Finally, it’s over! It seems like I’ve been watching this show ever since I started watching anime. And it ended as it aired: predictable, uninspired and ultimately forgettable.
For those who haven’t watched any of the series, it’s basically a Shakugan no Shana ripoff in a more traditional fantasy world, with elves and magic and whatnot. Then take out any interesting fights, replace them with additional haremettes, and you have Zero no Tsukaima. Rie Kugimiya once again stars as a short, ill-tempered tsundere who likes to blow our hero to smithereens.
To those who have watched the earlier seasons, based on my foggy memory, it was comparable to the first season and a marked improvement over the second and third. Much of this can be blamed on the increased presence of Tabitha, who is, of course, the best character whom Saito definitely should have ditched Louise for. Oh well, Saito’s an idiot. There were a few new characters this season, including a band of thieves and some more elves, but they had two many characters before this season and adding more only exacerbates the problem.
- Storytelling – C – They have a vapid, uninspiring way of telling the story that makes you want to fall asleep even when the story itself is interesting.
- Voice – D – As bland as you can imagine.
- Characters – D – Too many to give depth to any individuals, and the portrayals are shallow.
- Attention Grab – D – Often dull and painfully cheerful.
- Production – C – Not great, not terrible.
- Overall – D+ – A hearty “meh” all around.
Recommendations – Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?!
I found Zero no Tsukaima much more entertaining than Shakugan no Shana.
It has lovely girls, like Siesta and Henrietta.
I like Zero no Tsukaima better as well.