(L) Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maou

[mangatron]

Originally Posted by Saturn Beaver

And about her birthday, I'll go with the simplest explanation that her powers is unlocked when she comes to that certain age, otherwise why would they choose that date if there's nothing important or related to it?

I can't help but think that if it weren't for Eiko, Sai probably wouldn't have returned to school on her birthday. First Keena tries to tell Sai about her birthday, and now we see, apparently she didn't tell him. At least I don't recall her ever doing so(she says it happened like he said though), but if Sai means something to her, shouldn't she have told him? Or don't tell me she found out about this arranged marriage

So I'm thinking maybe this doesn't have to do with Sai, I mean he almost missed her birthday. Then I have this thought that Bouchi knew about this birthday, and maybe tried to get first dibs other than that, though, I still think there's a reason why Keena approached Sai about her birthday. Whether it be about her abilities or regular friendship happenings, next ep hopefully will explain at least this detail

When I first saw it, I thought he may be a general or something, important enought to carry a badge and lead the group but not that important as Eiko's dad who I think is the leader of the whole clan. It's possible, but it's a bit sill to use your clan's highest leader just to assassinate a 'harmless' girl.

I believe it was said her father was of great Priest status, probably one rank below High. The biggest flaw I see in this badge-carrying dude being her father is that, for an assassination mission, they sure brought along quite a number of assassins. I mean, don't ninja's work alone? Sure, in this world priests do the killing, but to send a squad, allegedly being led by the family head, seems highly unlikely and quite hard to believe (to me). Like, her father would have sent her in his stead, right? There's a picture but the dots aren't connecting

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

Holy crap. Back from Anime North, and 150 posts worth to read? Man you guys go too fast lol.

/me runs to the edge of the galaxy.

Really, that's why I like Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou so much. It's such a departure from your typical fantasy stuff...

This is a good reason. It's no secret I like to mention Luminous Arc 2 due to something like this, although LA2 suffered from fragmented story-telling that ultimately made it appear mediocre to most of the players. The kind of "good concept, bad execution" kind of thing, which hopefully Dai Maou doesn't fall into that. Even if the anime might be that way, the fact that a novel exists help's halve the pain

And by doing so, they can cut out most of the fight time (since the only non-lopsided battle Akuto has to face is against Hero-shi) and give it more to political intrigue, which is something I like the show for.

I find the potential for the Brave vs. Maou fight very interesting. Anti-magic versus a user primarily mana based? Normally it would be the anti-magic specialist wins, but surely this series, if it ever goes to that, can't be that easy. Of course, they have got to do the typical "shattered helmet oh no my identity is revealed" thing

By the way, yet another different gun Korone pulls out of her bag. An army of Korone's are starting to look real scary right about now

Thank Suhara my post is in a new page (by default settings). Had my post gone into the previous page this would have been one long page to scroll (I had a hell of a time scrolling the previous pages on my phone)

[Nvis]

Originally Posted by Saturn Beaver

And about her birthday, I'll go with the simplest explanation that her powers is unlocked when she comes to that certain age, otherwise why would they choose that date if there's nothing important or related to it?

A birthday she just made up?

The whole arm regenerating thing is just badass. Totally inhuman. He shouldn't be able to die...ever.

[DragoonKain3]

Originally Posted by Arashi500

But Akuto isn't an antagonist, Bouchi is, and Hiroshi will more likely be one of Akuto's side distractions, or team up with him, rather than be the climactic fighter against Akuto.

And you my friend, just TOTALLY missed my point. Just like 'hero' and 'protagonist' aren't necessarily the same person, 'villain' and 'antagonist' necessarily ain't the same person either.

Really, Bouchi is just a side boss at best. Knowing the source is still ongoing, I can bet dollars to donuts the biggest conflict will indeed be Akuto vs Hiroshi. There's just way too much foreshadowing for it...

1) Prophecy - as much as Akuto tries to fight it, every prophecy in the series (that has been revealed before the actual event happening) is dead-on true.

2) Hiroshi's slow mind shift - he ain't Akuto's 100% henchie anymore. He's slowly starting to drift away from that, as shown by recent episodes where he's starting to become his own self

3) Yuri - I don't think it's a coincidence that last episode, its established that she becomes Hiroshi's LI. Then this episode, it's shown she is affected by Akuto's presence. Smells like a ticking time bomb to me, in order to fully turn Hiroshi against Akuto once its blows up.

...It probably ain't gonna happen in the anime, but the story is starting to build up for the clash against these two friends.

