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「絶賛、決戦中です!」 (Zessan , Kessen Naka Desu !)
“The Acclaimed Battle Continues!”
Now this was a battle. It didn’t exactly have the tactical depth of last week, but for stunning displays of power and stirring shows of determination, this one was hard to beat. I think it’s because – and I’ve said this before, but I’m going to say it again because I don’t know when to shut up – the protagonists can actually lose. This was a battle where our heroes can get completely taken out of the fight without everyone having to scramble for a Scroll of Resurrection, and that brings up all sorts of interesting possibilities. This episode certainly showed us that, are competitors on both side were retired one after another, making the tactical landscape precarious to say the least.
Now, uncharacteristically for this show, all my favorite things this episode were about guys. The first one was Kiba-kun. When he first whipped out his special sword (don’t think about that statement too much) back in episode 4, I assumed it, Holy Eraser, was his only one. The fact that he can create any sword he wants to suit a particular battle is waaay better. But more than that, it’s how many swords he can summon that is so awesome. Seeing that, I had the same reaction that I’m sure many of your did: “Kiba-kun can use Unlimited Blade Works!?” Niiiice.
My next favorite thing was Issei. Not only did he beat one of Raizer’s rooks without too much trouble – and with the obligatory Dress Break, naturally – but he took on six enemies and actually won. Boosted Gear is a thoroughly ridiculous weapon, and its new power up has only made it more so. When I saw what Issei could do with it, I was forced to revise my earlier reaction: “Kiba-kun doesn’t have Unlimited Blade Works…Issei does!” Even more awesome!
My third favorite thing about this episode was Issei again. His determination to keep getting up and fight for Rias was impressive. I know most of us like to think that we would do the same thing in a similar situation, but I know from personal experience that a mild case of the flu or an especially impressive hangover is enough to keep me curled up in bed and moaning for an entire day minimum. For Issei to get up and try to fight even when he’s coughing up blood is one of the reasons why girls like Rias keep falling for him, and it’s why he deserves it.
But the biggest shocker of this episode was definitely that Rias’ team lost. I know earlier I said that the rating games are interesting because the protagonists can lose, but I only expected them to lose the individual fights. For them to lose the entire thing was a surprise, even if Raizer’s overpowered regenerative powers made victory logically a long shot. Now it appears that Rias is set to marry Raizer after all. With only one more episode to go, Issei and the gang are going to have to stop that wedding somehow…but fortunately, Koneko-chan says that there’s still a way. Fight on, Issei!
tl;dr: @StiltsOutLoud – Kiba-kun & Issei stole the show w/ UBW rip-offs. Next week, Rias back in a wedding dress!? Oh noes! #HighSchoolDxD
Random thoughts:
- In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve stopped referring to Rias as Rias-sempai. Why? Because once she made this face for Issei, I feel the distance between them shrunk. Probably a good time to switch to a first name basis.
- Minor gripe: the ED. It’s still amazing, but hearing the super chipper ED play right after a dramatic scene completely poisoned the mood. Remember this, anime studios: no matter how awesome your OP or ED is, if they don’t fit the mood of the nearby scene(s), don’t play them! Make sure you write that down. It will be on your next test.
- I’d like to say they’re going to sell soooo many DVDs, but everything is already uncensored, so maybe not? I’m not sure whether the perv demographic will come out and buy the cow when they’ve already seen the milk for free. I want a season 2 though, so let’s hope!
Full-size images: 02, 03, 06, 11, 21, 31, 34, 36.
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LOL…Kiba with UBW amuse me the most this episode….I think I saw Gae Bolg in one of Kiba sword birth…..I just wonder whether he can actually use all of the sword that he produces or is it like “not enough mana” all the time like in F/SN.
As I was watching this, the one thought that crossed my mind was, “That Boosted Gear will break when it’s needed most.” So I wasn’t at all surprised to see the break right at the end. I was also not surprised to see Rias’ team lose. Its a common plot device employed in many shows. The main characters will always lose their first battle.
Yeah, you’re right. It’s mostly that I thought the battle would be dragged out for another episode, but on further reflection that would have been waaaaaay too much fighting. This is their Empire Strikes Back moment…next time will be Endor!
(except, hopefully without the Ewoks. That would just be silly.)
But the ewoks bring in more cuteness to defeat the enemy ^^
Nah, Boosted Gear is so very hax, its just Issei is too human/weak to handle its supa-haka powers YET. Basically, what broke was Issei’s body in a rebound like effect because it could not handle the stress of all the boosts needed to level up to Raiser’s power. He just needs to get in more training and increase his reservoir.
Very nice remark by Koneko-chan in the preview. Next episode will be AWESOME!
We will see
Show Spoiler ▼
Grrr… I know it’s a known plot device but boy oh boy did it piss me off. Raiser needs have his ahem.. Chopped off.
Though I am sure that is in store for him. You betta run Raisa-chan.
ε=ε=ε=ε=ε=ε=┌(;￣◇￣)┘
IF THEY SELL IT PEOPLE WILL BUY! So whos everyone fav girl on this show?
