Strike the Blood – 04
Protagonist obliviousness at it’s finest.
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So someone decided that the past 6 episodes of Diabolik Lovers were confusing and needed a recap episode (actually, it’s probably more to have it slow down for the rest of the season’s anime, but I like my version better), so there will be no abusive vampires this week. |
Well, Kojou survived. The fact that his blood transferred back into his body too makes things seem like even less of a big deal than just the fact that his head reattached. Though with this, you really have to wonder just how much it would take to kill Kojou. Generally, removing someone’s head is a pretty fatal thing, and even among other immortal creatures like the stereotypical zombie. With this, he does seem like a rather large threat then, since not even Kojou seems to know what will kill him or not. Going by how the original 4th Primogenitor (seemed to have) died, maybe the typical stab through the heart would kill him though? If so, maybe Kojou isn’t so invulnerable, since he doesn’t seem to have an awful lot of combat experience yet, and probably couldn’t beat someone with more talent who knew where to aim. Who knows though.
Even Kojou’s powers under control didn’t seem that impressive. It’s possible because he was a bit reluctant to fight (or that his powers aren’t fully realized, or… something), but it was more of a close match than the one sided victory I was expecting. This could have been due to the anime’s take on things (maybe the description of what happened in the novel was more awe-inspiring), but Kojou fighting here wasn’t as impressive as the rumours would have led one to believe. He even needed Yukina’s help to finish the battle. So maybe it’s a little disappointing, but despite my complaints, I’m more okay with this than I may sound. It’s Kojou’s first real fight of the show, for one thing. Plus if he was overpowered from the beginning (with only maybe 3 real threats in the form of the other Primogenitors), it might make things less interesting due to there being less of a struggle.
Rudolf uses Flash!
As for the villain party this time, Kojou hit the nail on the head with his statement about Rudolf being in the right, but going about things in the wrong way. The fact that Rudolf just let Yukina go in the last episode had me under the impression that he secretly had depth to his character, but I guess the real answer behind that is that he just doesn’t like thinking things through. The fact that Kojou went “wait and let’s get the arm back through better methods” and Rudolf’s answer being “lolno, screw you guys” made it hard to take Rudolf’s character seriously anymore. There were options that didn’t involve trying to destroy an entire island. Who knows why Rudolf didn’t take them. At least the fact that Kojou pointed out that they had the technology to make things work brought about a kind of awareness to the ridiculousness of the situation. Rudolf was just someone who just wanted to destroy things for the hell of it, and was just ignoring the sane solutions. This wasn’t just the author doing things for the sake of drama. …Okay it was, but again, there was a level of awareness there which makes things more acceptable in a way.
Shipshipshipshipshipship
So finally, Kojou gets his first blood and of course, Yukina was totally okay with it because this isn’t Diabolik Lovers. Are you shipping this yet? Because the plot demands that you do so. While I’ve given up and decided to go along with this, I still have mixed feelings about this couple though. Or not really mixed feelings about the pairing itself. I’m glad things are happening on this level and that both parties seem to be aware of their attraction to the other (…for the most part). But at the same time, if this is the obvious OTP then what the heck is Asagi still doing here? Why is Kojou still acting like a dumbass harem lead? I’m sure these questions will be solved with time, but if the plot is going to set him up with Yukina while still trying to pull off a harem, this could get annoying pretty fast. Yes, Yukina resorted to violence again, but I’m totally with her in this case. Kojou was asking for it. Though I guess there was kind of a compliment in there, that Kojou finds Yukina arousing. …Yep.
At least it’s comforting to know that Yukina was sent there on purpose, and that she’s acting exactly how they figured she would act. It would be pretty ridiculous if they got mad for her actions. Especially after being the ones to send an impressionable teenage girl to do this job when someone with less hormones could have been there instead. …Or at least I assume the talking bird was from the Lion King Organization and with the intent of the entire organization behind it, since Yukina’s magical vibrating spear was repaired. I guess this raises questions about Yaze as well, since he obviously knows more about Kojou than Kojou thinks he knows.
