Little Witch Academia TV Series

[s07195]

Spoiler for "Shiny Rod"(Wikipedia):

Claíomh Solais (reformed spelling), rendered "Sword of Light", or "Shining Sword", or "a white glaive of light", is a trope object that appears in a number of Irish and Scottish Gaelic folktales.

The sword has been regarded as a legacy to the god-slaying weapons of Irish mythology by certain scholars, such as T. F. O'Rahilly: the anologue in the Irish Mythological Cycle being Lugh's sling that felled Balor, and their counterparts in heroic cycles are many, including the popular hero Cúchullain's supernatural spear Gae bulga and his shining sword Cruaidín Catutchenn.

A group of Sword of Light tales bear close resemblance in plot structure and detail to the Arthurian tale of Arthur and Gorlagon.

The folk tales featuring the claidheamh soluis typically compels the hero to perform (three) sets of tasks, aided by helpers, who may be a servant woman, "helpful animal companions", or some other supernatural being. The majority of are also bridal quests (or involve the winning of husbands in e.g., Maol a Chliobain[9]).

The sword's keeper is usually a giant (gruagach, fermór) or hag (cailleach), who oftentimes cannot be defeated except by some secret means. Thus the hero or helper may resort to the sword of light as the only effective weapon against this enemy. But often the sword is not enough, and the supernatural enemy has to be attacked on a single vulnerable spot on his body. The weak spot, moreover, may be an external soul concealed somewhere in the world at large (inside animals, etc.), and in the case of "The Young King of Esaidh Ruadh", this soul is encased within a nested series of animals.

The crucial secret to the hero's success is typically revealed by a woman, i.e., his would-be bride or the damsel in distress (the woman servant held captive by giants), etc. And even when the secret's revealant is an animal, she may in fact be a human transformed into beast (e.g. the great grey cat in "The Widow and her Daughters").

(bolded words by me)

Anyways, Arcas and Arcor are two animals we've seen who have to do with the Shiny Rod somehow.

EDIT: Also, Woodward-sensei's VA is Horie Mitsuko, famously known for being the VA for Akko from Himitsu no Akko-chan.

[Jimmy C]

Originally Posted by Stark700

Akko's character is progressing forward more and I like the direction of it. Rather than being a fan, perhaps now she'll make name for herself and become a great witch.

For the past few episodes, I've had a thought. If Trigger had been able to make LWA a few years earlier like everyone hoped they could, it would have been the go to example for breaking out onto your own path out of the shadow of your inspiration, for the current generation.
Instead, they delayed and got beaten to it by a School Idol anime.
However, scheduling suggests they'll get to show the results earlier.

Speaking of Diana, it's also noticeable that she learned some inside info from that forbidden book. Really makes me curious who led her to that book though and if it's a good or bad entity.

It was the blue moon that led Diana to the book. As to whether a forbidden book is good or evil, I think it's possibly more complicated than that.

Let me give an example.

Would you consider a Nuclear Physics textbook good or evil? Would you seal it away as a forbidden tome?
What if you were a civilization that had destroyed itself in Nuclear war? Would that change your answer?

The fact that there can be more than one answer is what makes the situation complicated. I'd like to think that's the same for what Diana's found.

[novalysis]

Hearing how episode 10 has been panned in some quarters... while I've not seen someone condemn Episode 11 yet, it makes me wonder. Were the 9 episodes between 1 and 11 even necessary for Episode 11 to make sense? Because I can imagine some of the "LWA sucks because it has no plot crowd" might argue that it is utterly inexcusable, even in a two cour anime to spend 9 episodes in seemingly disconnected vignettes. Now, I acknowledge in all probability, the 9 seemingly plot-free episodes would prove absolutely critical to the plot as we've been told in Episode 11 to make sense.

