Strike the Blood II – OVA – 04, 05

OVA Episode 04

「逃亡の第四真祖篇 I」 (Tobo no Daiyon Ma So Hen I)
“4th Primogenitor on the Run I”

Episode Summary: As the New Year arrives, Akatsuki’s father Gajou makes an appearance. After hearing nothing from his father or Nagisa after their trip to the mainland, Akatsuki (with the help of Kiriha and Asagi) realize that the two are currently caught in an incident involving a dummy company run by the Lion King Organization. Seeking help from Natsuki to slip away from the island unnoticed, Akatsuki is instead restrained and told he will not be allowed off the island.

Full-Lengths: 05, EXTRA 01, EXTRA 02

OVA Episode 05

「逃亡の第四真祖篇 II」 (Tobo no Daiyon Ma So Hen II)
“4th Primogenitor on the Run II”

NOW WAIT JUST A MINUTE. Akatsuki has a FATHER? I mean—OK, he had to have one. I just didn’t think we’d actually get to see him, let alone in any significant way relating to the plot. I figured this would be one of those shows where the parents don’t show up or do much aside from a few cameos, but this is certainly one of those times I’m glad to be wrong. Unfortunately, his arrival also coincides with an operation being run by the Lion King Organization—because there’s no way Akatsuki can go a single day in the new year without getting involved in something—and count me surprised that even Natsuki ends up getting in his way this time.

As it turns out, Akatsuki’s sister holds a fragment of the late Avrora, and with the awakening of a holy relic (and weapon of mass destruction) at hand, the fact that Avrora holds the spell for sealing it made Nagisa a prime target. What results is a chain of events that brings almost everyone out of the woodwork—yay for Kanon!—and it was quite hilarious to see how Kiriha essentially forces herself into the picture as part of a passive aggressive harassment campaign against the Lion King Organization. Along the way, Natsuki shows some of her true skills (and her age-appropriate form) as she tries everything in her power to stop our cast, and there’s certainly no complaints in regards to the amount of action we get this arc—especially with Himeragi’s use of Divine Possession and the awakening of yet another familiar at hand.

All things considered though, this was certainly one of Akatsuki’s greatest feats—in terms of recklessness anyway—and one wonders just what consequences his involvement might cause compared to if he didn’t choose to intervene. After all, a certain someone takes the chance to let Asagi slip past island security, and it’s clear at this point that there’s multiple organizations and angles being played across the board. Of particular note is the tidbit about Asagi’s having absolute protection only when she’s on the island, and it makes you wonder if that might not cause Taishikyoku to have another go. The fact that one of the Lion King’s leaders is getting involved may just delay or prevent Akatsuki from coming to her aid if anything happens, and I’ll be darned if I’m not excited to see how things work out here with the second season’s final arc—even if I’m bummed that Kiriha doesn’t let Akatsuki contact his good old buddy Vatler for help.

Extra: 10

Author’s Notes: