Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya Zwei! – 01
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「イリヤgrow up!?」 (Illya Grow Up!?)
“Illya Grow Up!?”
The second season is here, and it’s good. The animation, the soundtrack, the laughs, they’re all there–but how far can the season go?
Taking It Slow
The biggest thing I noticed about this episode was the pacing. I hesitate to call it slow because I was never bored; I’ll call it deliberate. They luxuriated over ever single detail, taking things slowly and letting us enjoy everything that happened. If memory serves–and correct me if I’m wrong, because I usually am–this covered the first chapter of the manga, with some additions, and that brings a concern screaming to mind…which isn’t something I’m used to having for Prisma Illya.
How many episodes will this season have, and how much of the manga will it cover? I didn’t realize this when I previewed the series–unlike season one, I’ve only read part of the Zwei manga–but the Zwei source is about twice the length of the original. If we suddenly find out this is 2-cour, I will be jumping for joy like you wouldn’t believe, but if it’s not then we might be in for some serious cuts on the horizon. This episode was good and enjoyable, and I always prefer deliberate to rushed, but I hope the axe won’t fall later on.
Animation & Soundtrack
The animation this episode was stunning. Other than some odd CGI water in the bog, everything was lovingly animated, with Silver Link going so far as to animate all the realistic (but expensive) little movements that we humans do (Ex: When Illya & Miyu were sitting up after being pulled into the limo, around minute 11). That’s expensive folks, and I can only hope they keep that up, and continue to luxuriate over the action sequences like they (mostly) did during season one.
The soundtrack, too–honestly, I hardly ever notice the soundtrack, but when Kato Tatsuya is at the helm, I do. Not that it puts itself too far forward, but it enriches a great scene, building it to such a beautiful crescendo that it just barely emerges into my consciousness, and that’s how I like it. I wasn’t even listening for it, but during the cave scene I noticed it again. The production values are here.
The Hilarity Continues!
Slower pacing can be poison to comedy, but that didn’t happen here. (Disclaimer: I’m heavily invested in these characters, so I’m not objective. That always makes the jokes hit harder.) My favorites: When Illya (Kadowaki Mai) almost kissed Miyu (Nazuka Kaori) after the latter came to wake her up, Miyu refusing to eat Illya’s ice cream until she said “Ahn~!” (or really, the entire ice cream scene), the limo kidnapping (“Omawari-san!”), the entire bog scene, and anything Tatsuko (Kato Emiri) did. I especially loved how Rin & Luvia kept screaming through Illya & Miyu’s transformation sequence, HAH!
Oh, and every time Miyu showed how gay she is for Illya. You can argue “They’re just friends!” until the cows come home–and certainly they are to the onii-chan loving Illya, save for when Miyu shows up in a meido uniform–but Miyu was giving out clear signals of some sort of infatuation. “Actually…nothing.” Ruby (Takano Naoko) knows what Miyu was thinking about!
Black Illya Appears!
This was largely a reintroduction episode, designed to get us warmed back into the setting, toss out a few laughs, and remind us why we care about these characters. And on that count, mission accomplished! But it also introduced us to a new character in Kuro Illya (Saito Chiwa). Since I have read at least this far in the manga (though not much farther), I can’t say much without risking spoilers, but please allow me to be insufferable for a minute: This is gunna be gooooooood! Trust me, you’ll all like this new Illya. Whatever else she is, she’s a lot of fun! Plus, voiced by Saito Chiwa? *shivers* Well played, Silver Link. The seiyuu cast you have here is truly impressive.
Looking Ahead
Next time, Kuro Illya calls Original Flavor Illya “Onee-chan”! *nosebleed*
tl;dr: @StiltsOutLoud – A steady start, with luscious animation & plenty of jokes. But how much of the source will they be able to adapt? #prismaillya s2e1
Random thoughts:
- Daaaamn, Miyu really sucked that stick dry! Erh–it’s not what it sounds like. She really did. Go watch the scene again. I’m not a pervert, I swear!
- That temple looks familiar.
- Sapphire-chan (Matsuki Miyu), don’t talk about hiding the bodies, help them! Though if you were going to hide some bodies…*shakes head* No! Squabbling Rin (Ueda Kana) & Luvia (Itou Shizuka) are way too much fun to get rid of.
- Forgot to mention: I didn’t get to blog it because I only realized it existed a couple of weeks ago, but season one had an OVA, and it was funny. Get your hands on it and watch it!
Check out my blog about storytelling and the novel I’m writing at stiltsoutloud.com. The last four posts: Disorganized ≠ creative, Don’t make customers regret their purchase, Anchor, and Expectations & different types of stories.
