Strike the Blood – 05
+1 to Kojou’s harem…?
 |
The OP single for Strike the Blood is out! You know, I didn’t think much about the song at first, but now that I’ve heard the whole thing, I’ve become rather fond of it. Though of course, I’m more excited by the fact that Tokyo Raven’s OP song is out. |
As usual, Yukina displays her status as the near-perfect waifu. Pretty much every bit of fanservice in this belongs to her, and this series isn’t shy about letting us know how attractive she is. The fact that she supports Kojou so efficiently in battle is pretty great. Though it was kind of hard to tell if she had ulterior motives in inviting herself to the party. Or not really ulterior motives, but she definitely mentioned that the tradition was to bring partners to parties like this before suggesting that she could go with Kojou. I don’t know if that was her being bold, or if she honestly didn’t know what she was insinuating there. Yukina seems kind of dense about these things, since she didn’t catch on what the woman at the grocery store thought about her and Kojou (…the fact that Kojou didn’t catch on should be a surprise to absolutely nobody). But on the other hand too, she also seems to have a thing for him.
The Organization certainly keeps an awfully close eye on Yukina’s actions though. The two characters were talking about the invitation just earlier in the day, and a package already arrived by the time they went home. From the looks of it, the Organization seems to know almost everything about what’s going on. Or maybe they just sent the dress as soon as they found out about the party under the assumption that Kojou invited Yukina, since they’re shipping that pairing harder than anyone else in this. …So they’re super efficient stalkers. But on that train of thought, if they ever become serious about eliminating Kojou, they might be tough to defeat or escape from considering how much they stay on top of things.
Asagi looks like she’ll be foreveralone since Kojou and Yukina are practically an item. Seeing her like this is kind of hard to watch, since there’s so much she’s ignorant about. Would she be on equal ground with Yukina if she was more aware about what was going on in Kojou’s life? Well, maybe not, since she lacks fighting capabilities (probably), and doesn’t have a scarily knowledgeable organization backing her. At the same time too, I rather like the dynamic Kojou and Yukina have, and it would be equally painful if that shifts if Asagi ever learns the truth about things. Though what’s interesting is the fact that Yaze seems to be pushing Asagi into pursuing Kojou while he’s well aware of the organization’s plans for Yukina. Is he just doing this for fun, or is there another reason why he wants Asagi to remain close to Kojou? His true motives aren’t really clear and he also seems like the type of character to mess with others just because, so really, it could go either way.
“In the name of the moon, I’ll punish you” and whatnot.
It was interesting seeing how Natsuki went around doing work. I don’t think the show has ever gone into why she teaches (maybe to observe Kojou?), and if it did I missed it, but her other job seems rather time consuming by itself. It will be interesting to see what kind of backstory she has, since she’s apparently rather powerful, and she has some interesting shots in the OP. The concept of spacial magic seems really interesting too, so it would be nice if they could go into that a bit more in the future. Actually, I’d love to see any of these characters go all out in a battle without worrying about damaging things, but I’ll be patient and hope that they do this eventually.
Astarte seems to be alive and doing something productive. Though I could have sworn that Kojou took control of her familiar (yes, I’m going with this term now, since apparently they are the same thing) in the last episode since the thing was going to kill her. Or I vaguely recall them saying something about the familiar going out of control, so maybe Kojou just fixed that problem. Though that doesn’t explain why the thing isn’t still killing Astarte since only vampires have the energy to constantly deal with familiars. Maybe the familiar just feeds off of Kojou’s energy and Astarte can still use it the same as always? Can they do that? Oh well, the bottom line here is that Astarte is alive and that she’s working under Natsuki, so things must be going better than with her old psychotic partner.
So we have the ponytailed girl from the OP finally making an appearance, and she may or may not have been Yukina’s roommate in the past. Either way, she seems to have major issues with Kojou for some reason (or maybe those issues are with Yukina). Also, we have Dimitrie, who’s name may or may not be spelt correctly who may or may not be antagonist material considering that he seems to have ties to the first primogenitor and the other girl has told him that Kojou is a threat. …Plus attacking people out of nowhere isn’t really friendly. But hey, Kojou got to go to a fancy party on an ominously named ship out of this, so maybe he’s not so bad after all.
