Zetsuen no Tempest – 03
Rule #1 of Kusaribe magic: You can NEVER wear too many rings.
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Whoa, those fight scenes! There weren’t any Shakespeare references as far as I noticed, but the episode more than made up for that with solid action. …There was also some pretty solid explanation, which was also much appreciated. |
The whole issue with Hakaze’s magic being limited was bugging me this entire time, so it was great that they clarified the issue. Not just how limited the talismans are in usage, but also how much and what kinds of power Hakaze and her family have. It was a lengthy conversation between Hakaze and Yoshino, but definitely necessary. They also answered my question about why Mahiro would take on a full fledged mage when his own powers were so limited. It wasn’t so much Mahiro having the actual ability to take the mage on, but more of Mahiro rushing into the situation believing that he could win. Man, the kid is arrogant. The episode resulted in a ton of great action scenes (I don’t even want to know how much of the budget was used here) though, so it was well worth it in the end.
Speaking of those fight scenes, I think Mahiro resorting to using a gun was a great way of showing his level of desperation, even if he wasn’t showing it directly or even entirely conscious of it. I mean, he KNEW guns didn’t work since Evangeline used one point blank episode one on him and Mahiro didn’t even blink at the time. Maybe it could have been part of a big plan, but I’m not so convinced since he picked up the gun before he saw the oil spill.
I love the idea of Hakaze’s family magic being non-offensive. Normally when you think magic, you think being about having the ability to shoot fire balls from your palms or something. What I took away from Hakaze’s explanation is that any battle between the Kusaribe clan and the protagonists is going to be a battle of shields. Sure it sounds …well, lame, but it’s also fairly original. It’s not about how powerful you are, but how well you can protect yourself, how much magic stamina you have (…if magic stamina is even a thing), and how well you apply the shield as a form of weapon. …It also lends interest to the plot line about how Samon is trying to destroy logic, since that line of thinking basically goes against everything the Kusaribe clan believes in. It’s also slightly ironic seeing Mahiro wield it since with his hot-bloodedness, you’d expect him to have offensive magic to match. …Though he wields it well enough as a weapon anyways.
It’s funny how in most RPGs, bringing back the dead and healing wounds is generally considered to be the same type of magic, yet here, they’re two separate things. At first I didn’t really see why healing was allowed and bringing back the dead wasn’t, but I realized that most injuries fade with time naturally, but death doesn’t. It makes more sense when you put it that way. …Though I don’t think shoes really repair with time. I’m just going to extend my disbelief with that point. If Hakaze says bringing back the dead is impossible, I’ll believe her.
Magic may not have the ability to raise the dead, but at least it can take out entire mountains.
I have less issues with Yoshino now. For one, he’s become the character that asks all of the questions I want to ask. Sure, it may seem like a cheap way to explain everything, but when a great portion of the plot is a mystery, you kind of need a character like that. Another reason I like him is that his lack of personality actually means something now. He’s proven that he’s quick witted and rather calm in intense situations, but nobody has any idea what he’s thinking. Sure he asks a lot of questions, but he seems to be asking them more for himself to asses the situation and plan ahead as opposed to being that convenient character that gets everyone to explain everything to him for the viewer. I want to believe that there was something deeper in that question he asked about bringing Aika back to life. There’s definitely a possibility that Yoshino has a whole other self or some kind of dark secret that he’s hiding behind his lack of emotions since he gives so little away. I’m excited for the potential there.
So after 3 episodes, I’m starting to see where the characters all fit as a team. Hakaze works as the source of power, information and advice for the team. Mahiro is of course, the driving force that moves the characters forward and Yoshino is more of the strategist who balances Mahiro out/thinks where Mahiro doesn’t. Even Aika plays a part, where she’s the one piece holding the entire team together. I can see this kind of character relationship system working out really well team-wise. Especially since Yoshino and Mahiro are now working together as opposed to Mahiro rushing forward and just dragging Yoshino along.
Zetsuen no Tempest just keeps getting better. It seems like every single problem I’ve had with the series either has a logical reason to it, or they’re revealing it slowly to help build up the plot. I can’t even claim that the characters have done much besides reunite, run away from enemies, and explain the plot, yet everything this series is doing is so intriguing. Of course, I have a ton of questions still about the plot (and most of them have been asked already by Yoshino). Why does magic require some form of manmade object? Why are people turning to iron? Though I also have questions about what kind of deal Yoshino and Evangeline made (since they parted ways, I assume they worked out some kind of agreement) and of course, questions about Aika’s death. I’m not sure where they’ll end the anime (…not that I should be worrying about that since we’re only on episode 3) since the manga is ongoing, but if they handle the unanswered questions as well as they have before, I’m not worried in the least.
