Strike the Blood – 17
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the loli-est of them all?
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There was more action than usual this episode it seems. …Or maybe it was just the fact that they defeated the villains so quickly. Aya seems like she’ll be the final boss though, so hopefully she doesn’t seem as weak as the other prisoners. |
There was a lot of action in this episode, and Asagi was actually pretty useful with her AI’s manipulation of the city. There wasn’t a whole lot that she could do besides run from Kiliga, but she did a lot more than she has in previous arcs. Yukina and Sayaka didn’t do much, but I guess having Yukina in a maid outfit and having her give Kojou blood like that is worth some points. The main characters will probably have their time to shine in the upcoming episodes (because it’s just not an arc without Kojou punching someone/thing), but surprisingly, it was Astarte and Vatler who did a lot this episode. …Which doesn’t do a lot for the prisoner’s credibility, considering that Astarte and Vatler are pretty much side characters.
So far, the world’s most dangerous criminals don’t seem that… dangerous. Kiliga Gilika (which is a rather unfortunate name) was taken out pretty easily by Astarte, and Gigliola was tortured by Vatler. Or maybe the correct way of putting this is that compared to the powerful characters that the show has, the world’s most dangerous criminals aren’t that threatening. Asagi had to run around a lot in order not to die (she didn’t seem too worried though). Plus, if the side characters like Vatler and Astarte didn’t have too many issues, than people like Sayaka, Yukina and Kojou would have probably gotten the same results. Maybe we can give Gigliola and Kiliga some credit because I don’t think we’ve ever seen Vatler fight seriously against anybody and Astarte’s ability to drain energy (or whatever) probably just happened to be Kiliga’s weakness. However, that still doesn’t change the fact that the two only lasted for a portion of the episode. Though of course, the fact that these characters were in caught and thrown in prison in the first place probably says something. There are probably more dangerous people out there who haven’t been caught yet. Plus maybe Aya, Meiga and the final fantasy cosplayer and guy who looks like a wannabe rap artist other prisoners can add some credibility to the title of being highly dangerous criminals.
…And admittedly, this guy was pretty creepy on his own.
After such a long time, they’ve also finally mentioned the other progenitors again. Vatler doesn’t count because he’s pretty much always there, but apparently Gigliola is related to the Chaos Bride somehow. Actually, it’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about the Lion King Organization despite Yukina and Sayaka always being around, so Meiga is also interesting in a way. Aya’s motives actually have some explanation behind them though, since it seemed weird that Natsuki would lose her memories. Who knows why Aya wants the grimoire (…or even why she was arrested in the first place), but at least we have motives now. Oh, and I guess Natsuki suddenly calling Asagi “mother” has an explanation as well.
Anyways, it sure is nice of Valter to offer Kojou shelter on his boat. Though knowing Vatler, it’s probably just because he wants to fight all of the people who come after Natsuki. Or maybe he wants to kill Natsuki for fun. Though that might interfere with his job as ambassador or whatever it is. …Did we ever get an explanation as to what his job entails, other than allowing him to fight people? Oh well, he seemed sincere enough. Kind of.
How could you say “no” to a smile like that?
I won’t say that this episode was disappointing, since I wasn’t really expecting much considering how little effort seems to have gone into the prisoner’s characters in the first place. It still feels like nothing really happened this episode though. The plot didn’t seem to go anywhere aside from explaining why things happened in the previous episodes, and thus, this was more of an exposition episode more than anything (with fights because what is Strike the Blood without unnecessary violence and ecchi elements?). …And really, this series probably needs more of these kinds of exposition episodes that aren’t totally focused on Kojou either kicking ass or (kind of sort of, but not really quite at the stage of) getting ass, since they’ve already probably cut out a ton of information. So overall, this was pretty entertaining.
…Does Vatler have a harem of his own, or is this something unrelated?
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 LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
During the last few episodes, when the Criminals were in that panning shot, the only thing I could think was, r”yeah, this is a fodder line up.”
And, darn it, if the show doesn’t line them up like ten pins!
If it weren’t for the depth that this entire Witch of the Void idea had, this would be a rather wasteful arc.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
One after another!
Well, I don’t really mind having characters other than Kojou handle things. It just seems weird that they’re suddenly accomplishing things since the story has thrown them into the background for how many arcs now?
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Synopsis and cover art for Strike the Blood LN vol 10, out this March: http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=5004347&postcount=1218
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
A source says Meiga, the glasses guy, is the most mysterious character in the LN. All that is currently known is his connection to the Lion King, his power to negate Aya’s guardian, and his surname(which should be revealed later).
His objectives are still unknown at this point, so we’ll have to wait and see how the LN author plans to answer this mystery.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Meiga seems like the kind of guy who gathers information from behind the scenes. The calm, calculating opportunist type. I wonder if he still isn’t working for someone.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
It would be interesting if he still had connections to the Lion King Organization even after being imprisoned for whatever reason. Or if he was imprisoned because of whatever his work for the organization was.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Kiliga Gilika (which is a rather unfortunate name) was taken out pretty easily by Astarte.
