing injuries over the course of the week and comes to the wrong conclusion he's being bullied. When he corrects her and says he's been learning to skate which is why he's away so often she calms down. She notes that he does seem a bit more cheerful than he was back in Canada.
  • Once he says that a friend of his was teaching him to skate, his mother brightens up and relaxes when hearing her son actually has a friend.
  • When he texts her later that he's staying over at Reki's for dinner, she just happily smiles at the message.
• Reki's mom being nothing but welcoming and kind to Langa, even as she pushes some cake onto him and not taking no for an answer.
• Langa's eyes shining for the first time as Reki declares that skating is infinite.
• Langa spends most of the episode trying to figure out how to ollie, absolutely failing to move the board an centimeter over a pair of water bottles when we see him. After Reki bandages Langa's hand, they open up to each other. Langa mentions the death of his dad and how he moved to Okinawa to help his mom, and finally admits that, while he's not sure why, unlike how it was, every day has been really fun... and then, skating forward right afterwards, he finally nails his ollie...!
  • Reki later drags Langa to Dope Sketch so he can brag about Langa's skills to Oka.

Episode 3

• A minor moment, but Sketchy showing genuine affection to Miya and letting the kid hold him, when he's downright violent towards anyone else but Oka who tries.
• Miya showing shades of jealousy towards Reki and Langa's relationship where Reki is casually talking with Langa as they skate together.
  • Reki teasing Langa as he claims that the girl's at their school call him "prince" which he doesn't believe.
• Langa's Bully Hunter tendencies could be implied here as he chases Miya right after Reki fails his trick.
• Langa's expression is in his usual stoic default, while Miya asks what the hold up was, Langa replies but doesn't change his face. The moment he hears Reki coming with his upgraded board, his face immediately lights up with a smile.
• Cherry and Joe begrudgingly agree that they both know who the winner of the beef would be so there would be no point in betting. But once Langa subverts everyone's expectations again, Joe eagerly asks Cherry to bet with a small blush on his face. Unfortunately, he referred to Cherry as Kaoru, earning him a kick to the rear.
• Reki cheering for Langa all throughout the race, culminating in him screaming from below as Langa gets to the rail section of S. It's when he sees Reki does Langa calm down, grin happily and then attempts to skate on the broken rails.
• While it's easy to miss, the main reason Miya loses is because he stops to scream at Langa, fearful that the other would fall and die due to the gap in the rail beneath them.
• Langa pouting a little when Reki compliments his board by saying he was the one who was skating. When Reki confirms that Langa did amazing, he's still pouting but with a light blush on his cheeks.
• The entire end scene with Miya (sans Adam appearing). After Langa gives Miya a rare warm smile, Reki turns to Miya and tells him "We'll never leave your side!" He then goes full big brother mode on Miya, squishing his face to cheer him up and try to get him to smile, before Reki and Langa mess around quipping at each other, which does finally get Miya to laugh and smile.
• Reki goes into Big Brother Instinct mode immediately after Adam destroys Miya's self-confidence, even challenging him to a beef where his prize is that Adam would apologize to Miya. Not too long ago Reki was fanboying over the legendary S skater like everyone else, but he immediately drops any admiration he once had for Adam the moment he sees the other verbally abusing Miya.

Episode 4

• Joe offering to pay for Langa and Reki's meals... even though the money he leaves behind isn't even close to covering the bill.
• Miya shows in subtle ways how worried he is for Reki, secretly replacing his usual soda with a protein drink, and coming up with a workout routine just for Reki. He and Shadow help him out the entire time, and he spends most of the episode stressing about him.
• Worried over what Adam would do to Reki, Miya tries to get him to call off his beef, claiming he can handle being bullied a bit, but Reki won't budge.
• Shadow's crush on his manager. It's just downright adorable how in love he is with her.
• The group going to an A&W together. While they don't outright call each other friends, it's clear that the group is slowly considering themselves this.
  • Reki shoving food into Miya's mouth, a bit worried the other isn't eating anything since his "dinner" consists of a drink and some protein powder.
• After watching Adam do a Wall Pinof Love to Reki, Langa steals a bike and uses it to rush off to get to Reki. As he drives he even takes a moment to look at the screen attached to the bike with Reki on it, smiling happily at the other.
• After getting his head back in the game, Reki manages to pull of Miya's trick and gets ahead of Adam. Miya has a bright smile on his face while Shadow nudges him proudly, Joe gives an appreciative whistle, the entire S crowd is cheering and even Langa takes a moment to smile happily at the video screen of Reki as he drives towards him.

