(MFI) Zero no Tsukaima (second series) - Episode 9 Discussion / Poll

[Pellissier]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Zero no Tsukaima (second series), Episode 9.

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75
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[mist2123]

wow the animation was good but i liked the heart breaking ending in the novel

[garra113]

Yeah me too.. I need to get my hands on them novels... Well anyway... Did you know that this was probably the only episode that she actually did normal magic right? I mean like... ZOMG.

[mist2123]

Yeah me too.. I need to get my hands on them novels... Well anyway... Did you know that this was probably the only episode that she actually did normal magic right? I mean like... ZOMG.

i think it was just pure luck:heh:

[Kazuma77]

waiting for a sub version, but the ending was heart-breaking:upset::upset::upset:

[Raykun]

so pure luck for once OMG OMG

[serenade_beta]

If only the ending song changed... It's strange to have a sad moment broken by happy music...

Great episode though.

Agnes needs to chill, really chill. She should take Colbert's advice and retire.

[asdffdsa]

Finally a good episode (or maybe I'm just happy the Agnes plot is finally over and done with ;) ).

Anyhow, the next episode appears to be something of interest. Looks like Louise and Saito are FINALLY going to be back in the limelight.

But next Sunday is so far away... :(

[ipernorris]

Agnes needs to chill, really chill. She should take Colbert's advice and retire.
Easy for you to speak... Agnes lived a terrible experience so stop with the pacifism... :D

[mist2123]

Easy for you to speak... Agnes lived a terrible experience so stop with the pacifism... :D

It was terrible but Unlike saito his country got nuked but the US.
I feel sorry for colbert the real reason the village was burned was
because of religion the plague was just a cover up

[Kazuma77]

Colbert could leave her to be burned alive, but he rescued her... why?:confused:

[Kakosan]

Nice episode, really touching.

[ChainLegacy]

I don't know what Saito was doing that entire time when Kirche, he, and Louise were supporting the dying Colbert and Anies was about to kill him. I was expecting him to whip out Delflinger and stop her O_o... Oh well.

This was probably my favorite episode this season, maybe of both seasons. It was serious, but I think it was done really well, especially the letter at the end.

[ipernorris]

Anyway this show is surprising me because I expected it to be a retarded anime bullshit, but on the contrary the authors shown very large balls.

[Anh_Minh]

Wow. Good men do die in ZnT.

Though I can't exactly agree with burning a whole village just because it has the plague. Setting up quarantine procedures? Sure. Burning the corpses and houses? Right on.

But burning people alive on some vague suspicion there's a plague around? Madness. And not the "this is Sparta" kind.


I also wonder about Colbert's pacifism. Just because he, in the name of military discipline, committed a monstrous act, doesn't mean every soldier is a monster. I prefer a phrase from Bujold's Winterfair Gift:"A higher honor must underlie ours, the count says. We can’t ever obey unthinkingly."

[ipernorris]

Wow. Good men do die in ZnT.

Though I can't exactly agree with burning a whole village just because it has the plague. Setting up quarantine procedures? Sure. Burning the corpses and houses? Right on.

But burning people alive on some vague suspicion there's a plague around? Madness. And not the "this is Sparta" kind.


I also wonder about Colbert's pacifism. Just because he, in the name of military discipline, committed a monstrous act, doesn't mean every soldier is a monster. I prefer a phrase from Bujold's Winterfair Gift:
In Middle Age they didn't have the concept of quarantine, do you know? :D

[mist2123]

In Middle Age they didn't have the concept of quarantine, do you know? :D

even if they did quarantine them then what?.

[Anh_Minh]

The quarantine is a precaution so you can observe them without risking a further spread of the disease.

Keep the sick people separate from the healthy. If there's really no cure for the plague, well, maybe a quick, hot fire would be better... At least there'd be some justification to burning them.

But if, after you've observed them for a long time, and no one shows any sign of plague, then don't bloody burn them!

[devildog23]

No offense, but that episode was corny.

I didn't really feel anything when Colbert died. I don't really know why, but I just thought "That sucks." and thats it. Maybe because I was just watching a different anime...

[thundrakkon]

The episode story was a nice change of pace, with the drama involved. It may not be the best drama around, but the letter scene and the Saito/Louise crying scene were really touching. I agree, the happy music right after kind of ruined the mood. Nevertheless, that last scene was just excellent.

