Strike the Blood – 18
Kyun~
 |
For anyone who cares, I’ll be away for a bit on a tropical vacation, so I probably won’t get to replying to comments for about a week. I haven’t not seen snow covering everything since about October, so this should be nice~. …And me taking a long time to reply to comments is nothing new, really. As for Strike the Blood, this was a pretty good episode all around. Though I’m totally biased. |
Man, Vatler’s boat is just full of surprises. Not only in the other descendants of the Warlord being possible harem additions (I can totally see the possibilities with Kira’s admiration and Tobias being a tsundere; don’t even try to convince me otherwise), but the hostages all attempting to make a move on Kojou so straightforwardly was pretty great too. Every time they hint at Valter’s unique interest in Kojou, it’s pretty funny. Actually, all of Kojou’s tsukkomi in this episode were pretty funny. Asagi still seems clueless, but at least in this episode, it was a sacrifice for the humour that ensued. …Of course, it was poor timing all around since they’re in the middle of a rather dire situation. Kind of like the poor timing with Sayaka in the last episode, though I guess this anime has to slow down some time.
Does Sayaka normally favour strategies to fight her opponents? Because between the Ashdown sister’s tree and this episode, she seems rather good at it. Who knows how any of the strategies work, but it’s nice to see fights that require thinking instead of battles of brute strength. …Actually, now that I think about it, a lot of the fights in this have required some sort of strategy regarding Yukina’s divine vibrations and whatnot. But since the fights aren’t really explained, it just looks like they’re all solved by Himeragi hitting whatever’s in the way and Kojou punching someone. Huh. Vatler seems to be having fun at least. Broodt seems to have done a number on Vatler’s boat, so hopefully he has some kind of insurance. …Though judging by the size of that bath, Valter probably has more than enough money just to buy another one. At least these criminals actually seemed to do some damage too.
You thought she couldn’t become any more of a loli. You thought wrong.
Natsuki is so not going to be pleased once she gets her memory back (if she remembers this). Her back-up personality is certainly… interesting. It’s useful for acting as a plot device to let the characters know what’s going on though, so at least it’s helpful. I guess the tank loli deserves an honourable mention as well, though she doesn’t seem too plot relevant at the moment other than being Asagi’s coworker of sorts. Oh, and I guess she’s helping keep the island from disarray due to Aya’s plans. Aya’s barrier seems troublesome indeed, as does the fact that nobody seems to have magic anymore. It sucks that Natsuki’s magic won’t come back on its own, but it just wouldn’t be Strike the Blood if Kojou didn’t have to do anything. …Or not, since he just got stabbed again. He really needs to work on his dodging technique. Anyways, it’s odd that only Yukina still has her magic, but it probably has to do with the same reason why the Lion King Organization sent her to be Kojou’s waifu #1 observer. Vatler brought the topic up of Yukina being special this episode, so it’s probably plot relevant at the moment. Or maybe it was out of BL bitterness, but I don’t think anyone wants to discuss this further.
Damn it, not again. That was a perfectly good shirt.
Hopefully Kojou’s regenerative powers aren’t magic-based, or else he’s kind of screwed. …Who am I kidding, he’ll be fine. Maybe he’ll be hindered a bit while facing Aya, but fine nonetheless. Even Yukina doesn’t seem to have reacted much when he was stabbed compared to her expression in the first arc. Though the fact that magic seems useless will probably be even more of a hindrance to absolutely everyone. Plus didn’t they say that the island was held up by magic? Does Aya plan to sink the island? …3 episodes in and while we’re learning what Aya is doing/why she’s doing a few steps in her plan, they still haven’t exactly explained her motives for planning this in the first place. It most likely has something to do with 10 years ago though, because why else would they bring that up? Also, they have to explain how Aya and Natsuki know each other, so that’s probably part of it too.
I totally hadn’t realized that Wakeshima Kanon did the ED until now. It’s definitely her voice, but totally not the style of music that I’m used to hearing from her. She’s come a long way from the Vampire Knight ED’s, I guess. Anyways, this was a pretty good episode! The fights actually seemed to mean something compared to the ones before, and the inappropriately timed comedy (considering what was going on outside) was funny. The harem interactions seemed evenly split too, without shoving Yukina in everyone’s faces. …Not that she’s a bad character at all, but she constantly gets attention and this episode was just a little bit more evenly divided. Asagi was favoured a bit, but she probably deserves a break considering how out of the loop she is. Sayaka had a nice moment too. Now if only La Folia was around. Next episode seems to go back to Yukina, but it seems to be for plot reasons instead of fanservice/”Yukina is the greatest” reasons, so that should be interesting. Plus Yuuma has run off somewhere, so she should be coming back to the plot to help solve things any moment now.
But first, more caged-nurse Yukina. They’re just relentless with these fetishes.
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: Metanorn Lover with 167 comments
It’s Natsuki-chan’s John’s Pen Mode ;P
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I was thinking the same thing, they just cant stop with the Index references.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
As the LOLi Defender, what do you think of Tank Driver’s true identity as
a loli tank driverlittle Lydianne?POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
After seeing how far they’ve gone with the references, even experiments creating artificial angels, you really weren’t expecting them to stop, were you?