He’s actually Dhalsim’s creepier, weirder cousin.
http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080204231650/marvelvscapcom/images/f/fb/Mvc2-dhalsim.jpg
Plus maybe Aya, Meiga and the final fantasy cosplayer and guy who looks like a wannabe rap artist…
There was that magician cosplayer, although he got sent back pretty quickly last ep… 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Oh, I’ve been calling him “the dandy”. …Who even knows who he was, but he’s gone now anyways.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
It should be noted that Astarte’s Rhododactylos is a ludicrously powerful familiar that can not only eat other familiars to increase its own power, but is also immune to magic. By all rights it should be completely impossible for Astarte to possess a familiar that powerful. She’s an anomaly, and if it wasn’t for the fact that she doesn’t do things without orders, she would probably herself be considered one of the most dangerous beings on the island, including the prisoners.
As for Vatler, he’s as close as one can come to being a progenitor vampire without actually being one, and the entire reason people kept trying to keep him from acting when he first showed up was not because they didn’t trust him (although they didn’t), but because he would have destroyed the entire city in the process of stopping the Nalakuvera. And it was taken as writ that he could do so, not over the course of a battle, but with a single attack.
Dismissing those two as “side characters” and anyone beaten by them “can’t be that strong” is being ridiculously insulting to both of them.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Natsuki already mentioned he consumed two second generation elder vampires. The title alone inspires power. So the question is, how strong were they and how strong does it make him now? Because up until now, he hasn’t gone all out at all. Not to mention he’s a pureblood of the First Progenitor, the Lost Warlord’s bloodline.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Sorry if I’ve stepped on any land mines here, but from what we’ve seen in the anime, Astarte hasn’t done much since the first arc other than get shot at twice. Maybe the LN elaborates on this, but otherwise I have absolutely no idea how powerful she is. Who knows how powerful anyone is, since Kojou struggles against some enemies for whatever reason and he’s supposed to be the most powerful person around.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Strike the Blood Valentine’s: http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=5008055&postcount=1459
Plus more STB related scans. I recommend kimono Lafolia:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=5008482&postcount=1460
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yukina always has the most appealing taste in underwear.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
There was more action than usual which is a huge plus to the ongoing arc. These girls gain so many points for what they do that I lost count a long time ago. Kudos to Asagi for getting the upper hand against the Dhalsim look-alike. She may not have superhuman abilities but she knows how to think on her feet.
Yukina always shows prime waifu material whenever the situation calls for it and does passionately if you ask me. If you’ve taken notice, she always cuts herself before giving blood. First the neck, then her wrist and now her finger. Man, did she make that nurse outfit look good.
I’m guessing the Grimoire has some big reality altering spell and Aya wants it for her own ambitions. Whatever it is, it has to be very powerful if the entire academy is being used as a medium.
The side characters leave much to be desired but the interesting ones for me are Meiga and Gigliola. Meiga for being revealed as a former member of the Lion King Organization and I could see him going up against Yukina or Sayaka. He looks like the information gathering type and uses his findings at the most opportune moment, someone who works behind the scenes. Not to mention his calm, calculating demeanor and him wearing glasses remind me of Kabuto Yakushi. And Gigliola being a descendant of the Chaos Bride’s bloodline and uses a weapon based familiar. So far in the story, the Chaos Bride is the one I’m inclined to see because I’m curious as to what she’s done to earn that title.
It’s becoming more and more important that Vatler be restrained for as long as he lives (and that would be for eternity). He switched gears for M last episode to S. If not for the prison system still being in effect by pulling her back in, Gigliola would have been bitten to death. Her pained screams made me cringe and Vatler was enjoying every bit of it.
Kojou actually did the smart thing accepting Vatler’s offer to move to his boat because it’ll draw the attention away from the city. Usually the protagonist reluctantly accepts the shady character’s aid because he’s not to be trusted but Kojou is doing it for Natsuki and for Vatler’s benefit, it’ll bring the other criminals to him.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Someone should start keeping track of points and post them at the end. Most likely it will be Yukina>>>>> everyone else. This series just loves Yukina.
…I don’t even know when Aya got to the school in the first place (wait, duh, she probably teleported), but whatever she’s doing can’t be good.
Maybe the Chaos Bride… wears a wedding dress? I don’t know, but I want to see all of the progenitors. Meiga seems really interesting, if only for his connections (I’ll admit, the megane helps).
Ahaha I want to see if that torture scene was altered from the LN. From what I understand, this has censored some gore before. …Or maybe I’m thinking of a different series.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
I heard the Chaos Bride makes their 1st appearance in vol 7.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So that means she’d be there right at the start if Strike the Blood gets a second season. Out of curiosity, is there any word on what her name is? I remember that while the First Progenitor controls Europe and the Second Progenitor with Asia, as the Third Progenitor, she rules the American territories.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
I believe her name is Jada, and she rules from Central America. I looked through a Google-translate version of the StB Japanese wiki page.