Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya / First Impressions

「嵐の転校生」 (Arashi no Tenkousei)
“Wild Transfer Student”

Let the most epic Type-Moon-style dodgeball match ever BEGIN!

A Serious Match

I don’t want to say the episode started off slow because the early parts weren’t bad – Luvia was especially smart to allow Kuro to go to school in exchange for some concessions once it became clear they couldn’t hold her – but it certainly kicked into high gear when the dodgeball game began. And even leading up to it! Oh ye of little faith, who thought Silver Link wouldn’t dish out the kisses. I don’t know where those were in the manga, but they were smartly placed here, in an episode where we had more time for goofing around like that.

But I digress. The match! The comedy was clear and obvious, so I won’t spend much time on that. The animation too, was better than the scene needed, though no less than it deserved. What really piqued my interest was the subtext.

Understanding Kuro

Ever since Kuro stopped trying to kill Illya, she’s gotten more relatable. Her jab that Illya hasn’t even tried to understand her is totally correct, though to Illya’s credit, her reply that she (and all the others) are children isn’t wrong either. It’s understandable that Illya wouldn’t want to deal with this apparent clone of hers who has popped out of thin air, especially after the attempted murder, but she should. Part of being mature – I hesitate to say “being an adult” because many adults never learn this lesson – is learning to forgive those who have wronged you, and yeah, attempted murder is kind of a big deal, but even so. Illya has to forgive her and attempt to understand her to live with Kuro, because she’s apparently not getting rid of her. But Illya isn’t an adult (or mature), so hm. We’re at an impasse.

What Does Caren-sensei Know…?

The most enigmatic thing this episode (and season period) is Caren-sensei knows. She brushes up against one of the most interesting facets of this alternate universe spin-off – how similar are these characters to their original Fate/stay night (and ataraxia) counterparts? Some, like Taiga, seem to be a complete repurposing of a character without any of the depth or plot-relevance of the original. It’s like they needed a teacher, and Taiga was already there, so they tossed her in. But does she perhaps know Shirou as more than Illya’s brother? Probably not, but I wondered.

Illya is definitely more than a regular girl. The first season showed us that during the Archer Illya vs Saber fight, not to mention the fact that Ruby picked her at all. And it would appear that Caren-sensei might be as well. She knows something about Kuro, or more likely, can tell, and she’s keeping a journal about what she sees…and then not noting the remarkable people she met this episode. I think she’s more than just a school nurse – she’s a pretty poor one, at that – but who, and what, exactly is she? I have no idea.

I Don’t Know What’s Going On…But I Want To

So far this second season has mainly been fanservice in one form or another. Remember that fanservice does not always = ecchi stuff, though we’ve had that too. Where is your hand, Kuro!? *Ahem* The comedy, the battles, and the simple fact that this is a spin-off that lets us to see old favorite characters in more kind circumstances is all fanservice of a sort. It’s a delicate dance to fill a season with what some people consider to be fluff and still keep people interested in the plot.

They’re managing it, at least for me, though I have to wonder how much is from the Fate magic rubbing off. Would I be as interested in this series if it weren’t a Fate spin-off? No, probably not, but that’s not the right question. The real question is, would I be interested in the plot if this weren’t a Fate spin-off? Because when I step back, this season feels so strong in all the other stuff that I could easily lose myself in the funny-silly without giving two whits about the plot. I suspect some of you have done exactly that.

What saves me is that Fate magic, yes, the feeling that there’s something more here, and that comes from the slow-burning enigmas they’ve laid out. Who is Miyu? What is the secret power that sleeps in Illya? What is Kuro? What does Caren-sensei know? What are Iri & Kiritsugu’s role? They’re not in a hurry to give us answers, but what we’re watching in the meantime is so good I don’t mind…but I still want answers!

Looking Ahead – Bath Time!

I’m not sure how many answers we’ll get next episode, but I do know we’re rapidly approaching how far I’ve read in the manga, and I had already forgotten most of what happened in these last two episodes, so I’m practically in anime-only territory now. There is one major thing yet to come though, which will be very, very interesting to see. Could be next episode, could be the one after. We’ll see. Either way, bath time with the whole family is always a good time. If you’ve got a family like Illya’s, that is.

tl;dr: @StiltsOutLoud – The most destructive Type-Moon-style dodgeball game ever is HEEEERE! But the enigmas grow. What does Caren-sensei know…? #prismaillya s2e4

Random thoughts:

  • Otome blushing Taiga?! That’s not the Taiga I know! She’s more like–yup, there she is. Good to have you back, Taiga!
  • I-I don’t know what Suzuka was talking about when she mentioned a natsucomi funnel, but I don’t want to know. I think I would regret knowing.
  • Kuro wants daily kisses for her reward. I… New plan, girls: Let the Kuro win. Do it. DO IT! I NEED THIS!!
  • Didn’t know Illya could do this? Check out the OVA. It’s a lot of fun!
  • A good bit of comedic misdirection when Kuro nailed Illya. I was thinking about her “fake” comment, and then I remembered (just as Kuro did) that they share pain. Hah!
  • The miracle. The happenstance. The inevitable. Does the latter mean just Illya, or Illya & Shirou being together? Either way, my points stands – I want to know. Next episode plx.