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
I’m just waiting for Strike the Blood’s version of Magic God Othinus…and the destruction of the world.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Broodt Dumblegraff, dragon slayer and 6-time Final Fantasy cosplayer champion. (≧∇≦)
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100328043828/to-aru-majutsu-no-index/images/f/f0/Acqua.jpg
Still waiting for this dragon slayer sword to make its appearance in Index anime. Def better and more badass than Broodt.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Humorous observations:
The other descendants of the Warlord being possible harem additions, and the hostages all attempting to make a move on Kojou so straightforwardly was pretty great too.
6 available, desperate, single girls on a liner with 3 sausage-seeking vampire lords, it was expected. This also means Kojou could own the first ever bisexual harem in anime history. (0_0)
Or not, since Kojou just got stabbed again.
Kojou’s been stabbed and slashed multiple times, and got decapitated once, during the course of this entire series…Will his suffering never end?!! /(´д｀)\
Natsuki is so not going to be pleased once she gets her memory back
All the more Kojou should call her ‘-chan’ will he still can!!Too bad nobody’s making a recording of her in super loli mode. XD
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Serious observations:
Vatler brought the topic up of Yukina being special this episode, so it’s probably plot relevant at the moment.
Vatler also posed the question of WHAT the 4th Progenitor REALLY is.
I assume it means that being the 4th has some kind of higher purpose. In the Angel arc,Dr Kanase said the 4th Progenitor’s power would be needed to face an incoming disaster(no elaboration was given though).
At least these criminals actually seemed to do some damage too.
The rap artist guy’s name is Sthra. LN spoilers I got on Animesuki say he’s a descendant of the Devas/Tenbu, an ancient race of psychic superhumans. The Devas founded the ancient civilisation mentioned in the Warlord’s Messenger arc,and they also invented the Nalakuvera mechs.
Also, that Mogwai seems very nosy and self-aware for an AI.
Maybe d-Lan can provide some answers?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
I’m sorry, but I’m a bit lazy recently when it comes to reading the STB LNs XD That and SAO Progressive Vol 2.
And here I am thinking he an Asura. Well, lemme go check the LN again.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Have fun on your trip, Karakuri!
Epic nosebleed in the bath. Kojou is right up there with Karin regarding that talent. That was a lot of blood in the water and most of it around Natsuki. I’d like to know what would happen if she drank any of it, especially given her current condition.
With Vatler and those two other nobles around, for Kojou’s sake, he should refuse any and all invitations to the Warlord’s domain should any present themselves. I don’t blame him for being cautious. I wasn’t even there and the atmosphere made my skin crawl. Stabbed, slashed and decapitated. It’s been nothing but misery for Kojou where that is concerned, a true curse. The author is really taking advantage and abusing the prospect that he’s immortal.
Seem my assumption on the previous episode of Aya using the Grimoire to turn Itogami Island into her domain was spot on. Who can oppose you when you have control over everything? Gotta wonder how Kojou is going to deal with her considering all the previous bad guys he’s given an uppercut to were men. Will he go the way of Touma Kamijou and give a falcon punch as well?
So Aya was not only targeting Natsuki but also Yukina. I have a feeling Meiga is involved with the latter considering he’s a former Lion Organization member and has a lot of information. Also, I’m sure Yukina still being able to use magic despite everyone else being restricted (even Kojou) is part of the reason why her parents sold her off to the Organization. Plus there’s the question Vatler asked her regarding why she was chosen to observe Kojou. There was a comment I read saying before Sayaka was made a member, she was abused by her father because he was afraid of some power she had.
Someone’s blood is going to be struck in the next episode and I’m betting it’s Yuuma who gets Kojou’s fangs sinking into her skin. She’s the ideal choice since she snuck out of her hospital bed and can help get back at her mother for using her, ripping her guardian away and tossing her aside, leaving her for dead.
Side note: Since Fall 2013, I’ve noticed we’ve come across some very despicable mother characters. There’s three right off the bat for me: Cordelia (Diabolik Lovers), Aya Tokoyogi (Strike the Blood) and last but not least, Ragyo Kiryuin (Kill la Kill). The last one really takes the cake if anyone’s seen episodes 17 and 18 of Kill la Kill.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Re Kill la Kill: Lady Gaga + supervillian = Ragyo.
Wasn’t there someone covering it, BTW?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, a blogger who joined in Fall 2013 named Verdant but it’s been quite a while since we’ve gotten any posts from him.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
During my time as a RC user, I the reason he stop blogging in RC is because of his busy job. Maybe Verdant is really busy again.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Welcome back Kara we missed you!
Natsuki-chan’s voice actress dipping into some Ika-Musume clicks which made her so damn funny this week with her other persona kicking in just like Index in the first season she also has a robot-ish backup mode that kicks in when shes in danger.
Did anyone else hear Kate from Zvezda!? She was the loli in the red tank <3
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, I can hear it in her voice. World conquest wasn’t enough for her and now she wants to jump into the shameless dog pile that is Kojou’s harem? The more, the merrier.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Vol 9 of the LN has confirmed Yukina is yandere for Kojou. Nagisa is also brocon for Kojou too! 😀
Confirmation courtesy of LN spoilers on Animesuki.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
A stalker and a yandere. Yukina sounds real close to Yuno Gasai except that here, she practically has a license to kill. At least now we know why she’s so possessive and jealous when Kojou is around other girls. Nagisa’s brocon was confirmed when she asked Sayaka “Did you come here to make another move on my Kojou-kun?” in episode 16.