If I'm going to be called a contrarian, let me be a contrarian.
First off, I want to get a bit of some conceptions out of the way so that you can get my perspective. I am not a Manami Toyota fan, and I am admittedly a bit lower on Akira Hokuto than most are. I think Manami is pretty alright in the 2000s (which is her best run, especially since she is even more limited than in the Zenjo ace run) and I think Hokuto's best work comes from GAEA, or when she's stuck into these compacted matches that force her to be quicker and even more creative.
Not only that, but I think everyone does this one a bit too much surface, calling it “the best ever,” or hyping it up to be a bit of this high speed encounter, and I never really feel it.
I don't really feel much towards this match, and I don't feel much towards writing it. I don't think this is really this amazing hype spot fest, though I do enjoy the opening minutes. Especially with the dropkick and plancha.
I'm negative on this one. Hokuto has much better matches.
We should probably move past this one.