Strike the Blood – 15
Fear not, Kojou still managed to have the usual near-death moment of the arc.
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“Don’t address your teacher with ‘chan'” are some pretty terrible last words. On the other hand, the episode was interesting enough. |
…Of course Itogami has a prison with the most dangerous criminals in the world sitting right on it. Whoever is in charge of city planning needs to be fired. Though this was probably one of those things where the prison appears where ever it’s summoned and doesn’t specifically have a spot where it resides. They wouldn’t be so stupid as to house the world’s criminals right on the island, right…? So Yuuma’s purpose becomes clear… or actually, they explained most of this last week, so this is just repeating information, really. She was made for the specific purpose of letting her mother, Aya, out of prison. …So either someone let Aya create a test tube baby inside the prison and released them out into the world at some point figuring that it would be fine, or Aya somehow had an elaborate plan for a daughter to be made just in case she was ever imprisoned in that specific location. Or maybe Aya contacted someone outside the prison while she was imprisoned, which doesn’t exactly invoke trust towards the security system either.
Speaking of the security system, I guess there are reasons why it would be a little lax, considering that it seems to be only one person. Yes, apparently Natsuki alone makes sure that the most dangerous criminals in the world don’t escape. Not that she doesn’t seem capable or anything, but seriously, whoever was in charge probably should have thought this through more. Kojou is a bit of an anomaly, since he’s one of 4 of the most powerful people out there, but apparently the same result could have been created with the sacrifice of a percent of Itogami’s population. Things could have gone wrong even without Kojou’s existence and the prison didn’t seem to have a plan B.
At least Yukina and Kojou managed to solve things in the end. There’s not much to say about Yukina being hesitant about killing Kojou other than the fact that it was expected. And now, he has his body back so La Folia doesn’t have to worry about not being able to produce heirs or whatever. It’s interesting that Kojou asked Yuuma if she approached him on purpose, because as far as the anime has told us, he didn’t become a progenitor until much later in life and it was unexpected on his part. I don’t know if there’s any way anyone could have known that he would be a progenitor at that age. Even Kojou himself probably wouldn’t have known, unless there’s something he isn’t telling us. (…Oh, even with the spoilerish things I know, this is all just speculation on my part.)
It wasn’t explained in that much detail, but Sayaka and La Folia defeating the Ashdown trees made a lot more sense after I started thinking about it in Type-Moon terms. Like in the Fate universe, where opponents in the war have an advantage if they know the true identity of a servant, because then they have information about the source of the power. In this case, La Folia and Sayaka attacked the trees specifically (somehow) and it worked because they knew exactly what they were facing and how to counter it’s abilities. …Because otherwise, the anime made it seem like the character agreed that it was impossible for them to defeat the Ashdown sisters, but then they attacked again anyways and it miraculously worked.
They brought back Kensei for the hell of it too. Because nobody is allowed to leave the harem.
Yes, yes. They brought him back because he had some ability or something that was useful against Yuuma’s. I assume that this comes from him being a scientist and whatnot, but there was absolutely no hint in the anime before this that he could do this sort of thing. This show could be so much better if they just explained things.
The only way to escape the harem is death.
It was a shorter than usual arc, but it certainly ended on an interesting enough note. Are Natsuki and Yuuma actually dead? What does this mean for the next arc? This is the first time that the end of an arc hasn’t given us complete closure. Sure, there’s always something at the end of the arcs like mentioning how Kojou’s existence ruins the world’s balance or whatever, but that barely seems to have continuity so far. Having the world’s most dangerous prison break open and two characters seemingly near death is kind of important. Though maybe these are just deaths like Kojou experiences, and both characters will be fine. Plus Vatler ran off somewhere to watch the show. He’ll probably be able to stop at least some of the criminals for fun, provided that he’s still nearby.
The arc ended predictably enough up to a point, and managed to pull an interesting enough twist in the end. Maybe some people saw the twist coming, since it’s odd that this anime would bring up these kinds of situations without developing into the worst case scenario. Either way, I can’t really complain. Things were resolved nicely between Kojou and Yuuma. If she really did die though, it’s a shame that she’s gone before I could really form an opinion on her character (though I did prefer her character with longer hair). Natsuki, however, will be missed if she’s actually dead. While it would make for a long-lasting twist on the overall plot, it seems unlikely that anyone would be able to leave the harem that easily nobody every really seems to die on this show. Or maybe I’m just used to Kojou almost dying every other episode. Maybe this is why the OP looks so depressing, so let’s see where this goes.
In any case, on to the next arc.
