Strike the Blood – 22
What he lacks in other typical Kaji Yuki character traits, he makes up in the amount of times he’s lost his arm.
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It’s still cheating because he can grow it back for the most part, but at least the effort is still there. Kou’s character even had a dramatic change for the better after the battle (kind of, minus the fact that he died immediately after), so I’m kind of impressed in how they turned his character around. Perhaps he was truly a Kaji Yuki character after all. |
Kojou saves the day once again. It’s surprising that all of Itogami wasn’t destroyed this arc. Even the goal of the villain didn’t seem to require the destruction of Itogami in any way, shape or form. The reason so many people died was because Kou felt like it, it seems. Anyways, back to Kojou, he seems to have better control over his familiars now. The new one seems to have just as ridiculously overpowered as the one that eats dimensions or whatever, but Kojou isn’t the one trying to destroy things all the time, so it’s probably okay for him to revert things to a time that they didn’t exist or turn an entire island to mist in a matter of seconds. The other Progenitors haven’t been mentioned for a long time now, but if Kojou is so overpowered, the others must have abilities that are just as strong. It’s probably a goos thing that they haven’t all met yet.
…At least they’re kind of getting creative with the deaths. Kojou probably would have been screwed if not for incest saving the day. Yes, that’s not exactly Nagisa in there, but we all know what it looks like. So the lesson of the episode is that if threesomes can’t solve the problem, the imouto is the next best solution. Yukina had her moment of the arc too and Kanon seems rather okay with her and Kojou getting closer it seems. Really, the only people who have problems with the rest of the harem are Asagi and Sayaka. Yukina might feel the need to “observe” Kojou, but at least she seems to comprehend that some situations are unavoidable. …I’m still waiting for that yandere side of her (that she apparently has) come out. There’s been plenty of jealousy, but nothing quite yandere yet.
Having Kou be an artificial life form was interesting. It certainly explains why he was such a lunatic. …Kind of. Or at least it explains why he was so obsessed with his goal, since he didn’t really have any other goal in his life. It’s kind of sad that he seems to have died permanently, considering that 99% or the other characters seem to escape death (minus the non-named citizen casualties) on a regular basis. But on the other hand, villains have died before without anyone seeming to care (…if they actually died. Maybe they were just taken out and then later imprisoned offscreen). Plus since Nina is still around, maybe she’ll somehow bring back Kou with the magic of alchemy. The realization his character had at the end of the episode was cliche, but still interesting to watch, and so his character still has potential as part of the cast.
They commented on Nina’s bust size, but failed to mention the tan.
The arc ended this episode, and I still have a ton of questions regarding Kou, Wiseman, Nina, Kanon and the whole destruction of the church however many years ago that was, but maybe that has to do with the mysterious overall plot that everything seems to relate back to. Wiseman had something to say about why his power existed before he died, but of course, that never went anywhere (yet). Nagisa had another mysterious transformation too, that Yukina took pretty well considering that I don’t think she’s seen Nagisa use magic ever before. Of course she knew about Nagisa from the Nalakuvara incident, but you’d think she would have questions about Nagisa using such large scale magic without breaking a sweat. …Maybe this is something else that they explained in the novel and neglected to mention here.
So it wasn’t my favourite arc, but they managed to make it kind of interesting at the end. Still no answers on what is going on in the overall plot, but they’ve been certainly throwing in a lot of hints of it. Actually, has the plot progressed anywhere since the first arc? Kojou has made next to no progress with anyone besides adding to his harem and maybe being a tiiiiiiiny bit closer to Yukina. I guess he’s gained a few familiars too (and become overpowered in the process), but that doesn’t seem like it’s done much for the overall storyline. I don’t know if any of the villains have even made a lasting effect on Itogami as a whole either. But oh well, the arcs are interesting to watch as they come and maybe something huge has been happening behind the scenes this entire time. Maybe wherever this is going somehow connects everything together cleverly. …But in the mean time, let’s see which direction they decide to go in for the next two episodes.
Back to the summer uniforms for some reason. …Apparently the winter ones are for field trips only.
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 laughed more than I was suppose to.
Nina Asagi’s tan is the least of the problems though as they kind of left Asagi(real) there after Nina separated. I know Natsuki is still there but it wouldn’t have hurt for Kojou to worry more about her and show that they took her somewhere else. Adaptation failure perhaps? This arc feels a bit rushed compared to the previous arcs.
Though that may have something to do with the last episodes. This is probably that sidestory I’ve been hearing. Why they would place it for the last episodes, I have no idea. To reinforce the YukinaxKojou OTP?
In any case, standard ending to the arc. Kojou almost dying, Kojou giving the F to a girl, getting new powers, and Yukina with her ‘Iie Sempai’ catchphrase. A bit weaker compared to the previous arcs but still solid.