I’m looking for an artist for some commission work. If you’re a talented illustrator, email me at stiltsoutloud(at)gmail(dot)com with some samples. If I like what I see, I’ll explain what the job entails. (Or if you’re just really curious.) And yes, this is a paying gig.
ED Sequence
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ED: 「TWO BY TWO」 by 幸田夢波 (Kouda Yumeha)
Preview
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End Card
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July 9, 2014 at 5:30 pmKurisu Vi Britannia
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／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Make a contract with me!
Woops, wrong anime.
July 9, 2014 at 5:30 pmWanderer
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SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
*coughs* I mean… I’m very happy season two is here, and I hope and pray and beg and supplicate that they will give it all the episodes it needs to properly adapt the source material.
Only objection: they actually toned down the morning kiss scene. We don’t get a close up, but in the manga it seems fairly clear that it wasn’t an “almost” kiss, and both parties reacted… much more strongly (as suits their own personality) shall we say.
But hey, Kuro Illya is here, and Fun Times™ will be had. I cannot wait.
July 9, 2014 at 6:49 pmWanderer
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Withdrawing objection: I’d forgotten that they actually did the kiss scene I was referring in the end of the last episode of season one. Technically it was supposed to be here, since it was in chapter 1 of the 2wei manga, but since it wasn’t actually omitted there’s no need for me to complain.
July 9, 2014 at 8:37 pmStilts
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Can confirm. That did happen. AND IT WAS AWESOME!!
July 9, 2014 at 9:30 pmWanderer
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You know, if you look closely at the almost-kiss in this episode, you’ll notice that Miyu actually closed her eyes and puckered up slightly in preparation as Illya was about to kiss her. See reflections in the eyes. View from the side
She did say if that’s what Illya wants she’d do the best she could… ;)
July 9, 2014 at 10:07 pmZhinvu
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Sharp eyes you got there. Had to rewatch to see the reflection on Illya’s eyes, and yeah Miyu was ready this time.
July 9, 2014 at 10:58 pmStilts
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Aye! This one had a different connotation. The first was surprise, while here it was of Miyu having apparently decided that she was totally okay with kissing Illya even though she now knows (sort of) how friends are supposed to ask. Progress! Delicious, yuri progress :3
July 10, 2014 at 1:23 amZannafar
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According to some people at 2chan, for leaving out the kiss in the first episode, there will be an even lewder kiss in the second episode.
July 9, 2014 at 5:31 pmMindMaster83
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This series unlocks my inner lolicon. I know I’m not the only one.
July 9, 2014 at 6:01 pmTassadar
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This was actually pretty hilarious! Tatsuko is in a league of her own!
http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2012.jpg
July 11, 2014 at 3:15 amKah
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That had to be the best screenshot ever!
July 9, 2014 at 6:03 pmwhemleh
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Your enthusiasm really makes me want to start watching this. Congratulations? *whimpers at ever expanding backlog* ;_;
July 9, 2014 at 6:25 pmWanderer
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Make sure you’ve watched season one first!
July 9, 2014 at 8:20 pmStilts
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Come to the dark side >:3
July 9, 2014 at 6:07 pmfragb85
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The best character is here! I’ve been waiting for Kuro’s arrival since the announcement of the first season. Things are about to get funnier. And gayer. Mostly the latter. F*** YEAH!
July 9, 2014 at 6:23 pmWanderer
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A cave near the Ryuudou temple where important magic rituals are performed that tap into the ley lines… where have I heard that before?
July 9, 2014 at 6:23 pmBROOKLYN otaku
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It says the story takes place a month later from last events. BUT is it me, or did everyone get at least 1-2 years younger??
July 9, 2014 at 8:21 pmStilts
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It’s just you.
July 9, 2014 at 10:08 pmergZay
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You got 1 year older so from your point of view they’re younger. This is a slippery slop to lolicon. FYI.
July 10, 2014 at 5:24 pmmac65
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@ergZay – I couldn’t stop laughing! How very true!
July 11, 2014 at 7:37 amBROOKLYN otaku
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Hahahahahaha!!! …….*sigh*..so TRUE…but dude i coulda sworn the original holders of the wands seemed more mature looking the way they were drawn last season. I was like ” is this a new technique to push loli to its limits!?!?!” Reverse aging, while pushing forward the timeline!?!?…………if it is? Consider that envelope pushed!!
July 9, 2014 at 6:24 pmDon Ecchi
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That ED!!!