[Klashikari]

Colbert could leave her to be burned alive, but he rescued her... why?:confused:
Because colbert wasn't a silly blood thirsty killer, unlike menville.



damn, i believe I shouldn't have read the novel summaries after all :heh:
colbert drama was watered down imo, but what really annoyed me was how they completely messed up Agnès, making her looking like a retard (yeah, taking your revenge over your duty, while Menville is happily doing some barbecue in the same room)

I felt kinda weird that Menville attacked Agnès as well, while it was clear she was focusing Colbert only. he could let her doing some job, and he just finish him up in a cunning and cheap style. but... no, he didn't, and moronically attacked Agnès.

And finally, but not the least, we see "normal" Agnès, giving without any problem the letter to Saito, while she wasn't able to think correctly once she knew the truth.

To be honest, I think even if i wasn't spoiled, I would rant the same way, OTZ...

well, this episode earned a 7, since it wasn't as bad as the previous episodes. Animation and "pace" wise, it was okay, though I was ticked about how the lame "flame" battle was occuring and dragged. (it looked like the flames didn't have any heat, except the very end of it...)

now, we got only 3 episodes left, with 1 possible episode to craft the plot back to... the inexistent war and... the usual "double episode" for the big battle, which should also add a way for saito (if they don't prepare another season) to get back on earth.

expectations? extremely low for me...

[Echoes]

I thought the episode was touching and quite decent, but a lot of the action didn't make much sense to me.

As mentioned, why did Menville attack Anies? As bloodthirsty as he viewed Colbert, I don't think he'd be able to foresee his heroic rescue. He also seemed to plain forget about her after he had pinned Colbert. Wouldn't he realize that she'd be sort of mad that he tried to kill her? His arrogance would be the answer, I guess, but it just seems really dumb of him.

I did enjoy the episode, though. It was one of the better of the second season.

[Calawain]

I'll echo the sentiments of the weird way in which they did this episode. Not sure they portrayed Agnes and Colbert in the way one would expect from previous episodes. I am curious as to how they are going to end this show in 3 episodes unless they plan to make a third season. The war doesn't seem like something that could really end in 3 episodes and have Saito and Louise's relationship have enough screentime for some sort of resolution.

[S_K]

Who wouldve thought Colbert would die
A nice SaitoxLouise moment at the end

[neutralizer]

I really didn't see Colbert dying. I thought Saito would bust out his sword and save the day, but I guess not.

Man, it was so annoying to Agnes attack Colbert even though he was doing something good. She was blinded by her revenge... so sad. The whole time I was like WTF are you doing Agnes.

[ordnance11]

With only 3 episodes, I got to wonder about the ending of the season.

Will it end at Saito doing his version of the 300?

[Darknemo2000]

They should have named second season Agnes No Kirai as she is the main lead of this season and not Louise or Saito.

Now with only three episodes left and returning back to main story in an non-existant war and to relationship of a couple that had only two or three episodes centered on them before...

The way I see it they should probably end it with Saito running towards the army instead of portraying the fight itself.

I seriously dont think that three episodes are enough to tell everything about pre-battle events, the batle itself and even some after-math.

Unless they would start skipping and butchering down the novels again, since they seem to love that to do to the main plot while only trying to portray the sub-plot.

But in the end it will be this way :

"Zero No Tsukaima second season? Hmm what was that anime about again... Oh yeah, about Agnes, and a few filler episodes."

[Anh_Minh]

Why do you say the war is non-existent? Because the frontline is in another country?

[Darknemo2000]

Because it has no real importance so far. More episodes about Agnes past than the ones about war.

In novels this go through volumes being the main theme together with Saito/Louise and a few Saito/Henreitta & Saito/Siesta moments. Agnes was important mostly in one volume that had displayed her story, yet, even there the volume was still centered on a war. And the Guiches side-story was actually even longer...

In the anime it felt like they rushed through the main plotline not paying much attention to it while giving all the focus to an side-story that doesnt even have all that big importance in the novels and was only a short break from the war.

Here war becomes not imporant at all if compared to the novels... It's so easy to forget... Like this whole season.

[wana10]

As mentioned, why did Menville attack Anies?

menville attacked anies because she attacked colbert. this was the fight that menville had waited for, longed for, and here was some commoner with a sword interfering. so menville would take out anies and then he could have his eppic dual with his former captain.

in other news, god i'm going to be glad to get back to the zero and her tsukaima...you know, like the title of the show. the anies backstory was interesting, but not this interesting. maybe two episodes could have gone its way, but it didn't need half a season! not to mention that the director really needs to work on his foreshadowing skills. i had it pinned that colbert was the captain episodes ago, thus no drama when the shocking secret was revealed, thus the reason it didn't need to be strung out over so many episodes. blargh. next week looks interesting. huzzah

[deathreape98]

way too predictable, but i still liked it, so a 10

[SinsI]

Didn't like it a bit. Drama developement was too inconsistent with the previous "light comedy" image, all those chibi character designs and that toned-down violence... If he's dying from being burned alive show him at least a little bit scorched!
And why the hell was Saito doing nothing? He's a kick-ass warrior-type familliar! Is he's there just for furniture? Why wasn't he fighting?

[Darknemo2000]

The problem is that in novels he wasn't there. The whole scene was changed only the outcome is the same.

In reality (I count novels as reality, while anime only as a pathetic joke) he was in a plane at this moment fighting together with Louise against enemies.

Now, since the idiot director decided that war is not that important, Saito and Louise don't have much to do so just kind of hang around just for the sake that they should be main heros (though they are not in anime, Anes is).

So again director put them in as a spectators just so that we would not forget that they exist. Yet this also made this scene weird, they did nothing at all though they could have (while in novels they couldn't do much about it because of the circumstances).

But again, don't look too deeply into this anime. As it strives hard to become the worst continuation of anime series this year, so let it slide.

They are doing their best to be the worst after all. You have to give them credit at least for that.

[mist2123]

Man they should forget about making a 3rd season.

[Klashikari]

The thing is... the novel also fleshed a much more dramatic and painful irony


Basically, lots happened for Louise and Saito. various MEANINGFUL arguements (such like dying in honor and stuff). As Saito is fighting with louise in the Zero Fighter, they had to read colbert's instructions for the "secrets weapons" which look like... gimmicks :heh:

here lies the irony: Saito does not know that colbert died, and he is reading the letter, asking him about the war, the sacrifices, the sins. and even his wish to visit saito's world.

OTOH, the drama was much more hotblooded and meaningful, as Agnes discovered the truth only when Colbert was half dead, after his battle against menville.
Kirche won a lot of points, with her development, as she despised Colbert in fact.

And yes, Agnes wanted to finish colbert off, but the circumstances were hell more portrayed

thus, reading Saito with the letter is painful, as his hopes will be crushed as he will come back to the academy


I don't know if it can be considered as the worst (as Nanoha strikers is a utter fail in term of sequel too). But like I and Darknemo said, the war is completely unexistent.


so far, we saw the guys leaving on the battlefield (which we never saw to begin with). A small glimpse of Reconquista army. Few henrietta moments about the war (they even watered down her memories of wales, when she was with saito, etc).
Frankly, the amount of actions is ridiculously disproportioned, and we got many tasteless and repetitive "comedy", while this season "plot" should be much more serious and dramatic than season 1. (i don't mind the start, with EP1-2, but there is a limit, and they surely bypassed it for too long... episode 5 is enough to be extremely annoyed)

I don't have any "problem" (well... i "can" withstand this) with "changes" with the characters (as Siesta was supposed to be much more heartwarming, and henrietta, much more dramatic, Saito really GAR, and Louise conflicting herself... but no they demolished them as well.)
But at least... give us the PLOT, for Crying out loud!


EDIT, Mist : i don't know about if they should. But there is no way they can wrap a "war" of this scale in only 3 mere episodes. Heck, if they don't pull the 1/70.000 it will be FLAT.

[Shiroth]

Now, since the idiot director decided that war is not that important, Saito and Louise don't have much to do so just kind of hang around just for the sake that they should be main heros (though they are not in anime, Anes is).
Even if it did last a bit to long, i still think it was done nicely, and i very much enjoyed Agnes' back story.