Originally Posted by Hyouzan

What i take issues with are more how the fight scenes are done, not the inherent haxxed Akuto power level against his opponents.
...
The others on the other hand, the most recent offenders being the fight with Mr.X and Bouichiro though the brawl with Peterhausen comes to mind, are needlessly flashy and ridiculously short it gave me no sense of suspense. AT ALL

But that's the entire point. Akuto is THE demon lord. There really shouldn't be any suspense at all with any of the fights, as only THE hero can defeat him. Really, Mr X's entire point in the story, apart from being a pawn in Bouchi's plan, is setting precedent that even anti-mage techniques are trivial to the might of the demon lord.

Peterhausen on the other hand, was already foreshadowed (quite heavily might I add) to be on Akuto's side, even outside the OP. It was driven to your head time and time again that the thing located on the map is for the demon lord, that the thing has been lying dormant ever since the last demon lord has disappeard, and that the new demon lord will at one time come back and get it.

So the question wasn't if Akuto can beat Peterhausen, but how he was going to get Peterhausen on his side. As such, there wouldn't have been any suspense even if they decided to have elaborated the fight, as its been repeatedly told to you that Peterhausen will not beat Akuto.

Originally Posted by blitz

/offtopic/: YOu were in Anime North?! I might have saw you there then.

You probably did, if you were in Anime Name that Tune. I was the guy who got Vampire Knight and K-On; yes, I was wearing a 'houkago tea time' shirt at that time, so it would've been embarrasing if I wasn't the one who got that. Quite ironic though that I'm not even following this season's K-on...

Have to hang my head in shame though, because I couldn't remember Love Hina on time, ie. one of the biggest childhood friend anime shows in history. Not to mention Sakura Saku is one of the most iconic tunes, and one I occasionally listen to from time to time. T_T

[Saturn Beaver]

Originally Posted by mangatron

next ep hopefully will explain at least this detail
There's a picture but the dots aren't connecting

This is basically what our theorizing efforts come down to in the end, isn't it?

Originally Posted by Nvis

A birthday she just made up?

A birthday she claimed she just made up. Yeah, I've reached the point where trusts the main villain Bouichirou's words more than Keena, especially about those surrounding her past. But yeah, it's very possible that it's just a random date after all.

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by mangatron

I can't help but think that if it weren't for Eiko, Sai probably wouldn't have returned to school on her birthday. First Keena tries to tell Sai about her birthday, and now we see, apparently she didn't tell him. At least I don't recall her ever doing so(she says it happened like he said though), but if Sai means something to her, shouldn't she have told him? Or don't tell me she found out about this arranged marriage

She tried to, but got interrupted by Sai during her last attempt (as we saw in the previous ep) ... well, guess she didn't try immediately after that (It was sort of her plan to announce it "late" as a form of surprise), and it backfired on her since Sai was already booked on the day (I guess she didn't tell him because she didn't want to cause trouble for him, as he otherwise might have tried to cancel his business to celebrate the event with her). Her "It happened just like you said" refers to Sai's comment that if she keeps stalling, he might end up unable to attend due to some other business he might have already planned on the day.

[mangatron]

Originally Posted by Skyfall

Her "It happened just like you said" refers to Sai's comment that if she keeps stalling, he might end up unable to attend due to some other business he might have already planned on the day.

I actually viewed that as not related to her stalling, but rather as Sai saying "if you tell me on the day it happens, I might be preoccupied to celebrate with you, so might as well tell me now so I can make arrangements". Since a considerable amount of time passed since she brought up the issue of birthdays, I'm rather intruigued as to why she didn't tell him, maybe more so than what her birthday is about.

Huh huh, I like to think that characters without birthdays have a high chance of being artificial, if mem-loss isn't in play.

By the way, if Heroshi goes against Sai and kills hentai snail, I'll... probably laugh and at the same time cry

[Hyouzan]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

But that's the entire point. Akuto is THE demon lord. There really shouldn't be any suspense at all with any of the fights, as only THE hero can defeat him. Really, Mr X's entire point in the story, apart from being a pawn in Bouchi's plan, is setting precedent that even anti-mage techniques are trivial to the might of the demon lord.

Peterhausen on the other hand, was already foreshadowed (quite heavily might I add) to be on Akuto's side, even outside the OP. It was driven to your head time and time again that the thing located on the map is for the demon lord, that the thing has been lying dormant ever since the last demon lord has disappeard, and that the new demon lord will at one time come back and get it.

So the question wasn't if Akuto can beat Peterhausen, but how he was going to get Peterhausen on his side. As such, there wouldn't have been any suspense even if they decided to have elaborated the fight, as its been repeatedly told to you that Peterhausen will not beat Akuto.