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: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
@Kara,
The impression I got was that it was Aya’s elaborate plan. If she gets captured, her followers are to clone her using genetic material left behind. The clone(Yuuma) is then raised by Library agents as a tool to release Aya once Yuuma has come into power.
However, I think her independent mind and meeting with Kojou were purely coincidental.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I think Yuuma’s meeting and all of that is coincidental too. It’s just that Aya was surprisingly well prepared for this scenario. Or maybe she knew that she was going to be arrested beforehand. Actually, that’s probably it.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
It’s anime. Noone’s ever dead. Plus, this show is too corny to actually kill people off.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Look at Index and Railgun. I can’t recall any characters, main or supporting, (not the Misaka clones because they’re basically unnamed extras) actually dying in those series either.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Komaba Ritoku did died. And later on Show ▼
. These are the only one I can remember atm though.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, I take back what I said. Realized it after posting the prior comment. There’s Ritoku and I remember Accelerator turning Amata Kihara into dust.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
In short: Kamachi do kill some of his side character(s) frm time to time.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
So, what we learned this week? Even death can’t take you from the Harem!
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
You can join the harem, but you can never truly leave.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
With such a gritty story setting, it only makes sense that people would have to die now and again.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, she wouldn’t be herself if she didn’t say it. I’ll give her that. That double kill was unexpected but I knew something was going to happen. The mood didn’t feel right. The thing about Strike the Blood is if there’s peace, it’s just the calm before the storm. The way Yuuma was brought up, it was clear her mother didn’t see her as anything more than a means to end.
“Labyrinth Of The Blue Witch” broke a few rules that were established in the first half of the series. A three episode arc, no blood sucking, no happy ending and even Kojou and Yukina’s usual speech when fighting their enemy changed a bit. With this change, there might be arcs that will need more than four episodes to complete.
Natsuki sure is dedicated to work. I, for one, wouldn’t accept something like that. So she was guarding the prison and had an illusion acting as a teacher in her stead for ten years. When she was first introduced, Kojou said she was 26, meaning she had been under constant duty since she was 16.
And there’s Vatler who is getting crazier and increasingly impatient the more we see him. He doesn’t care about anything as long as he gets decent entertainment to stave off boredom, even if it destroys the island. This dude seriously needs a hobby.
I had to laugh at some of the statements because they were pretty bold.
La Folia: “I can’t produce an heir with him like this.” Talk about a naughty princess. She really wants to get in bed with Kojou. I mean, the girl was riding him when she gave her blood.
Kojou: “In this body, I can’t drink Himeragi’s blood like I always do.” Looks he’s beginning to embrace being a vampire and Yukina being a convenient food source is making it that much easier. She even willingly suggested offering in the arc Sayaka showed up.
Side note: Most have probably noticed this already but doesn’t anyone think it’s weird Kensei is wearing a pendant similar to Bakura’s Millennium Ring from Yu-Gi-Oh? Where did he get it?
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
first of all…I don’t think La Folia is that bold…after the whole blood sucking scene
Which was the best until now, at least for me, i saw something like that coming…Kojou boldness was what impressed me…Not only blunt, but, also extremely stupid and thoughtless…in others words, just like a harem lead!PS: It’s close, but, not…Bakura’s pendant is much better…maybe he’s a fan?
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
There’s just something about catch phrases that makes them horrible dying words. Though I guess she had to say something and “oh crap, didn’t see this coming” would just just as bad. xD
I think I read (on my rampant spoiler adventure) that Kojou has control of either 6 or 9 familiars by the 8th volume, so there should be plenty of blood sucking in the future. Who knows, maybe they’ll even change things up and have two awaken in the same arc. I hope if anything, they spend more time on whatever is going to be the last arc of this show. They’ve cut so much out already, they should at least end with a good impression.
…And yet, she’s still eternally a loli. Judging by how the other characters who are around 16 look (Yukina, Nagisa, etc), Natsuki is still younger-looking than them.
I honestly wish we saw more of Vatler. Every time d-LaN or zztop mention the scenes they cut out, he sounds hilarious.
Egypt, obviously. To be more specific, from a suspicious looking Egyptian with a key. xD
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
The best dying words I remember were from Hataraku.
‘Please take advantage of the first-of-the-month sales,my lord…’ (x_x)
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Lafolia’s leaving? But she hasn’t officiated diplomatic relations with Kojou yet!( ´△｀)
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
She’ll be back soon enough. Nobody leaves the harem.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
Indeed… no really; she’s coming back, Karakuri also said, no one can leave the harem, she’s probably coming back as a transfer student or something
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You know she’s going to come back eventually. Harem members don’t stay separated for long.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
yeah…and as transfer student, they almost always appear as a transfer student…and probably say something incredible suggestive when introducing themselves to the class
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Don’t worry, Yuuma and Natsuki will still be around in the coming arc frm what little of the 5th LN I saw. Also Kujou x Asagi shippers will get their fill soon.