Its not that the war isn't important, its just that the characters are more important. If we were shown the war instead of Agnes' backstory --- then it wouldn't really be ZnT anymore, we'd just have a bunch of fight scenes day in and day out. Sure they could go somewhere with that, though i'd rather watch it as it is now.

Also with the high animation from this episode, i hope for some more Hax Saito towards the end of this season.

[Sorrow-K]

That was actually pretty good. Sure, it was predictable, and I'm not going to argue it wasn't trite compared to the novels (since I haven't read them), but this is the best ZnT (the anime) has done at portraying genuine drama in either series. But, this is how it should be done... if they're going to do drama, they should devote an entire episode to it rather than interspersing comic relief throughout as they were in previous episodes. I'm not willing to forgive all of this sequel's flaws on the back of just this episode, but I do consider it a highlight in the overall scheme of things, and I don't think I'd have complained as much if we had this sort of stuff earlier in the series.

Agnes' arc didn't have to take this many episodes, though.

And to echo what others have said of the war, you'd be willing to forgive anyone who forgot that there was supposed to be a war in this story.

I don't know if it can be considered as the worst (as Nanoha strikers is a utter fail in term of sequel too). But like I and Darknemo said, the war is completely unexistent.
I'd say StrikerS is much worse than this, but that's because I'm at least somewhat partial towards a few of ZnT's characters. But StrikerS is one of the most soulless anime I've seen. Although, I have only seen what's been subbed, and reports state that it gets better... but I'll believe it when I see it.

[Sinestra]

I knew Colbert was involved in the incident 20 years ago but i had no clue he was the one that actually caused it that a surprise in its self but for them to actually kill him blew me away. I guess you say his death in saving Anies one more time was his peance for his deeds in the past. I think the letter that he sent to Saito was very important. We all see how Saito gets when he is protecting Louise and with his power it would be very easy for him to go over the deep end. Im glad that he didnt put dont kill ever, because they are in a state of war if it came down to it Seito might have to kill an enemy to save either him self or Louise. HOwever saying dont make a habit of it was perfect. You can never take back someones death thats something you live with all your days. Seeing Seito and Louise crying on each others shoulders was a perfect way to end it. Hopefully i hope this is the end of story about Anies because as much as i kind of like her character he story is very uninteresting and just dragging maybe we will get back on the main story now

[JagdPanther]

Well, his involvement to that extent wasn't a surprise to me after the gross foreshadowing of the last episode. Ya just knew it had to be BAD.... His death kinda reminded me of the death of a character in The Hunt for Red October (movie version) when Vassily dies, saying, "I would have liked to have seen Montana."

Anyway... Snowy Alps next! ^_^ SNOOOOOOOW! Man, I'd love to see some of that now. It's too damn hot here in Pennsylvania right now.

[cyw1988]

Well... everyone has already mentioned what I wanted to mention so I wouldn't go too deeply into that. This ep was at least better than the previous few. The series sorta went downhill from ep 5 onwards(I still considered the Saito X Louise boat scene to be acceptable). Next ep, the snowy alps. I dunno why but the setting seem to seriously remind me of that episode in the anime Gatekeepers where Ruri and Ukiya met Yukino in the snow. Well, I am hoping that the series will end on a better note. But with 3 episodes to go, can the producers do it?

[Sinestra]

I am hoping that the series will end on a better note. But with 3 episodes to go, can the producers do it?

Im wondering as well i am high doubtful that it can be done but i could be wrong. What are the chances that they are planning a season 3 which is why a lot of information has not be reveled in season 2?

[HayashiTakara]

even though manga readers are crying foul, I found this episode to be an enjoyable one. Sometimes its better to not read the book, lol. I think if you watch the anime, then read the manga afterwards. If you read the manga, don't watch the anime. Most book readers (like one of my friends) always complains when a movie adaption is made cause it doesn't follow the book to the Tee. Oh well.

[Klashikari]

The problem isn't actually the lack of adaptation. here, it is a huge problem of pacing and plot. (I enjoyed the first season, and even after the novel summaries, i found the first season quite "not too bad" as an adaptation, and a "good anime" as a stand alone)

i've read the novels summary after the episode 7, and i was already complaining of the miserable plot.
Now it makes even less sense when you compare it with the original material.