But you're missing my point
It doesn't matter if i know the end results of any of those fights. This is a freaking anime fantasy show for heaven's sake, at worst 90% of the fights will be won by the story's protagonist , 99.9% of the lost fight will only serve to prelude a power-up of some sort, and in the end the protagonist WINS (side character's tragedies and general losses to the world notwithstanding)

My point is, they could've done it better. And I expected better from them, so yeah it's just my loss and nobody else really
Okay i think i've repeated this too many times so now i'm going to shut up and wait for the next episode

Oh by the way i think you're putting too much stock in this Hero business.
My money is on Hiroshi being no more than some sort of late reinforcements for Akuto after some more angsting

[mangatron]

Originally Posted by Saturn Beaver

This is basically what our theorizing efforts come down to in the end, isn't it?

Except I was hoping for ep 09 to explain her birthday, but ironically it went the way I said it would, ending with her birthday. My hopes defeated by my words? Egads

Originally Posted by Hyouzan

Oh by the way i think you're putting too much stock in this Hero business.

My money is on Hiroshi being no more than some sort of late reinforcements for Akuto after some more angsting

Oh, I'm not betting on Heroshi (I actually viewed him as a side effect). I just hope hentai snail doesn't die, I don't want Fujiko to cry again. Once is enough for the poor girl!

(Ok well, it makes sense for her to cry over Onii-sama, but... for a snail? Considering what happened to her lately, I wouldn't be surprised if she gets,... "attached" to the snail)

[Dahak86]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

2) Hiroshi's slow mind shift - he ain't Akuto's 100% henchie anymore. He's slowly starting to drift away from that, as shown by recent episodes where he's starting to become his own self

well, I have to say, I prefer the Hiroshi from first ep... much much better than the actual blue-suit powa ranger wannabe. but, I guess, I just have to come to terms with it. at least, he's not whining anymore. and after all, more Heroshi means more Yuri/Yuuko, and that's a good thing. despite everything, I'm starting to take a liking to the ninja/idol.
hope she will provide some service of sort.

Regarding "Hero vs Akuto" thingy... I think we won't ever see it in the anime.

anyway, I was wondering... is lily going to get some screen-time in the next ep? don't misunderstand me, I'm just begging for more Eiko, but I want more lily too. her pantsu are still a mystery that rivals keena ones.

[tsunade666]

I haven't even see Lily around on the show. Making it a huge troll for her being a part of the harem.

[mangatron]

Originally Posted by Dahak86

anyway, I was wondering... is lily going to get some screen-time in the next ep? don't misunderstand me, I'm just begging for more Eiko, but I want more lily too. her pantsu are still a mystery that rivals keena ones.

She mentioned the existence of a plan, which gives her at least 1 of the 3 upcoming eps. If she fails to make an entrance, then...I'll put her as wallpaper on all my devices

And her pantsu mystery ranks more higher than Keena mysteries because we see so much Keena, but 0 Lily pantsu

Originally Posted by tsunade666

I haven't even see Lily around on the show. Making it a huge troll for her being a part of the harem.

I say, either Eiko or Yuri needs to take her spot. Lily has been more than shafted, she's non-existent

[eiyuu99]

Maybe she'll make more of an appearance in the last few episodes.
There isn't enough time to squeeze in many things.

[Saturn Beaver]

I'm quite sure that Lily will definitely show up in the last few episodes, but I think her role will be something serious and she'll definitely be in combat with someone (Akuto or Bouchi or someone else?) Still, our hope in seeing her pantsu or any romantic interaction with Akuto seems to be really really thin, which is a shame. I fully agree that the ending and the kiss is just a trap, and I wouldn't hope too much about it...

About Hiroshi, there's definitely going to be a scene where he go head to head against Akuto, it'll be a major wasted potential if there isn't one. I believe it won't be the final fight though, and although I don't know how it's going to be done but I'm hoping that he'll somehow lost his hero suit (maybe in a noble sacrifice?) by the end of this season...

[tsunade666]

thin? with the current time they putting on lily. I doubt even thing would suffice it. I just give up on episode 5 reward kiss and nothing more than that.

I bet hiroshi would surely go against akuto. I mean his waging a war against a GOD. And as an ally of justice he should do it.

Aside from HEROSHI, I want to think that junko would also face off against Sai. She has her sense of justice too and she said that if Sai would stray from his path. She would kill him.

[OkamiNoKaze]

Episode 8 was great. lots of Keena being air-headed and mysterious. So now Fujiko, can strike snails, and two headed chickens off her list of monsters she can controll. Hiroshi has his very own "Lois Lane", I rather like her design.

