BGMaxie said:drkurochan said:
He could "zipping around" because he has recovered some of his stamina and magic power. But not enough to do his Itou shura. I presumed you had read the LN, but, that was one of the cause of Ayase's lost. It wasn't explained in the anime, but Ikki used some of his magic power to increased his speed whereas Ayase thought he could only use Itou shura and no other magic. To put it plainly, she underestimated him.
That is to say, I completely agree with you. The fights in Rakudai are not very good. Especially, the fight at the end of vol 3 like you said. It's too much deus ex machina. But, well... this is a classic shounen and I dont't think the author's ambition is very high to revolutionize this genre. So, I don't expect too much.
Actually, I don't read/watch Rakudai for the fight side of the story. What interest me is, of course, the development of Stella and Ikki's relationship, and Ikki's character.
The development of their love is, somehow, a classic "pure and innocent" story. But, it's kind of refreshing and well told.
And Ikki's character is quite interesting : how he can stay a good boy though all the pain he underwent, thanks to his willpower and his love for stella. Vol 3 was quite interesting and I hope the anime adaptation will be well made.
Obviously, when I want to read a story with an real interesting character development, a seinen is a must. But, sometimes, reading a heart-warming story like Rakudai is good. Thus, those who complain about the story (too predictable or the MC always win against the bad guys or is always kind even with the bad guys or whatever), just remember, this a "normal" shounen. And if you are still unhappy, read a seinen, for example Oyasumi Pun Pun. Because in this one, the MC is... I can't even find my words... And, above all, don't read it when you are depressed.
But is this really too much of an asspull? For one we've always known that Ikki is a remarkable swordsman on his own terms and conditions and has learned to fight and adapt.
I mean he is still growing but for all that has been believed, everybody thought he's weak because he wasn't much of a blazer, but he is his own man and fights on his own way. Itto Shura is his ace no doubt, but he is more than that.
By the final fight of Vol 3 I take it is gonna be vs Sword Eater guy right? Until I watch I won't be able to know.
Anyway even if some things are generic "shounen" here, some are clearly not. For one we have a REAL relationship right off the bat, something most series take years of years of serialization before they even get to that point and thank God we have it now, and it isn't forced but quite natural. The author just pulverized one of the most excruciatingly painful cliches on all Japanese media and it delivers greatly.
As for Ikki's personality, while goody-two-shoes man is not new, I can say that on Ikki's case it is a lot more complete than that. Ikki is a good person BECAUSE he has suffered. He has gone through a lot of pain and endured a lot and THAT is why he can be such a good person. Sure it isn't a rule of thumb thing, but I can talk out of personal experience, I was bullied by a really LONG time, and the only thing I don't want is for any other individual to suffer this bullshit. So on that sense I can understand why Ikki is a good person.
Most other shounen heroes don't have that background really. They are optimist, positive, simple-minded, and insert whatever other positive or funny trait you can think of, all WITHOUT reason. For example Kamijou Touma is a goody guy, for basically no reason, he just is. This guy from Shoukugeki (I've barely read about him so take my head off if I'm wrong), is also friendly guy. And so forth......
The fact we have background of him that explains his personality is ANOTHER big plus over all the generic "shounen" around. Sure there may be some things that may be repetitive and that I may get to appreciate later, but so far as I've seen, a lot of annoying cliches have been downright destroyed, with explanation and sense and GOD it really, really SELLS well with me.