Episode 5

• Miya promotes Reki to golem sincerely after Reki goes through hell, and when Langa assumed Miya said he thought Reki was cool, Miya reacts in quite a tsun versus earlier dere way.
  Reki: What did you say?
  Langa: He said you looked cool.
  Miya: (backpedalling and hissing) I didn't say anything like that!
  Langa: Huh? Japanese is hard.
• Langa casually opening Reki's water bottle for him when he's struggling to do it with one hand. He's also uncharacteristically pouty the more he talks about Reki's injuries and seems even more determined to skate against Adam to avenge Reki in a way.
• While a minor moment, it says a lot about Cherry as the phrase he chose was how people no matter how far down they gone still can undo their mistakes and work to becoming a better person. While his past with Adam isn't fully revealed here, it's clear he's thinking about Adam and hoping he will see what he's doing is destructive to not only himself but others.
• Reki spends the entire episode concerned about Langa, going as far as recruiting Cherry, who he doesn't know outside S, to help Langa's chances.
• Miya and Shadow coming to Dope Sketch to help Langa prepare for his beef.
• Langa, Reki and Miya's stomachs growl loudly as they likely haven't eaten for a while and Shadow immediately tries to order four bowls of ramen. While Joe doesn't serve that, he still makes them all a meal.
• Reki and Langa have a gentle moment after Langa drops Reki off at home, the day before Langa's race with Adam. Reki begs him not to race with Adam, telling him how fearful he is of Langa getting horribly injured like his old friend, and Langa tells him he won't quit even if he's injured (it's implied that he won't leave him, specifically). They promise by their Handshake Substitute, which is made even more emotional by Reki pressing his fist to Langa's heart, to Langa's surprise. He says "Don't be reckless," and Langa smiles back softly.
• Reki immediately grabbing a bike and speeding off to get Langa once the cops show up.

Episode 6

• Langa grabs Reki's hand with more alarm than usual, saying he can't pull skate tricks while injured, as it can worsen the injury, showing how Reki healing is something important in his mind.
  • The fact that Miya was the one who suggested the hot springs as he claims it was supposed to be good for injuries, and even got money from his sponsors just to get tickets for the trip. He'll obviously deny it, but he does look out for Reki because they're friends.
• The pure joy you can hear from the skaters as they race to the beach with each of them getting a moment where they jump over the camera as they whoop with glee.
• While it was likely to get back at Cherry for all the times he goes to his restaurant unannounced, Joe probably didn't want Cherry eating alone, so he brought the whole gang to have dinner together.
• Reki confiding in Joe about how he feels left behind by everyone else and Joe doing his best to encourage him and give him advice on how to get better.
• Joe seemingly laughing to himself when Miya and Langa get pumped up as he casually mentions their race not being any fun if none of them take some risks. He even seems slightly surprised to see the two teens zoom past him.
  Joe: (grinning) They're so honest.
• Langa completely stops and backtracks when he realizes Reki isn't skating with the group, even though he was hyped up about the race they'd made for themselves. Considering Reki's situation all alone and then in the chase that came after, it turned out to be good concern.
• Langa catching Reki before he fell off of his skateboard, which Reki is incredibly happy for.
• While short-lived Cherry and Joe's talk comes off as something only close friends would know about with one another, as Cherry brings up Joe's fondness for haunted houses.

Episode 7

• After watching Reki slide down some rails, Langa excitedly parkours up under a bridge to touch the star at the top. Reki and three kids are witnesses, with the kids shouting out in awe while Reki nods proudly.
• Miya noticing Reki not showing up and wonders whether or not he should interfere with whatever was between Reki and Langa. Shadow tells him to leave the two alone since he may just make their situation worse and advises him to let them work it out themselves. While Miya knows this is likely the best action, he's still uncertain and it truly shows he's come to see Reki as his friend.
• There's Joe reaching out and getting to Langa when he's racing at breakneck speed against no one, concerned for his current state.
  • While Cherry only takes an annoyed tone when he sees Langa zooming past him at a dangerous speed, he's obviously worried for the kid as well.
• Joe gets worried for Langa when a group of skaters try to take him out.

Episode 8

• Langa spends a majority of the episode worrying about Reki and constantly texting him, even before his race against Joe.
• Langa asking his mom for advice and then admitting to her that he likes Reki with a small blush, saying "telling him what [I] feel" would be embarrassing, is something that definitely goes for the heart.
• While he's still not in the happiest of mental spaces, Reki still goes to S to at least watch Langa's race, even though he hides in the crowd when he hears the other coming to look for him.
  • Langa's face lighting up when he makes a quick stop at Reki's and sees the ramp going out his window, signaling he's left. Once he gets to S Langa can be seen fervently on the look out for Reki, but missing him as Reki blends into the crowd so he won't get spotted. Joe seems a bit amused as well as glad that Reki did show up to S.
• The way that Joe subtly continues worrying about Reki and Langa, going out of his way to give Reki brotherly advice, then pep talking Langa right before their race, saying how skateboarders are idiots who mainly form connections through skating (including himself).