Check out my blog about storytelling and the novel I’m writing at stiltsoutloud.com. The last four posts: Temporally unfocused, Fast, easy, guaranteed, Starting off with a bang, & why you shouldn’t, and Writer, author, full-time author.

Full-length images: 06, 12, 21, 31, 36, 37.

 

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32 Comments

  4. Ever since Kuro stopped trying to kill Illya, she’s gotten more relatable. Her jab that Illya hasn’t even tried to understand her is totally correct, though to Illya’s credit, her reply that she (and all the others) are children isn’t wrong either. It’s understandable that Illya wouldn’t want to deal with this apparent clone of hers who has popped out of thin air, especially after the attempted murder, but she should. Part of being mature – I hesitate to say “being an adult” because many adults never learn this lesson – is learning to forgive those who have wronged you, and yeah, attempted murder is kind of a big deal, but even so. Illya has to forgive her and attempt to understand her to live with Kuro, because she’s apparently not getting rid of her. But Illya isn’t an adult (or mature), so hm. We’re at an impasse.

    I believe that one of Illya’s biggest character flaws is that she sometimes gets so caught up in her own emotions that she doesn’t think about what other people are thinking or feeling until someone rubs her nose in it. It happened last season when Illya temporarily retired from being a magical girl (for reasons that are different in the anime and that manga, but in either case she was thinking of herself and not about Miyu) until Iris talked sense into her, and now it’s happening again in regards to Kuro. Of course, Illya is just a 10-year-old girl, so it’s entirely reasonable for her to not think things through like an adult (should). Yet in cases like this, the hurt that can be caused by that failing is a bit more severe than a child would normally expect to face…

    Wanderer
    Reply

  5. Had me a giggle at the dodgeball scene and then lost half of my tasty beverage all over the desk when Taiga got whalloped in the face by Kuro Illya, did not see that coming. Of course we also had a complete recollection of Kuro’s conquest ravaging of all the girls; if there is a place where Fate Kaleid won’t let down it’s in humour and fan service.

    As for the plot Stilts I am of the opinion it’s secondary to Fate Kaleid, it serves more to make this something more than a SoL (which it easily has all the components for). The main focus here is definitely on the characters and the FSN imagery, fan service two ways basically. Now that doesn’t mean the plot is superfluous to Fate Kaleid, but to have more “impact” and move beyond its FSN roots there would have to be a restructuring of how Fate Kaleid’s story is presented; less humour and fan service, more struggle and conflict with consequences (Cardcaptor Sakura comes to mind as a good related example).

    IMO the creator/producers were right to keep things simple and let the comedy/fan service propel the plot along, it keeps Fate Kaleid fun and lighthearted (in a sense) while providing something “different” to the serious nature of FSN/FZ.

    Pancakes
    Reply

    1. I don’t think of it as a primary/secondary issue. The first season had a solid balance of both, and while this one (so far) seems to be playing around with the funny/ecchi parts more, it never feels like it’s just faffing about; it’s just taking its time to get to the meaty portions of the plot. Which is fine! They’re both important for the reasons you pointed out. They’re just focusing on one more during the last two episodes, seemingly, though they’re always intertwined, which I appreciated.

      Stilts
      Reply

    2. Well this is kind of a spin-off so I can rest knowing it’s not canon. Also, I love SoL and ecchi and funny gags but my Nasuverse is better off without Illya Mahou Shoujo. That’s just my opinion of course, It doesn’t mean it’s a bad show, mind you.

      Helvetica Standard
      Reply

  6. 1. Tiaga… just how desperate are you? (I love you never the less)

    2. Kuro is a chocolate to my sweet tooth … DO NOT TOUCH! SHE IS MINE!

    3. Karen being Karen is awesome!

    4. The Miracle, The Happenstance and The Inevitable.

    5. Bath scene next Ep!

    6. CALDABOLG!

    Ginobi47
    Reply

  7. obviously, Kuro’s existence is such but when Illya called her a fake I was just reminded of Archer (Fate/stay night one) since that works in a second layer of meaning ;D all the little things~

    GoXDS
    Reply

    2. Oh those hideously awesome connections that are in broad daylight, but you don’t see! Ahhhh I didn’t even think of the FSN archer relation until now. Fakes indeed. So much underlying awesomeness.

      Drasca
      Reply

  8. You wrote:

    I-I don’t know what Suzuka was talking about when she mentioned a natsucomi funnel, but I don’t want to know. I think I would regret knowing.

    “NatsuComi” is Summer Comiket. A Comiket funnel is Show Spoiler ▼

    dbm
    Reply

  10. Speaking of fanservice in the more general sense, the conversation between Caren and Kuro is such ear candy. I’ve listened to it several times because of how well the sexiness of the voices works with the slightly jittery, jazzy background music.