I think no matter how good the next 14 episodes would be, this series will be judged on hindsight whether it should have spent 9 episodes between Episode 2-10 building up using seemingly random, episodic scenarios where the continuity of time appears minimal outside subtle hints that Akko's magic has been slowly improving. The basic argument that LWA is not good basically revolves around whether launching the plot so close to the end of the first cour was necessary or ideal. On one hand, fans would argue that those 9 episodes were essential to build up characterization, introduce aspects of the LWA world in slice of lifestyle scenarios, give Akko a plausible and slow growth curve that helps define Akko's character development, introduce basic conflicts and establish a "normal" to deviate from. Critics would probably point out that all of these could have been done far more efficiently, and the first half of LWA involved alot of very wasteful near fillerish story-telling and in so far that they were important, these plot points could have been shown in a far more efficient manner.

[quigonkenny]

This is why so many critics are miserable human beings who no longer know how to enjoy themselves, and why I stopped visiting TV Tropes. Sometimes you have to just let the show be the show and enjoy what it gives you without trying to dissect it.

[ScrewySquirrel]

Originally Posted by novalysis

Hearing how episode 10 has been panned in some quarters... while I've not seen someone condemn Episode 11 yet, it makes me wonder. Were the 9 episodes between 1 and 11 even necessary for Episode 11 to make sense? Because I can imagine some of the "LWA sucks because it has no plot crowd" might argue that it is utterly inexcusable, even in a two cour anime to spend 9 episodes in seemingly disconnected vignettes. Now, I acknowledge in all probability, the 9 seemingly plot-free episodes would prove absolutely critical to the plot as we've been told in Episode 11 to make sense.

I think no matter how good the next 14 episodes would be, this series will be judged on hindsight whether it should have spent 9 episodes between Episode 2-10 building up using seemingly random, episodic scenarios where the continuity of time appears minimal outside subtle hints that Akko's magic has been slowly improving. The basic argument that LWA is not good basically revolves around whether launching the plot so close to the end of the first cour was necessary or ideal. On one hand, fans would argue that those 9 episodes were essential to build up characterization, introduce aspects of the LWA world in slice of lifestyle scenarios, give Akko a plausible and slow growth curve that helps define Akko's character development, introduce basic conflicts and establish a "normal" to deviate from. Critics would probably point out that all of these could have been done far more efficiently, and the first half of LWA involved alot of very wasteful near fillerish story-telling and in so far that they were important, these plot points could have been shown in a far more efficient manner.

And just maybe, its an episodic, light comedy with an underlying plot. LWA is about the wacky, comic adventures the not-competent Akko and her friends, who are a trio of troublemakers, have at Luna Nova. Its screams episodic style. there is still a full Cour to go and 6, maybe 7 episodes will deal with teh shiny rod: the 5 remaining gems, and the climax of the plot in 1 or 2 additional episodes. thats at most only half the remaining episodes, the rest will be more wacky adventures, I hope.

[MeoTwister5]

And now we have plot.

I'm curious why they're allowing Akko to keep holding on what may as well be the the most powerful magic item in existence, with the apparent power to revive magic on the planet. Or maybe they don't know that it is? I'm guessing Diana probably has an inkling just what the staff is.

[Kanon]

Very interesting episode, a lot more story driven than usual. I agree it set Akko and Diana on a path where they will inevitably have to clash, but given the kind of show she is, they'll make up and everything will be fine in the end.

I wonder when Akko will realize the Rod only works when you use specific words. I don't think she is aware of it yet, she awakened the word more or less unconsciously in this episode.

[BBOvenGuy]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

I'm curious why they're allowing Akko to keep holding on what may as well be the the most powerful magic item in existence, with the apparent power to revive magic on the planet. Or maybe they don't know that it is?

Ursula/Chariot knows what it is. The witch who was testing Akko knows what it is. But didn't the rod choose Akko? It responds to her, and as far as I can see, only to her.

[ScrewySquirrel]

Originally Posted by BBOvenGuy

Ursula/Chariot knows what it is. The witch who was testing Akko knows what it is. But didn't the rod choose Akko? It responds to her, and as far as I can see, only to her.

exactly.

the Rod chose Akko because her dream (make people happy with magic) and her outright stubborn determination make her the best chance to revive magic, far more than Diana's haughtiness. Constanze will thrive in it, but she's never going to revive magic.