Well, things happened and I assume this is the end of the first arc. If there’s going to be a plot developing from any of this, I assume it will be because either Kojou is now a real vampire, or because he defended the island. So as long as something comes out of this, I’ll feel okay about these first 4 episodes. I’m actually rather happy with how the two main characters have progressed, since that seems to be the main focus of the show, but I’m still a little let down about the action this episode. Perhaps it’s not the fact that it was a close battle so much as the fact that I was kind of hoping for some Prisma Illya kind of action (like, the Archer battle, which proved that Silver Link can do nice looking battles if they try). Or maybe they have some other overly badass scene in the future that Silver Link is saving the budget for.
…Or they can spend all of their budget on this, I guess.
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: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So ends the “Right Arm of the Saint” arc along with the rest of my manga knowledge. More specifically, that ended when Kojou brought the lion familiar out. I’m officially with the anime only group. With the fight in tow, the episode was great and I’ve been shipping Kojou and Yukina from the start.
The bloodsucking scene was totally the highlight. It was sexy and it looked like Yukina really enjoyed it given the look of ecstasy on her face. Surely, someone would have been saying “Get a room you two!” The way she offered her neck was erotic. Most likely the show is following the concept of being bitten by a vampire is the ultimate pleasure, one that even sex pales in comparison like in Dance in the Vampire Bund and Black Blood Brothers. This should put things in perspective. Guys, grab your headphones! Girls, try not to squeal and alert everyone within a thousand yard radius of you.
I like Kojou even more because he’s honest admitting he’s a pervert and I don’t blame Yukina for smacking him. He had it coming. I don’t know what subs you got with the episode but I laughed hard when she asked “So you used me as an appetizer?”. Oh, that misunderstanding at the end. Normally you’d roll your eyes when that comes around but man, did this time need sympathy because there’s no way no one could not misread that.
So Yukina was sent not to “observe” Kojou but more specifically to be his blood partner. Something nuts is going on this season. Innocent and impressionable girls are being gift wrapped and sent to vampires under false pretenses (As if we didn’t see that in Diabolik Lovers) and it made sense when one of Yukina’s superiors asked if he was her type. Not to mention that so far this year, we’ve encountered another freakin’ talking crow (After Vividred Operation and Genei wo Kakeru Taiyou).
Now I’m even more curious about Kojou’s friend Yaze (Ryota Ohsaka aka Valvrave’s Haruto and Blood Lad’s Staz). He’s been unveiled as an agent but there may be a chance he’s a double agent as well.
As for the episode count, it looks like Strike the Blood will be a two cour series like Tokyo Ravens. I found the site relating to the anime and found the info. There, you’ll see the third box on the top left with 2クール予定 which reads (2 cour plan). Though the internet translator won’t fully get it right.
So Kara, did my persuasion to get you to like this series work? If anything, it’s doing a lot better than Blood-C.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
syoboi is a bit unreliable at times.
At least use the official website as the source.
It’s definitely 2 cour with 24 episodes.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Thanks for the help. I’m just glad I don’t have to worry about this show being rushed because there aren’t enough episodes. And the manga is still ongoing and currently has 7 volumes according to the front the Strike the Blood page is using. Now I’ll have something good to carry me into 2014.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
No problem.
And another correction/clarification. The cover in that page is for the LN, not the manga and that’s definitely outdated. The LN, which is the original source, currently has 9 volumes, the latest just came out this month. The manga only has 2 volumes so far.See here.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I see. Well, it’s more vampire fun for me to get into. And it’s odd that all the covers for each LN has only Yukina on them, even the two manga volumes. Thanks again.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Ah, cool. I don’t mind sticking with this for 2 seasons~
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s not every day Silver Link produces a 2 cour series. The exception, rather its first is Chitose Get You!!. Connect, Silver Link’s partner, seems to be even more of a novice since apparently Strike the Blood is its first anime ever.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
And so, the right arm of the saint was literally the right arm of a saint.
Yep. I am on this ship. Yukina is totally waifu material and THANK GOD she gets along with Kojou without unnecessary tsun. My most recent vampire adventure is ongoing in DiaLovers. From the descriptions in there, having someone drink your blood hurts (…but really, it wouldn’t be a do-M game without the heroine in pain and eventually enjoying the pain).
