Winter 2015: First Impressions – Unlimited Fafnir, Seiken Tsukai no World Break & Maria The Virgin Witch

Nearly done now, but not before we get some more kids at magical high schools and a pacifist teen witch – Unlimited Fafnir, Seiken Tsukai no World Break and Maria the Virgin Witch.

Unlimited Fafnir

Well here’s another “he’s the only male in the school for girls with special powers” show – we all know that the world can’t get enough of this exceptionally original premise!  So the gimmick for this one is that this is a world where people are born with the abilities of Dragons (and I use that term loosely given the creatures look nothing like dragons) and use these powers to fight dragons.  Apparently girls are especially good at using their powers because they can use their imagination to conjure wishy-washy magic…..whereas our MC-kun isn’t that great because he attempts to make tangible objects and weapons.  Okay then.  However his initial lack of skill won’t hinder his ability to amass a harem, starting with a ditzy airhead and his estranged Imouto – so thank goodness for that!

Unlimited Fafnir is so unbelievably dull to watch – there is no creative flare on display anywhere, not even when the girls are using their special magical skills.  There is just an endless parade of tired harem tropes that we’ve seen a million times before (and a few days ago when we watched Absolute Duo).

Yeah, this show has no redeeming features – dropped.

Seiken Tsukai no World Break

Of the three “irregular at magic school” shows we have this season, Seiken Tsukai no World Break is probably the one that has the most effort put into it – but that isn’t saying much.  Still I have to award points to World Break just for making me pay attention to it for being ridiculous.  There are the most random lines spouted in this show like “clench those ass muscles”and “you’re degrading women”.  It also has one of the most transparent attempts to get some incest in, by having MC-kun and annoying pinky be siblings in a past life – so it is totally okay now since they’re not related in this life!  Again, points for trying.  I didn’t actually mind this episode since it seems to be completely aware it is trash and just runs with it.

Can’t say I like the character designs – your fella’s white strand of hair is annoying, and big breasted harmette’s boobs are ridiculous (especially when she is attempting to smother MC-kun with them).  Had to laugh at the depiction of magic in this show too – adding a vague shiny aura & additional clothing to your characters is a bit on the lazy side. Oh and that whole scene at the start where MC-kun dramatically writes a bunch of words in the sky was gripping stuff.

So the best of the three shows with similar premises – if you really have to have some LN trash in your life this season, this is probably the one to go for.  At least this first episode was somewhat entertaining rather than a complete bore to watch.

Maria The Virgin Witch

Now this I actually did like – it has promise at least.  I do like the medieval French setting and they do seem to be making an effort with the historical aspects.  Not entirely sure where they are going with the all the sexual innuendo, references to the Catholic church and the fact Maria’s virginity seems to be a central plot point, but hey points for being a bit different and interesting!

I’m not entirely sold on the aesthetics of the show though – not a fan of the character designs, especially the fact that the witches all look like under-age lingerie models……and don’t even get me started on that succubus’ outfit which is entirely made of belts.  The contrast with the ordinary peasants and their historically accurate clothing is some what jarring – especially when not much effort seems to have been put into the mob characters design.  Still at least the show has its own look and doesn’t look like its a photocopy of a thousand other shows.

This first episode does enough to introduce the world and I’m definitely interested to see where the show goes – will be watching more.