Hidan no Aria [ ep 7-8]

After the Butei Killer was revealed back in episode 4, which gave me a shock. How the hell did Riko (Kinji’s classmate) become the Butei Killer? I mean, that was like totally not what I expected. To have someone as innocent as Riko to be the villain and also the one who killed Kinji’s brother years ago, isn’t something I see coming. Now since Riko escaped from both Kinji and Aria, no word has been heard from her. But I’m sure she’ll appear near the end again for the final battle between her and Aria, their ancestors are like sworn enemies. 

In these two episodes, we see more of Shiroyuki who is Kinji’s childhood friend. Another surprise here. She’s not just a normal Butei student like the rest of them. She’s from a family who possesses supernatural power and that’s why she’s considered valuable to the Butei school.  I thought Shiroyuki’s just this girl who is hopelessly in love with Kinji and keeps bugging him – cooks meal for him, getting worried for him for no apparent reason and easily jealous over his relationship aka. Partnership with Aria. Who knew she has special powers and as tough as Aria? Lolz

One of the Butei sniper girl reminds me of the Ein from Phantom:Requiem for the Phantom, must be the hairstyle

An enemy called Durandal is after Shiroyuki for her powers and is trying to lure her into joining their forces at some place or group known as E.U. Aria volunteers to be Shiroyuki’s bodyguard because she’s after Durandal, another one who frames her mother. And what’s with her mother being sentenced for 600 years?! Are they immortal?! And by capturing Durandal and exposing her evil deeds, Aria tells Kinji that she can help lighten her mother’s jail sentence by 100+ years. O_O I’m still bewildered by that piece of information.

That aside, Shiroyuki moves into Kinji’s apartment for the protection. Poor Kinji having his quiet life suddenly bugged by two girls. After days of non-dangerous activities, Kinji begins to question Aria’s intuition about the existence of Durandal. Aria insists that Durandal exists and pleads him to believe in her, but in vain when Kinji dismisses her worries. Aria then suddenly drops from being Shiroyuki’s bodyguard causing Kinji to protect Shiroyuki alone. The brilliant plan by Aria works when Durandal is lured out with Aria out of the way.

Durandal appears to be a girl, a descendent of Jeanne d’ Arc. Seriously?! This show can’t be getting more and more outrageous. And this is where Shiroyuki finally reveals her hidden forbidden power from her ancestors. Her other nickname turns out to be Scarlet Miko or “Himiko” – one that uses fire to fight. So that was why she asked Kinji the other day whether he likes fire. I thought that question was bizarre. So she was afraid that Kinji will be shocked by her hidden abilities. I thought the fire blade thingy and her fighting sequences with Durandal are pretty cool. Too bad it’s rather short. It’d have been better if they show more of her sword fight with Durandal since they’re both using swords.

Of course, 3 against one is an easy battle to figure out. When Aria and Kinji jump in to distract Durandal, Shiroyuki executes her final move which severed Durandal's Holy Sword into half. She is then captured and this means one of Riko's ally is down. When is Riko going to appear? I'm looking forward to her fight with Aria again xD

Rating: 8.5/10 - for Shiroyuki's hidden Fire move

Hidan no Aria [ ep 1 Preview ]

Just started watching this few days ago and found it to be rather interesting, well..amusing should be the word. Although it's about high schoolers, I'm drawn to it because it involves weapons. xD Okay by now it shouldn't be a secret that I like anime that use weapons, any sort as long as they involve fighting. 

This show has exactly that except they're being utilized by high schoolers, and the main character herself, Aria looks like an elementary kid though. Must be because of her unnatural shortness that even Kinji (male protagonist) mistakes her for being a little kid. That is until she begins attacking him with both hand guns and two swords - she's nicknamed Quadra Aria, meaning she fights with 4 weapons.

The story is rather simple - Kinji and Aria both belong to Butei School, a special school that allows their students to carry guns all the time (coz that's what they learn aside from normal students). Aria belongs to noble family and she's here in Japan as a transfer student to track down the Butei Killer for her mother has been framed. 

Fate brings both Kinji and Aria together and not long after, Aria forces her way into his apartment and orders him to be her slave. No weird or hentai reaction now. Her slave basically means partner. Egoistic Aria just can't bring herself to admit that.

It's also funny how Kinji has inherited this genetic disorder known as Hysteria Mode. In desperate times or when he finds himself in the midst or danger/tension or for example, buried in between a woman's chest, he'll have this sudden blood rush and becomes like a totally different person. The advantage of the mode is him gaining more power/abilities/confidence. Despite that, he prevents from getting into the Mode. I wonder why though. Hey if that can help save your life or someone else then by all means, please come, right?

Aria is a rather annoying character to be frank and goes into this throwing tantrum mode everytime she can't get her way in things, which almost always drive Kinji crazy, well, me too really. However, she's a crucial character and can be very intuitive at times too.

I'm halfway through the show, and enjoying it so far. It's not something I'll watch again and again, except for some of the fighting scenes which are executed pretty well. Some of the sequences are good and the plot can be very serious too, but not the heavy type. I'll say it's rather comedic as they dwell with everyday life and then things turn serious/dramatic when they get down to business, fighting enemies.

Rating: 8.0/10