Strike the Blood – 11-12
…Nagisa seems strangely excited over the fact that her brother may be leading on 4 women.
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Merry Christmas~. Or maybe not quite, depending on where you live. If I don’t post this now, I feel like I’ll never get around to it, so this is just one big mess on my collective thoughts. I didn’t bother separating 11 and 12, since I feel like I mostly talked about 12. |
So they weren’t real angels. I guess that explains that issue. It would have been interesting if they had been real angels since they broke the stereotype so much, but being artificial also explains a lot and makes things fit nicely in the plot. …Apparently it wasn’t that much of a secret either, since they mentioned it so casually in episode 11. It’s good that they explained everything neatly though. I was kind of hoping that they would eventually go into how exactly they got the technology/magic/whatever in order to create artificial angels in the first place and what real angels are like in this world, but that’s not really a huge issue. Back to the matter at hand, things fell into place rather neatly. La Folia and Kanon are obviously related, and Kanon was some experiment. …If she’s so powerful, it’s questionable as to why she couldn’t just say “no” to her father, but I’m sure there’s some kind of explanation as to why she’s still following orders (which more than likely had to do with that remote control).
Speaking of Kanon’s father, I felt like I was watching Valvrave again for a moment, since he seemed rather excited that his daughter had transcended beyond humanity. Of course, this transformation came with the fact that she regularly fought others viciously and ripped people’s organs out, but meh, details. It was interesting how Kanon actually had some kind of blood relation to her adoptive father though, and how he actually did kind of care about her in his own way. As for the other villains of the arc, BB seemed to have just tagged along for power and whatnot. She was a pretty flat character, personality-wise (as was the ossan who apparently isn’t quite an ossan). She was also disappointingly weak, which means that whoever Vatler was talking about at the beginning of the arc, it was probably Kanon and not BB. …Which is kind of disappointing, considering how much trouble BB caused here and I was secretly hoping that she was somehow closely related to the other Progenitors.
It’s not like she could have gone back for her clothing or anything.
Yukina got a lot of screen time this arc. Not only fanservice-wise, but she was also vital in helping Kanon, since her spear stops magic or whatever. Actually, she’s been helpful in every arc so far, so hopefully that means that the plot is planning to keep her around for every arc in the future. The blood drinking scene with Yukina didn’t seem to go anywhere this episode in terms of Kojou powering up, but it was a nice scene. …Though it raises the question as to if we’re really going to have to watch Kojou drink 12 different people’s blood in order to control all 12 familiars. That number seems a little ridiculous, considering that the harem seems to barely stand watching Kojou with 4 women, let alone 8 others. Or maybe there was some weird restriction as to why Yukina couldn’t have awoken some other familiar that didn’t require 2 people’s blood (in which case, I really wish they had explained why).
So Kanon wasn’t quite added to the harem (or was she?), but La Folia certainly seems like she has been. Her addition isn’t bad though, since her first move seems to have been to have been to motivate Yukina. Plus unlike how Asagi and Sayaka seem to act towards each other, she seems capable of getting along with the other characters. Though she needs more screen time and interaction with Kojou if she’s going to become a serious candidate. I’m sure she’s probably interested in Kojou as a person on some level since she kissed him, but a lot of her attention feels like it’s due to his status as a Progenitor right now. She did keep saying how she was expecting things from him and honestly, they spent all of maybe a couple of hours together with little to no meaningful interaction. …Though after Sayaka, maybe I should just accept that things happen quickly in this series.
Well, there goes another one of Kojou’s hoodies.
This new familiar seems pretty powerful. …Which is both a good thing and a bad thing, since Kojou might become more competent while fighting, but at the same time, the people who see him as a threat may have their fears justified. Though considering that Kojou may be powering up because people are preparing for shifts in power across the world, it’s just going to be a vicious cycle. Either Kojou doesn’t act and the world is in peril, or he does act, which causes other people to act, which still puts the world in peril. The whole thing really makes one wonder about Avrora, since the 4th Progenitor wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place. Where did she even come from and how did she become Progenitor? The series is about Kojou, but really, she seems to be at the centre of things, since she was the 4th Progenitor before him. Like Yaze though, I don’t think the anime has time to go into that. Nor will it ever go into how Kojou manages to remain so oblivious all the time. Yes Kojou, Asagi just kissed you due to friendship. You keep on being confused by that.
…I couldn’t figure out where to put the blood sucking/fanservice-y screenshots with La Folia and Yukina in this post, so here you go.
