hontou ni
7Sep/0620

Zero no Tsukaima – light romance done right

Zero no Tsukaima is a most predictable series. Right from ep 1, many viewers would have already established cloaked green-haired summoner's identity. In fact, I would assume, at ep 9, all of us already know who Cromwell really is. Yes, plotwise, ZnT ain't no Higurashi. Premise-wise, alternate dimensions are not exactly refreshing either. With that many spoilers in the OP, we can all guess what the 'dragon blood' in ep 10 is really. But after having said all that, I just want to reiterate that;

Zero no Tsukaima ROXXORS!!

I can rave about its well-executed story despite its predictability yada yada. But really, the true fizz of the series, for this tanuki, lies in its romance component. I can't remember the last time I felt all warm and fuzzy inside rooting for an anime couple. I've even resorted to raws for a quicker glimpse into Louise and Saito's latest love love developments. And no, I haven't scratched Siesta out of the race yet. She in seifuku at the OP gives me hope that she could possibly return with Saito to Earth. Anyway I digress.

ZnT got me wondering about the unique charm that sets it apart from generic harem fluff and after agonising over it for 10 mins, I realised there are 4 main elements I'd like my light romances served with.

- Endearing bishoujos

I liked the romantic aspect of Shakugan no Shana and often compare it with ZnT. But honestly, between Shana and Louise, the latter tsundere would be a clear winner, hands down. It may be her pink hair, filmsy nightie or childish demeanour. I really can't put my finger on it but I get more riled/psyched up when Louise gets jealous, upset or become just plain annoying. (Hmmm, ok, it could be her waitress garb in ep 7... :P )

- Deserving male leads

The harem male is the MOST important but often the WEAKEST link of any romance series. I've said this before but a credible basis of attraction is of utmost importance so as not to make a mockery of the shoujo no kimochis vested in the lead. Too often, animes focus so much on crafting moelicious bishoujos that they skimp on the male lead. Bad move. Bad taste is a vital character flaw for this viewer. Plus it reflects badly on one's IQ and I like my bishoujos intelligent. (Not necessarily smart, but be imbued with at least simian intelligence. Yes, there are harem leads even apes would not copulate with) I remember all the harem series I enjoyed have well-designed male leads with believeable charm. (Da Capo, SHUFFLE!, Suzumiya Haruhi just to name a few.)

- Worthy rivals

As with any romantic tale, there must be credible competition. Even if the winner has already been predestined, the rival still needs to have sufficient mettle to fight the good fight. One of the reasons why I feel so much for the Eri X Harima X Yakumo conundrum is that both Yakumo and Eri are such worthy opponents (Harima's an undeserving idiot but well I've heard people say that about me too.. XD) Anyhow, Siesta sure is a worthy challenger to Louise. In fact, if not for Louise's dere dere in ep 9, I would have remained a staunch Siesta supporter.

- Jealousy

We can have worthy male leads and delicious ladies but for romantic dilemmas to have a bite, we need these ladies to face off and invoke the first law of love - Jealousy. I personally can live without using 'misunderstanding' as a plot device. (Too many poorly executed 'misunderstandings') But 'jealousy' is a MUST-HAVE. For example, I ask, why do we like Tsunderekkos? Is it not partly because of their dishonesty? Their failed concealment of overflowing jealousy while spouting all sorts of verbal abuses? Or that kawaii but futile struggle at suppressing their feelings? (Btw I have a theory that affinity to tsunderekkos and voyerism have the same basis. Talk saved for another day.) And so it was great to see Louise, Siesta and even the easy going Saito have their bouts of jealousy. Ah the springtime of youth indeed.

I'm not sure why I have to articulate reasons behind my love for ZnT. Maybe it's just ingrained into an academic to justify his claims (no manner how flawed XD). Ah well, don't just believe me. Look into Louise's bewitching eyes and you know you want her.

Waiting impatiently for ep 11.

Related posts:

  1. Should I give Zero no Tsukaima 3 a chance?
  2. Zero no Tsukaima – Random aftermath thoughts
  3. Zero no Tsukaima Season 3 – (Non)-Expectations

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Comments (20) Trackbacks (3)
  1. Voodoomage
    September 7th, 2006 - 12:10

    I agree … This show came out of no where to be one of my favorites… It’s all been done before, but this is how it’s done right….Seeing Siesta visibly shaken by Loiuse’s fawning on Saito was just great… heh …

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  2. wontaek
    September 7th, 2006 - 12:18

    >>> It may be her pink hair, filmsy nightie or childish demeanour. I really can

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  3. Decel
    September 7th, 2006 - 14:40

    I remember that before the summer season started I expected to get my harem fix from Tsuyokiss, due to all the hype, and ZnT on an evaluation list. Boy have the tables turned.

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  4. golthin
    September 7th, 2006 - 15:38

    “I remember that before the summer season started I expected to get my harem fix from Tsuyokiss, due to all the hype, and ZnT on an evaluation list. Boy have the tables turned.”

