Gakusen Toshi Asterisk

I actually like the fights in this series. I just didn't find the end of this one completely satisfying because the twins deserved more of an ass kicking than they got.

I would care more for Claudia's appearance if there was more to it than just a gag. Like, is there a point to her besides fanservice and jokes?

Episode 5: Gattai!

Not much to say about the fight. Transformed Ardi is awesome! That was a good preview of what they'll have to deal with in the finals.

Fistbump of friendship.

Dirk is such an asshole. And why is he even so scared of Ser=Vestra?

More power of friendship!

So Flora rescue arc, and Ayato will have to fight next match without Ser=Vestra? things are getting interesting.

Episode 5. In which there are Worthy Opponents who wait for each other to finish talking, transforming, and otherwise tarrying.

It shure looks impressive when she's slashing and slicing and cutting, and he just stands there and blocks everything while barely moving his weapon.

Just mentioning that means it's going to be used, and they can't be defeated before that, which kind of ruins any and all suspense until then.

She really didn't want to think that.

That was lame. Can't show it unless it's the finals.

Not really caring about the rescue arc.

I once again forgot that we had a new episode.

The fight was awesome even if it went as expected. That combination sequence was so Gurren Lagann that I can't even. Shame we didn't get to see how they went down, though.

Seeing everyone be all buddy buddy is nice. Seeing Ayato and Julis get a moment even with the other girls present was nice. Not having to hear Flora talk much was nice.

I really wonder what it is about Ser=Versta that makes Dirk so afraid of it. He seems to be far more afraid of it than of Ayato.

I have to wonder how Ardi managed to destroy their badges without crushing them in the process. His weapon of choice is a mallet bigger than his opponents, hardly a weapon suited for chirurgical strikes.

Seeing everyone be great friends was nice. They are going to make a good team when the next Festa comes.

This is especially weird since he apparently just saw it in action once, in that duel which I have to point out Ayato's sister lost. His obsession with Ser=Vestra really makes no sense.

I actually remembered that we have a new episode today!

I rather liked this episode. We learned quite a bit about a few of the characters, we see Ayato in a rather dorky disguise, the fight was pretty cool even if they went down like chumps given that this is a semi-finals, and we get introduced to a new character who I'm pretty sure is from Pokemon.

I don't really have much else to say but I enjoyed it.

Episode 6. In which they search.

I like how announcer girl reacts as if battles outside what we've seen haven't happened.

Why would he need to rely on what the prez mentioned about his sword skills? Wouldn't it be possible to just watch the battles?

A horse is actually a disadvantage against a single person. A person on her own feet is far more nimble.

Those moves are rather exaggerated for their speed, and jumping like is very slow compared to the speed the fight is supposed to happen at.

Well, if she actually didn't have any information, it would be kind of useless to meet up in the first place.

I like that goal. She wants to create life. You could say she wants to be a mother, but on her own terms. Without coming to term herself.

Is it more dangerous for robots than for humans?

Also, I'm not sure "puppet" is the right word for what she wants to achieve.

Win or lose the finals, she's already won.

A cute girl appears.

The battle was okay. It's kinda rare to have a throw-away pair as high as the semi-finals, though.

The little bit of backstory was good, and the scene with the robots was the best one in the episode.

Yeah, I'm sure nobody would be able to recognize them in those disguises.

Great job Ayato, you managed to outfight a twelve year old.

Jousting is a pretty stupid tactic against someone on foot, they can just step aside. And using armor against a fire user? He made it almost too easy for Julis.

Pretty nice fight. Yeah, they dealt with them easily, but we got another plot going on so that's alright. And it's not like Ayato and Julis were ever underdogs in this tournament. They were the favorites right from the start.

Wait, I don't remember,do they know he's working for the shadow organization already?

Asking Irene wasn't a bad idea, but of course Dirk would have predicted that. Also, Ayato looks dorky.

Not being a main character is frustrating!

I like Camilia motivation. Her parents died because they couldn't fight trained warriors, so she wants to create weapons anyone can use.

Ardi is such a great guy. It's almost a shame the two droids belong to a different school, they could become regulars.

One would think that the random goons would be more wary of teenagers given that they are on an island full of super powered ones.

A wild idol appears!

Pretty good episode. I wonder if this season will end up with the final fight, or will there be something after that. If they don't stretch things out they could fit Flora rescue and the final into next 2-3 episodes.

I wonder what's going on in the light novels right now.

You do realize a man on horse back had every advantage over a common foot soldier throughout the course of history.

But I guess it doesn't apply when you're superhuman. Just so you know.

In group battle, where the footsoldiers had limited room to dodge, and avoiding one horseman would probably put you in path of another one, yes. One on one, it's fairly easy to just step aside, especially if they are using a jousting lance.

You're forgetting the sheer fear factor of a guy barreling towards you on a huge horse. A lot of people probably got hit just because of that.

Plus if you jump aside too soon, the knight can just change his aim.

edited 8th May '16 7:15:48 AM by Chaosjunction

The fear factor isn't applicable when you're dealing with trained fighters and horses going at full gallop can't turn on a dime. Even if they could, it'd be a simple matter of just dodging towards them on the side without the lance.

Today's episode summed up in two words: Holy shit.

I was convinced that Ayato and Julis were the best couple but Sylvia might prove to also be an excellent partner. At the very least, she's really cool.

