Reviews/Anime/Zero no Tsukaima

This series, both the original and the sequel, have some of the same aspects as the original Shuffle! series. Namely, the first series episodes of Zero no Tsukaima are a light hearted, slightly hentai romp. The sequel for Zero takes a dark, very serious turn. So dark that the increase in hentai scenes are almost lost, but they actually do have a reason for being there.
In the original episodes we meet Saito, a high school student that is accidently called to a different universe by Louise ,a magic school student that is unable to do simple magic. Saito becomes her "familiar", an entity that both helps and protects the magician that calls it up. Together they go through adventures where Louise's magical ability and Saito's strength as a "Gandalf" must be together to work correctly. A beautiful Princess, buxom maid, and very accommodating female students abound.
Then we come to the continuation episodes of Zero 2. Immediately we are thrust into a different set of circumstances. The Princess becomes the Queen, Saito and Louise up the level of their attraction, and the war begins in earnest, all in the first episode. Death, honor, destruction, non-violence and the characters you thought you knew change, and that's not for the better in most cases. The Nobles sense of "honor" takes a front seat in this one. Death before dishonor, if you are asked to die for the Queen you do so with a smile. Sound familiar? Think Japan in World War 2 and you have a good basis for the action in Zero 2.
Based on the end of Zero 2 I would expect a third series to be in the works. There were several loose ends that were started and never finished.
Do Saito and Louise make it through all of this still together as a couple? You need to watch and find out. I recommend this one.

Review by Jay