Definitely want to see a season 2 and more, especially after being able to read the translations for the light novel (need to improve my Japanese! -_- I’m in japan for goodness sake!) This episode was good, but I feel that the light novel did this scene better. Those who have read that part should know what I mean. Still, very enjoyable episode.
I agreed with your second random thoughts. It felt like watching Show Spoiler ▼
and Kyoto Animation ended it with that silly ED.
Sorry that scene was just too Painful and heart wrenching. This does not even come close.
Yeah, I know, it’s just extreme comparison from popular series.
Protip: Next time mention WHICH show you’re actually spoiling.
Hey, I HAVE put the spoiler in spoiler tag, haven’t I? If you don’t want to be spoiled, just DON’T open any spoiler tag. Problem solved.
Kusabi doesn’t understand that only using a spoiler marker isn’t very helpful. The reader still doesn’t know what anime might be spoiled by clicking the link. All they know is that it has something to do with a Kyoto Animation anime.
*sigh* I can’t believe there’s still one more person who made a ruckus about spoiler like this.
Okay, I apologize that I USED SPOILER TAG AROUND ANY MAJOR SPOILER of Clannad -After Story-, if that will make you feel better.
However, I still believe that it’s not entirely my fault. Blame yourself since you’re tempted to open my spoiler tag.
Stilts, I’m sorry that I made a commotion just over ONE SPOILER like this. If you would, delete my spoiler comment above, before these people make a riot over this post like your Ano Natsu post.
You know this episode was going to be full of manly awesomeness when Issei and Kiba brofist. Would have been nice to see miko sempai in action as well. She got KO-ed too soon and Akeno is probably the most underutilized character in DxD T_T
And an Imouto in your Harem? The thought has never cross my mind but I must say it’s pure genius. We know Kyousuke and Zanibas approve 😉
I am the bone of my pervertedness
PANTSU is my body, and ECCHI is my blood
I have broken over a thousand dresses
unknown to shame, nor known to decency
have withstood pain to break many dresses
yet, these hands will never hold any OPPAI
so, as i pray
unlimited dress breaker
i want to see him improving the dress break skill. imagine, he will cast a big magic circle and every girl inside of it will get their clothes torn into pieces. super AOE skill!
suff, this makes me happy. Awesome ^^
When I read the “pantsu is my body” I pictured Tomoki’s pantsu robot from Sora no Otoshimono, haha
There actually HAS been some censoring in the show, in the first episode when Rias was getting undressed, and in this show when the Rook was blasted, her pelvis was censored in the light. It’s small stuff but still there :3
I really hope there is a season 2 of this, and hopefully a 24 episode arc, because Volumes 3 and 4 kick. ASS.
Still, next episode is going to be awesome. That is all. >3
Show Spoiler ▼
Let me clear something about the new ability Gift. Issei didn’t actually use/copy Kiba’s attack, he just amplified it. The keyword is when BG said ‘Transfer’. The new ability transfers Issei’s accumulated Boosts to his teammates or to an attack, in this case the power is transferred to the latter.
That’s why the second UBW attack was much larger than the first.
Just clearing it up coz the way it was shown makes it seem like Issei was the one who attacked with UBW Sword Birth.
And prepare for a wedding crash next episode. It’s gonna be sweet.
Seconding this post. It really needs to be clarified (before we watch the next episode) on how Boosted Gear Gift works and the subs weren’t helping on the explanation.
-In line with the Fate analogy, Kiba can only use Tracing and a mini-UBW.
-Ise can only use Boost on himself and Gift to transfer his boost to a chosen person/ability/object. He shouldn’t be able to take in the ability of another.
-It’s only when Ise and Kiba join for a single attack that they can use UBW.
Thanks for the clarification! *comments so more people will read these*
How many episodes is this again?
I’m pretty sure there will be 12 episodes.
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu i want to see more $.$ so awsome the new Boosted gear
This..was more dramatic than when I read it o_o Now I really can’t wait for the next episode! Get ready Stilts; this rollercoaster isn’t over yet! >=D
This post should have way more views/comments by now…
I’m definitely emotionally wrecked by what had just happened. Everything was cool with the UBW, Asia’s fainting, Issei’s determination and eventually their loss. It’s way better than what I initially thought the show would be.
So as i pray,
Unlimited Dress Breaker
Don’t forget the crushing despair as soon as Akeno fell. Phoenix tears are so overpowered in the Rating Games!
As a strategist, Raiser isn’t half-bad, I guess. He predicted Rias’ moves and systematically had his Queen demoralize the Gremory’s ranks. The only downfall is he sacrificed most of his pieces to do so, though I guess he didn’t really anticipate Issei’s Boosted Gear to evolve so fast.
She’s just…letting that right boob hang out there. It’s astounding.
only words say on it ONORE RAISER!!!
yea that d-(bleep) raiser win yea all it total beatdown on issei to point burn cook issei alive yet his body can re-generate GRR ONORE RAISER indeed.
give battle hey we got unlimited blades in it too.
but now we got rias being damsel in distress now yea no way see rias being part of raiser’s HOE-SKI!!!
yea one ep left we’re so wanting either get biggest objection/wedding crasher to really like “raiser let see ya grit those teeth!”.