Well, that was an interesting arc. I don’t know what it is about this one as compared to others, but I liked the pacing for this. Maybe because the fights with Kanon spaced out the action scenes better as opposed to having everything important happen in the end. Or maybe they were just more memorable, since this show has definitely had action scenes in the middle of arcs before. I can’t say that I’m fond of the idea of Kojou biting a new girl for every power up he gets, but I have no problems with La Folia herself. Along with gaining an addition to the harem every arc, Kojou has seemed to develop a strange habit of appearing to die at least once an arc (the Nalakuvara was an exception, but he was stabbed once). …The injury this time was actually kind of serious (not that we would have known without them telling us). However, considering that he survived getting his head removed in the first episode, there’s no real tension in him getting stabbed or whatever at the end of every other episode.
Anyways, it’s a new arc next episode (and possibly an new OP, which is exciting).
La Folia seems to be back earlier than expected too.
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: 600-699 with 691 comments
it was a nice episode, not really special…GO LA FOLIA…
she’s sexy I can’t help it…Thinking on the blood-familiar question… maybe he does need the blood of 12 to get all his “pokemons”, but, it never said that he had to suck blood from a woman…technically speaking…that’s probably what’s going to happen, otherwise is too well…not sure how to classify it…i’m cheering for La Folia by the way…
and
AA IS BACK, here I am my wonderful followers!…I wonder how different are Kanon and La Folia if we could just open them to study their biology that would be awesome, just think about the evolution! *-*
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Welcome back, AAA. It’s been a while and it’s good to have you back.
I see you’re still hell-bent on dissecting anime characters. Maybe it’s a good thing for them that they’re out of your reach. 😉
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
of course it’s my charm point!
and
don’t worry one day i’ll make sure I can get my hands on the people from the anime world…I think
then i’ll meet my favorite anime character/most sexy anime character ever…Lacus Clyne! Lacus is just…no words to describe her level of awesomeness*w*
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Dare to dream, my friend, dare to dream.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
the best quality for a scientist! we dare! o/
to the future, science and to dissect anime characters! OSSU o/
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
At the moment, I like La Folia better than Asagi and Sayaka if that’s anything to go by. We’ll have to see if she surpasses Yukina once she gets more screen time.
Welcome back~
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
probably not if the first OP is something to go by…but maybe he’ll enter the Harem route…he is a vampire king/Progenitor/Impossible strong
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, a vampire is the kind of supernatural creature able to get away with having multiple women on his arms. So the option is not out of reach. Kojou is one lucky bastard.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Among the girls, La Folia makes a huge impression with the short amount of time she’s had and she’s quite bold. So far, this list of likable girls go in this order:
Yukina (Already proven herself as acceptable wife material), La Folia, Sayaka, Asagi
If Kanon gets more screen time, I’ll see about working her in and there’s also the girl coming in from the new arc.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
it’s probably going to sound strange, but I don’t really like Yukina…though she already has her spot on the harem, Natsuki-chan would be a nice addition, I like her… she uses chains
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
But it’s already been made clear by the OP and the manga/LN covers that Yukina is the one who ultimately ends up with Kojou. Not to mention she was actually and unknowingly sent to be his lover.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
he’s a vampire…he can have a harem
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Merry Christmas to you, Kara and happy holidays.
You know there’s definitely going to be another arc and yeah, a new OP is on its way, titled “Fight 4 Real” by ALTIMA and Kanon Wakeshima. Too bad we won’t see it until about the second week of January along with every other two cour show that started this season. This period of time is always torture, especially when it’s a series you want to see.
These last two episodes were the best parts of “The Amphisbaena” arc. I really liked it thanks to the story progression, revealed secrets, character development and introduction, fanservice (I wouldn’t dare forget that) and nice action. La Folia is another nice addition to cast. It’s hard to explain but all these women surrounding Kojou manage to be likable which is an achievement not easily seen. The surprising thing is Nagisa acting so positive at the thought of all these girls surrounding her brother. What a rare imouto. Already she defies the stereotype by not being overly attached, protective, annoying, possibly jealous of other girls and she calls him by his name (with “kun” for effect) instead of “Onii-chan”.
I’m glad to see Kanon get out of her situation okay. Her “father” (actually he’s really her uncle because his sister was Kanon’s mother) was a bastard for forcing his views on her without her consent but he got off pretty easy if you ask me. It would have alright with me had Kojou actually gave him an uppercut like the previous bad guys. As for the other family relations, the eyebrows were raised for about 10 seconds finding out Kanon was La Folia’s aunt (The grandfather still had some in him in his old age). Given how similar they looked, I was expecting them to be siblings, a usual anime trope. Well, I can relate to La Folia since I, myself, have an aunt 5 years younger and I’m turning 23 in February 2014.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Merry Christmas to you as well, BB. :3
Oooh, I haven’t heard Kanon Wakeshima in a while. Ahaha I remember the wait for Zetsuen no Tempest last year. Oh well, time for me to attempt to finish my backlog in the meantime.