What I'm wondering is: once activated, does the Shiny Rod have limited uses?

Perhaps thats why Shiny Chariot had to retire? in defeating the dragon that showed up at the show Akko attended, she used up the last power of Shiny Rod, and had to give it up?

[Albel VII]

Spoiler for space:

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

The whole place was forbidden, actually. The only reason Miranda allowed Diana to enter there is because she's Diana. She's the girl who saved the school, and I'm sure Miranda probably thinks Diana might be the chosen one who can fix the problem magic is going through.

Okay, that's true.

Spoiler for space:

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Plus Diana has a history of letting her ego get the better of her, resulting in problematic situations. In the OVA she unleashed a dragon. In the tv show she almost killed the magical butterflies. Besides she never told the truth about the latter to the teachers, so that was a situation that was left unresolved. If she thinks the sealed power can save magic, she might try to take the Rod from Akko to break the seal. It would certanly be in character for her to decide that she knows better and is more suited than Akko to take care of things. And of course, it would result in yet another fuckup.

I agree. This wouldn't be surprising at all considering Diana's personality.

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

My assumption is that she wants Akko to be ready and at full power because those ominous images Akko saw is probably the future, and Akko would need the full power of the Shiny Rod to face it.

Diana was led by some supernatural force, just like Akko. The difference is that we got to see who was leading Akko. It was Woodwart. Whoever was leading Diana to the book remains hidden, which is more suspicious.

I see your point now. It's hard to say whether you're right or not, but I can see it happening if it is a supernatural force that is manipulating her. I hope you're theory is correct though, since this could be a very interesting turn of events.

[Jimmy C]

Originally Posted by ScrewySquirrel

Perhaps thats why Shiny Chariot had to retire? in defeating the dragon that showed up at the show Akko attended, she used up the last power of Shiny Rod, and had to give it up?

Woodward said it had been "lost" and we know Akko found it in Arcturus Forest... where the Great Spell is potentially sealed.
That suggests to me that Chariot was going to unseal the great spell at last, but something happened, or perhaps it didn't happen, Chariot failed at the last step and the Rod abandoned her.

[Julio C]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Now we can see what the main plot will be about and the outcome of that will be world changing. Now it comes down to who is going to be the true enemy at the end. There may be a twist later on.

[Wandering Soul]

Looks like the main plot has started to rear it's head. Ako has always considered Diana a rival, but now it's even more likely that they will clash in the future. I'm sure once that conflict is resolved the two girls can become proper friendly rivals.

[Boukenxha]

Seeing as they were all guided by the blue moon, Akko to open the entrance of the cave, Ursula to the image of Akko in the magic cauldron to know where to retrieve her and Diana to the book she was looking for and the knowledge unlocked in the those old pages, it is entirely possible they have been chosen to be in this together as comrades too. Though I'm not ruling out Diana overstepping and thinking she knows better, at least we have Ursula there to set the younglings straight.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Boukenxha

Though I'm not ruling out Diana overstepping and thinking she knows better, at least we have Ursula there to set the younglings straight.

If Diana does end up antagonizing Akko, I don't think that's gonna be resolved so easily. That's just not LWA's style. For example, the plot point of Andrew and his father's negative view on magic was introduced in episode 6 and it hasn't been resolved yet. LWA is pretty slow to develop and resolve its plot points. If Diana does become an antagonist, expect that to stay that way for a while.


On another note, I got this from someone on 4chan

>Turns out, Woodward-sensei is voiced by Horie Mitsuko, the voice actor of Akko from Himitsu no Akko-chan herself.
>What's more, she hasn't done any VA roles for TV anime between 2009 and now.
>Here's another fun fact, Nelson-sensei (flying teacher) is voiced by Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service.
>So yeah, LWA is def paying homage to its predecessors. Noriko as Ursula-sensei is the cherry on top.