This series just loves nice boats.
Provided that Dimitrie is more competent at planning than Rudolf was, this arc looks pretty interesting. Instead of being from some church we’ve never heard of before the characters mentioned it, the plot has told us repeatedly that the primogenitors are pretty big news. Maybe this guy isn’t a primogenitor himself, but he’s connected to them, so that (hopefully) means that something bigger is on the way. Also, we’re finally getting another female character involved. So if she is from the Organization, maybe she can shed some light on what it actually does or how it works. You know, aside from the same facts we’ve heard over and over again about how they are really good at stalking people, indoctrinate young children and specialize in vibration magic (for whatever reason). They have the makings of a formidable enemy if Dimitrie doesn’t work out.
As for the new character, I’m not-so-secretly hoping that she’s a yandere. Just look at her.
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 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
I heard that Kojou just took the burden of the familiar’s life drain on Astarte. The control still lies with her, hence she can use it freely.
And to add to the stalker tendencies of Yukina’s organization, they even know her 3 sizes, all the way to the cup size. She may have gained a few centimeters when observing Kojou you know.
Nice proportions though, as seen from that “accidental” peeping in the first part. We should play a guessing game each episode and guess what color Yukina’s underwear is.
Being Asagi is suffering for now. I’ll take her since Koujo and Yukina are pretty much OTP already.
And new girl is so gonna get her blood sucked. Calling it.
A good start to the new arc I guess. Still don’t see the resemblance to Index. It’s really more like Campione, though I doubt anyone still remembers that show. Oh well.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 167 comments
Plotwise like Campione but visually like Index.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Well that explains that.
Yeah, the uniform she wears kind of hides Yukina’s sizes a bit. …But yeah, now that I think about it, that’s just another thing to add to lists of reasons why the Organization is a bunch of stalkers. I just kind of wrote it off as the fact that she was with them since she was young, but teens grow quickly…
Well from my observations, she seems to favour pink…
…The only thing I remember from Campione was that, uh, pregnancy or whatever it was, and the fact that Athena was portrayed as a badass loli. Oh and I think there might have been a HanaKana character in that too, but she was everywhere last year.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
And I’ll be waiting on it.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’m just looking for Natsuki to kick more ass.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
ME too, LOLi Defender. Me too.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You do realize I’m ashamed for recognizing you as a rival, right? Because you forgot to mention Astarte. I’d strip that title of yours if it was possible.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Astarte has nothing on Natsuki. Well, even little character development….
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
‘It was interesting seeing how Natsuki went around doing work. I don’t think the show has ever gone into why she teaches…’
The 1st translated chapter of the LN states that Itogami Island’s schools(including Kojou’s) are legally required to hire attack mages like Ms. Natsuki as part of the teaching staff, to ensure student safety. Furthermore, Ms. Natsuki is also an advisor to Itogami Island Guard defense forces.
Assuming she’s that good, I suppose it wouldn’t be strange for her to be called by law enforcement to help in ‘hot cases’ like rounding up Black Death members.
The blonde vampire lord’s name is written in katakana as
ディミトリエ, (dimitorie), where エ= e. So I’m guessing Dimitrie is the correct romanization of the katakana given. If it were Dimitri it would be written ディミトリ(dimitori) without the エ kana.
‘Maybe this (Dimitrie)guy isn’t a primogenitor himself, but he’s connected to them…’
Judging from the character design, speech, and posh (private)cruise liner, I’d say this Dimitrie’s probably connected quite high up within the 1st Progenitor’s government. The narrative did say he directly served the 1st Progenitor.
