I kept on noticing that the music actually puts a chill up my spine every time something dramatic happens (a nice pair of Sennheiser helps, of course). Although the animation broke down in a few places, but they sure crammed enough drama and plot into it.
As much as most people will utter: “It’s Queen’s Blade! Plots be damned!” In season two, plots do matter. After the last episode, where Shizuka poured her heart out in death and really made me shed a tear (wow, this show?), this episode is significantly less moving, of course.
The story about Airi and Lana is a little contrived and probably bases on anime character stereotype – after all, if somebody out there predicted that Airi would have a soft spot for a shota, then it’s not a real character trait but a standard anime character type. I mean because the show really didn’t show me any hint about Airi’s possible softside (yes, I must be relieved to see her soft side), I just couldn’t justify it being a legitimate character trait. I honestly thought she’d just walk away or suck his energy. There lies the problem with some of the characters.
There really wasn’t an in depth revelation to most of those characters and even for characters played by expert seiyuu like Rierie, who played Nix. I honestly wasn’t sure the exact character traits of her. The issue here is this: too many characters, too few episodes and too flashy (flashing, too) from time to time. Oddly, in S2, the amount of T&A is actually way down and I feel like it’s starting to make sense…well, like I said before, when female warriors fight for their lives, the last thing they care is becoming more and more naked.
Can’t say I was touched about Airi going away; can say that Lana has consistently showed balls (not literally, thank God). In this episode, he decides to help Ymir to better Reina’s sword. The main character finally gets that excalibur (I’m thinking about Artoria in Fate/Stay Night anime screaming: “excalibur!”).
Nanael…Oh Aya-chan, Aya-chan why must thou be playing annoying characters? Nanael was a sneaky chick but wasn’t that annoying because Aya-chan had a knack of playing her as not-so-annoying, but now she’s decayed into a big, fucking moron. In S1, she redeemed herself by fighting off the trio, in s2 she’s done nothing but being an idiot. Maybe that’s her character charm, but aside from the girly panties and nice melons, she’s done nothing redemptive so far.
I’d like to say “the plot thickens” but really, from here, it’s autopilot for me.
Additional notes: As I suspected, the Duke of Barns was the ruler of the entire world until Queen’s Blade happened. He summoned armies from lesser nobles from around the continent to fight the queen, which made him the Lord over all. I guess that means the first queen’s blade was 12 years ago in the story? But in this world, female warriors have the power to defeat hundreds by themselves. It shows the method of men in general – throwing massive forces and trying to solve everything with brutal force.
I’ve had it about up to my throat with Risty’s helmet. A person has problem judging distance with one eye covered, which means she’s more likely to miss her target in a fight. However, her memories are coming back in a big way and something will break.
Nanael is proving to be a big loser but Melpha isn’t going to turn her back on her. Melpha is a gentle character indeed.
The animation breakdowns in this episode can be described with this sentence: short but atrocious. Let’s hope they fix this by the time blu-ray comes out.
Queen’s Blade s2 7 review, Queen’s Blade s2 5 review, Queen’s Blade s2 4 review, Queen’s Blade s2 3 review, Queen’s Blade s2 2 review, Queen’s Blade s2 1 review
I STILL REFUSE TO BELIEVE SHIZUKA IS DEAD.
no way, no how. She didn’t even look all that injured! And hell, Airi got ANNIHILATED.
Queen’s Blade ALMOST got me to cry. >_>
but i remembered
THIS IS STILL QUEENS BLADE