Kojou is a rather attractive protagonist (maybe not the best phrasing, but whatever), but at the same time, a total dumbass. I can see why Yukina has kind of fallen for his character, but uh, good luck with that, girl.
Well, this is certainly a better alternative to the cliche of Yukina living in exile/hiding/whatever due to being too involved with Kojou. It’s also nice to know that the organization isn’t made up of idiots who send teenage girls to deal with teenage boys while still being threatening. This way, we still get the pairing as well as the knowledge that the organization is secretly pulling strings for their own goals.
To be honest, your persuasion is a large part of why I’m doing this episodically. xD It still has a ton of room for improvement, but I was planning on just doing episode 1 and being done with this. I’ll stick with it though.
…I will forever like Blood-C more than the average person due to my intense CLAMP bias.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That’s one of the many myths about vampires. Here, it’s dwelling more on the sexual aspects of vampirism, which is largely due to the penetration aspect of teeth-to-neck. I read a lot of vampire mangas and find various things. Like Sekai de Ichiban Tadashii Kyuuketsuki no Kaikata, it brings up some interesting stuff. In its third chapter, they talk about their hunting methods and preferences. It’s thought provoking.
For their preferences: The blood of each individual has a different taste and depends on their mood, the main difference is female blood is sweet and that of males is bitter (So in my opinion, human females are likely to be attacked by both genders of the vampire race) and that virgin blood is very pure (I’d say Yukina fits that description).
For their hunting methods: Their fangs secrete a substance that loosens blood cells making it easier to digest blood and to relieve the pain, they also create a substance that can make their prey feel at ease. So it’s as if you’re being injected with a muscle relaxant and aphrodisiac while being fed on. That’s why their victims’ bodies are numbed; they can’t fight back and have a rather ecstatic expression on their face.
There’s this manga I’ve hunting down with a passion but with no avail. The name is Lovephobia. The premise sounds interesting but the review sealed the deal for me and I bet you’d like it too. READ THE REVIEW!!
Thanks for the compliment. I just didn’t want anyone to miss out on how good the story is so far and I know you can’t resist bloody stuff. And yeah, it still has a lot of room for improvement and any more biting is a plus for me. 😀
I see… So fan bias has you clinging to Blood-C. Well, I have a similar thing for Shiki and Trinity Blood so I can sympathize with you.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I’ll have to give that a Sekai de Ichiban
how the hell do I shorten this?Kaikata a read when I have the chance.Oh! I think I saw Lovephobia in a store just yesterday… It was volume 2, but I guess I should have picked it up. That sounds really interesting (and it’s short with 3 volumes, so I don’t have to revolutionize the order of my bookshelf to fit it on!).
If you’re not opposed to shoujo (or some rather …different versions of vampires), Kurobara Alice is pretty good.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, BB. I’m all for more biting too. xD I know you’re for a different (vampire-related) reason, but the more I can ship these two, the better.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That won’t be a problem. I’ve read shoujo vampire mangas before as well. Like Bara Wo Karasu Te De Boku Wo Dake,
Kyuuketsuki no Uruwashiki Kekkon,
Bara to Juudan and
Kenketsu Rush. If you’re interested in a horror one, there’s Yougen no Chi.
Oh, and don’t get me wrong. The bloodsucking is a lot better to watch if there’s a positive relationship between the characters. I don’t like romance much but if it’s a bloody romance with tension and moral blurring like the vampire genre can produce, then I’m all for it.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
…Yes, I will be reading these. xD I think you’ve shown me Yougen no Chi before, but a lot of these look new. Oh, have you read Junketsu Kareshi? It was just licensed by Yen Press, and it’s by a mangaka I’m rather fond of.
Oh, see I’m romance before vampires. xD But I don’t mind the moral blurring stuff in DiaLovers (obviously) either.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Junketsu Kareshi? I think I’ve only seen the first chapter of that. It’s about a highschool girl who was turned into a vampire’s servant as a means to be saved from being killed, she wants to see someone and the vampire said he’d do what she wants in exchange for her help with something he’s after, right?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
And here I thought it was some sort of symbolism thing abt the arc title.
