First Impressions / Strike the Blood

「錬金術師の帰還篇III」 (Renkinjutsu Shi no Kikan Hen III)
“Return of the Alchemist III”

What do you do when your friends are in trouble but even the Witch of the Void can’t get you to them? It’s simple! All you need to do is call in a some help from your princess friend (ALL HAIL LA FOLIA, even if it is only a hologram) and have her prep an armored airship for you! Did I forget to mention it’s also the one that comes with a cruise missile prototype aircraft that can launch you there even faster than the airship can? Oh, you’re not friends with any royal princesses that own airships? Too bad. Maybe you can ask the great alchemist sitting over there with the fake breasts. Oh, you’re losing too much blood staring at her great figure? Well, I guess you better think fast, because there’s a crazy homunculus messing around with golden glowing skulls.

But yeah, the end of the Alchemist arc is here and it’s just par for the course—on the surface, anyway. Because while it’s easy to say it’s just another typical (exciting, climactic, you name it) ending to what’s been an entertaining arc, this episode does up the ante somewhat. After all, it’s not everyday you see Akatsuki summoning all his familiars in one go (while adding a new one on top of that). Of course, we still have the jokes—

But why does great alchemist of old look like Aiba with fake breasts?
Is this what you’re into Akatsuki Kojou?

—and Himeragi does end up assisting as per the usual, but the fact is that this week doesn’t end up so much about Wiseman as it is Akatsuki finally filling into his Fourth Primogenitor shoes.

Despite the obvious uptick in the enemy powers in this arc, our main pair actually takes care of the alchemists pretty easily—though Akatsuki almost dies permanently in the process—and it’s something that’s been gradually happening more and more often as the arcs have progressed. It’s quite obvious that Akatsuki doesn’t need the help he once needed previously, and it’s a notion that now solidifies him as a real power changer within the world structure.

In this way, it’s fitting that the next arc’s labeled “Akatsuki’s Kingdom,” because really, that’s the natural progression whether he likes it or not. He’s just too powerful (and too influential in terms of his friendships) not to be forced into a role of responsibility, and it reasons that at some point he’ll need to take up the mantle that everyone’s been trying to push onto him from the shadows. You can only avoid the inevitable so long, and we may start seeing some of the consequences of what happens when Akatsuki can no longer do so, as his powers—even though he protects his friends with them—are more likely than not to be a major reason why his friends made end up targets in the future.

Needless to say though, I’d reckon there wouldn’t be much in terms of complaints if he did start up his own small kingdom. There’s a whole line of people willing to support him—especially Himeragi, whose relationship with Akatsuki is gradually deepening as the series goes on. This may look like a harem on the surface, but it’s obvious who the true pairing is, and it’s definitely shaping up over time. That doesn’t change the fact he’s surrounding by some impressive people however, and it’s interesting to note that this week also adds Nina Adelard to the cast as well. Sure, she’s in her mini form right now, but it’s quite obvious how valuable of an asset she can be, and it’s likely Akatsuki may need her help sooner rather than later… even if the former seems more interested in certain other female assets at this time.

Looking forward, only two episodes remain, and it’ll be really sad seeing this series go. At least we’ll have a nice array of full lengths when it’s all said and done!

Full-length images: 09, 17, 19, 25, 28, 31, 35.

 

Preview

77 Comments

    1. I´m counting the days left to see the one thing I never though they would animate, I going to have a huge grim on my during that entire episode from start to end. The scene with Yukina was even better than I expected but the one thing I noticed is that decide to use the side story intead of more material from the main plot so my guess is that they want to use Night Lord of Blazing Light to start a new season. XD

      haseo0408
      Reply

  5. You know, its weird, I actually don’t mind the end boss fights in all these arcs essentially just being “Come new familiar” and Himeragi with her spear. I just like all the stuff leading up to it and the boss fight is like that cherry on top. Overall, a nice dessert.

