Talk:Episode 88 - Where Legends Are Made/@comment-6181667-20140626092715/@comment-7635634-20140628234237

Well, she's only 17 or so, so it wouldn't make sense to retire.

Also, I don't think the series is necessarily trying to teach children that there will always be someone better and no matter how much you work you will never beat them, even though that's sometimes true in real life. Mizuki's story is mostly told from her own perspective, not Ichigo's pov, so I'm not sure the kids would identify with Ichigo and feel like losers because Mizuki always beats her. Rather, I think they probably identify with Mizuki herself and her journey. Her character wouldn't be so popular among Japanese children otherwise. And frankly, I can understand the appeal. Her story is really compelling: the way she longs to reach the ones she admires, how much she works to achieve her dream, how intense she is. The whole thing is very inspiring.

Anyway, just some food for thought. I'm really not trying to argue or make anyone change their mind.