The Dress Break always crack me up .. Like for the best ability! HAHAHA 🙂
You haven’t seen anything yet >D Let’s just hope the rest of the novels will be animated; Dress Break is just icing on the cake!
Thank you for the review.
Too bad we wont see the epic fight in vol 10 Show Spoiler ▼
Show Spoiler ▼
my heart is broken! i cant imagine Rias with that bastard-phoenix, i dont want to see it, i dont even want to think about it. damn, Issei, take Rias away from that bastart!
Sure the raiser dude has a bad attitude. But is he not what Issei wants to be? Harem King? Get all the girls? Just he has the power to do so.
@deafvader
Except Isse isn’t forcing someone who doesn’t like him to be in his harem. There’s a pretty big difference. One is a j-ass while the other is actually considerate.
I felt so sad when they lost, i was hoping he would use that laser thing and cut raizer into half before he faint but he didnt :(.
Kinda knew this was going to end like this, but didn’t see how it would play out. Which made this whole episodes a bit of a mixed bag. The one thing that pretty much soured it is when Grope-Toy ( i know the character has a proper naem, but i don’t care enough to look it up.) Activated her ‘trap card’ and decimated most of Rias’s remaining forces. Other then that the rest played out fine. Though i was expecting Issei to get a quick gab in before sucomming to the ‘power poising.’
You know, when they said the way to beat Phoenix was to break his spirit not his body and with the nature of the show and Issei having his dress break, I really thought he was going to use it on Raizer.
I can’t wait to see Issei wreck that wedding though. I am just curious how he will do it.
Somehow I get the feeling Raizer wouldn’t have cared too much if his clothes were ripped off. He’d probably strut his stuff. XD
I don’t think dress break can be used on Raiser, because its power depends on how perverted Issei is.
Oh, he can wreck the party by doing dress break on all the attendants?
https://randomc.net/image/High%20School%20DxD/High%20School%20DxD%20-%2011%20-%20Large%2021.jpg
whoo! Akenooooooo!
I think seeing her get beaten is what made me cry the most =( stupid, cheap, hax “Tears of Immortality” crap…
well yea raiser’s harem is bunch HOE-SKI give look at them even he own sister as part of harem yea why do i got feeling ONORE RAISER also do incest.
& yea raiser’s queen so biggest HOE-SKI of them all really combine wH0-lut yea total HOE-SKI of the season.
really waiting for days to see issei get better harem & total dress breaker on all those HOE-SKI.
When Rias says in ep. 9 that they need to “crush the soul” to win (and therefore can win even if Raizer’s body cannot be destroyed). I thought Issei was going to use dress break on Raizer in order to “crush the soul.” The writers could have believably have him do it at the last second when he was getting beat up by Raizer.
Another emotional roller coaster.. But I didn’t check the preview and found out about the ‘there’s a way’. Here’s to a fun next episode!
I am glad they lost, for one there are things that you can only learn once you loose a battle.
Two this is a wake up call for Issei to dont act so bad ass and cocky when you so pathetic weak. Raizer’ might be a bastard but at least he have the strength to back up that attitude, nothing I hate more than a hot blooded moron who act tough but is weakest than everyone around, you wanna act tough you better be able back up your claim or else you nothing more than an eye sore.
uh, my friend. Isse was far from cocky or trying to act bad ass. He was just trying his best and he did bloody well for someone who just became a devil recently.
If anything, it’s Raiser who is acting all cocky and badass but has nothing to back it up (in the big picture of devil society).
Quote ” If anything, it’s Raiser who is acting all cocky and badass but has nothing to back it up (in the big picture of devil society).”
Hmm so I guess his multiple rating game wins means nothing then, and his two purpose loose is nothing too, don’t get me wrong I am not a fan of Raiser either, I think he an asshole too but at least he have that right and can back up his claim you know, so I gotta give him that.
I mention Isse being cocky or trying to act bad ass is the first time he meant Raiser and try to argue with him then bring out his sacred gear thinking hes tough shit then get beat up by his weakest pawn. Thats the part I can’t stand so after loosing that part and this rating game he will finally realize how weak he truly is, thats actually a good thing cause a person don’t grow up unless they fail. Too bad anime end at volume 2 of novel, after that is when things start getting interesting and Isse truely begin to train himself in strength and in mind so get so hotheaded unless u can back it up again.
Hm.. I was hoping for higher production values for this anime — and frankly, for them not to take so many liberties with the dialogue..
Seems like the anime team shifted some settings around and added dialogue/scenes to suit their own interests.. I generally prefer when they stay as close to ~100% true to the source material as possible.. (although the red dragon armor looked cool!)
As for other light novel adaptations, the Monogatari series stayed so true to the original material.. it was great! Infinite Stratos did a decent job too, although they purposely underplayed certain moments..
he didnt seem that big of a douche in the manga…