[FlareKnight]

I am curious to see how things will unfold for Diana and Akko moving ahead. True they were both guided by the blue moon to their respective destinations. I guess the interesting thing moving ahead will be how Diana responds to the knowledge she acquired and how Akko might be impacted by those flashes and images she was bombarded with. If she retains any conscious memory of them at all. It was something that straight up knocked her out and utterly exhausted her.

The tricky thing for Akko is how she is moving through the dark right now. Unaware of what she's being guided to do. Though probably is better for her to continue moving ahead as is. It lets her stay focused on practicing and improving her own magic without being caught up in any serious distraction like this would be.

Though that may not stay the case if Diana makes the logical connection of the Shiny Rod being extremely significant.

[ScrewySquirrel]

No one has commented of just how Obscure the orginal name of the shiny rod is?

Its the Gaelic 'Sword of Light' -- far, far more obscure than, say, Excalibur, which would have connections to Glastonbury.

---

and on a different issue, there sthe hats of the 9 old witches. I think all of them are shout out to other fictional witches, but I've only guessed 3:

http://i.imgur.com/UjRSCPO.jpg

starting with teh fez on teh left side:
#2 is the Wicked Witch of the West
#3 is Scarlet Witch (MARVEL COMICS)
#6 is Rita Repulsa (as we know her from Power Rangers)
#8 is Granny Weatherwax

[Incest Emblem]

Is the name obscure? I first saw Claimh Solais from Castlevanua, and it is not an uncommon name in RPGs, so I assumed it is not particular unknown. Certainly, it is not as famous as Excalibur, but not a long list of famous items is.

I am hoping for an Arika and Nina style resolution for Akko and Diana.

[Gan_HOPE326]

Originally Posted by s07195

Spoiler for "Shiny Rod"(Wikipedia):

Claíomh Solais (reformed spelling), rendered "Sword of Light", or "Shining Sword", or "a white glaive of light", is a trope object that appears in a number of Irish and Scottish Gaelic folktales.

The sword has been regarded as a legacy to the god-slaying weapons of Irish mythology by certain scholars, such as T. F. O'Rahilly: the anologue in the Irish Mythological Cycle being Lugh's sling that felled Balor, and their counterparts in heroic cycles are many, including the popular hero Cúchullain's supernatural spear Gae bulga and his shining sword Cruaidín Catutchenn.

A group of Sword of Light tales bear close resemblance in plot structure and detail to the Arthurian tale of Arthur and Gorlagon.

The folk tales featuring the claidheamh soluis typically compels the hero to perform (three) sets of tasks, aided by helpers, who may be a servant woman, "helpful animal companions", or some other supernatural being. The majority of are also bridal quests (or involve the winning of husbands in e.g., Maol a Chliobain[9]).

The sword's keeper is usually a giant (gruagach, fermór) or hag (cailleach), who oftentimes cannot be defeated except by some secret means. Thus the hero or helper may resort to the sword of light as the only effective weapon against this enemy. But often the sword is not enough, and the supernatural enemy has to be attacked on a single vulnerable spot on his body. The weak spot, moreover, may be an external soul concealed somewhere in the world at large (inside animals, etc.), and in the case of "The Young King of Esaidh Ruadh", this soul is encased within a nested series of animals.

The crucial secret to the hero's success is typically revealed by a woman, i.e., his would-be bride or the damsel in distress (the woman servant held captive by giants), etc. And even when the secret's revealant is an animal, she may in fact be a human transformed into beast (e.g. the great grey cat in "The Widow and her Daughters").

(bolded words by me)

Anyways, Arcas and Arcor are two animals we've seen who have to do with the Shiny Rod somehow.

EDIT: Also, Woodward-sensei's VA is Horie Mitsuko, famously known for being the VA for Akko from Himitsu no Akko-chan.

So, uhm, is it safe to say the Shiny Rod is really Akko's Noble Phantasm ?

[Kurohane]

Looking back at the montage near the end of episode 1 of future events, the Blue Moon was shown too. I really like how you can go back after every new episode and piece more of it together. A bit worried what happens next now, because right after that one is an image of what looks like a nuke going off...