I’m already seeing the formation of plot threads for this arc already, like how the activities of this Black Death group and their stone tablet will converge with Kojou, Yukina, Dimitri and the ponytailed girl.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Nothing like a Legal LOLi…
And she’s pretty darn highly powered, I hope they don’t screw up any antagonist she has to face, shows like this can get pretty overdone one uping themselves.
I like how they don’t just exposition dump all over the place. As Koujou learns, so does the audience, and they’ve made it feel part of the story.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I find they take a bit too much out… Nowhere did it state in the anime that the attack mages work at schools for safety. It just looks like Natsuki is working two jobs for the hell of it.
…Unless you’re talking about how Kojou learns about the other primogenitors and such through casual dialogue with Yukina. I’m totally behind that.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So far, nothing about Natsuki has been elaborated. I’m guessing she works as a teacher during the day and goes on patrols as an attack mage at night. She does seem like a busybody.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
You know that trying to divine latin pronunciations of western names from kana is a path to madness (that’s how you end up with atrocities like ‘Revaille’. Seriously, people). 🙂 If he is Romanian, then it would be Dimitrie. If he’s not Romanian, it’s far more likely that his name is “Dimitri”, intended to be pronounced with a more long ‘a’ ending (something I’ve definitely heard before), so the ‘rie’ is trying to approximate that. And even if he is Romanian, I believe that Dimitrie is still pronounced the same as “Dimitri”, in which case wouldn’t the kana still drop the エ? Did they say where he’s from?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
There’s no exact location elaborated but Yukina said Dimitrie is from Eastern Europe.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Now you guys understand how I feel when I try to romanize/translate chinese translation of english names.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
From the way he addressed himself and said he was granted the honor of lordship over Ardeal by his Progenitor, the Lost Warlord, Dimitrie is most likely the representative and second in command.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 139 comments
His title is “Duke” so that is correct.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Which could also mean he carries out the kind of jobs the First Progenitor probably doesn’t want recorded. That failed backdoor deal could be one of them. Natsuki did say they were from the Warlord’s dominion.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
…What would I do without you. As always, thanks for the extremely useful information! I suppose it would be awkward to have this much exposition in the episodes, but I really wish they would.
Yeah, I can kind of see where this is going as well. Though I hope that not all of the arcs are this easy to read. I would appreciate a plot twist somewhere in this series eventually. Possibly something more subtle or thought evoking than the protagonist getting his limbs removed.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s a busy day for me right now. I’m currently downloading the Ops for Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova (God, I love Nano’s voice and her ability to flawlessly shift between languages), Strike the Blood, Tokyo Ravens, Log Horizon and Kakumeiki Valvrave S2.
One thing is certain: This series has some cute yet dangerous girls. From Natsuki’s fighting prowess, she’s probably one of the highest ranking Attack Mages on the island and now she’s got Astarte in tow. The reason Astarte isn’t falling apart is that Kojou bit her to bring her familiar under his control so she could live longer. At this point, it’s not hard to believe if some lab has found a way to extend her life expectancy.
Looks like you’re getting used to Yukina altogether. I thought you’d start getting annoyed with her putting up her guard around Kojou, not that she could be blamed of course. After he mounted her without warning, admitted he was a pervert and used her to get aroused before biting Astarte last episode, you could say part of her trust in him was broken but she still has an attraction. And her smacking him for reading her sizes out loud. Are girls really that embarrassed to hear that out loud even if it’s just them and one other person?
It’s sad to see Asagi being put up as a love rival when at this point it doesn’t look like she even has a chance of getting noticed besides being friendzoned yet for some reason Yaze is pushing them together. If anything, he’s testing Kojou and Yukina’s bond. She won’t be on equal ground as long as she’s unaware of Kojou being a vampire. That’s the biggest difference in the whole game.
Well, The Lion King Organization is a group that’s been around for a while so it’s not that hard to believe they could keep tabs that close, hence the dress being present right after the invitation was received. The photo of Kojou given to Yukina was taken without him even noticing.