[Arashi500]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

And you my friend, just TOTALLY missed my point. Just like 'hero' and 'protagonist' aren't necessarily the same person, 'villain' and 'antagonist' necessarily ain't the same person either.

Really, Bouchi is just a side boss at best. Knowing the source is still ongoing, I can bet dollars to donuts the biggest conflict will indeed be Akuto vs Hiroshi. There's just way too much foreshadowing for it...

1) Prophecy - as much as Akuto tries to fight it, every prophecy in the series (that has been revealed before the actual event happening) is dead-on true.

2) Hiroshi's slow mind shift - he ain't Akuto's 100% henchie anymore. He's slowly starting to drift away from that, as shown by recent episodes where he's starting to become his own self

3) Yuri - I don't think it's a coincidence that last episode, its established that she becomes Hiroshi's LI. Then this episode, it's shown she is affected by Akuto's presence. Smells like a ticking time bomb to me, in order to fully turn Hiroshi against Akuto once its blows up.

...It probably ain't gonna happen in the anime, but the story is starting to build up for the clash against these two friends.

Well it seems I misunderstood something in your last post. Though I still can't see Hiroshi being the final climactic opponent for Akuto, I can't argue, and never did, about points 2 and 3.

And your all likely right, if Hero vs. Maou(sp?) is going to be a fight, it likely won't be in the anime.

[eiyuu99]

or the ending shows the beginning of the "fight", then credits roll...

Don't think Junko will go against Akuto for straying off his path.
He explained his motive of becoming a priest as a mean to achieve his goals, and have yet to go against it.
Jealousy is another matter though.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by mangatron

I say, either Eiko or Yuri needs to take her spot. Lily has been more than shafted, she's non-existent

Even if she hasn't appeared much, she's still the only girl that gave him a kiss (his first?), so I say she deserves her spot

But at this point, it seems obvious that the main romantic interests for Akuto are going to be Junko and Keena. I'm not expecting much development for the others. Eiko is a villain, Korone is already shipping Junko x Akuto, and Fujiko is a joke character now, plus she already has her snail anyway

[Arashi500]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Even if she hasn't appeared much, she's still the only girl that gave him a kiss (his first?), so I say she deserves her spot

But at this point, it seems obvious that the main romantic interests for Akuto are going to be Junko and Keena. I'm not expecting much development for the others. Eiko is a villain, Korone is already shipping Junko x Akuto, and Fujiko is a joke character now, plus she already has her snail anyway

And a less-character devolped demon horde harem to herself.

[mangatron]

Originally Posted by eiyuu99

Don't think Junko will go against Akuto for straying off his path.

He explained his motive of becoming a priest as a mean to achieve his goals, and have yet to go against it.

Jealousy is another matter though.

The pledge they made was two-way. So a Junko vs. Sai would be more of a tragedy than a fight. If Sai goes off-mission, then Junko will have to kill him (no guarantee she can unless he does one of those "puts his hands down and smiles as she stabs him to the hilt" kind of things"), but if Junko strays from the path of justice, she'll have to die, which if Sai does the deed, well....I doubt the series would turn that way but anything's possible

Originally Posted by Kanon

Even if she hasn't appeared much, she's still the only girl that gave him a kiss (his first?), so I say she deserves her spot

If it weren't for that, Lily would have nothing in this series

She wasn't even in the photo afterwards! Maybe a political thing more than any, but it's starting to look more and more true what I said earlier; the promo image (website splash page) foreshadowed the complete lack of Lily this series had to offer. Wait a minute, I'm sounding like a Lily fan here..

But at this point, it seems obvious that the main romantic interests for Akuto are going to be Junko and Keena. I'm not expecting much development for the others. Eiko is a villain, Korone is already shipping Junko x Akuto, and Fujiko is a joke character now, plus she already has her snail anyway

Fujiko x Snail was the last thing I was trying to allude to even more so, I don't want to be known as the main shipper of that

What happened to that girl? Her choice in... partners can't get any weirder than that (a bodyless head and a monster snail... probably a threesome only a black mage is capable of)

By the way wasn't Korone's last gesture in ep 09 kind of like her shipping herself? Considering the marriage talks failed and Sai certainly doesn't have the consent of Yuri, at this point a Junko x Sai has been shot down. Speaking of that, what do you guys think next ep will be like? Will Junko return to school, and as Sai asks if she is ok, she forces a smile saying she's fine, and that he shouldn't worry, but deep down inside she's hurt? Ok I read a lot of romance manga so bite me...