Yeah, I guess I’ve never mentioned her before, but Nagisa is a rather nice imouto. I would actually want to be related to her.
Hmmm, I was expecting siblings too. The whole aunt thing adds a nice extra but of distance between them. It’s not unusual that you have aunts or nieces that you had no idea about (or maybe that’s just my family).
By the way, the first volume Bloody Cross was released here the other day. Thanks again for the heads up that they licensed it in the first place. XD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
My wait last year was for Zetsuen no Tempest and Psycho-Pass. It was unbearable but I’ll follow your example and use the free time to catch up on the episodes of shows that have been piling up.
Kanon’s reveal was unique. I wonder how she’d fit if she went to the kingdom where La Folia resides knowing she’s the illigitimate child of the previous king. Royals are cutthroat about social standings.
So far in the show, we’ve been getting various species of creatures and now the next arc will involve witches. I wonder how that’s going to develop.
No problem, Kara. While we’re on the subject of mangas, I have one you might like: The Simple Job of Having Your Blood Sucked by Kiryuin Kaya. Personally, it’s a good story, the characters are likable and the relationship between the two leads is nice to look at.
The story is solid enough in its own right but starting, like say chapter 9, things get a complete 180 turn and begin to become tragic. Other than that, there’s a lot of blood (Since I know that’s one of your favorite things). If my word alone isn’t enough to convince you, check out the Facebook comments on the bottom of the page.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I’ve gotten through about a season of Bleach (though it was all filler and I admit to skipping through a lot of it).
I doubt Kanon would have any claim to the throne since she was illegitimate, but who knows.
I’ll read the manga when I get a chance~ thanks. (ahaha it’s nice to know that you understand me).
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
The bloodsucking scenes keep getting erotic which is fine by me and Yukina gets a second round. Not to mention the stepping up are showing more and more skin for it. Plus, I realize when Yukina’s about to be bitten, she cuts herself beforehand. First on the neck, now on her wrist. She’s must be either used to feeling pain or she’s really numb to a degree. The very act of her being drained reminded me of two things: Either what happened between Haruto and Saki from Valvrave or what Kanato did to Yui in the graveyard from Diabolik Lovers. Strange…
She alone already brought out the first Familiar, Regulus Aurum. It’s more like her blood was half of what was needed this time to awaken the new two-headed dragon Familiar and the other other half from La Folia. So I assume each awakening needs a certain combination of blood, meaning Kojou doesn’t really need 12 girls to bring them all out. It would be nice idea wise but 12 girls surrounding one guy is kind of ridiculous.
But she did end up under Natsuki’s guardianship like Astarte is for her probation. Apparently, the girls who don’t end up in Kojou’s circle get sidelined to her supervision.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I really hate forgetting some crucial words in my comments! And it sometimes happens even when I’m going over it before posting. Sheesh…
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
blood combination is a good theory…makes sense! each familiar is different so the requirements must vary…
by the way Merry Christmas to everyone on the Meta Team and the Meta Lurkers! o/
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Natsuki’s more like the holding pen for auxiliary harem-ettes. If one of his normal harem should happen to get sidelined, I’m sure someone would step up.
Kojou’s still a typically terrible harem lead, tho. I truly think he is close to Ichika.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
indeed…Kojou really is a horrible harem lead…
Natsuki is going to make some noise in the future though “I can already see the ending”, just kidding… not about Natsuki though she the witch of void isn’t she… and that’s not even the worst…what about kojou’s sister?! I think that the plot is finally moving! there was quite a lot of development on the sidelines in this and the last arcs
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
But frankly, I disagree with you on Kojou being close to Ichika. He may be dense but it’s not severe and it doesn’t take him long to notice dangerous situations. Plus, he actually gets “quality” time with the girls that are around him. From the extra clip at the end of the first arc, he was worried about turning Yukina into his servant and he acknowledged her good points in front of Sayaka whereas she only talked about her physical appearance so it shows he indeed cares for their well being. Ichika hardly has any of the latter traits.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Maybe it doesn’t come out in the anime as much, but that’s almost all of what Ichika does. He does care for all the girls… as people. He wants them to be happy and healthy. He likes doing things for them. He wants to protect them. He’s just completely dense about the degree to which they want to be his girlfriend. It’s almost exactly the same thing we see from Kojou here. Hell, Asagi KISSED him, and he thinks it was because he offered to model for her. Ichika’s never actually kissed anyone (it’s been sooo close for Houki a couple of times, tho).
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
In the LN, Kujou actually acknowledges Asagi have feelings for him in his monologue…..