That’s one fancy looking ship. I’ve got to remember that vampires are insanely loaded and like to flaunt their privileges. I’m already calling it that the archer girl is Yukina’s old roommate (like her, she’s carrying her weapon on her back) and that seeing her has made things complicated. I think her problem is what Kojou is, not who he is as she’s never met him before. Maybe she finds that his existence disrupts a balance that took a long time to put into place because there were originally three Progenitors.
Side note: It’s confirmed this series has a total of 24 episodes. Maybe you’ll continue to like it later on find some similarities as the author for Strike the Blood is the same one behind Dantalian no Shoka.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
If only Kojou would let loose a bit too. Maybe he could be considered the most badass of them all. The female characters have been showing him up thus far. I wasn’t sure what to think of Natsuki at first, but at least she’s capable. …I think one of my biggest anime pet peeves is the useless heroines.
….Which is also why I’m so accepting of Yukina. If she needed Kojou to save her all the time, I would be way less forgiving of her tsundere tendencies. …Though that being said, her tsundere tendencies also have good reason behind them for the most part. The first episode was her own fault, and the 3 sizes thing wasn’t exactly Kojou’s fault, but he is an idiot about some things.
Uh, I can’t speak for any other female out there, but I’ve been measured for clothing (ballet, band uniform dresses, cosplay, etc) for a looong time by both complete strangers and people I know, so I don’t really care who knows. Plus I’m content with my measurements (hell, I don’t care if people know my weight). Though the embarrassment three sizes thing is probably a cultural thing. North America people tend to be more… open about some things.
Well, the vampire thing, plus the fact that even if she did know, I doubt she could fight like Yukina does.
Ahaha I’d say that the Organization has a lot of free time on their hands, but I guess Kojou is kind of a threat to the world’s stability. So of course they would keep special tabs on him.
Ah really?! That’s… odd though. I haven’t read the novels for Strike the Blood, but this seems to lack some of the subtlety of narrative that Dantalion had. Maybe the novels were closer in language or something. That’s cool though, since I loved Dantalion.
Also, I bought the 2nd volume of Lovephobia. …I’m still waiting to track down volume 1 before I attempt reading, but from my glances, the art looks nice.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, what I can say is the reason Kojou is being shown up right now is because Yukina, Natsuki and Astarte accept and embrace what they are so they’re already accustomed to going all out in their fights while Kojou is a different case being someone who’s shifted completely to another species and has been so for only three months and hasn’t coped with it entirely. Drinking Yukina’s blood and unleashing a familiar of his own will were simply first steps.
I’m sure Natsuki’s investigation on Christoph Gardos and the Black Death Star Faction will sooner or later tie up with Kojou’s encounter with the First Progenitor, the “Lost Warlord”. It’s pretty convenient that a case that has one of the highest ranking attack mages working coincides with the arrival of a revered figure and she even said they’re from the Warlord’s dominion. So we’re going to see the First Progenitor eventually. That just leaves the other two and like Avrora Florestina (Kaori Ishihara), Kojou’s predecessor, one of them is going to be a girl. Their titles are: “Lost Warlord”, ruler of Europe, “Foregazer”, leader of west Asia, and “Chaos Bride”, who controls the Americas (info from episode 2). To get a closer meaning of the word “Progenitor”, it’s supposed to mean “True Ancestor”.
The only thing that set me off negatively was that display Dimitrie showed after sending his familiar out. Completely unpleasant vibes from that, though I bet fujoshi who saw that were eating it up.
People keep saying they see similarities with Index which I can agree with but it’s not the same to me with Campione! To me, Strike the Blood is Index meets Dance in the Vampire Bund. Index has a protagonist put into the wrong place at the wrong time and has to deal with what happens next along with a society that’s divided into different groups. Vampire Bund has regular class vampires, vampire nobles and they’re all residing on an independent manmade island.
I haven’t read anything concerning Dantalian no Shoka but since both series have the same author, maybe I’ll check it out one of these days. I’ve only seen 11 chapters of the manga for Strike the Blood but saw the covers for the LN and manga. The editors must love Yukina a lot since the covers for all the volumes (LN/Manga) have her on them and her alone.
