Out of curiosity, if the series weren't to end with the Gram Scale tournament, where would you prefer it to go instead?
:B Personally, while the tournament plot device is obviously cliche, I don't think I would mind it if the character development continued on well enough to compensate for the otherwise predictable conclusion. (of course, this is coming from a Shaman King fan.) I know I'd like to see Kazu kick some serious butt.
...maybe Oh!Great could just boot the tournament idea and make getting to the top of Trophalum one big freaking free for all, with 100% unrefereed violence and a side of Nike getting his butt handed to him. But only if he doesn't, uh, pull a Naruto/D.Gray-man and have people going "D:< Go on ahead, while I play hero!"
Then I'd be sad forever.
(Note: I will never again post in this thread while conscious only because of my bottle of Mt. Dew)