First Impressions / Zero no Tsukaima

「逃亡の地下水道」 (Tōbō no Chikasuidō)
“Underground Waterway for Escape”

Finally! Finally! It’s here! We all knew it was going to happen, but ohhh yes it was still awesome to see. Tiffa’s familiar is here, and as expected, it’s Saito! Good to see, good to see. The crying Tiffa, the late-game confession in that awesome Noto Mamiko voice, and of course, the kiss…all were truly a treat to behold. It’s still pretty much set that Louise is going to win in the end, as her and Saito’s mutual longing for one another in the teleportation scene shows, but I’m glad that Tiffa at least got to tell Saito her feelings. This way, at least she won’t have any regrets. Plus, Mamiko Noto confession HNNNNNNG!

On the topic of the teleportation magic: I did not expect that to be what got them out of there. I noticed the slow pan to that book an episode or two ago, so when it turned out to be a chekhov’s gun I wasn’t surprised. However, throughout the whole chase scene I was expecting it to be Saito’s new Tiffania-based familiar powers that would get them out of it, rather than just being a convenient pick me up for Louise. The whole thing felt a little bit too much like a deus ex machina for my taste, but then again I don’t think I would have wanted this plot line to be dragged on for another episode, so I guess it’s okay.

Probably my favorite part of this episode, and this is even above and beyond my previously stated gushing affection for the Tiffa x Saito kiss, would be Vitartial. Yes, I enjoyed what the conflicted former-antagonist was doing more than the big breasted elf chick. I’m just weird like that. But here, hear me out…fear. As far as reasons to do much of anything go, fear is a pretty bad one. If you’re afraid of something, you should find out why you’re afraid and fix it, or learn to deal with it. Fear is not necessarily bad – it drives us to excel, keeps us from danger, and prevents us from getting lax – but when people start dying because of your fear, you’ve done something wrong, buddy.

All that said, fear is also a very understandable motivation. What we’ve got here is some prophecy that has been floating around for 6,000 years that says when the four void users come together, the elves’ land is going to go the way of Atlantis…and now three of the four void users have been in a room together, and all four of them have been within a few kilometers of one another. If you’re one that gives any credence to prophecies – I’m not, but then again I don’t live in a world with magic and dragons, so maybe they’re entitled to a little superstition – then being afraid of what’s going on is understandable. It’s also a very human motivation – or in this case, a bipedal sentient mortal emotion. More than Joseph’s “I want to watch the world burn,” Vitartial’s fear is a lot easier to relate to.

But more than that, what I supremely enjoyed was his realization about the nature of power (warning: semi-philosophical rant ahead). Many people think that power is evil. It is not. What is evil is people. In my opinion, it is not that power corrupts, but that those who are susceptible to corruption seek out power. Vitartial learned this when he realized that just because Tiffania, Louise and the others had the “devil’s power,” that didn’t necessarily mean they were devils themselves. Joseph was evil because Joseph was evil, not because he was a void mage. Louise and Tiffania – and perhaps the Pope, though the jury is still out on him – did not seek out their void power; they were born with it. They can’t even be faulted for seeking power since they didn’t! Thus, they must be judged by their actions, as people, not because of how they were born. That’s no more fair than humans killing elves because they’re elves, or vice versa.

Great balls of fire, I really went off on a thing there. I’d better wrap this up. With Saito and co safely back on the Ostland, and a few semi-reluctant elves joining the crew, it looks like we’re going to get some royal fun next episode with Tabitha’s coronation. I was wondering when they were going to stop putting that off. I’ll be very interested to see how this changes the dynamic of Saito’s harem. Will she be largely absent, but occasionally blow in and make everything go crazy, Henrietta-style? Or will she rule from Ornières? I’m assuming the former, because it’s damn silly for a reagent to rule from another country, but I’ll be interested to see how it works out either way. Oh, and also there’s this. Droooooooool.

Other thoughts:

  • The second Vitartial was called “sensei”, a thought popped into my head – he’s the elf version of Colbert-sensei! Powerful, wise, hangs out with a bunch of plucky teenagers, has done a few terrible things in his time, etc. Vitartial just needs an elf version of Kirche and he’s set.
  • The elves’ capital is clearly Dubai. It looks rich, it’s on the water, and the land all around it is desert. Fits perfectly.
  • Saito’s new familiar powers fit Tiffania very well. Whether it’s a heal or some kind of energy regen / endurance booster, it’s a very gentle magic, just like Tiffa. Also, it should let Saito “go all night”, if you know what I mean. Just the thing a harem king needs!
  • Maricorn was finally useful! Could not be more surprised. He also looked like he was trying to do the Titanic move without a Kate Winslet. Poor Maricorn. FOREVER ALONE.

