Zero no Tsukaima F – 04

Louise shows some discretion, knowing that it’s not socially acceptable to use Explosion on someone in public.

Hard to believe that just 3 episodes in, and the first arc is already over, the first villains already vanquished. Is this really the same JC Staff that took 3 episodes just to get Shana and Yuuji/Snake of the Festival to meet in Shakugan no Shana Final? Will they make good on Rie Kugimiya’s reputation as the queen of tsunderes?

After saving Aqualies and preventing a war in the previous episode, Saito and the gang get some deserved praise and well-earned rest back home at Tristain. A breather as well for all of us watching, because this episode was all about the harem antics.

Up first is a party in honor of our heroes, during which Saito and Louise start talking again about getting a house together. They decide to go somewhere a little more private, but before things get hot and heavy, they’re (as usual) broken up, by Siesta this time, who had been hiding under the covers. With predictably explosive results.

Tifania gets hit on at the party.

Siesta convinces Louise that Tifania has her eyes on Saito as well, and convinces her that they need to buy a house quickly so that she could seal the deal, so to speak (has it occurred to her to be nice for once?). This is just a scheme on Siesta’s part, though, because she uses her position as Saito’s maid – apparently forcibly assigned by queen Henrietta in an earlier season – to tag along with them on house hunting. Clearly a formula for headaches for Louise and explosions for Saito.

Louise displays her frustration with a classic headdesk and weary eyes.

Meanwhile in Gallia, Tabitha is on some serious business. She receives some medicine from the same magician who had given Joseph those fire marbles, which brings her mother back from her coma. Apparently her family is royalty, and her awakened mother wants her to be queen of Gallia.

Back at Tristain, the house hunt isn’t going well, and the more Louise and Siesta dawdle, the more girls seem to gravitate toward Saito, thanks to the fame of his heroic exploits. Fortunately, Henrietta steps in and gives Saito some land and a mansion within as reward for his heroics (why didn’t she do this first, saving them the trouble?).

What they were hoping for; what they got.

Saito, Louise, and Siesta go to his newly acquired land and find the dilapidated mansion that Henrietta gifted him. Deciding to make the best of things, they stay the night there, with Siesta (of course) insisting that she sleep together with Saito. Just when it looks like Saito may be able to pull it off, Tabitha flies in from nowhere to snuggle up and sleep next to him. Apparently she delayed her coronation for that. The episode closes with Louise doing what she does best, blowing a hole in the wall of her new bedroom.

Siesta being Siesta
How many times did JC Staff draw Louise getting angry at Siesta hitting on Saito? Let’s count:

1. At the party

2. At the realtor’s.

3. In front of their new mansion.

4. In the bedroom of their new mansion.

4b. In the same bedroom again, except with Tabitha added as a bonus.

After 3 very eventful episodes, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. Return of the harem antics, the main reason I’m even watching this show despite having skipped the middle seasons. I don’t recall much about Siesta from season 1, but I fell in love with her right away this episode. She seems to relish her role as spoiler for our main couple, and I loved how she kept pushing Louise’s buttons with abandon. Kind of reminds me of another Yui Horie voiced 3rd wheel this season, down to the ability and willingness to get under the main girl’s skin. Honestly, her antics had me laughing pretty hard and consistently throughout the episode.

Not all fun and games though, and it looks like they’re setting up for the next arc to start quickly, with Tabitha suddenly fixing her mother and about to become queen. Surely this means we’ll see more of the Elemental Siblings who would be working under her in this situation. And that’s A-OK with me, because Doudou and Jeanette were a joy to watch when they were on screen. More insane acrobatics and roof jumps, please! And what about Damian? He seems to be featured prominently in the OP.

Tifania was oddly absent for most of the episode. I absolutely adored her ball outfit, with that feathery headpiece. Then again, I’m a big fan of girls dressing up fancy in general. Or just looking different from their standard in any anime (on that note, how come Saito still wears that same blue jacket everywhere? Hasn’t he adapted to this world’s clothing by now? Considering how much crap he’s been through, how is it not a piece of rag by now?). 4 episodes in, her problems seem completely static, and she’s still stuck on getting a familiar. Kind of boring. Thank god she’s got the looks and the voice, but she’s going to have to smother Saito again or something – especially with Siesta playing the same role much more aggressively and successfully – if I’m to stay interested in her story.

Preview

No matter how big a house you have, you can’t beat the queen’s huge tracts of land, Louise.

About lvlln

A math/science geek and a self-dubbed cynical optimist. I don't care if it's deep, if it can make me feel something or laugh, it's fine in my book. @lvlln