High School DxD BorN – 03 [NSFW]
A smile from Koneko?
Let’s see if my #1 vote in this season’s APR can get more votes than my choice last season (Cross Ange). Anyway, we’re back for High School DxD BorN episode 3, and this may be Issei’s big moment.
Learning Your Own Value
Kuroka gives the Welsh Dragon Emperor a greeting
In this episode we had one thing go almost exactly by the book, and the other thing go very differently. Let’s start with the thing that was straight from the book: Koneko, Rias, and Issei facing off against Kuroka out in the woods. This is the first extended exposure we’ve had to Kuroka (and will probably be the last in this series), but I think that Minami Takahashi needs some credit for playing her with a supremely condescending style and vocal quality. I thought that she did a great job bringing the older sister of Koneko, someone who’s not interested in any propriety, to life.
Issei’s going to protect Rias and Koneko, if he can
We did get a few minor things moved around, such as the flashback of Koneko and Rias talking (Koneko had initially confessed those fears of falling behind to Issei, with Akeno there). But mostly the things that were said followed along with the book, and that’s a good thing. The scene presents us with the very thing that Koneko fears she would become if she allows herself to accept her nekomata powers, and in the face of that, with Rias and Issei under threat from someone that strong, and with Koneko willing to give herself up to bargain for Rias and Issei, Rias confirms that she will support and hold Koneko dear. Even if Kuroka understands Koneko’s abilities better, Rias understands the pain that Koneko has faced, shunned after Kuroka turned bad, and finally finding some redemption in Rias’ peerage.
Balance Broken
Issei finally powers up
But it’s not like Issei is without his own doubts. He does have a point: He’s always had to come back for a second chance, never helped anyone the first time. That might be a shounen thing, but it’s also worrying that there might be a time when there isn’t a second chance. But he’s also buoyed by Koneko’s support, bringing out another of the themes of the books: Issei is the weakest of the Sekiryuutei, but he is also the first who has not charged down the path of power and strength, the first who hasn’t been consumed by the power of the legendary dragon. This comes out again and again, as Issei’s desires are routed not into love of power, but into love of oppai, of his friends, and of Rias most of all.
Mou! Baka!
And protecting the two of them gives Issei his big chance to shine, but he fumbles because his Sacred Gear is in ‘an ambiguous state’. Having to decide whether to go for a normal power up or achieve Balance Breaker, we get a lot of hemming and hawing about what he should do, while Kuroka is attacking him. It’s a testament to his training with Tannin that he isn’t just blown away, but the show still takes a little (a lot) too long to get him to his decision. It ends up taking “Talking is a Free Action” to shounen heights, as Issei figures out how to achieve his Balance Breaker – with Rias’ “doorbells”. Granted, I think everyone was wondering what the hell he was doing, and then shocked at the outright stupidity of his solution. But it works for him. The show does play two parts well: Tannin’s incredulousness at being asked which nipple to push, and Ddraig’s conflicting emotions at Issei reaching Balance Breaker.
The Norse Invasion
Poor Rossweisse-san
The other part of the show is back in the party, where TNK decided to move some things around. In particular, they moved the introduction of Loki up two whole volumes, as he doesn’t appear until volume 7. There’s also a bit of a change to the allegiances, as Loki at this time is somewhat affiliated with the Chaos Brigade (Vali, Kuroka, Bikou, and Ophis who we haven’t seen). We’ll see how that’s handled as we get to the bigger part of the story with Loki, but it could put an odd wrench in how that is handled. Odin is also a major player earlier than in the books although he does appear in volume 5, just not at the point of signing a peace treaty with the Angels, Devils, and Fallen Angels as he is here.