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Negima had 30, and it was ridiculous.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
There are reasons why I haven’t touched Negima.
…Mainly my huge backlogPOWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I followed it when it came out, up to ten of the Del Rey releases. It felt like it told the story I wanted to read, and I didn’t go any further.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
My reason for not touching it is finding out it was a series that played a long time ago. If something like that doesn’t sound really intersting to me, I won’t be inclined to watch it.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
I didn’t touch there because Negima is just…a place where you don’t go…we just do go thereShow ▼
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I was mainly speaking of the manga. For anime the original is quite bad. The SHAFT run is a bit of fun, but only a bit.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
it’s a good manga…I never had patience to read after…after they get learn of Asuka(did I get it right? it’s been a while) heritage
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
You may have gotten further than I. I stopped just before they made the leap to the magical world. I liked it as a goofy, fluffy, bit of oddball harem comedy. But it just got to loud and brash for my tastes.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
good thing you didn’t…it got just….bizarre, and lost that touch it had on the begining
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
I heard it was all because mangaka Ken Akamatsu wanted to do a fighting manga, but his editors forced him to do a harem manga instead(in this case, Negima.)
When Negima was sufficiently established, he went around altering it into a fighting manga, so he could realize his dream.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
he could have just made another manga…or a one-shot, instead of making a good manga in a crappy one
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
He’s currently working on his new fighting manga, UQ Holder.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
I know…it’s well an okay manga, though it’s nice to see Eva as an grown-up, it’s made years after Negima isn’t it?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
No one remember TAMNI? It has >12 girls going after Touma ;)I don’t think it can beat @skylion example though.
Btw, it wasn’t specified tht female blood are specifically needed for awakening the familiars so theoretically guys can work too 😛
But then again this is harem not BLPOWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
#traps
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Tsk, blasphemy! If those are the only choices, I’d choose a harem anytime without hesitation.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Trending
#traps4u
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Hey, if that’s what Kojou was into, I’d support him. NTTAWWT
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
each one with their own I guess
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
*shivers in a negative fashion*
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
If you count Zetsubou Sensei as a harem, I guess that’s kind of ridiculous too.
Somewhere, somehow, you just know that there are doujin for that out there. I pray that none of you ever find them.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I hope we never find them, either.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
2ndhand source LN elaborations:
1)The destruction of Kanon’s monastery where she was raised is related to Dr Kanase’s experiments, though the source tells me further details are vol 6 spoilers.
2)Lafolia knows in detail about Kojou’s 4th Progenitor status because Vatler’s been blabbing to her. Apparently Aldegyr and Vatler’s lands in Ardeal are neighbouring countries.
Plus he’s been filling Lafolia’s head with nonsense about ‘Sayaka is Kojou’s mistress and he spends passionate nights with her…'(~_~;)
3)The next arc, The Blue Witch’s Labyrinth, will be based on vol 4-5 of the LN. Natsuki will be a central figure in the arc.
4)The backstory of Avrora, Yaze and Kojou’s past is covered in vol 7-8 of the LN. Some people say these vol. may not be animated due to limited episodes to work on.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
Ah, Ha! My Super Pervert Senses never fail! I knew it would be Natsuki! they told me \@o@/
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So basically since the 24 episodes will be based on the first six volumes of the LN and there are currently nine released, we’d have to wait for at least three more volumes for another season so that Avrora and Yaze’s stories and beyond could be animated, if there’s a pattern to be followed.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
so there’s probably a second season in the future if this one goes well…nice to know…I want to read the LN’s
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
…The idea of Vatler and La Folia having casual(?) conversation is actually something that I’d really want to see. Really, I want to see how all of these important people interact with one another.
YES!!! I’d love to see more Natsuki.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
True, the show seems very generic, but the fact that I’m following it and anticipating the next episode, means it must be doing something right for me.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I agree. If it draws in people for this long, it must have some kind of charm.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
indeed…it’s the element “X”…it’s quite strange actually, it’s not some super anime, but it’s nice…and it makes you want to watch
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
What I find really interesting is the sheer amount of comments that this show always manages to bring in. Sure, a lot of them are from the same people, but everyone seems to have opinions on things. …Or at least something amusing to say.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Did my LN elaborations post get through?
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
it did…can you tell me the website for them? *w*
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
So, I just finished this arc recently and noticed that this has a lot of parallels to the Sisters Arc from Index. A person is battling and killing many others in order to transcend humanity (be it to become a Level 6 which is confirmed to be very angel-like or to become an actual angel).
Just thought I’d point this out.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I feel like there are a lot of Index parallels in general, so I’m not surprised.
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
In the end, those parallels to Index are probably what makes this series so enjoyable to me…