Episode 9

• Joe going up to the walls of his usual spot with Cherry and nostalgically putting his hand on a wall with scrapes, telling Cherry he remembers this was where he nailed his trick. He even recalls when Cherry managed to do nail another trick.
  • Joe and Cherry paralleling Langa and Reki's friendship with the two fist bump each other.
• As Reki is listening to some skaters diss Langa, he immediately steps up to tell them not to talk badly about his friend when he clearly loves skateboarding.
  Reki: His air is so high and beautiful! It's just like... a snow flurry. Just how much he loves skating.
• To put in simply, Langa finally soars again when he realizes Reki still cares for him. It's the first time in a few episodes where he can finally feel his heart beating fast again like it once did. It's also the first time in a few episodes where Langa is genuinely smiling again.
  • Then when his skateboard completely splits near the end, Langa makes it clear just how important Reki's gift to him is, telling Joe, "It has to be this one."
• Although he lost to Langa, Joe doesn't take it too badly, and even congratulates the teen on turning his own skill against him.
• Near the midpoint, Joe encourages him to go find Reki, saying that "It'll be okay if it's you two."
  • Langa spends the rest of the episode looking for Reki and ignoring everyone else.
• Considering how they spend the majority of the series bickering and 'play-fighting' (by Word of God), Joe running to Cherry during his match and being at a loss for words out of worry is quite cute. Cherry does seem to appreciate Joe's actions though, despite how he tells the other off. They end up going through their bantering insults once more with Joe visibly smiling and Adam asking how much longer their skit goes on for.
  • Joe even has one of the guards drive him back up the hill as he urges them to go faster before it starts.
• As Shadow tries to egg Miya on by asking who to bet on. Shadow says if he wins he'll break his controllers. Miya calmly says "Cherry", and Shadow smiles as he then drops his tone and says they won't bet then.
• In the flashback, Joe seems worried for Cherry after he pushes him aside and jumps over the skates they had piled up, likely worried what would happen if Adam managed to beat him.
• While the end result was a skateboard to his face, Cherry wanted to help Adam and make him realize all that he's become now is hurting everyone around him, including himself. It's also clear in the flashbacks that Cherry truly cherished his time with Adam and as foreshadowed in episode 5, just wants Adam to repent for his mistakes.
• The Stinger where Cherry sneaks out of the hospital and falls asleep in Joe's restaurant. It's confirmed that Cherry can't sleep without Carla playing him some music, so it's sweet to see that he feels safe enough at Joe's place where he can easily fall asleep. Beyond scolding the other about not resting properly at the hospital, Joe is still happy to see Cherry safe and okay.
  • Joe's speech to Cherry while the other is asleep. He talks about how Adam is all alone right now as he's skating, but points out that while Adam will likely never reform their old friendship, Cherry and him still have one another.
  Joe: But you know, we're not alone. Right... Kaoru?

Episode 10

• The episode confirming that Joe was the first one to get to Cherry, even yelling out "Kaoru!" As he tries to check on Cherry, Adam talks about how boring it was and Joe looks ready to get to a brawl as he quietly glares at Adam. Luckily Shadow drives behind them to get Cherry to the hospital and Joe quickly picks up the unconscious Cherry in a Bridal Carry.
  • Even more heartwarming in the dub where Joe is pleading for him to get up and the way he calls for Kaoru where you can hear his voice audibly breaking.
• While he doesn't clearly show it, Miya isn't focused on his race because he's angered over Reki not being there and is still worried about him when they run into each other at the hospital.
• As Reki rushes to the hospital to check on Shadow, the moment he sees Langa already in the room, he immediately shuts the elevator doors. Langa without hesitation immediately runs out of the room to get to Reki, leaving Joe behind with the flowers.
• Langa once again going to Reki's house in hopes of finding him there, but his mother tells him he was out and thought the two of them would have been together.
  • Langa then goes to Reki's room and opens Reki's tablet where he watches some old videos of Reki when he was first learning how to skate. He smiles gently as he continues to watch and quietly says how he still has that same smile on his face.
• Reki and Langa finally meeting up and talking it out with one another. They're both hesitant and unsure with how to proceed, so Langa suggests they just skate. As they pass one another, they exchange high fives and fist bumps, until it culminate with Langa crashing into Reki. When Reki gets up after wincing over the pain, Langa starts cheerfully laughing, and it's the first time in the last few episodes where he was able to genuinely smile like that.