There is a difference of "useless whines", "logical and reaonsable comparisons" and "flat critics".
and as i'm reading back everything until now, i certainly see more 2 and 3, than the first option.

[Darknemo2000]

I never said that this episode in particular was terrible. I just commented the weird part of it as it was a forced attemp on directors side to actually remind us that Saito and Louise still exist without reminding us of war.

However, this particular episode was probably the best one of all Agnes arc ones. Still it does not justify the fact that sub-plot took half of the season leaving only half to actually real story line, half of which are original fillers (like ep 5).

Louise and Saito charcter development is basically non exist.

Shiroth misunderstood the point of my complains about war since quite obvious he did not read the ZnT novels about the war at least, as in ZnT novels war is not about action but about character development and rising an interesting questions like the argument between Louise and Saito. War stimulates charcter development, yep, it has action scenes which are avoided in anime but it has character development which anime ignores as well.

Look at Guiche... Do you remember him?

In novels he really became quite interesting character that developed once he became an captain with his own responsibilities. Where he experience death in a close up. It makes him mature quite a bit.

Saito also matures too (the talk that he and Guiche had in the inn while drinking beer was pretty mature), Louise too (though the biggest part of her character development comes after volume 8, as she believed in losing Saito for ever which shaken her quite badly and changed her...

Given that anime already avoided a very good scene between Saito Louise and the prince in the first season where they discuss what is death and what is it worth to die for (which later lead to cute scene between saito and Louise which was completely ignored by anime as well), I think that it might keep on simplifying and butchering things.

The only thing that they dont butcher are subplots that dont have that much importance to storyline anyway...

You probably think I am a whiner, and I guess its true, yet it makes me sad to think that the same studio that adopted Shakugan No shana novels pretty well does such unsatisfying work with ZnT.

While first season was digging its own grave with ignoring the serious moments it still did pretty good job. It survived but made the chances of making a good sequel pretty low. The fact that second season now has pretty bad director doesn't seem to help either.

You could say that novels would always beat the actual films based on that but there are some examples (like Suzumiya Haruhi) where it stands on the same if not better ground.

I have seen worser adoptations yet during this year so far its one of the worst ones for sure.

I was pretty suspicious about the first season as it created different mood from novels which in longterm would have hurt it badly. Luckily for them it ended fast so all the flaws came out with this season. Yet I wasn't complaining about it all that much compared to this season because it still managed to do a pretty good job.

Even if I would have never read a single line from ZnT novels I would still be unhappy about the second season (surely, reading the novels doubles my unhappinesss about it though). Point is, if they would have done a decent work with it even if it would be pretty different from novels I doubt there would be so much complains about it...

P.S. Hayashi, its novel adaptation, not manga.

[cyw1988]

I am pretty sure Corbert's letter will prove to be the development Saito needs. As for Louise, she probably still believes that going to war and killing ie. following her grand hime sama(I dunno why but I hate henrietta and siesta in the 2nd season) I think thats where it will drive a wedge between them.

In the op animation, I thought I saw the "marriage" scene. But that could be the same reason why they used the boat scene in the first season and not show it. Could be teaser for a third season. From the looks of it though, a third season may be unlikely, seeing how they seem to have screwed this season up:frustrated:

[snakespm]

I think this was one of the best eps this season. Only two things really bothered me.

1) Colbert dieing was a little predictable. When he started going on about seeing Seito's world, it started setting off alarms in my head.

2) How did those paper balloon things float. At first since it was Kirche doing it I thought she might have been using fire to heat up the air. However that wouldn't work to well with something approaching gun powder. (Yeah yeah, laws of physics. magic, something about killing catgirls)

[Nvis]

I wished Colbert didn't die.

Now who's going to make "Dragon Blood" for the Zero Fighter?

[Sinestra]

I wished Colbert didn't die.

Now who's going to make "Dragon Blood" for the Zero Fighter?

Seito better build a still and start making some Zero moonshine or else that plane is going to be on the ground permanently

[mist2123]

from the preview i can see saito getting abused by her and forgeting about the sad mood that this episode provide.

[asdffdsa]

from the preview i can see saito getting abused by her and forgeting about the sad mood that this episode provide.

