Zero no Tsukaima

Zero no Tsukaima (ゼロの使い魔, Zero no Tsukaima? lit. The Familiar of Zero) is a fantasy and comedy-oriented series of Japanese light novels written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The story features several characters from the second year class of a magic academy in a fictional magical world with the main character being the inept mage Louise and her familiar from Earth, Saito Hiraga. The series has been adapted twice as an anime series. The first season aired in Japan in 2006 produced by the animation studio J.C. Staff, and the second season, entitled Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi (ゼロの使い魔 ～双月の騎士～, Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi? lit. The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Two Moons), began airing in Japan on July 9, 2007. A manga version drawn by Nana Mochizuki began serialization in July 2006.

source: wiki

Plot Summary (ANN): Meet Louise, a budding magician. The students at the Tristein Academy call her "Zero Louise", due to her current record of zero successes with magic. In fact, her magic tends to go spectacularly wrong. Now, as an important test of her aptitude for magic, she must summon a familiar to be her servant. At this critical moment, she summons up all her magic and wishes for a familiar that is "devoted, beautiful and powerful", and gets... Hiraga Saito, an ordinary Japanese boy. It's difficult to say who is more surprised and dismayed, but the rules don't allow for second attempts. Louise is stuck with her strange familiar, and he with her. This sequel is a continuation of the previous season, not long after the war. Louise and Saito seemingly getting along now since she knows that he had given up his only chance to return to Tokyo for her. The story continues as Louise begins to use Void Magic from a mysterious secret book she had recieved from her majesty Henrietta, while a new villain has appeared in town causing trouble.

Last week another series closes it's curtain from 2007 anime series, with the final episode of Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi (the 2nd season). I first watch this series way back in 2006 when I download this by accident and decided to give it a try. Then I found out that Louise (the main protagonist) is voiced by Rie Kugiyima, which becomes one of the driven force for me to continue watching this.

First season end last year with Saito finally got his chance to return to his own world due to the sun eclipse, but he decided to abandon his chance, stay behind and help Tristain in the war (or more exactly, he want to protect the person he love the most), combining force with Louise Void Magic and defeat the enemies' army. Then second season was aired starting from July, again with 12 episodes (just like the first season). Second season is kinda more random than the first, with the first 4-5 episodes have little to do with their war. It end with Saito seemingly died when he faced 7 millions of enemy army ALONE, but the director don't want to make him dead, so Saito somehow survived (saved by a fairy) and reunite with Louise. Still, the war hasn't over yet, and the main enemies is yet to be defeated. Sign of season 3 anyone...?

Nevertheless, my comment toward this series: I like both season very much, in their own way. Season 1 is the starting of the series and they show much of the progress of the war, many hilarious scenes which makes me laugh pretty much, and end in a "good way". That is, they didn't spoil much as in season 2. Saito also somehow learns that there are other people from his world who also summoned into that magic world, and maybe somehow trapped (eg: Siesta gramps, the person who brought the plane and weapons, as well as the sailor fuku :3 ) Season 2, on the other hand, starts pretty well with many random plot in the first 4, 5 episodes, lots of echhi and fanservices and of course, the comedy elements. But this season is kinda interrupted with a lengthy side-character story of Anies which many fan don't think she deserve to get that much spotlight; though the end part of the story deserve some thumbs up (touching scenes of the death of Colbert sensei) with the exception of the spoiled ED. The final episode is very very very touching I must say, kinda makes me want to cry watching the scenes involving Saito and Louise at the port, the marriage, before the departure as well as Saito fight against the army. But the end part when really spoil the mood, when Saito who survive the nuke return with his perverted behaviour and Louise with his whip again. I really wish they could at least keep the sad+romance+happiness reunion till the end, as well as change the ED to fit the mood.

Not to mention, this 2nd season is kinda rush, everything went too quickly especially in the final 3 episode, but the war is going nowhere. The main evil has yet to be defeated, the war is still going on. Anyway, those who have read the novel complaint that this 2nd season is kind of failure with many things from the novel is neglected, but I do think the series is fine in it's own way. Yes Saito return to quickly in the final episode just to get nuked again, kinda disappoint me. Would be better if they make Saito died in episode 11, only to return at the final episode.

OP of Season 1
OP+ED of Season 2

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Screenshots: