Wakaranai

Rating:    

Thanks to Akiba Blog’s neta column I was already privy to the fact that this episode of The Sacred Blacksmith would be a maid episode, but that didn’t help me prepare for the sheer cuteness of seeing the girls all dressed up in charming maid outfits – it overwhelmed the senses, particularly that sixth sense that all otaku possess – the moe sense. Depending on which way you want to look at it, this episode could be labeled the nail in the coffin of studio Manglobe’s dignity, or as a rallying service to its new, more otaku fanbase. This series has only really treaded lightly with its fanservice element, but this episode is a double dose – allowing the moe side to the characters to blossom by dressing them up in cute maid costumes, and then plainly showing off their sexyness in a cliché group bath (which featured that fan-favourite anime past-time of breast-grabbing). Personally, I’m an unashamed fan of tasteful fanservice, and this episode fits that description perfectly. It had cliché moments but certainly wasn’t trashy. Despite all the service, the episode also had a few moments of dramatic potency, including Aria confronting her kin, the other human-form demon sword, and the shocking letter from the empire at the end of the episode. Also, woven throughout the whole episode is the emotional tale of the orphaned Charlotte struggling with her place in the world. Occasionally poignant, powerfully moe, featuring a bit of ecchi, and even managing some intense scenes, this was a really, really entertaining episode. It only lacked an action scene.

✔ Despite her arrogance last episode, this episode’s expose on Charlotte reveals that she’s just a young girl at heart, who craves affection and happiness. I found the motherly relationship she quickly formed with Lucy really quite touching. Needless to say my affections for her have grown considerably. She has some strong moe traits to her after all, in the sense that she’s such a sympathetic character that you feel the urge to protect. I can understand the loyalty of her trio of subordinates now.

✔ The scene between Cecily and Luke was so perfect! Well, it was until Cecily punched him. It’s definitely in character for her, but I feel bad for Luke. He did just try to compliment her, after all. But Cecily’s embarrassment was again totally adorable. Having embarrassed about wearing a maid outfit was made even better by the sense of pride she usually exudes over her knighthood. Her trying to hide under that basket was just too cute.

✔ I’m glad they explained the fact that none of the other demon swords transformed, and the fact that the demon swords were properly confiscated. And actually it adds an interesting twist that I didn’t see coming – the fact that only some demon swords can transform. Aria’s a bit more special again! The scene where she talked with the other demon sword was really good, and I appreciate the way it alluded to the demon swords being related to that big apocalypse that has been ominously alluded to. Actually, speaking of omens, I just sort of got my head around the symbolism of the smoke/dark cloud-topped mountain beside the village. It’s reminiscent of a town at the foot of a volcano that threatens to become active and thus wipe out the city. Weather you look at it directly like that or not, the imagery still conveys that same sense of a city blissfully ignorant of an impending doom.

♡ The girls just looked so gorgeous in those maid outfits, I felt like I was in heaven! I took like 4 million screencaps this episode owing to the lovely maids, about 3 per frame I think XD. We’ve all seen a lot of maids as anime fans, but I think this episode ranks up there amongst my favourite maid moments because the character designs are so great that

♡ The breast jokes just keep coming! Cecily’s breasts got their due amount of attention here, but things are going even further because no Penelope has become an additional target for chest-size jabs. In her case though, she has a right to be upset because she’s getting teased about her lack of bust (even though she’s about the same as her two comrades). Shame, I think these three girls have perfectly nice breasts! Hasn’t Mahoromatic taught us that small breasts are fine too!?

● Who else saw the contents of that letter from the empire coming? It was always kind of clear that Charlotte and the others were being naive and overly optimistic if they expected a fair shot at her right to the thrown given the context behind her mother’s relationship with the emperor. But I guess the maliciousness of the letter was surprising. They might really be in a pinch of the empire is demanding they be returned to be tried as criminals.

✔ This episode was directed and storyboarded really well. A lot of the scenes were really enhanced by some excellent visuals and camera angles that helped give atmosphere. In particular, the scene where Aria visits the jail cell, and the final letter-reading scene, were executed very well. I’ll be curious to see who the episode director and storyboarder were for this ep when the ANN page is updated.