No. Just… no
And while I’ve universally praised the adaptation so far for the character designs, this one had a huge fail: Fenrir. Man that was awful. I thought Loki, with his silly hair, was not too bad, but Fenrir just didn’t work, and for whatever reason just looked completely out of place in the animation. I’m hoping that’s the exception that proves the rule, because we’ll have to deal with Fenrir later. The inclusion of Loki and Fenrir wasn’t awful at this point, and will likely save some time later (because now there’s no need for a whole big setup scene whose sole point is to introduce Loki which honestly feels pretty tacked on in the book). And it does introduce the pan-theistic idea that I mentioned last week. The DxD universe includes pretty much any belief system you can come up with, all coexisting, but mostly not having much to do with each other. But if they can band together, it might lead to fewer conflicts, and there’s actually a pretty big reason to band together: The Chaos Brigade, which poses a threat to all of them.
Mindset Expansion
Akeno can’t face her pain
I mentioned that the scene with Koneko explaining her worried to Rias was a little bit different than the book. The main differences are actually that Rias wasn’t there, and Akeno was. And as I talked about last week, Akeno and Koneko are both fighting the same hatred of their lineage. But while Koneko has had her breakthrough, thanks to Issei and Rias while fighting Kuroka, Akeno still has yet to come to terms with it. Akeno’s interactions with Barakiel have been moved up from volume 7 as well, so they’re in a little different setting, but it’s obvious that Akeno won’t acknowledge him. I don’t know if they’ll get into the bigger issues between Barakiel’s understanding of Issei, and we’ll have to see how Akeno is able to conquer first herself and then her father. But it’s something definitely weighing on Akeno’s mind, as she gives that look to Koneko in the bath.
Both working through things
Bonus BorN
Probably the first obvious misstep is that drawing of Fenrir. That just doesn’t work, but maybe it will look a little better later in the series, since we should be seeing Loki and Fenrir again (they did say that Ajuka just sent him far away). On the other hand, Issei’s Balance Breaker mode looked pretty good. We didn’t get to what I thought we’d get to with the other Young Devils, we’ll have to see if that is next week. But I’m not really thinking so, since the preview featured Rosseweisse. But perhaps Saji’s presence means it’ll get back on track with volume 5. Other than that, I thought the story flowed fairly well as changed, and got to Issei’s Balance Breaker mode pretty well. I was laughing uproariously at the whole scene, which was really pulled off well, even if it was a lot of yakking in the middle of a battle. At least they kept showing Bikou and Tannin flying around fighting and even changing the lighting with Tannin’s fire blasts. And of course Bikou was around to see what happened with Issei, which is necessary for… nicknames.
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 33 comments
Fenrir’s design idea and color pallet are cool, but I hope this episode was just super low in terms of budget and he looks better drawn when he reappears.
Kuroka just standing watching Ise power up himself made more sense in the anime than in the LN, there Bikou and her wanted to go as soon as possible, but here they had the duty to buy time for Loki to barge into the party.
And Ise’s wings are so much more badass than I thought they would be! A lot cooler than Vali’s that’s for sure.
I’m new here BTW.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Welcome, and thanks for commenting! I do think a lot of Fenrir’s problem was the perspective on that shot and a couple others. When we saw the full body shot of him, it was a lot better. So let’s hope for “This was derpy animation” and they’ll get that worked out next time.
The line they threw in with Kuroka amazed at Rias exposing herself helped a lot, but there was also a lot of time that Issei was yammering to himself that Kuroka wasn’t attacking. Well, she did say that she’d kill them slowly.
I always thought Vali’s wings were pretty good, I like the glass look to them. But Issei’s were very well done and didn’t seem out of place. They were definitely better than seeing something like demon wings would be.