Where do you see Louise abusing Saito in the next episode? The next episode does seem like a big contrast in mood though. According to the subs, the preview's dialog is:


(In Louise's voice)

You damn dog! (All previews begin with this)

Now that we've landed on the snowy Alps, aren't we going to freeze to death?

Eh? Naked bodies in contact with each other for warmth? (Saito's sword seems to be recommending this)

[Darknemo2000]

Nope, the marriage part will definetely happen this season...I would say on episode 11 or 12 (depending if they plan on rushing put the Saito VS 70 000 thing).

In novels there where things in between but I don't think we will see a full scale of argument. They wasted way too much for Agnes scale to be able to get to the final scene without killing things off. It would need about 5-6 episodes to get to Saito vs 70 000 with only small loss of scenes.

But now its going to be another filler. yet this filler is based on novels.

You see Louise actually always sleeps without her underwear and during the war she forgot that but it didnt stopped her as she slept naked near Saito. The worst part was that wind blew up the tent all solgiers saw quite a view of a naked girl pressing herserf to Saito. Rumours spread that hey have this kind of relationship, which annoyed Louise to no end. They soon got into an argument, thats where Julio was introduced, as Louise hurted Saito (since Saito started bragging how Louise is so in love with him to solgiers) using Julio. Later she wanted to make up and used Derflingers adviced a VERY ecchi cat costume of hers. Too bad that saito didnt see it but bunch of other guys did that came into the house ahead of Saito. Louise and Saito also had a heated discussion on what is the nobility and what is life worth for. Saito talked about it with Guiche while both getting drunk, Louise talked about it before they could to make it good again the orders came for Louise to hold back the 70 000 army on her own for one day. Ofc outse it was a suicidal mission. Louise before her supposed death wanted to make up with saito and also said that she wanted to feel what is the marriege before her death. saito agreed. They sort of had an engagement ceremony (only between themselves, no one else was present as everyone have left) and drank whine (the scene that you see in opening) yet Saito used a drug that Siesta gave to him (he was making out with her. literally. Which in itself would be worth an episode I think) to put Louise to sleep. Then he stepped instead of her and did his probably the coolest act in the whole novels - a 1 vs 70 000 fight. When Louise woke up Saito was gone a Louise went into a shock and tried to kill herself to be stopped by Siesta... Then...Wait I amspoiling too much.

Of course there were more scenes in between the fight I just anmed the most important ones and I cannot see them doing it in only 2 episodes.

Since 10th episode decided to make an epiosde based on one scene only. Since louise isnt that perverted in anime they had to use cold and body-warmth as a reason for her to get naked...

Its weird that main character of second season Agnes wont be having much screen time... Isn't she supposed to be the main character in second season? wWell no matter how much screen time Louise or Saito would get from now on it wont be able to beat Agnes for sure.

[lynx135x]

With only two episodes left (after episode ten which looks like filler), maybe its time to consider that the series' animators never intended to get as far with the story as everyone assumed based from the teaser scenes in the OP. I not familiar with the events of the books, but maybe they only intended to lead up to the begining of the events of the war. It seems to me to make more sense that they decided to make a largely filler/side plot oriented second season in the hope of extending the source material into more seasons than that they were just so stupid they completely ignored better canon material in favor of filler.

[Darknemo2000]

But we all know that animators usually like to end the series with an impressive scene. And Saito vs 70 000 is one like that. The problem is that to get to that in only two episodes would make tham skipping a LOT of scenes...

I was unhappy whenseason one ignored prince Wales story which brought some nice scenes between Louise and Saito even if Wardes still around. Also the first night they spent in single bed before the grand fight with Wardes was also cute as saito tried to comfort Louise who was sort of depressed that she is incapable of doing anything and is just a useless person. Sadly anime ignored this scene too.

Yet overall it wasnt all that bad. Even if they were not completely truthful to novels thay managed to patch up things pretty well. And thats something that season two is missing.

If lynx would be right then they would not have climax in the ending at all since scenes before Saito vs 70 000 are not so impressive, though interesting. if however it would end with that scene (which is very likely) that would mean a lot of canon material would be trashed just because of a filler episodes. Also it would be impossible to return to those scenes in lets say third season since after Saitos fight things take different turn.

