Bye Bye

Bye Bye (バイバイ) is the 53rd episode of the Shaman King 2001 anime series.

Summary
Shocked to learn that their opponent is (by terrible luck) Hao's team, the Lily Five have no intention to withdraw the match despite already knowing the overwhelming odds. On the night before the match, the girls discuss their strategy while reassuring themselves through some "intense" image training. At the same time, Yoh confronts Hao in the woods about his victories through killing his opponents to which Hao replies by weeding out the useless shamans he sees. Already knowing Yoh's real inquiry for being here, Hao coldly reconfirms his answer to which goes the same for the Lily Five.

The next morning, Yoh intercepts the Lily Five on their way to the stadium and states that he will fight them all until they agree to forfeit the match against Hao. Seeing no other choice, the girls battle Yoh which only results in the latter defeating them all in one hit with his Spirit of Sword. The girls' attempt continue for numerous times but to no avail. Yoh asks again to withdraw, but the girls still refuse not to where they reveal their miserable pasts due to society shunning them for their shamanic abilities. Sympathizing to the girls' resolve, Yoh gives them one last chance to at least deal one blow on him in which the girls succeeded by combining all their attacks. The girls are happy for their victory, until Anna ruins the fun after pointing out that their winning chances are still slim if their last attack was performed by 3 people according to SF regulations. The Lily Five agrees to withdraw after Anna offers them a consolation if they did; creating the legend where Hao is displeased the most, "winning by default".

Meanwhile in the desert, Team "The Ren" dismisses Mikihisa's training and instead spar with their Big Oversouls believe the latter's training to be futile where finding a grain of rice can make them stronger. The next day while Yoh confronts the Lily Five, Mikihsa decides to confront and battle Ren who still disregards the idea of "rice-search" for training. The battle goes to Mikihisa's favor where he is able to easily dodge all of Ren's new powerful attacks and knocking him down through his quick agility. But through difficulty, Ren is able to land a soft kick on Mikihisa to which he responds this is his current limit. Ren bitterly comprehends to resume the "rice" training as Yoh joins up after clearing up the Lily Five matter. The two managed to find a grain of rice, but only found the wrong ones.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Asakura Yoh
 * Oyamada Manta
 * Kyōyama Anna
 * Umemiya Ryunosuke
 * Horohoro
 * Johann Faust VIII
 * Tao Ren
 * Chocolove McDonell
 * Tao Jun
 * Tamamura Tamao
 * Asakura Mikihisa
 * Silva
 * Asakura Hao
 * Opacho
 * Luchist Lasso
 * Sharona
 * Lilly
 * Sally
 * Elly
 * Milly

Spirits in Order of Appearance

 * Amidamaru
 * Bason
 * Kororo
 * Tokageroh
 * Eliza Faust
 * Mic the Jaguar
 * Lee Pyron
 * Imari & Shigaraki
 * Great Spirit
 * Spirit of Fire
 * Enra Enra
 * Djungarian
 * Korogashi
 * Kamaitachi
 * Onibi

Anime Notes

 * The episode is divided into 2 focuses from the following battles:
 * "Yoh vs. Lily Five" is a 2001 anime original part.
 * "Ren vs. Mikihisa" is adapted from the manga.