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 33 comments
Oh, by no means I think Vali’s wings aren’t cool. They are awesome. But Ise’s are more organic and dragonic-looking, which I think fits more with the dragon motif their armors have.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I was a little afraid Issei’s would be more torn up when they first appeared, but they didn’t do that. I do find that Issei’s armor is a little bit clunky feeling at times, and ends up with poor definition on the closeup shots they like to use. Like “Is that his arm, or his shoulder, or his hand, or is he looking a different way?” But the more distant shots are much better.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Hulk say Loki puny god! Hulk SMASH!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
The moment I learned his name, I wondered why Hulk wasn’t in the same room ready to smash him into the floor.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
The Hulk is trademarked.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
But he could’ve made a small cameo just to put Loki in a world of hurt. 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
As I said below, you don’t need Thor or Hulk with Issei around.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
All they have to do is threaten Rias.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Rias = Raw Ass!
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 110 comments
3eps of s3 DxD well is fine start give it time it get good really give it time.
yet waiting for DUB version cause we know certain MARCHI & rest so plans ready on it (assume coming either if Broadcast Dub this year or wait til 2016).
& they bring in norse along with loki wonder where thor on it & can we get HULK doing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8sLAJ1R9RU if happen on s3?
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
SMAAAASHH!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
You don’t need Thor or Hulk as separate characters when you have Issei. Trust me on this one.
And I hope you get your dub. I’ll pass, thanks.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Puny god… That scene is iconic!
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
Best powerup ever. And that’s just the tip(heh) of the iceberg. Though it did overuse the ‘talk=free action’ deal, I’d accept that Kuroka was baffled at what they’re doing. Rias popping out her breasts for Issei is such a ridiculous thing to do. That and Kuroka did know that Issei has some fascination for breasts which made her curious as to what they’ll do.
And here’s the change that I’ve been hearing. I like it though as it makes Loki’s presence as a threat better than in the novel. He was introduced in the volume and dispatched just as quick in the same volume. Moving up the treaty is okay as well as we got to see Ross quickly. She’s in the promo material as well as in the OP/ED so they shouldn’t delay her appearance.
The buildup with Akeno’s plotline also continues to do well in running parallel to the other plotlines.
Guess the only complaint is that the animation seemed a bit subpar at parts. Especially Fenrir. They didn’t seem to be moving the focus of the animation on the action parts as they looked weird at times as well. Let’s hope that this episode was just lacking in terms of directing and wouldn’t affect the rest of the episodes.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, we pretty much agree on the way the series is going. It moves things around, but it doesn’t obviously break anything. And as you say, it brings these villains up earlier, allowing them to be more anticipated, rather than introducing the next guy just to vanquish him and move on.
The amount that Rias indulges Issei, even without questioning him, is one of those things that I think sets this series apart. Is she embarrassed? Yeah. But she still endures. It’s almost like she realizes that if Issei asks for it, it’s important and not something she should question. It doesn’t make her less important, and certainly doesn’t make it like Daimidaler where the girl was just there for the guy to grope (which was awful). It’s not even a “Close your eyes and think of England” kind of thing. It’s just what needs to be done, and she’d do whatever Kiba or Koneko, or Akeno needs if they asked. They just don’t ask for the same things.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
LOLOLOLO that cat monster wolf thing LOLOLOLOL dat design was totally WTF xDDD
DEM NIPPLES ARE POWERFUL! I always wondered what the hell DxD could do to push things to the limit and now we have nipple buttons? LOL awesome.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Like I said during ShinMaou, it’s got nothing on DxD. I will say that the things that come from now on are more inventive, and less outright gropey. That doesn’t mean that Koneko will stop saying that Issei is “The worst. Perverted Sekiryuutei”, tho. But I think we can see that Koneko and Issei have a little bit more of an understanding now.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
I’m another one who thought Fenrir’s design was terrible. And while Odin’s and Loki’s designs weren’t bad I think both should have had more of a Norse look to them. But that DOESN’T
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
Okay, somehow my comment got posted before I was done. To finish it, “But that DOESN’T mean they should have been wearing horned helmets!”
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Not at all…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
They represent Vikings, don’t they?
