My faith in StrikerS is beginning to wane a little, we’re 8 episodes in and we still haven’t seen a mage vs mage battle outside training (loli rider mind control doesn’t count). I’m all for proper build up if it leads to concentrated awesomeness afterwards, but this is getting a little tedious.

Episode Rating: 6.5/10

Last episode the 6th mobile division were assigned to protect a relic auction which would most likely attract the automated bots of Dr. Scaglietti. The team manages to keep them at bay even when they are given a controlled power boost by Loli Rider, but during the mission one of Tea’s shots misfires and almost hits Subaru.

Having been scolded by Vita on site, after the mission Nanoha gives her a small lecture to make sure she thinks it over so it won’t happen again.

In the aftermath of the mission we also get to see Yuuno again, Fate tells him that the jewel seeds have been stolen from a research facility. While it probably wouldn’t be much of a problem to track them down with the 6th division, seeing them resurfaced a lot of Fate’s memories, the jewel seeds having been the things that changed the course of her life.

Back at 6th division headquarters, Tea goes out for a solo training session that lasts over 4 hours. Knowing the backgrounds of all the forwards and captains, she came to her own conclusion that she is the only one without a significant past, and to make up for her normality she must overwork herself.

Meanwhile, Vita asks Nanoha and Fate for some background info on Tea. Basically, her brother, whom taught her how to sharpshoot, was well on his way to becoming an enforcer. On the final mission before his death he let a rogue mage escape and his superior deemed him a failure. So the reason Tea tries so hard is to prove that the magic her brother taught her isn’t useless, and to accomplish his dream of becoming an enforcer.

*insert training scene montage*

To assess the rookies’ progress, mock battles are held. Teana & Subaru vs Nanoha, Erio & Caro vs Vita. Teana and Subaru are up first. The fight goes relatively well until the two rookies try something ridiculously dangerous, Subaru charges head on at Nanoha while Teana launches a surprise melee attack from above. Suddenly Nanoha disengages Raising Heart and blocks their attacks with her bare hands.

She is disappointed that they would try something so dangerous in a mock battle, rather than rely on the skills that they’ve been taught during training. Tea argues that she wants to get stronger so she can protect everyone, Nanoha tells her to cool her head, and hits Tea with her own move, Crossfire Shoot, and follows up with a finishing blow, ending the mock battle.

Thoughts

A lot of people are saying that this is the first time we’ve seen Nanoha angry, but I disagree. Nanoha wasn’t angry during this scene, rather than anger, you could see sadness and disappointment in her eyes. She wasn’t mad because they tried such an underhanded move, she was disappointed that rather than use the skills they train so hard to perfect, skills which Nanoha herself is teaching them, they decided to do something so reckless.

But damn, it was still a cruel punishment. Tea is giving it her all to become stronger and Nanoha just reminded her exactly how comparatively weak she is, using her own move against her no less. Not to mention she bound Subaru and forced her to watch as her best friend got blasted by the person she most admires.

Am I the only one who was surprised at how long Tea’s hair is?

As for Tea, her childhood is pretty cliche in anime terms, but again, Nanoha isn’t about overly complicated plot development. It’s simple and explains her motivation, so for the love of god let’s move on, please T_T. Tea used to be my favourite character, but her emo ways of late has made her fall to one of my least favourites.

Oh, and it looks like Subaru doesn’t go commando after all =(.

Other than some character development for Tea and Nanoha going militant during the mock battle, there was virtually no development in this episode. Aside from the confirmation that the jewel seeds were stolen, we’re still being kept in the dark about the underlying plot. No explanation of Scaglietti’s motives, no mention of what Loli Rider stole last episode, no information on the previously mentioned Project F. Nothing.

I don’t know what to say about StrikerS anymore, when I started blogging it I was hoping that I would be able to rave week after week like a senseless fanboy over all the “PEW PEW, BEAMRAPE!”. Instead I’m left trying to justify myself week after week, hanging on to the sliver of hope that the aforementioned awesomeness is on its way, all the while trying to piece together a plot that is going nowhere fast.

But like the stubborn masochist I am, I won’t give up hope just yet and continue to bet that A’s grade winnage is on its way. (Assuming yesy and Nanoha-DGz don’t drop subbing it that is)

On the positive side of things, this episode’s eyecatch was full of loli goodness

Aside: Subaru beating Caro in poll =O Blasphemy! Awaken your inner lolicon and give in to Caro!

~ Shirukii ~