Full-size images: 02, 15.

 

Preview

63 Comments

  3. So the four familiars.
    Gandalf-Left hand of God
    Windalf-Right hand of God
    Myozthirirn-Mind of God

    This new one would be Heart of God then since it’s on Saito’s Chest?

    And YES!!!!!!!!! After 3 and half seasons it finally happens.
    Go Tiffa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and go Mamiko Noto the silk voice goddess confession!!!!!!!
    This episode restored my faith in Anime again.

    gungnir
    Reply

    1. Haha I would love to see that happening.

      But then again we have better prepare for war between Triston and Gallia (again) if that were to happen. 🙂

      Feme Fatale battle royal
      first round, Queen Henrietta vs Queen Charlotte
      Let the carnage begin.

      gungnir
      Reply

  5. It’s interesting that the new runes appeared on Saito’s chest. So we already have the Left Hand of God (Gandalfr), the Right Hand of God (Windalfr) and the Mind of God (Myoznitnirn). I await Mr Colbert to decipher the name of Saito’s new runes.

    Dusk
    Reply

  6. Ahhh, it finally happens, it took a fkng long time to see Saito X Tiffa become true… im very happy. I really want tiffa to do a full asault on saito saying to louise that he is her familiar too, that he loves him AND tiffa its from royal blood, AND her boobs are “BUST REVOLUTION”… if i were to say how can louise win this it would be her tsundere character and her voice?? XD

    Treyon
    Reply

  7. The preview shows Saito reaching up Tiffa’s shirt for…some…reason. Damn you Saito!!

    I thought Saito could have easily defused the Elf Council’s worries by just saying: “dude, we killed Joseph, one of the 4 Void users, can’t you guys relax for a while now?”

    Ptolemaios00
    Reply

  10. A Tiffa confession is a beautiful thing! Now she’s pretty much obligated to get more screen-time and Saito-time XD Loved that whole “window-teleport” spell. Was expecting just a basic teleport/escape thing, but that extra bit was pretty damn cool!

    For some reason Tabitha joining in the jealous chasing of Saito at the end made it great 😀 Time for her coronation huh… let the sparks fly 😛

    Aex
    Reply

  11. I smell a non-end ending on the way with Saito, Louise, Tiffa, Tabitha, and the maid all living in the same house. There aren’t enough episodes left to be making huge game changing decisions romance wise.

    Karmafan
    Reply

  12. I am wondering why do they keep calling it the “power of the devil.” According to the water spirit, she sees “Gandalf” (Saito) as very trustworthy. From a spirit’s perspective, it wouldn’t be considered a devil’s power. mmmmmm, the author may have slipped or she is expecting a plot twist.

    too bad about the plane, one would expect a lot from that thing.

    L002
    Reply

    1. “Power of the devil” might be just an elf-expression because of their hatred for Void. Maybe some other Void-user caused them a lot of suffering or something in the past. They did mention the four Void-users leading an army and attacking them like it’d happened before.

      Aex
      Reply

      4. This is the final season of Zero and we will have an end. That’s confirmed. It’s just that we don’t know what kind of ending we will get yet.(Harem is more likely though)
        The original novel guy already has an idea of how to end this story but since he has had a major health problem(cancer), it’s not been written/published yet. But he apparently is closely working with the anime staff this time around. The ending is supposed to be practically the same as the novel one.

        U Doh
        Reply

      5. Seeing as the light novel hasn’t even ended yet. We will be having an Anime original ending. Which most likely will be one of those open-end ending with everyone together and what not, everyone knows.

        gungnir
        Reply

      4. @Gungnir

        I hear the anime will end the same day as the final volume will be released. We just have to see the last episode and read the LN and see if it is “original”.

        @Stilts

        Can’t you get their IP Addresses and just ban those brats?

        The Moondoggie
        Reply

  15. The elves’ capital is clearly Dubai. It looks rich, it’s on the water, and the land all around it is desert. Fits perfectly.

    LOLZ!

    Can’t say anything about this episode except they did a good job animating it… that and DAMN YOU SAITO!