    I was the same, that is hype for you! I can’t wait for the next episode of ZnT every week, but I forget about Tsuyokiss.

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  6. tj han
    September 7th, 2006 - 16:37

    The plot is as obvious as the winner of the next general election but that doesn’t mean both are bad :) . This surely must get a second season or chaos will break out.

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  7. Tsubaki
    September 7th, 2006 - 17:37

    You nicely broken down and anayzled ZnT. Sometimes I don’t get the fuss with people complaining about it being predictable and all. As long as it can sustain’s ones interest, the show’s already a winner, be it predictable or cliche.

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  8. Saviour
    September 7th, 2006 - 21:38

    As long as a show entertains, I’m fine with it. Zero no Tsukaima delivers in spades. I don’t really follow what people say about harem-type series since I usually disagree with everyone, but I’ve found that in general (referring to bloggers here), they seem to think highly of ZnT.

    But man, you liked Rin from SHUFFLE!???? I wanted to rip that guy’s heart out, if he even had one. Otherwise I’d just beat him down to the point he’d be cripple. Talk about underserving male leads.

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  9. crimson
    September 8th, 2006 - 06:37

    nothing beats good o well execution even though things are predictable.

    When typicality (F9 for english) gets interlaced with nice music, the result can be very pleasing and fulfilling.

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  10. cyw1988
    September 9th, 2006 - 06:30

    ZnT is a tsundere anime done right… No other anime within this 2 year period has done anything like it!! well stripey, if u find this awesome, wait till u read the novels… u will totally go gaga over louise…

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  11. TedFox
    September 10th, 2006 - 00:06

    I doubt anybody is going for the show with regards to the story line. I think it’s just plain fun, with a good mix of interesting characters.

    All the more amzing considering the novels it’s made from. haha.

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  12. Stripey
    September 10th, 2006 - 10:20

    Voodoomage: Yeah! I like how she was still pretending to be all smiley when she’s already gone a little creepy from all those forced chuckles.

    wontaek: Oh you have read the novels? We wouldn’t feel that lack of character development in the anime though. It’s really too short to expect any earth shattering changes really and I think most so far are rather pleased with how Louise/Saito/Siesta are turning out. :) And as for harem leads, heh, I think it warrants a post by itself. :)

    Decel/golthin : Exactly! I saw one ep of Tsuyokiss when it premiered and swore off it. :) I didn’t bother to catch ZnT’s debut only to marathon 9 eps months later. :) I’m so hungry for ep 11 now.

    Crusader: Ooohh yes, Siesta is love indeed. :) But Louise… arrgghhh, honestly this is harder then choosing between Eri and Yakumo. I think choosing seppuku is easier. I will defend Junichi on a separate post. :) Heck, I’ll defend Takayuki too.. :P As for the tsundere jealousy, i find it cute only in young girls. It’s more like a passage of rite for them as they struggle to mature emotionally or grapple with their shoujo no kimochi. I have no good things to say for older ladies who are easily incited to jealousy. XD

    tj han: If there’s no second season, I’ll personally horse-whip JC Staff’s err staff. :)

    Tsubaki/crimson: Indeed, good execution brings us much closer that high bar in entertainment value more than predictability can put it down. :)

    Saviour: Haha k, adding Rin to that “Defense of harem leads” post in future. :)

    cyw1988: Is there a translation project going on for the novels? :)

    Tedfox: I think the story still has its place in the series. :) Just less emphasis but it still does a lot to prop the comic character interactions. Like you mentioned, good plain fun indeed.

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  13. wontaek
    September 10th, 2006 - 17:44

    >>> And as for harem leads, heh, I think it warrants a post by itself. :)

    Go for it.

    @ Crusader:

    If Stripey does make the post about harem leads, could you organize some protections for him so no one will make an attempt on his life? I think you need someone in active status for this, not someone long retired like I am.

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  14. Stripey
    September 10th, 2006 - 18:43

    LOL! I think I need the most protection from Crusader when making a post like that. XD

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  16. Stripey
    September 11th, 2006 - 08:09

    Haha thanks XelloS^_- I’ll be receiving MEGAMI OCT 06 issue very soon! Looking fwd to this poster :)

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  17. cyw1988
    September 11th, 2006 - 23:14

    well i am not sure of any translations as i read them raw but i think the group called kuroneko or something like that are doing something… its up to vol 8 now with vol 9 slated for release the 25th of this month. And the preview for vol 9: The War of love has begun!!!
    Louise vs Siesta vs henrieta vs Tiffania

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  19. Stripey
    September 24th, 2006 - 09:42

    LOL! Watch me mangle the Japanese language with consummate ineptitude. XD

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  20. NishinoTsukasa
    February 16th, 2007 - 21:46

    well, I LOVE this anime!, i like it more and more when i m watching. i wonder what the 2nd season title is. if some one know it please message me or email me here. Carlo17luis@yahoo.com or carlo17luis@hotmail.com. THANKS

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