Well, the impression I got frm the LN is that there is just no way to escape the prison as long as Natsuki is unharmed since its that powerful. In fact, even the people who make it doesn’t know of its exact location. Just that the planners never factor in the prison being forcefully dragged out by distorting the dimension. Btw, the prison is an urban legend-like existence among the ppl who lved in Itogami. (Another Index deja-vu…)
I dunno why that LN reader at Asuki is mad at this week episode. Sure, except for one MAJOR scene that was taken out (that should be included in the next episode anyway…. I think), the rest of it is pretty much trivial stuff and explanations (I think the terms explanation are available at anime main site). I enjoyed watching this week episode too as StB arc finale is consistently exciting and entertaining. And even though I expected some after credit scene in the knowledge that this is a 2 volume arc, I still did not saw that coming.
PS Natsuki is looking pretty grown up in that illustration….
-Natsuki apparently betrayed Aya and caused her to be caught and subsequently prisoned.
-It is mentioned that high level mage like Kensei can do the same trick like Yuuma/Natsuki. But that involves heavy calculation to pull it off and it leaves a heavy burden on their body. (I dunno did they mentioned it be4 though)
-Aside frm requesting Kensei assistance, La Folia also ask that her guards to be allowed to join the battle against the LCO witches. Their reward are the witches Grimoires.
-Whoever who said that Yaze is the true observer of Kujou, you can get a internet cookie. Yaze decided to just snipe Yuuma body through his air flow manipulating ability, but since the appearance of Prison Complex cause large air flow the plan was busted.
-Witches need to pay a price for gaining the devils ability. For Yuuma its to complete her mission at any cost. But at the end her devil lost a lot of power and subsequently her curse is lifted.
-And now the important part that the anime skipped (for now):
Show ▼
-Btw, the author mentioned in the Afterword that his suggestion that Natsuki be the cover girl for a change was shot down. And yes, the arc heroine is suppose to be Natsuki.
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That’s a lot of major spoilers and cut outs. The series would have to have more than 24 episodes to animate all of that but I guess most of the important parts got their due.
With Yukina being on all of the LN/manga covers, hearing that idea getting shot feels normal and kind of expected if you think about it. And you have the new OP and ED to back up the fact Yukina is the center female of the show.
By the way, congratulations on reaching your first 1000 comments. You made it!! Welcome to the club, Werewolf Chaser!!!
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
they are probably thinking of making a second season…otherwise there’s no way they would just cut so many parts…
and
Congratulation MR.Werewolf Chaser o/
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Actually in this week episode there not really a lot of stuff being cut out except that major scene IMO. I’m only filling in some of the explanation and missing scenes.
Thanks for the welcome. Lemme go dig up a new avatar for this occasion.
@Allen Actually such type of cutting out is pretty much par the norm for LN adaptation. Though with only 3 books left I doubt they’d make one so quickly.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Thanks for this week’s elaborations, d-Lan! Sorry I couldn’t find anything on my side.
So my hypothesis WAS right, Yaze is Kojou’s true observer! May I have a cookie, please? ∩( ・ω・)∩
Vol 10 of the LN is coming out this March, btw. Wonder what new arc Mikumo has in store for readers.
If the preview is correct, will Kojou’s parents be appearing in the next arc?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
http://static.tumblr.com/af06dd0807d256dc1dec8abe12cd8f1b/oghd6vg/FBSmgqgxn/tumblr_static_chocolate_chip_cookies.jpeg
AFAIK, the anime doesn’t have any anime original content, just some scene cutting and altering.
I haven’t read that far into LN5, but I suspect so.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Okay, that’s confirmation on one extra volume for the LN. If two more were to come along, then that might be enough for another season to be green lit. Hopefully that’s the case because I really enjoy watching this. The two main reasons: There’s vampires and there’s that Index/Railgun feel to it.
As for the story, what I hope for is more information on Avrora and if one of Kojou’s girls ends up becoming a vampire as a last resort due to some unfortunate accident. It would make things dramatic.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
So far, has the series incorporated any anime-original content, or does everything follow the LN plot(cuts excluded)?
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
because no one leaves the harem…even if she’s a walking key to the prison of the biggest criminals or if she’s the daughter of a international criminal who, by the way, is conveniently imprisoned on the prison which the key is not only a harem member, but also the teacher of the fourth progenitor
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It’s an unwritten law in the anime world and it must be upheld.