    The Moondoggie
    Reply

  17. Clearly Vitartial forgot that Joseph died because the other elves seem to think the four may still get together >.>

    So the prophecy won’t be fulfilled with three void users (and who would think the Pope would go on a killing rampage?).

    Luxor
    Reply

    1. The Pope more or less confessed to Saito that he deliberately put Louise in harm’s way to bring down Joseph. The reason would seem to be that he wants someone else to become the fourth void mage. In the books the Pope starts a war with the elves, but Joseph would not have assisted with that, as is clear from his link to Vitartial. Anyway, it seems very likely that there will be a new fourth void mage. Due to the family relationship, that might be Tabitha. Saito could be her familiar too. Then she would get to kiss him. To resolve all the romantic conflicts, someone needs to come up with a spell to clone Saito. 😉

      engelbrekt
      Reply

  18. I haven’t watched this series, but I was planning to. And now I’m not too sure I want to. Every week I see Saito making out, groping, ect… a new girl. Essentially, cheating on Louise. Is the reality really how it looks? I know Saito’s supposed to be going through a rough patch with Louise, but cheating on every other girl around you!? I mean, fuck, is this no different than School Days, excluding the dark, violent themes? Eh, if he really is a cheating bastard, I’m not even gonna bother watching this series, but I am curious if these scenes do connote more than looks provide. Anybody?

    DovahkiinGGGGG
    Reply

    1. Actually, kissing Henrietta, Tiffa, Tabitha, and I think Siesta only once each out of all 4 seasons is as much cheating as Saito does. The emotion is there too since he’s known all these girls for a long time now, so they’re pretty solid characters and it invokes happiness more than anything to see them get a little attention(well for me at least). It’s not like he’s grabbing a girl that showed up three episode ago and sleeping with her, and while it’s a poor excuse, the girls all come on to him and he just gives in, but he never seeks them out.

      He’s no saint, but I wouldn’t let the girls finally jumping him this season discourage you from trying the other three. If you can get through Season 1 Louise-tantrums and still want more, you’ll laugh at having thought that this was discouraging. In a good way 🙂

      Aex
      Reply

      1. Who can blame him, his sexual urge just can’t be satisfied by the so call washboard of a partner, until she grow in the area where a man can nicely grope, Sato you can cheat all you want.

        mike
        Reply

  21. I just can’t stand it!, seeing saito kissing every girl and cheating on louise, I know there are some reasons and he not always want it, but anyways I hate it, finally louise is the one that has to accept everything and forgive him, even when saito is wrong she searchs for him, I know that he has to suffer all of the blows and jealousy of louise but i think that is less than cheating and cheating. I really like saito and louise couple =(! but is depressing seeing him with others girls just that… even when in the end they are probably going to stay together, happy and all that.. maybe I think this because lousei is my favorite character.

    Dita
    Reply

  22. In reply to black_cat1. We have seen neither hide nor hair of Tabitha’s twin sister. If she is in the series, I would have expected her to be in evidence around the time Tabitha’s mother was cured. The series follows the books only in a rough and jumbled way.

    engelbrekt
    Reply

    1. Dude… Spoiler much? Your first post was just speculation, so that was fine. But what’s with this post? I don’t think I need to know that so early. Black_cat1 is also just as guilty. Do be more careful next time. =(

      Stilts, please help spare your fellow readers some grief and add some spoiler tags for them. I’m already “spoiled”, but others might still be saved.

      Dusk
      Reply

    2. That’s what I thought, but apparently we weren’t told an important point: Void powers may be reincarnated/passed on (?) according to what engelbrekt posted above. Seriously, I hope these are legitimate spoilers, because otherwise a plot hole isn’t doing the story any good.

      Luxor
      Reply

  30. Well, now that was a decisive challenge for Louise’s dominancy over Saito. Armed with a great rack, erm, her great weapon, Tiffa not only kissed Saito but made him her familiar too. If that is not making harem ending coming, then I have wasted 10+ years of animewatching.
    Go Saito the Unifier, the Harem King of Tristaine and Gallia!

    ewok40k
    Reply

  32. What’s with all these comments dissing Saito for…urm…’cheating’? What’s this concept supposed to mean anyway? I would prefer him to actively try to become the Harem King. *Sigh, guess I’ll go back to watching High School DxD.

    Nolan
    Reply

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