July 9, 2014 at 6:28 pmPancakes
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Oh god I’ve missed this, I love the art style used for this series (the eyes, especially Illya’s), it’s so damn cute. So bloody saccharine I’m going to have to start slamming Jaegerbombs just to counteract the sugar levels my eyes are experiencing. In between Miyu’s attempt at controlling her inner yuri loli lust for Illya, Rin and Luvia’s squabbling, and
gender bent ArcherKuro Illya this is already going to be ridiculous(ly fun) ride.Disagree with the early morning wake up call being the best part though Stilts, that Rin/Luvia screaming during the transformation sequence tops it completely :P
July 9, 2014 at 8:23 pmStilts
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I never said that was the best thought, just one of my favorites. It’s too hard to decide!
July 9, 2014 at 6:43 pmstarss
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Polygon Pictures has corrupted my mind. The lines here are so THIN, than I keep relooking at the screenshots and wonder if it was done in CGI or not! Uuugh!!
July 9, 2014 at 7:03 pmbelatkuro
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No screenshot of Illya Archer using Rho Aias? I am disappoint.
http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2030.jpg
Not the drills, Miyu! Anything but the drills!
http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%20Preview%2003.jpg
Kuro kitaaaaaa!! Also, Caren spotted. And meido megane Rin as well.
This is gonna be good. Whether this is 1-cour or 2-cour, we’re still set for 9 months of Fate with this and Fate/stay night in Fall that’s sure to be 2-cour.
It’s nice to be a Fate/TM fan this year.
July 9, 2014 at 8:30 pmStilts
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Thanks for (inadvertently) pointing that out. I messed up the post formatting a bit. Rho Aias (and more!) screenshots are now actually visible.
July 9, 2014 at 7:41 pmHalfDemonInuyasha
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That transformation sequence had be rolling…
http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2034.jpg
…especially with that “end”. XD
July 9, 2014 at 8:06 pmDvalinn
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Hearing that the Zwei manga is a lot bigger than the previous one is cause for concern. After all, the previous season only had ten episodes. They can’t seriously repeat that again in this case, but whether they actually got a second cour? The last thing I want is for this second season to turn into a rushed mess, would be such a waste of potential.
On a more positive note, it’s good to see this show again. Truth to be told, this was actually one of the shows I was looking forward to the most this season. While the first season wasn’t perfect, it was a lot of fun and seeing more Illya is never a bad thing. And while this episode did start off a bit slow, it had one hell of a cliffhanger. Not to mention we have Chiwa Saitou voicing Chocolate Illya, which could be a lot of fun.
Not complaining about the more overt yuri-overtones either. After all, which magical girl show would be complete without them?
July 9, 2014 at 8:53 pmPancakes
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No one knows at this point, but it would be surprising if this cour only had 10 episodes considering the popularity and the return of FSN next season. Might be a split cour if they intend to maintain a reasonable pacing.
July 9, 2014 at 10:36 pmJason
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Actually from what I’ve heard this season is also only going to get ten episodes. Apparently information about this season’s Blu-Rays/DVDs is already out and there are five of them with two episodes each.
July 9, 2014 at 8:22 pmdrzero7
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My only complaint. In the original manga, Illya does kill Miyu there by accident. (And Miyu didn’t mind it at all.) IT GOT CENSORED!
July 9, 2014 at 8:23 pmdrzero7
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I mean Illya KISS Miyu. Typo
July 9, 2014 at 8:29 pmWanderer
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Actually the true kiss scene was in episode 10 of season one. I’d forgotten about that too until someone elsewhere mentioned it.
July 9, 2014 at 8:48 pmRyan Ashfyre
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http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2015.jpg
DAT SCENE. HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGH.
July 9, 2014 at 9:44 pmReaper
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Ha, forgot Waver appeared here! Who’s the guy with him?
July 9, 2014 at 10:03 pmWanderer
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Zelretch. Inventor of the Kaleidosticks. Wielder of The Second Magic. Like any wielder of True Magic, he’s among the most powerful people in the world.
July 10, 2014 at 7:16 pmReaper
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Isn’t he the guy who made the gem sword whos name escapes me, the one Rin wants in Heavens Feel?
July 10, 2014 at 8:07 pmWanderer
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The Jewel Sword of Zelretch is a mystic code created by Zelretch, like the Kaleidosticks, but much more powerful in terms of combat. It uses the Second Magic.
July 10, 2014 at 4:23 amKerfirou
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And now the skinny boy from Zero has become a badass!
July 10, 2014 at 2:31 pmboingman
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I knew it was him, but I couldn’t believe that this older Waver is also voiced by Namikawa Daisuke. Sounds very different to me.