Kaji Yuki characters seems to be cursed to lose an arm in some series. Kinda like the HanaKana curse that her characters almost always loses in romance lol.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Yup. In the LN there a scene where Kujou ask Natsuki to take care of Asagi.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
You know, you hit on something that I didn’t realize had bugged me about the series, but now understand: Every single arc ends the same way: Kojou almost defeated, some girl offers blood while getting embarrassed, new superpower that just happens to perfectly counter what the bad guy of the week is doing, and *bang* bad guy goes down. What’s he supposed to have, 6 familiars? What happens when he’s out of new familiars to pull out of his hat? I guess that’s when he loses. It’s just not creative at all.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
@Highway:I hear as of the latest novel, he still has 5 more to pull out of his hat. There are 12 Zodiac familiars in total, and he controls 7 of them in the LNs.
Blame LN author Gakuto Mikumo though. He’s definitely to blame for such a story structure.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, it’s definitely down to the writing. I think we have to remember that LN’s are about the bottom rung of professional writing. Sure, there are some that are better than others, but generally, it’s mass market churned out serials. It’s not that there’s a particular ‘blame’, it’s just the way it is. At least it’s a step up from vanity novels (usually). You know, the ones where you actually pay people to publish your book.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 167 comments
Hataraku Maou-sama
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Gakumo Mikoto other works like “Dantalion no Shoka” seems to be better received though…. Or not since the forum of it in animesuki contains a lot of whining anyway but its typical of them/any forums.
But I do enjoy watching it even though its pretty WTF at times.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I agree. High five on that. If you’re enjoying the show, then something as miniscule as that shouldn’t matter at all.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Let’s see which direction they decide to go in for the next two episodes.
I hear they are animating the STB short story, the one where Show ▼
I believe me and d-Lan mentioned this story a few posts back.
I still have a ton of questions…
d-Lan’s probably has better knowledge of the novels details than I do. But I’ve been searching around, and as a gift I’ll drop a little spoiler re. Asagi.
Show ▼
If you like, I can give more spoilers in future posts as long as you approve of them, of course. 😉
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 167 comments
Come with me John Connor if you want to live.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
The new Familiar, Sadalmelik, from the Arabic for ‘the Lucky one of the King’, is named after the 2nd brightest star in the Aquarius(Water-bearer) zodiac constellation.
(hence the giant woman surrounded by water.)
I also found spoilers on what future Familiars look like,but I will ask for your permission first.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
http://i.imgur.com/fC9dKYr.png
“No senpai, you are mine to have” (≧∇≦)/
Though I do wonder why no one complain abt Touma stock phrase while everyone loath Himeragi one’s. In fact her bandwagon hate is reminding me of Misaka one’s in the TAMNI forums =_=
Nagisa/whoever possessing her, what did we say abt never letting your hair down? The same face is too strong between her and Himeragi. And while we are talking abt character design, Nina has her pretty nice design and I won’t mind appearing every now and then.
I want Nina in her original size plsIs the anime team seriously adapting the “what if” SS!? More importantly. why did they gave it TWO episodes while the main arc gets only three!??? Well if they want to expand the future segment I don’t mind I guess….
LN comparison post will come later….. I think.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
Did somebody say sameface?
And the TouMAN is the man and makes you live your life correctly, that’s why. It also comes with a gender equality falcon punch.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
http://i.imgur.com/zWXlo2k.jpg
Anime Nagisa can never beat this creepy smile frm the LN XD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Why am I thinking of Kill la Kill’s Nui Harime just by looking at that?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
If not for the various eye colors and slightly different hair styles, they would look alike.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That’s what I don’t understand when there are people putting Yukina down for that. It’s ridiculous and severely one sided. I certainly don’t have a problem with it and it’s part of her character. If her line is getting her such disdain, shouldn’t Kojou get some of the sting as well? Because if that’s the way the game’s being played, he’s just as guilty for being repetitive saying “This is my fight”. Either reprimand them both or none at all. Besides, up to now, he hasn’t once objected to her joining in.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
For all LaFolia lovers, the latest STB vol 10 states in a way that Kojou will soon meet Aldegia’s Royal Family. So Lafolia will most likely show up again!!
Re vol 10:
Show ▼
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Like the “Labyrinth Of The Blue Witch” arc, this one ended sooner than expected but was pretty much solid and entertaining. So a ship out in the open ocean took battle damage this time around. Hey, even an island has to take a breather once in a while.
For Nagisa’s sake, she’s better off not knowing that because she got possessed by a familiar again, she lost her first kiss to her brother. There could be a huge nervous breakdown otherwise.
Well, vampires do stand at the top of the supernatural pyramid so having insane power comes with the territory and the Progenitors are supposed to be strongest class given that term means “True Ancestor”. Not much is known about the second and third ones but the second arc elaborated that the First Progenitor, Lost Warlord, has control of 72 familiars. So that suggests a considerable amount of power.
It’s a shame Yukina killed Kou. He was an interesting character and could’ve made a good addition to the cast. I’d rather see him around more than Vatler. His despair towards the end is understandable. Working toward a goal that could never be obtained can certainly make one lose hope for anything. However, the show did break a streak. A relevant character was finally killed off. The only weak point was Wiseman. He came and went so fast that hardly an impression was made.
The bloodsucking scenes are improving, though. At least we see the fangs actually sinking in and Yukina was being really submissive this time tilting her body back like that for Kojou to bite her. An indirect indication telling him she belongs to him now?
POWUH: iLurker with 2 comments
Does anyone know the Ost playing right before Kojou summons his familiars and Yukina defeats Kou?