Kekkai Sensen – 09
Take it from Zed: Always spring for first class
Let’s talk about Jazz for a bit. I think it is very clear that anime has a good relationship with Jazz. Think about it, of all the shows that include Jazz elements in their soundtrack, they often pull it off well. Obviously there is Cowboy Bebop and Kids on the Slope, then you have things like Lupin or Baccano that also use Jazz to great effects. My point is that if you like these shows soundtracks, go listen to Weather Report.
Can we please focus on the cool stuff?
A single tear rolls down my cheek, so many of my dreams have been fulfilled
This episode did one thing really well, and did one thing not so well. What did it do well? Having probably the best action sequence of the show so far of course! Planes got back dropped, people repeatedly fell from buildings, special attacks were used, the whole shebang. When this show does action scenes, it is very easy to tell what is going on, which is always a plus for me. And of course there is the soundtrack, which really makes these action scenes infinitely re-watchable.
Which one is the Draculer?
These scenes also provide a chance for the newest member of the great super squad: Zed O’Brien. He seems to be fairly serious, quite powerful, and a fairly nice guy. So of course Zapp acts like a total tool to him. The first thing I didn’t get of this episode is those jokes about Japanese sweets. I guess it’s a cultural thing, kinda like Gintama? (Would it kill you guys to watch our mini talks!) Anyhow, Zed; nice guy.
Though he is totally a half bug not a half fish.
Plot Stuff
This episode really went out of its way to make things obtuse. How much “something” do you need to make “something” happen? Ugh. There is a difference between holding back information when writing a story and dancing around important facts. We don’t know anything about who characters like Femt or Aligura are, but what little I know leads me to believe they aren’t that vague people. And the Draculer inside Black being all like “Say mine name!” was just not interesting. As for White, I do feel bad for her. I mean she seems like a nice gal, and I do hope her and Leo can be happy. But I don’t think anyone was surprised to see not onii-chan tell her to get the god eyes. I’m glad that the two in one thing doesn’t mean you kill one twin and get a second free, but I think we all know that the twins aren’t both coming back from whatever happens. In short, this episode just did not do it for me when it comes to being vague and what not. The part that really hurts is that the show hasn’t mishandled the plot before now. Next time seems to be going back to the episodic stuff, so I am psyched.
Let me sum up my feelings in picture:
Me for the first half
Me for the second half
About Samsura
As someone of questionable tastes and even more questionable ethics; if we laugh at the same things you are one of two things: A person of discerning taste or a weirdo. Guess where I fall.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I swear he looks more like Abe Sapien to me than a bug. Even with the funky feelers on his head.
This episode almost managed to put one and one together and come up with “half way decent story”. But why bother settling to get to know the characters we have, when we can introduce more characters. More More More!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
People would surely understand quicker if you said Zed looks just like the fish man from Hellboy than just bringing up his name “Abe Sapien”. A lot easier if they had something physical to connect to. They even have the same breathing equipment around the neck.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
“Oh noes, I’ve come across a term or word or name on the internet that I don’t know! If only there was some way to find out what it meant, while still staying on the internet. A way to search of it, or something! Ah, well, I guess I’ll just have to make a mental note of it an move on….”
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You know full well there are people who fit the bill.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Another interesting episode. I have to say though that I didn’t even think of Zed being a fish (seriously, they could have at least put some kind of gills or him or something) even with the trident. I have to agree, totally saw him as more insectoid than fish. He’ll be a nice addition though, the more straight-laced version of Zapp. But Zapp and Zed do still work pretty well together.
But it was the Black and White storyline that was the most interesting to me. I’m loving the King of Despair and how he seems to play around with his victims. He’s telling the truth to Black, but he’s still mentally messing with White. Also, I love his talks with Femt and Aligura, like he’s even messing with them and they don’t know it.
And then there’s the whole plot regarding yellow threads that are keeping the city together are fraying and the green pool below it beats in time with White’s heart.
Also, the whole vampire crying black tears is awesome. I like these vamps. They’re like a mix of both old and new. They can manipulate blood through the air before consuming it, but they also have no reflection in mirrored surfaces.
So, King wants Leo’s eyes? I don’t see how he hasn’t captured him yet and taken them himself. He’s had plenty of chances and Leo’s basically the “damsel in distress” for this show. But maybe their is more to it that that or something? We’ll see it.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
…or would you rather be a fish?
Black and White’s story is about the only thing close they got to “through line” for a story. Of course, I adore White, and hope she’s able to rise to the occasion and put a stop to being manipulated. I’d love to see her rescue Leo…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You forgot the body’s pale skin tone whenever the King of Despair takes over.
Agreed on the blood manipulation. It’s an awesome add-on for a vampire ability. Increases the danger if ever encountering one. I’ve seen some manga (like Bloody Cross) where the vampires can use their own blood offensively, even utilized to go in the shape of a blade or spike. Much like Libra in comparison. Sadly, most of them were short lived stories that ended abruptly.
I wonder what that black liquid is supposed to be. I’ve known some vampires to cry tears of blood as opposed to regular tears like humans but this is odd and kind of messed up. Because for all intents and purposes, that’s still a human body under manipulation. So there’s no telling how that’s affecting Black.
I chalk it up to the King of Despair getting to Leo’s eyes now due to not having all pieces of his plan in place. Plus, Libra has been getting in his way.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Oh, of course I’ve seen vamps who use their blood to form weapons for offense. In the Nightwalker series, the vampires formed swords, knives, whips, bullets, and other types of weapons for fight their foes. But mind you, there’s only about 3 or 4 vampires you see on a regular basis in that series and it is a bit old, but yeah, it’s been done.
I wonder if the King ever drinks blood himself? Does he really need to in a human body? Also, perhaps the black stuff is some of the vampire’s own essence. That was quite a bit of blue glowy stuff that entered Black. Who knows how King has had to change Black’s body in order to contain him.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
“I am a blood bender! Mwhahahah” ?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
For now, I think the King of Despair lives off the body’s life force whenever Black has to eat or drink something to keep him going like everyone else. Like I suggested before, it’s possible the body’s characteristics change any time the switch between them occurs. Similar to how it goes for Bruce Banner and the Hulk.
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
So, why is Black crying dark tears? Did White gouge his eyes out instead of Leo’s?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Maybe the body’s blood turns black when the King of Despair takes over and he cries it out when he’s happy or sad.
It’s about the second time I’ve seen black blood. The first time was when Danny DeVito played the Penguin in Batman Returns.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
The picture used at the header with the streaks of blood everywhere. You’d swear that’s something out of Hellsing Ultimate.
I was a little out of it this episode with how the story was supposed to progress. Already clear on the Blood Breed attempting to make itself complete again, therefore the cause for the nicely done ensuing battle. The hitch was the King of Despair’s dialogue with Femt and Aligura in between. I had trouble making heads or tails of what he was implying regarding the Great Collapse. I did understand him analyzing the possibilities of the world if his existence influences it or not and everyone wondering at some point if what they do has any meaning behind it. The three are rather nihilistic if you ask me.
New Libra member confirmed! Not 10 minutes after meeting and Zapp is giving Zed nothing but trouble. It’s a given these two will butt heads like a couple of mountain goats. But hey, more fun for the viewers. If not for the captions surrounding and Zapp pointing the fact out, I wouldn’t have taken him for a fish. Sorry but I wouldn’t.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Assistance, please. Spammy is acting up again.