    Who is voicing Caren anyway? I could listen to her for hours. Let’s see… Koshimizu, Ami. Holo from Spice and Wolf (check); Leonmichelli from Dog Days (check); Anemone from Eureka Seven (check); Hasegawa Takuto from Macademi Wasshoi (er wait what!?)

    dbm
    Reply

  12. https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2009.jpg
    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2010.jpg
    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2011.jpg

    Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya now presents to you: Anime Original Content! We never actually saw these kisses on the manga, just the one with Mimi, while all the rest were off-screen. Silver Link clearly has its priorities straight.

    On the actual plot, there was lots of comedy on the dodgeball, but the moment Illya called Kuro a “fake” it really struck a nerve and made it personal. That little detail will be important. Also more foreshadowing for Miyu most notably when Luvia implies she was adopted and the fact that the idea of family affected her when she was eavesdropping on Shiro at the clinic.

    fragb85
    Reply

  13. I think prisma illya could do a bit better with adding some BGM on certain scenes, as I can barely feel the atmosphere that certain scenes were supposed to convey, such as the talk between kuro and caren which felt a bit underwhelming to me.

    amado
    Reply

  14. Poor Taiga becomes a buttmonkey if Shiro isn’t present.

    On topic, I think it is very natural for Illya to remain guarded against Kuro. It shows that she is an insecure elementary school girl. It was understandable for her to be uncomfortable that Kuro is in the same class as her after all the troubles she went through the last episodes.

    Soliloquy
    Reply

  15. The miracle. The happenstance. The inevitable. Does the latter mean just Illya, or Illya & Shirou being together?

    I will explain a little then. Everything I say should already be evident in the Prisma Illya or Fate/Stay Night series, so no real spoilers.

    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2040.jpg

    The miracle, Kuro. This one should be self-explanatory as her very existence is nothing short of a miracle. There will be further explanation later on as to her exact nature and birth.

    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2041.jpg

    Again, there will be further explanation later. But Miyu coming across Sapphire and becoming involved in the life of Illya was pure happenstance. She just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya/Fate%20kaleid%20liner%20Prisma%20Illya%20Zwei!%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2042.jpg

    The inevitable. This actually has nothing to do with Shirou, but with the status Illya had in the original Fate/Stay Night. As is shown in the first season in the fight against Saber Alter, there is something more inside Illya. That something Show Spoiler ▼

    , is slowly revealing itself. Carem is referring to the inevitability of the power’s reemergence.

    Stilts edit: You did pretty good, but one inadvertent spoiler. Confirming reasonable assumptions is still spoiling.

    MasterDragonKnight
    Reply

    2. I know Miyu’s secret and Kuro’s. But it is to early to reveal it to our Anime Watchers only. So until then i play the unknown innocent spectator like all of us.

      Most of the Secrets here was revealed in the first season in our comments so please. Wait for the right time

      Germanguy
      Reply

  16. When Shirou got his face tied up with a tissue, he does resemble Show Spoiler ▼

    right?
    Well, it’s a funny episode (and with some storyline as well). I’m looking for next week’s bath fight lol.
    P.S Caren-sensei, please treat me. >_<

    Seorori
    Reply

  17. I don’t mind the angst between Kuro and Illya right now. In fact if they were immediate friends I’d call foul play. As you said Illya at least has a reason to not trust her with the attempted murder earlier. Maybe it’s just me but I’d hold a grudge against someone like that for a good amount of time (although i think Illya is just upset Kuro is ruining her normal life). Not forever but it would still take time for me to trust them. Kuro calling Illya out on never trying to understand her rang hollow to me. That’s like people who do nothing but act like douchebags to people and expect them to sympathize with them. You simply can’t expect people to do that. It’s just plain unreasonable. If anyone needs to understand something it’s Kuro. She needs to think about how she’s been effecting others by doing what she wants. She claims she wants to live a normal high school life but with how much she has been keeping hidden from everyone why should she be trusted? Imo she should be a bit more subdued if she wants sympathy.

    Ruby seems like a bit of a “snake in the Garden of Eden” now though as she keeps egging Illya on to confront Kuro lol.

    leatherhead333
    Reply

    1. actually, thats not what you guys were supposed to take note of…
      the anime had the right scene, but they didnt give a focus to what the scene was supposed to be about.

      its not so much that kuro was annoyed that illya doesnt try to understand her as much as her being pissed off when Show Spoiler ▼

      the spoiler up there is actually just foreshadowing, but just putting it in spoiler cause the anime failed to address it. this is why I say that they should add a bit more proper BGM that will make people be aware that they were supposed to notice something…

      amado
      Reply

      1. I did notice that. But why would that only the only thing I’m supposed to focus on? Everyone keeps saying the whole “fake” thing is the important part but is the rest of the dialogue really that arbitrary that i should just ignore it?

        leatherhead333
        Reply

      2. well the thing is, its not like kuro actually wants to be understood nor are we supposed to feel pity for her. yet.
        kuro just said it to try to undermine illya and to confuse her.

        amado
        Reply

  18. I wonder if Ilya can get closer to Kuro, after all she and Miyu started off quite hostile in the first season…
    Caren-sensei is the worst nurse ever, but a very interesting character. She definitely knows more than she is letting off.

    ewok40k
    Reply

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