Episode 11

• Reki's family relaxing once they see Reki finally back to his usual self, with his sister sarcastically saying she was worried over nothing.
• Reki and Langa getting back into their old habits of playing around and having fun is especially cathartic given they haven't been like that for a handful of episodes.
• Miya worrying over Reki during the race and asking Joe multiple times to have it called off as he winces every time Adam hurts Reki.
• Cherry doesn't appear with Carla at the race and instead has Joe wheel him around. So where is Carla? Cherry left her with Shadow who is watching the race live through Carla and is loudly cheering on Reki.
• Joe and the others are in shock when Reki dodges Adam's "Full Swing Kiss" and Adam slips face first into the mud. Joe then hears Cherry laughing and worriedly saying "Kaoru?" However, Cherry continues to laugh as he revels in Adam's misery and it's clear by Joe's expression that Cherry likely hasn't laughed like that in a long time and joins him.
• While Reki ends up losing to Adam, he's still psyched that he finally reignited his love for skating and how fun it was. This in turn gains him the respect of the other skaters and Langa happily helps Reki get up and even stands in front of him when Adam seems stalk towards Reki.
  • Even sweeter is how the other skaters start calling him "redhead" but then Reki yells out, "My name is Reki!" Langa who has had Reki supporting him up until this point, happily cheers Reki on the sidelines, even smiling when he hears Reki correct the other skaters on what to call him.
• Joe following up with Langa by stopping Adam from approaching Reki by cooly standing in front of him and reminding him the beef was over.

Episode 12

• During the race with Adam, and Adam thinks Langa left him alone too, Langa takes him by the arm to show him he's still there and brings him out of the zone.
• Langa is the first one to get up after his mid-air collision with Adam. Instead of skateboarding away while Adam is still down to win the race, he waits for Adam to wake up and hands him back his skateboard. This calls back to episode 11, when Adam is looking frantically around for his skateboard while everyone is laughing at him. Only this time Langa is there to give it back to him.
• As Langa is remembering how he felt snowboarding with his dad he gets a memory of his father snowboarding beside and asking, "Are you having fun, my son?" Langa gently smiles as he replies, "Of course, dad."
• In the second half of the race, Adam and Langa skateboard together with more peaceful music playing in the background. Langa has a smile on his face almost the whole time and watches Adam do some tricks. Adam smiles a few times too, though he's not completely over his fear of not winning.
• Langa neck in neck with Adam and managing to beat him by a hair. As Reki earlier had run over to greet Langa at the finishing line, Langa's face brightens up as he sees Reki and starts accelerating towards his friend, leading him to jump off of his board and tackle Reki with a hug.
  • The group telling Langa they'll celebrate his victory with Joe offering to cook, Miya promoting Langa to "hero" just this once, and Shadow being so stoked he says he'll drink 'til he pukes his guts out.
• Langa's victory celebration with the entire cast together enjoying each other's company and the food, with Adam cheerfully crashing the party later.
• The epilogue for the characters:
  • Langa and his mother going back to Canada to visit his father's grave, and he brings his skateboard with him. As he holds it close to his chest and talks to the gravestone, his mother is smiling happily as she quietly watches over him.
  • Reki is attempting to teach his siblings to skate. Nanaka and Chihiro end up dog-piling him while his other sister successfully and smoothly pulls off her first skateboard trick. The whole Kyan family is surprised and delighted.
  • After spending the series pining, Shadow finally gets the courage to ask his boss out for a date. Tragically averted when it's revealed his boss already has a boyfriend.
  • Joe enjoying a date with two ladies who go to a signing. It just so happens the person giving the signing is Cherry, which leads to him and Joe publicly going at each other. Despite everything that happened to Cherry, it's clear he's back to his normal self.
  • While the audience never hears what Miya's friend said to him, it seems to be the first friendly thing he's said since they broke off as it immediately brightens Miya's face.
  • Adam telling Tadashi he never had the intention of letting him take all the blame for his political crimes. The two get closure with Adam telling Tadashi he will be his "dog" for the rest of their lives and Tadashi happily blushes and smiles.
• The series ending paralleling the start of the series with Reki. This time Langa is getting up early to skate and hitching a ride likely from Oka up to the S course where Reki is waiting for him. The two then share their handshake with Reki excitedly telling Langa not to hold back on him as they prepare to skate against one another. As the two start their countdown, the sun rises, signaling for them to start.

Extra

Cindereki

• The narrator (Adam) noting that when skating with Cindereki, the Prince actually smiled for the first time and it was a heartwarming sight to see.
• Cindereki happily skating with Prince Langa, not knowing he was the prince, because she just wanted someone to have fun skating with.