I heard there are only 3 volumes of Lovephobia. If you find all three, are you going to write a post about what you read?
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
…Yes, I’d hope the Chaos Bride would be a female. Actually, looking at it, all of these titles sounds pretty badass. Thanks to the 2 cours, hopefully this means we’ll be seeing all of them at one point or another.
Hmm, I still think of Index due to the story arc structure. Though Dantalion did that too on a smaller scale. I think I’ll have to read the novels before I can really judge this series as a whole.
Hmm, it depends when I find all three ahaha…. Though there are definitely 2, since I flipped to the last page and there’s a rather large cliffhanger (which is another reason I want to wait until volume 1, or I’m just going to be confused). Actually, I’ve had an idea in the back of my head for a ‘dark’ manga post, so maybe I’ll work on one if I find the entire series.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Strike the index is back at it again! I loved watching Natsuki mostly because shes Hisako Kanemoto aka squid girl working with her epic magic powers and her new familiar Astarte who I discovered is voiced by Yuka Iguchi aka Index herself?
Damn what a dream team Ika Musume and Index as two fighting loli’s
Last thing to mention I will throw Kojou Akatsuki into the Touma family line because he has NO LUCK at all…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Oh, it’s not over yet, Fosh. There are some other seiyuus here that played Index/Railgun oriented animes.
Risa Taneda (Yukina) played Jane Elves from Toaru Majutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki.
Asami Seto (Asagi) played Marie Spearhead, also from Toaru Majutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki.
Rina Hidaka (Nagisa) as Last Order.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Fosh! You broke your moe girl avatar streak! …Though holographic (or whatever it is
, I pay more attention to Kamiyan on Galilei Donna than anything the ship is doing) goldfish with guns are cool too.Such misfortune! The similarities grow… though hopefully this sets itself apart from Index a bit once the plot moves forward. Provided that the plot moves in a good direction.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
@BB: Whoaaaaa I guess their voices fit this kind of theme? Now we just need Kuroko, Saten, Misaka, Uiharu, Touma and Accelerators voice actors to appear! HELL YAAAA!
@Kara: I know! I had trouble finding a new avatar since halloween was over but ya goldfishes with guns ftw!
Yeah I think Strike the blood has a lot going for it that index doesn’t and that would be like the mystery side of things and that keeps me watching.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Well, I read a little of the second LN which this episode starting to cover. The anime really trims the prologue down lol. There no gory scenes and long ass conversation bet Pony Tail and Dimitri. I forgot whether the anime mentions this, but Pony Tail is assigned as Dimitrie observer.
Anyway, the interaction bet Yukina and Jujou is fun to watch as always. And it seems like I was right abt Astarte being the Misaka 10032 of STB. Also, shikigami = oversized origami in here? XD
On an unrelated note, I can’t stop seeing Dimetrie as blond Shougo.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I’m hoping for more gory scenes. The show is certainly capable of harboring more after the way they showed Kojou getting his head lopped off.
I figured as much about the pony tail girl being an observer and sent by the Lion King Organization, no doubt which pretty much confirms she knows Yukina when she saw her and Kojou arriving in front of the yacht. The observers at this point seem more like battle hardened escorts or guards gift wrapped and sent to vampire nobles to appease them like an offering because she seems very obedient to Dimitrie.
I like that comparison. Astarte is like a combination of Misaka 10032 and Last Order. 10032’s personality and Last Order’s bodily size.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Now we just need Misaka Worst and everything will be far from peaceful…
POWUH: iLurker with 3 comments
Where did you read the 2nd LN? Did you read it in Japanese or translated?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
8 of the STB LNs are translated into chinese on9.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
No… I don’t think the anime mentioned that ponytail and Dimitrie/Dmitri/WHATEVER HIS NAME IS had any other relationship besides hanging out with each other for some reason. Though if the Lion King Orgainization is going to keep tabs on Kojou, it makes sense that they would for the others.