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…it’s a touch more complicated…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
Horns or wings on Viking helmets are something the Victorians came up with. Real Vikings didn’t have them. OTOH, a spectacle spangenhelm on Odin with one of the eye openings with something like a red or black jewel in it would have looked badass.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Ugh, so many interpretations, details big and small or complete differences. You find yourself stopping and asking “What’s the real truth and history in this world?”
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
But spectacle spangenhelms have been found so we know they existed. No need for speculation there.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
DxD has generally stayed away from typical iconography of different factions, usually just using one fairly unambiguous and non-controversial thing, and something that can be put away. Michael’s halo, the Fallen Angels’ Black Wings. They don’t make all the devils have horns or tails or anything like that. We’ll have to see if there are any things about Rossweisse’s battle armor that say “Valkyrie” but I’m guessing it won’t be too much.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I guess I was the only one that thought the key to the Breaker was anti-climatic. Of course it’s oppai. It’s oppai all the way down. It could have been chippai this time, but I’m told that this will not be in the cards. So poot!
They’ve done really well with the fantasy kitchen sink so far, but it’s getting to closer to resemblance to the classic Sandman story, Season of Mists. Well, no Endless in this one.
…and yes, a smiling Koneko… 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Sorry, Issei needs the thing that powers his fantasies. Rias’ boobs are that thing, Koneko is not. Plus “Ow, quit pushing on my ribs”.
And in hindsight, it’s funny how the reality of Rias’ reaction was much more subdued than the one in Issei’s fantasy, yet it was still enough.
They do back off on the addition of more fantasy genres for a while. With pushing Odin and Loki up this early, that pretty much takes care of everything they’re going to include in this series. Plus, they’ve dealt with the Senjutsu / Nekomata part already.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Oh, there is no need to apologize for the narrative. But…an apology must be forthcoming for that mean swipe at Koneko…you cad…
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
“Ow, cut it out.”
😛
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
😛
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Fear his wrath!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
No need for an apology, just stuff him into a closet and forget the whole thing. He did it to Fosh once. 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Agreed! Defender of LOLiS!
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Comparing Koneko and Kuroka, does this mean that the more evil/crazy they get, the hotter and sexier they become?
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Mature demons, at least the ladies, choose how they look (through methods that are handwaved away as demon-y stuff). That’s why Lady Venerana looks like Rias’ older sister.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Most female villains are sexy to begin with. You could say it’s a means of teasing and tempting the hero/male audience.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
The most villanous stay… LOLi. just to screw minds up completely. 😛
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
“What are you doing in the middle of battle?!” Tannin really hasn’t been brought up to speed on Issei’s reputation. That said, he can sense energy signals but I’m surprised his sensory skills don’t include detecting various, especially perverse auras from people he comes in contact with.
The fight was short lived but good. Issei’s proven his mantle but Kuroka still has a huge ego. What Issei should’ve done to knock her off her high horse was squeeze in room for a dress break moment.
Koneko worrying about her birth powers just means she’ll eventually have to face them. It would be a good asset if she asks Azazel to train her in controlling them.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Azazel’s big thing is research into Sacred Gears. That’s why he’s really helpful with Kiba, Issei, and Asia, but tends to pass off other stuff. Like having Akeno train with Barakiel, who can understand her much better (except for that whole big “I hate you and all Fallen Angels!” part). Azazel’s go-to move with the well-being of the girls tends to be “Issei, can I count on you to take care of them?” To which Issei always replies “Sure, count on me!” Now, a lot of that is because the problems that the girls like Akeno and Koneko have are self-worth problems, and acceptance of their own nature, something that Issei is a complete master of. But the other thing is because the girls love Issei. Akeno has definitely declared her love for Issei, and we saw in this episode where Koneko sees how much Issei and Rias care about her.
The development of the “Vali Team” of the Chaos Brigade – Vali, Bikou, Kuroka, and Ophis – is something that’s not really typical. You guys will see how that goes.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
In related news. Cute Koneko & Gasper doujin where Koneko turns Gasper into her personal mouse-pet.