Well, I imagine having pointy things puncture your veins on the neck must hurts like hell. Unless they are like leeches like wht BB suggested.
…….IMO, the final few episodes and the movie redeemed B-C to me.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Wow, between Fairy Fencer f game (Fang), Log Horizon (Shoryu), Nagi no Asakura (Kaname), Valvrave (Haruto) and this Ryota Ohsaka is pretty much everywhere now. Not that I mind.
Don’t forget QB frm the 3rd Madoka movie! Is this the year of sinister talking animal?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Ryota Ohsaka and Yuki Kaji are probably trying to gain Kana Hanazawa-esque recognition like when she owned 2011 with her multiple roles in different series each season.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
So Itogami Island’s a high-tech, manmade island built according to feng shui/onmyou principles and stabilised with the stolen remains of a Christian saint…
How do Japanese writers even think up these things?(?_?)
And I mean this in a good way.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
ALL OF THE RELIGIONS. At least the island is… diverse.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Give the Japanese some credit. In High School DxD New, the characters can actually merge holy and demonic elements which shouldn’t be possible but happened anyway. And in Index II, science was used to create an artificial angel.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Just ask how Kamachi.exe seems to never run out of ideas and can write pretty damn fast even with multiple LN and projects under him XD
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
To Karakuri,
If you listen to the ‘crow’ talking to Yaze, it speaks with the same voice of that one Shishi-ou superior that addressed Yukina back in ep 2.
I think Yaze’s the true Observer, and the Shishi-ou plan to try control Kojou through Yukina(though that’ll depend how the story unravels).
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Oh good. If the organization is supporting Yukina, then there should be less drama there.
That would be a good way to develop the plot. Yaze is obviously there with some kind of motive, and has interesting connections.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Pairing Yukina up with Kojou is obviously just the beginning. I have a feeling they’re going to exploit her severely from here on out.
There should be eyes on Yaze as much as the two leads. He’s being far too secretive for me. I bet right now is nothing but the tip of the iceberg.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I really do not want the main characters to fall in love because isn’t one in highschool and the other is in middle school? LOL I mean sure why not its anime and it can work, but I just dont find them “romantic” together at all..
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Shh… ignore the ages, Fosh. xD I’ve shipped larger age gaps before in otome games/whatnot, so I guess it just takes practice… or something.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
I think its because its not too obvious like say, a 40+ yo oyaji and a loli. (I do ship a similar pairing like tht though >_>) But yeah, after consuming these much japanese media I am used to it XD
And my comment got swallowed by spammy.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
TRUE I can see that Kara lololl
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I thought the restraint of Kojou’s power was appropriate, given the destruction he caused before. Unleash that where they were fighting this time and “oops!” big problem.
The attitude of the two people involved makes all the difference with vampire shows.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
…Yeah, you’re right. Now that I think about it, that would have been the wrong place to destroy. That doesn’t mean that I’m not still crossing my fingers that Silver Link also held back for the sake of some other high budget battle, though. :3
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 88 comments
Yay, it finally “sucked”.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I sense more puns incoming!
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
This show knows how to “suck” you into it XD
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Let’s see….. Yaze is obviously Tsuchimikado and the lady behind the crow is reminding me of Laura Stuart. Rudolf general motive reminds me of Sherry Cromwell and Vento ones. And I have a feeling Astarte will be the Misaka 10032 of STB.
OK, I’m officially adding Kujou up there with Touman. This guy survives getting beheaded by his powers while Touman needs Dr Gekota help every now & then XD Not to mention apparently Kujou is also using the same art of FACE PUNCH.
Oh, I’m definitely shipping Kujou x Yukina. I like to see their character interaction and Simba.org also ships them anyway 😛 (Though Yukina got the better end of the deal compare to Yui)
And yes, the part in the end is def the best part of the episode. Out of context lines are an awesome source of comedy XD I do wonder why vampirism have a “safe day” though. Or is it just mean tht she did not turn into one that day?
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
What days is one more susceptible to becoming a servant vampire if one happens to get bitten those days? “Yeah, normally, I’d be fine, but I’d watched Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de and Hayate no Gotoku and was feeling particularly like I wanted to be a maid, so when I was bitten it made me a servant vampire…”