Posted by  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
「決闘」 (Kettou)
“Duel”
Three weeks in and Zero certainly treads the unorthodox path. The central premise of a lost book has seemingly been shafted by exploration, world building, and quite a bit of mercenary humiliation. Why find Zero’s grimoire when we can do the side quests? Ok maybe not entirely accurate, but you must admit we have advanced little into the main story so far. In a sense it’s a little like Spice and Wolf, the plot is currently there to give excuse for all the comings and goings, an event to deal with at some hazy future date. Might also help Zero personifies Holo in most regards.
For me the interesting bit this episode was the slavery discussion. Besides Zero’s hilarious cover for our Mercenary’s momentary mental lapse, this topic was surprisingly important in relation to beastfallen. While society shuns the true furries for more than one reason, it still apparently likes them enough to allow them to both own slaves—and human ones at that—and freely showcase them around town. Certainly no clear cut demarcations between our various groups if certain beastfallen can rise to “prominent” (i.e. powerful) positions within human society. Our dog wolfman’s lie on “protecting” witches also hints towards potential possibilities regarding the Church. If Zero is right that witches can only identify other witches—which is no guarantee given the wolfman’s reaction—it’s reasonable to assume the Church has a few stored away for just such a purpose. And of course that doesn’t even include using the hated witches as offensive weapons in the civil war. Considering a troop of knights exists to deal with noticeable magic usage—as described by our mercenary last time—it only makes sense to me that they would handle these problems with the enemy’s own tools. If true, it bodes well (badly?) for the types of enemies inevitably forthcoming.
Beyond such exposition however, we have our budding merc-Zero relationship, which definitely defines the show for me currently. In between Zero’s eschewing of societal norms and crazy love for food, we have a mercenary who shows some care—if not affection—for the girl by piggybacking her, refusing to swipe her lottery winnings, and embracing his inner body pillow. If their personalities did not play off so well against one another I’m pretty sure Zero would have lost a lot of its initial charm. Now if only Albus found a role here beyond simple annoyance then everything would be alright. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt though, with those murmurs of grandma you know some serious character development going to happen sooner or later.
So where to from here? Back to the road by all accounts. Zero apparently wants to take the scenic path for finding the grimoire, which definitely hearkens towards more explorative world building. As long as things are kept interesting I don’t have a problem personally, but with only 12 confirmed episodes, a little more plot certainly wouldn’t hurt. There’s a whole world of magic out there and I want to know more.
Full-length images: 12.
Preview
 |
 |
 |
I did an actual spit-take when Zero blurted out the sex-slave bit. The way she so calmly, nonchalantly, and emotionlessly says it…
Loli troll is best troll.
The novels describe Zero as a beauty, but can loli = beauty?
@zztop that is how index is described in the to aru majutsu no index LN’s (as being this really beautiful girl) so perhaps you’re on to something….
Lolis are love, lolis are life. No reason beauty cannot fall in between that statement 😛
I had to do a double take at it, out of all the possible lines, that one never entered the thoughts. Although Albus definitely raised the stakes by actually doubling down on it lol.
https://randomc.net/image/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2036.jpg
so cute..it’s like a cat with it’s owner except the species was swapped
There’s a reason girls are often compared to cats after all 😛
https://randomc.net/image/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2025.jpg
https://randomc.net/image/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2029.jpg
The tavern scene, drunk Zero and the duel are apparently anime-original settings.
In the LN, Show Spoiler ▼
https://randomc.net/image/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2010.jpg
Zero’s described as a beauty in the novels:
Skin so pale I felt as if my eyes became saucers, and a thin waist. Such a body was more magnificent in appearance than a statue of a goddess, sculpted over a lifetime by an artist of unmatched skill, would be. It was a flawless form.
But can loli = beauty?
loli has the innocent bonus vibes
https://randomc.net/image/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2011.jpg
The bald shopkeeper’s gay for Mercenary in the comedy spinoff version.
https://zeromahouthetranslation.wordpress.com/zero-mahou-nano/nano02/
Being a sex slave saves on travel tolls, so… economics! This really is Spice and Wolf.
Probably haven’t seen anything yet; just wait until we get to jewel trading and haggling over book prices XD
Love Zero’s new outfit. https://randomc.net/image/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho/Zero%20kara%20Hajimeru%20Mahou%20no%20Sho%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2012.jpg
She needs a cavalier’s hat with a feather to finish it off.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjUqY__hcHTAhVIOyYKHVmaBZQQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Frautaportti.fi%2Fvaatteet_ja_asut%2Fpaahineet%2Fmuskettisoturin_sulkahattu&psig=AFQjCNETshXETu1vdeKmuhdTgdWGJ9lr8Q&ust=1493259153986100
Spice and Wolf did great with 12-13 episodes. If this turns out just as good, it might just get a second season too.
Regarding slavery, I don’t think it maters whether the slave or master is human or not. The Mercenary’s rescue of those girls is probably more akin to someone rescuing a dog from an abusive owner. That’s the closest analogy I can think of, since he clearly saw the bruising on the wrists and ankles.
Me likes the interaction about the Beast fallen and Zero. So no surprise this anime got on my Watchlist
Given the mention of Sorena’s granddaughter in ep. 2 and Albus’ somewhat feminine vibes, I’m guessing that Albus is actually a girl and that’s her true identity.
I continue to love the dynamic between Mercenary and Zero.
Ep 04:
It’s a nice calm Time before the Storm episode. I did enjoy it, i hope you will love it, too
but…
Show Spoiler ▼