    Catsrofl
    Reply

  6. After reading this post I just noticed another parallel between this series and index: on da side, both shows have the dna of a harem but the true pairing is made clear to the viewer (AkatsukixHimeragi; TomaxIndex)It’s more apparent in strike the blood than in Index but still

    sonicsenryaku
    Reply

      1. hmmm..it could just be me, but the way kamachi writes Toma and Index’s connection is not that of a brother/sister relationship (though i can see why their relationship would give off that impression; her small stature also helps bring forth that image of like a 12 year old little sister but people forget that she’s only a year younger than Toma). Sure kamachi’s strong suit is not character depth or interesting character dynamics or interactions (though as of late that has been improving in his writing) but Toma and Index’s relationship was the one that he seems to have made the most genuine out of all of them, which makes sense considering the tone of the first index novel, to the way kamachi feels about Index’s character, to how toma and Index interact in general. At least that’s what ive been able to surmise through the writing, but it could just be me.

        sonicsenryaku
        Reply

    2. Index is more like a little sister to Touma than anything. Also, Akatsuki doesn’t believe in Gender Equality because I have yet to see him punch a girl in the face lol

      magoiichi
      Reply

    4. It’s mentioned early in the second arc of Index, Touma right after his amnesia is quite aware of Index’s affection, but feels he’s not worthy as he believes her feelings were meant for his previous self – another person altogether, not the current him. OTOH he sees it as his responsibility that she’s now staying with him, and does care for her, though he doesn’t show it.

      echykr
      Reply

    5. While I can see a lot of setting parallels to Index in StB…I don’t really see a lot of the character parallels other people do. Touma and Kojou are fairly similar, but Touma doesn’t really have a harem, for one–he just has a bunch of girls that are interested in him that he’s generally shown very little interest in, in that way. It doesn’t help that he runs around severing red strings and being the manly protector of ladies that he is. He’s more like…MacGyver, or Knight Rider–you know, some generic 80’s hero that saves a new girl every week, except he has to actually deal with them on a regular basis instead of never seeing them again.

      Kojou, by contrast, has a much smaller harem and he’s obviously interested in them as potential partners. More like Godou from Campione fame, I’d say. Especially if you consider the power levels in the harem, eesh. And the girls will probably take a similar approach eventually, rather than fight each other, they’ll band together against inevitable attempts by outsiders to break in to things.

      Altherion
      Reply

  8. It’s starting to shift away from being like Index/Railgun to being like a Final Fantasy game.

    An airship with missle shaped mini jets and Akatsuki summoned Sheva wtf lol

    magoiichi
    Reply

    1. Now I’m pretty sure Natsuki-chan as a teacher wouldn’t just leave with Kojou and allow poor Asagi to end up like that. lol

      Still, her complete absence in the final act was kind of jarring.

      echykr
      Reply

    1. ED. If all the Familiars follow the zodiac theme, then Kojou needs to control the remaining:
      -Pisces(the fish) (ie.the big mermaid with Nagisa)
      -Aries(the ram)
      -Capricorn(the half-fish,half-goat)
      -Libra(the weighing scales)
      -Taurus(the bull)
      -Scorpio(the scorpion)
      -Virgo(the virgin maiden)

      zztop
      Reply

      1. Show Spoiler ▼

        jrj
        Reply

      2. @jrj:Makes sense. Alreascha looks like a fish-woman so that is most likely the Pisces zodiac, a fish. Minotaur would be the Taurus zodiac, a bull. The diamond goat would be the Aries zodiac, a goat/ram. Chimera creature would be Capricorn, since it is half fish and half goat.(Chimera is mixture of different animals).

        Kiffa’s a giant sword, so that is different from being weighing scales. Maybe its less cool for Kojou to hit enemies with weighing scales. 😛

        zztop
        Reply

  12. Well,I don’t know if I really liked how the anime ended this arc… not only did it cut out kojo’s joke about the missile, but the fight wasn’t too fleshed out. But its true that seeing kojo summons all his familiars was awesome.

    What really surprised me was the fact the anime decides to animate the short story arc next. So it choose to skip the backstory arc after all. It will be quite interesting to see how the anime will take on it (possibly for more than one episode anyway)… Hope that means the backstory arc is for season two haha. Thanks for the coverage as always!

    jrj
    Reply

      1. Well, as far as natural LN progression goes, this would be a good place, but I will wait till the end just in case the anime pull some hints at the end haha. No worries, by then I will post all I know and this way it gives me a bit time to refresh those two volumes haha

        jrj
        Reply

  15. When I saw the title “Akatsuki’s Kingdom” I totally read that as “Akatsuki’s Harem Paradise”.

    Welcome Nina to the harem. Himeragi got some high level french-kiss this episode. Looks like she’s ahead of the game so far~!

