Overall, episode 9 is a standout that rewards long-term viewers by finally giving Michi her "hero moment" while maintaining the heartfelt, friendship-focused core that defines the series. If you'd like, I can:

The episode maintains the series' "cozy" vibe with post-match shenanigans, including Michi finally repaying her "parfait debt" to Midoriko at the food stalls.

Discuss the used during the ippon scenes.

Reviewers often praise this episode for its choreography, which makes viewers feel part of the action, particularly during the high-stakes matches.