The next episode involves flashbacks, so be prepared for shotas and some kind of explanation as two how Yoshino and Mahiro met.
About Karakuri
University student and the one at Metanorn who's known for wearing glasses. Likes blood, insanity and plot twists, but also plays otome games and adores cute romance anime. It balances out... somehow.
POWUH: 1000-1099 and Pirate King with 1048 comments
Like you Kara, I feel Tempest has been steadily improving after a pretty good first episode.
The dead can’t come back? ZnT, you mean to tell me people die when they are killed? Either I’m impressed or waiting for the workaround. Honestly, I don’t think Tempest would do that and that logic will win over all, including Samon.
The laws of the Kusaribe magic are interesting and to have them explained to Yoshino in and around a pretty solid fight scene made for an entertaining episode. Usually in sports, they say the best defense is a good offense. Tempest seems to flip that idea around, which is pretty unique. The fight scene isn’t one of spectacular moments or anything, but I feel Bones did a pretty solid job overall.
Mahiro is just a man on a path to revenge and has appeared to be not much more since the beginning, so I find a flashback episode of the kids welcome to flesh out more details on both he and Yoshino.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Ahahaha Akia doesn’t seem like she would die, even if someone killed her. I kind of spoiled myself on a workaround browsing around a plot summary of this, but I have no idea if it actually works or not.
I don’t feel like the fight scenes were all that special either. There was no real moment where I stopped and said “WOW”, but it was great all around, which was equally impressive. They had a good division between fighting and explaining, which kept the episode going.
Pre-revenge Mahiro will be interesting for sure. The next episode should be good~
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Mahiro shouldn’t have been so careless showing off the frail durability of the talismans in front of Yoshino in the last episode. It could’ve given him better chance against the Mage.
The fight was awesome and the animation was similar to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
After what was shown in fight, the magic can used in many ways if a little imagination is used. Since it’s based on defense, you say you’re using it as armor and you’re deliberately using your own body as weapon. Therefore, you attack the intended target while technically still following the rules.
As for Samon, I think his goal is to destroy the Tree since it’s the foundation of the world’s logic. If logic ceased to exist, anything could happen and be undone. Maybe there’s something he wants that logic is getting in his way with.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I don’t think it mattered how many talismans Mahiro had; that mage was way above his level. He put in good effort though.
Yeah, I’m seeing the resemblances now that I know that the director is the same. He’s a good man for this job.
No kidding, I was impressed by the fact that a shield had so many uses.
Yeah, I think that’s his goal as well. I’m not sure why exactly, but he seems hellbent on destroying logic at it’s core. …Which actually sounds pretty badass. I’m looking forward to learning the reasons behind all of this.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, I agree that it was a good way to explain the story of the magic, while not boring us with exposition. I’m just watching this show at the moment, not really having too much thinking about it. If there’s anything I do think about it, it’s that it’s a shame that Aika isn’t seen more. There’s something about her character design, it reminds me of someone (and I always like the Hime haircuts). I think it’s Mao-nee-chan from Kimikiss, with that beige hair.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I’m actually finding Zetsuen fun to think about, which is a nice change from struggling and trying to figure out what to write about each episode. Aika plays a pretty big role for someone who shows up so little. …I can see them getting away with keeping her screen time to an absolute minimum, but I hope they show her more as well.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I’m liking how things are progressing. Just wonder how Mahiro never noticed that his sister actually liked his best friend, which is pretty normal.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Hell if I know what Mahiro has going on inside his head. …Though Aika seemed to keep a lot to herself, so maybe that’s why.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
OH MY GOD best episode and I loved the mini explanation on the magic! Sooooooo cool! I was waiting for a typical FMA take on mages aka the whole exchange thingy! I know it sort of takes some of the FMA style ideas and changes it xD
I find it funny that Kana Hanazawa has technically appeared in every episode so far! It’s like shes apart of the cast even though her character isn’t alive, but I think she is alive >.>
Our duo of main dudes work so well together leaving me wanting more! Why can’t this series update twice in one week? T______T
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Ahaha it was close enough. Car=shield.
She has but she hasn’t! The Hanazawa Virus has levelled up! She’s even taking over characters that aren’t technically there anymore. Will there ever be an end? …I’m in between believing that she’s dead and alive. I can see it going either way.
YES. THIS.
POWUH: 600-699 and Wingman with 655 comments
i like how the series has progressed so far
it is getting more interesting and i definitely thought the explanation part was necessary
im keeping a close eye in the character development
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I think it’s processing nicely so far~ the characters seem to be working better together now at least. Evangeline didn’t even get the crap kicked out of her this episode! Progress!
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
I like the internal consistency of the magic powers. I find that so much more interesting than just they can do anything they want, because it is *magic*.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I like the defined rules as well. Keep things too open and there’s a huge chance for plotholes.