…not that I have any expectations that you’ll comply.
Summary of Mahouka Koukou Rettousei Episode 7
- In the previous episode members of the Student Council repel the attack on the school. Tatsuya plans to pursue the attackers and some of the Council join him in his quest.
- Summary of Episode Seven: Tatsuya explains the plan they will be executing. He and Miyuki confront the leader of Blanche and things quickly get out of hand (pun intended) for said leader. Meanwhile the other half of the group attacks the base from the other side. They neutralize the members and hand things over to the police. Later, when Sayaka gets released from hospital, the team meets her and we find out who has the hots for whom. Tatsuya gets an unexpected acquaintance and the siblings confirm their support for each other.
My Impressions
- Is Tsukasa a stereotypical villain or what? His eyes, his laugh, his at first careless attitude, his whimpering away, everything screams I’m evil and I’ll have you know it at me. So it wasn’t an emotional high point for me when he finally got beaten. It was just another check in the list of compulsory bad guys Tatsuya has to go through.
- Tsukasa mentions he wants Tatsuya because of his magic jamming abilities… but as far as I remember, Tatsuya hasn’t made this technique public and he only discussed it with his friends back in episode four. So how does Tsukasa know about it? Tatsuya used it to disarm Kirihara when he attacked Sayaka during episode three, but I have a hard time stomaching that Tsukasa’s brother could discern what type of magic was used. I almost wrote he didn’t have a clear view of what happened but as I rewatched that scene he apparently did. Nonetheless I still feel a bit suspicious of him analyzing what technique Tatsuya used.
- On an unrelated note I’m struggling with remembering all these names… Thankfully I can look most of them up on the net.
- Another thing I noticed, and this might put off some from watching Mahouka, was the utter difference in strength of Tatsuya and his foes.
They don’t even resist.
Some might say that a character who has the power or ability to defeat any and all of his enemies is not interesting, meaning that a story about him doesn’t keep the reader’s or viewer’s attention. Oh, he’ll beat up those guys anyway, let me get my snacks in the meantime – it wouldn’t be surprising if someone actually said that. But I’m more interested in the reaction of Tatsuya’s opponents as they realize their helplessness. What will they do? Will they fight? Will they flight? This is another reason I’m disappointed by Tsukasa, because I would’ve expected more resistance from him – come on, he’s supposed to be the leader of the national branch of a subversive organisation, and yet he trembles at the sight of Tatsuya? He doesn’t try attacking him except using Cast Jamming and commanding his subordinates to attack him. I would understand his subordinates faltering at the sheer difference in power, but not the leader himself.
He gets my respect for at least trying.
- I’m curious how Miyuki’s freezing magic is supposed to work. I mean does she freeze only the skin of the foot soldiers or their innards as well? It appears to be an immobilizing type of magic, rendering muscle movements impossible. But that would mean the soldiers can’t breathe and will suffocate in a minute or so… Her saying Pray that you will escape with your lives would suggest so. I didn’t expect her to be that cruel even if it’s revenge for attacking her brother. I wouldn’t be fair to Miyuki though if I overlooked that she does feel guilty though and Tatsuya is there for her. I wonder whether Mahouka will show characters actually dying or will they just … sort of disappear. I know it won’t shy away from showing blood (especially in the preview which I routinely ignored first time).
- I found Erika’s remark about not having a chance to fight spot-on. I almost wanted to say there will be a next time to her.
And she’s quite friendly with Leo… it doesn’t take long for them to start at it again.
- I guess I was a bit harsh on Sayaka not recognizing what she was getting into. It turns out she was under the influence of Tsukasa’s mind control magic.
- If I hadn’t read the novels I would be flabbergasted who the Yotsubas are and what their connection is with the siblings; also what this guardian role is that the lady with the weird eyes mentioned. Combine this with the family issues we’ve been given hints to in the very first episode and it seems the anime is taking its sweet time to reveal just what’s going on. Not that I am complaining – I actually prefer it this way than having everything revealed at once.
- And the mysteries just keep piling up when it’s revealed that Sayaka’s father was a comrade of major Kazama. Who on Earth are they and why is Tatsuya alarmed by Kazama’s name? I’m not sure why Sayaka’s father chose to reveal he knew about Tatsuya; I’d say it would’ve been wiser not to mention it considering he has a military background. You can never know who’s observing…
- It was funny watching Erika try to ignite something between Tatsuya and Sayaka and get an unexpected confession from her.
You’re not going to coax anything out of him…
And Tatsuya upping it by declaring Kirihara is smitten with Sayaka was even more unexpected. And for once Miyuki didn’t get angry when she learned about Sayaka’s feelings, which was odd to me, given her previous track record in this kind of matter. While watching this kind of who’s into whom interaction is fun, I hope Mahouka won’t focus on love polygons because it’s not where its strength lies.
- I noticed the animation, especially faces viewed from afar, looked odd here and there, as if the animators were getting sloppy. I didn’t notice any issues when characters were shown close up.
- Ooh I almost missed the next episode’s preview. It seems we will soon be introduced some rivalry… I can’t wait.
- Finally we got to see some action …in the first half of the episode, that is. We got some mysteries to ponder on in the second half that made up for the slow pacing. Clichéd villain guy notwithstanding, I’d say this episode wasn’t a disappointment.