So as far as I see its two kind of bad situation - anticlimax ending but not skipping quite a lot of material from novels (or maybe climax original ending, but we already witnessed that director has no talent with original episodes) or climax ending with ignoring quite a bit of scenes that are MUCH more interesting than Agnes filler story (Like Siesta/Saito, Louise/Saito scenes, Guiche and so on).

Agnes is an interesting character but if that means that canon characters like Saito, Louise or Siesta are getting trashed then I would chose them anytime over her or her story that doesnt have any real importance to the story later.

[spoiler removed by a moderator]

[Runa]

okay, so we can say that "Anies" chapter already done here... let's get back to the right pace... we want more Louise and Saito here^^ we don't wanna see "Anies no Tsu*** bleep censored" or something like that don't we ?

nice story they have there... it's a good way to end the show, the way Louise hug Saito is kinda touching...love that a lot^^ expect more in the next ep....

[neutralizer]

Well, that makes a lot of sense, actually. Not him being alive again, but Kirche being extremely physically attracted to him. His flames are huge and all, and she's all about heat... ;)

Wonder if Kirche will end up being that hot teacher every male student wants to have at the academy. :heh:

Haha, you're right. At first, I was like Colbert? WTF? He didn't seem like Kirche's type, but then they're both flame... so maybe yea.

[Ashlotte]

Well it wasnt a really bad episode or even arc really, but the fact that I never really liked agnes that much kept me from really enjoying it completely.

Atleast it looks like where getting back to louise and saito next episode. ;)

[Guido]

By far this has been the best episode for season two, as it packed painful drama about how the war not only devastated the innocence of a little girl but left a burning scar of regret upon a man who naivetely misjudged that battles are for the sake of devotion.

Definitely predictable but emotionally touching, Colbert was ratted off the spot by Benville as the infamous Serpent of Flames.


The climax and conclusion were satisfactory to my preferences, and I can proudly say that the battle between Colbert against Benville was spectacular filled with the best soundtrack choices.

It was unfortunate that even that showdown managed a good deal of time for the pacing to develop, Agnes had to step in and rammed Benville with her sword.


However, on second thoughts I felt that they tried to forcefully setup two themes into the same conflict.

The conclusion to Agne's side-plot about earning her revenge against the man who burnt her village, revealed as Colbert.

Second, Colbert's insight experiences about the sins of war that he communicated to Saito via his last letter.

Ever since season one Colbert has been one of the most underrated characters and for the writers to totally elevated him on the role of critical character for season one felt to me a little disjointed.

I could have been at ease had the writers started from season one giving hints about Colbert's experiences from his days at the battlefield, but I guess they want an immersive conclusion with his death regretting the wrong he did to Anies for following orders and teaching the younger generation that the ways of war and killing should not be made into a common habit; killing changes one and warps the soul.

[aikming]

At least we got an episode that ends with Saito & Louise without explosion.

[Masanori Ota]

Haha, you're right. At first, I was like Colbert? WTF? He didn't seem like Kirche's type, but then they're both flame... so maybe yea.
Well, there went my post, and the one I quoted. Jesus freakin' Christ, I'm going back to /a/ if this is how you mods handle a normal discussion. :rolleyes:

Whatever, back to your regular programming.

[teachopvutru]

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this episode ... it feels like, err... I dunno how to put it... But seeing how people praise the novel and how the anime doesn't hold true to the merit of its original source, I hope I'll see ZnT English novel released soon, or even better, a remake. (which is no where likely)

But meh, I see so many things being missed in the anime after reading the posts above... I also agree that the 1st season is better than this one.

[Deathkillz]

From an anime point of view i just loved this ep. Well ofc not knowing any better i would say that i disagree with crits saying that the emotion i felt in this ep was diluted or whatever, because tbh this doesnt seem to be the case. I dont think that the plot was a major weakness in fact but rather a side story than what we expect from this series mainly because the focus was not solely on saito and louise. I guess it is somewhat disappointing to see something not written on the tin but in this case i enjoyed the tragidy that followed. The isnt any plot holes which is rather rare to see, and colbert dying is just***im gonna have one of these moments again :heh:
Well as far as content goes this ep ranks number 1 so far with the bother with wales and henrietta ep coming in close second for this series ^__^