    YanDaMan
    Reply

  17. mm the next episode is a chapter of the LNs? or are they animating the short story that the author wrote some time ago (the one based like 20 years in the future)?

    if it is part of the LN (which i havent read) would be great … if it based on the short (which i have read.. and IIRC is the same title) would be awesome!

    sooo looking forward the next episode! is gonna be… EPIC

    inanis
    Reply

    1. From the clip of the preview, it is based on the short story called Yukina before/after… so not really part of any main LN volumes. So it probably is the same story you have read.

      jrj
      Reply

    2. Zephyr is going to be very happy with the new happy with the developments in the next arc, poor Kojou, if he only knew what the future has in store for him. And You are right Inanis-san, this going to be EPIC!.

      haseo0408
      Reply

  18. For all of you who wish the return of beloved princess La Folia, it´s stated in some ways in volume 10 that Kojou will soon meet Aldegia´s Royal Family so with a second season our favorite wil defenitvely return. ALL HAIL LA FOLIA!!!.

    haseo0408
    Reply

  19. Cat Sensei couldn’t be bothered rebuilding her Sayaka Maid Clone familiar, so she had the real Sayaka brought over and dressed her up instead. Unfortunately for Sayaka, Kojou must have thought she was the clone when he (accidentally) landed his hands on her. LOL

    Even more funnier-

    Cat Sensei: “Why make such a big fuzz, Sayaka? You’ve even let him suck you before.” (without referring to where he’s sucked)

    Sayaka: “I-I didn’t let him suck my breasts!!! o///o!!!” XD

    echykr
    Reply

  20. Kojou the SisCon evidence: Upon getting kissed by (possessed) Nagisa, instantly recovers from petrified state. 😉

    Speaking of which, IIRC, this must be the first time Nagisa ever gets the pantyshot fanservice treatment. Nagisa could do with more service scenes, as other characters her age, notably Yukina but even Kanon, has their fair share of hawt scenes. 😀

    Anyway, in all seriousness, whoever is possessing Nagisa is not only powerful enough to pwn Vatler, but is able to unlock high-level familiars within Kojou with a simple kiss. Who is she? And why does she have a vested interest in Kojou surviving?

    echykr
    Reply

    1. Well, I guess you are right that Kojo is a bit of siscon, but in the LN it is the new awakened familiar at work. The new familiar’s ability is to revert matter to their former state, so kojo before turning into metal is his normal/former state. Thus he is revived and Wiseman is later seen melting away into atoms.

      As to who/what is possessing Nagisa, it’s a spoiler at this point, me or others who have read the backstory arc will post info on that in spoiler tags once the anime is over. 🙂

      jrj
      Reply

    2. Not only he killed Wiseman, he erased it completely into nothingness, that´s one scary Familiar he had there. It must also be noted that Wiseman realized in his last moments the true purpose of Saldamalek Albus: “I see this power is to fight it…” jus ask yourself what is powerful enough to have a familiar that erases the target out of existence sepecifically to counter it, scary just thinking about it.

      haseo0408
      Reply

    1. well, certainly the LN is still ongoing, so I don’t think that was a fair statement… Currently there are two volumes on the backstory arc, and 2 volumes of new story arcs (we probably will see them if we get a season 2). Also the next mini arc isn’t really anime original filler, since it seems to be based off a short story written by the original author…

      jrj
      Reply

  28. random thought:
    himeragi, sayaka, asagi, yuuma, AND la folia……………………… if there was ever a series that could/should pull off the harem ending, it would be this one. If this show goes the usual indecisive harem route or casts off even one of these ladies, i will be thoroughly pissed……….

    cookievalenzuela666
    Reply

    1. Someone told me that the next arc answers some quentions in the harem department, what does that mean I have no idea, I know some of what will happen but the short story puts many interesting possibilities in the table.

      haseo0408
      Reply

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