Seeing the side characters get in on the action a bit is always nice. I can't help but wonder where Ninja Guy is pulled the mana for the unlimited Shadow Clones from, though.

Ayato and Julis are still a great couple. Also, if this series was a darker one, Julis would be waving so many death flags right now.

Episode 7. In which there's helping hands.

Sylvia's going to be important.

What was one of those now again?

I agree with her. He shouldn't be surprised she recognise him, and he should feel bad for it.

He doesn't look like the kind of guy who'd pose a threat to anyone reasonbly competent. Looks more like someone who's supposed to show that she can handle herself.

Oh, look, he showed that she can handle herself.

Always apologising for dragging people into things they're clearly pushing themselves into. Well, I'll just take that down to being a politeness thing.

Didn't quite expect her to show up that quickly.

Oh, wait, that's actually English, and not some made up language. She really does have a nice voice, though.

Now he's actively increasing the size of his harem. Well, at least that's better than them joining for no other reason than that he's nice.

So, they're going to save her in the middle of the final so he can bring it out then when the moment is "right"?

I think they're a bit too afraid compared to what they should be.

Many of them aren't more threatening than one of them.

I really do wonder when that leg is going to get her down.

Nice to see that person again. Even if it's little more than a throw-away gag so far. Hope it matters more than just that.

Way to rack up the tension with all those death flags.

I swear to god, if all of those death flags aren't just a ploy I...

I have no idea what I'm going to do.

For a random idol that randomly shows up to deus ex machina the problem away, Sylvia is alright. Her voice is nice too, and that was actually a pretty good english.

Yaya, Friendship!

Why do I get the feeling that next episode Saya and Kirin will get in trouble and Yabuki will save them with his mad skills that he's so obviously hiding?

Nice to see McFail again.

Hnnnng, Julis character arc is just great. She really did grow as a person since this started.

Time for final! Get pumped!

Best end of episode talk yet.

Hnnnnnnnng! This episode was soooooo goooooooooood! Ayato and Julis' teamwork was utterly amazing! RM-C and AR-D's combination is still so Gurren Lagann! Kirin using the reflection on her sword to check the room before entering was really smart! Saya and Kirin also have great teamwork (if not as great)! Kirin going all Himura Kenshin on that ninja dude was awesome! Claudia's strut as she bursts into commentator's booth to deliver the message was great! Ayato busting out Ser=Versta and cutting AR-D's hammer in fucking half was sooooo badass!

I loved everything about this episode. So pumped for next week's.

Oh yeah, this was awesome. Ayato and Julis teamwork really is top notch. The strategies and teamwork in their fights are one of my favorite parts of the series.

Flora rescue mission was a success. Saya and Kirin really pull their weight as Seidokan second best team. Kirin was especially cool when she put the ninja dude under an illusion with sheer intent.

Ardi and Rimsi gattai is back and better than ever before. They raise a good question tho - why didn't Ernesta build him like this from the start? I bet he can't withstand this much power for long.

Wow, did Julis stoped his hammer with the tip of her sword and some flames? That's some firepower.

Claudia just walking in and telling them Flora was rescued was hilarious.

Ayato just cutting the hammer with Ser=Vestra was awesome. It's time for their counterattack.

Can't wait for the next episode.

Episode 8. In which they cut through.

I was about to comment on the flaws in her argument, but he did it anyway. I've never liked a robot this much since Chamber.

She'd rather face him at full power. Well, she'd rather have her puppets face him at full power.

Never looked so much like dancing before.

She looks really tiny at that angle. Much tinier than she should look. Also, she's smiling. That's nice.

Contrary to popular belief, drawing the sword from the sheath and cutting in one motion doesn't make it faster than just cutting.

They sure have time to speak a lot while that thing is flying at them.

For someone who can use forcefields, he sure isn't using them optimally. It's one of those things that can be overpowered really easy.

Just a small message. Nothing important about that.

OP Sword Powers Activate!

I haven't really commentated since Season 2 started, but I will say that its definitely a step over Season 1 in the characterization department.

I've been wondering, does Dirk even has any plans beyond being a dick? He obsess over Ser=Vestra and constantly plots to get it out of the way, presumably so it can't get in the way of his actual goals, but so far it doesn't seem like he has any actual goals.

Well, considering there are three episodes left after the finale of the tournament, pretty sure that's gonna be elaborated.

Episode:

Ardi is so strong because he's an Orge Lux. In fact he is so strong, he starts to break under the strain.

Holy Cow! They transformed the Ser=Vestra into a flaming katana! That was awesome.

Nothing like a good old Single-Stroke Battle to end the tournament.

Ardi is a good sport even when losing.

That's a nice trophy.

Rimsi is pretty cute without all that armor.

So they actually remembered to inform police about the kidnapping.

Julis is great with kids. She'll make a good mother.

A toast for victory. This team is the best team.

So she wants to build a third puppet. Guess she'll need one for the next Festa.

So, Dirk is working for Chairman evil... who's holding Ayato's sister in some kind of suspended animation. Creepy.

... And even the Chairman thinks Dirk went overboard.

Next episode title is "Lieseltania". That's the name of Julis Kingdom. We already know that her family is interested in her relationship with Ayato - maybe this will follow up on that?

I've been so busy that I completely forgot about the new episode. I'm basically just seconding everything said. Part of me is hoping for a Relationship Upgrade before the season's out but I'm doubting it will happen..