July 9, 2014 at 10:05 pmZhinvu
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So apparently Magical Girl transforming happens in real time, and Illya and Miyu sure took their sweet time while their masters were sinking in the bog. Certainly wasn’t expecting a lot of screaming during a transformation sequence. Also agreed that the ice cream and kidnapping sequences were great. Mimi whistling for a policeman was cute.
July 9, 2014 at 10:26 pmspike
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My only issue if this is 2 cour is I have a feeling watching this simultaneous to the new Fate Stay/Night could lead to weird whiplash between the two versions of Illya lol. Split cour so we get 3 straight seasons of Fate material maybe? That would be sweet.
July 9, 2014 at 11:38 pminanis
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Yeah! Was waiting for this series!
And good I wasn’t the only one that noticed how HARD Miyu sucked on that spoon! She’s so dere for Illya!!
July 9, 2014 at 11:57 pmThe_Green_One
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Ah yes, so it begins. Well Stilts I’ll say it now, you’re going to love Kuro. If you’ve alredy read a little ahead you know a little bit why and I’m not going to spoil it, but she’s an awesome character who will bring a lot to the table this season.
July 10, 2014 at 12:17 amOreoCupcakes
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Are you gonna blog the OVA of the first season? Would love to get screenshots of the OVA for backgrounds :)
July 10, 2014 at 6:40 amStilts
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I missed it when it came out, so I’m not going to go back and blog it now. Sorry!
July 10, 2014 at 12:40 amPtolemaios00
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I love the new extended, deliciously-yuri transformation sequence.
http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2033.jpg
Especially with the Rin/Luvia squabbling bgm.
July 10, 2014 at 2:09 amPyroShield
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Every time Silver Link makes a Fate Kaleid episode http://cdn.hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/50-money-3.jpg
July 10, 2014 at 3:56 amCybersteel
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Were they at the Greater Grail cavern? :o
July 10, 2014 at 4:48 amGinobi47
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When a tan skinned loli appears, I know it is a sign of a good season
July 10, 2014 at 6:17 amechykr
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Probably the funniest Mahou Shoujo transformation sequence ever, proofing that the entire sequence being shown of our girls suiting up is really happening in real time, as evidenced by Rin and Luvia bitching in the background as they (nearly) drown in that pool of (Grail?) mud. lol
http://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2017.jpg
Miyu sure likes to suck ‘em hard… I meant Illya’s ice cream of course.
July 10, 2014 at 6:32 amcruiser2710
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Need more Prisma Illya episodes!
Miyu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Illya’s 2 nee-chans ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
July 10, 2014 at 9:16 amleatherhead333
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I’m not particularly big on the loli fanservice but I’m willing to give this second season a go. I can’t say i liked the first that much but from what i hear this season ought to be better.
July 10, 2014 at 10:10 amewok40k
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-between the almost-kiss in the morning daze and the ice cream stick sucked completely dry, yuri is strong in this one… even the classmates were spotting it
-oh and Rin x Luvia frienemity is hilarious as always, double that when both got stuck in that bog
-but the sudden arrival of second Ilya really knocked me out! One Ilya is 90% lethal dose of cutenesess, but TWO?
July 10, 2014 at 10:28 amStilts
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Don’t die! We can do this together *braces self*
July 10, 2014 at 1:13 pmあっかり-ん！！
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I dropped the first season due to the character design (2moe4me) and after watching this episode I think I will do the same, but I will come back to see Show Spoiler ▼
animated.
July 10, 2014 at 5:10 pmmac65
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Yes! Two!
July 11, 2014 at 4:21 amSkinsthunderbomb
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Am I the only one happy about Waver’s cameo?
July 16, 2014 at 1:46 pmGermanguy
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Ep 02:
I have only 1 question. Was this Ecchi really necessary in this Episode? The Kissing and all that naked stuff?
Your are turning this from Moe to Ecchi… and i dont like it
July 16, 2014 at 1:48 pmWanderer
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Ask episode 2 questions when the episode 2 review comes out.
And yes, it was in the manga.
July 16, 2014 at 1:50 pmGermanguy
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Oh, then the Story is thin, around this Blade Girl… And the Ecchi is to fill the Plot gaps.. nice… i wait for ep 03…
But right now it is on the brink to drop… seriously
July 16, 2014 at 2:01 pmWanderer
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…That is one of the stupidest things I’ve seen you say around here. You don’t have the slightest clue what you’re talking about. The STORY is deeper than 99% of the stuff airing right now. Be quiet and watch it rather than jumping to conclusions.
July 16, 2014 at 2:06 pmGermanguy
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so i must know the Manga, to understand this Ecchi attack?.. Well, lets see