"Strike the Blood" Special OVA "The Disappearing Holy Spear" Review: Reaffirming the Charm of the Series

The appeal and evaluation of "Strike the Blood Special OVA: The Disappearing Holy Spear"

The "Strike the Blood" series is an anime series based on a popular light novel that combines fantasy and action. Among them, "Strike the Blood Special OVA: The Disappearing Holy Spear", released on January 29, 2020, attracted attention as a long-awaited new episode for fans of the series. This OVA maximizes the appeal of the original work while developing the story from a new perspective, making it appealing to both existing fans and new viewers alike.

Story and setting

The Disappearing Holy Spear arc follows the new adventures of series protagonist Kojou Akatsuki and the characters surrounding him. The story revolves around how Kojou Akatsuki and Yukina Himeragi work together to solve the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of the Holy Spear. The episode sees the series' main characters reunite, providing even more depth to their personalities and relationships.

Of particular note are the various incidents caused by the disappearance of the Holy Spear and the scene in which Akatsuki Kojou exerts his power as the Fourth True Ancestor to counter them. While faithfully recreating the settings of the original work, the unique visual expression of anime creates a strong visual impact. In addition, new enemies and mysteries that are revealed as the story progresses also have the effect of drawing the viewer's interest and building anticipation for the next installment.

Characters and acting

In "The Disappearing Holy Spear", the performances of the voice actors, including Yoshimasa Hosoya as Akatsuki Kojou and Risa Taneda as Himeragi Yukina, have been highly praised. In particular, the scene in which Hosoya delicately portrays Akatsuki Kojou's conflict and growth deeply touches the hearts of viewers. In addition, Taneda's brilliant portrayal of Himeragi Yukina's strength and kindness makes her character even more appealing.

Other notable performances include Maaya Uchida, who plays Hatsume Asagi, an important character in the series, and Moe Toyoda, who plays Sayaka Kirasaka. Their voice acting skills and deep understanding of the characters leave a strong impression on viewers. The new characters are also unique, adding new color to the story.

Visuals and Music

The visual beauty of "The Disappearing Holy Spear" is a testament to the high quality of CONNECT's animation production. In particular, the fluidity of the battle scenes and the detailed depiction of the backgrounds bring out the maximum visual appeal. In addition, the scene depicting the abnormal phenomenon caused by the disappearance of the Holy Spear has an exquisite balance between CG and hand-drawn animation, creating a strong visual impact.

In terms of music, the music by Akiko Shikata, who is in charge of the series' music, adds to the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the background music in the battle scenes has the effect of increasing tension and eliciting emotions from the viewer. The ending theme of the OVA is also impressive, and leaves a lingering impression of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

Strike the Blood Special OVA: The Disappearing Holy Lance is a must-see for fans of the series and a fascinating entry point for new audiences. The story development, character acting, and visual and musical quality all make this a worthy work of high praise.

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the worldview and characters of the series. It is also recommended for those who enjoy action and fantasy elements. Although it is an OVA, it is also worth noting that it is able to tell a dense story in a short 25-minute time frame.

Related information and recommendations

The Strike the Blood series has been developed in various media, including the original light novel, anime, and comic book adaptations. In particular, the original light novel provides a detailed look into the deep background of the series and the inner thoughts of the characters, and is recommended for a deeper understanding of the OVA. The other anime episodes of the series are also essential works for following the adventures of Akatsuki Kojou and his friends.

Additionally, for those who enjoy similar themes and genres, we recommend the following works:

• "BLOOD LAD" - A fantasy action film with a vampire protagonist, with an exquisite mix of humor and serious elements.
• No Game No Life - A story of two brothers who save the world through games, with strategic thinking and fantasy elements.
• "Overlord" - A dark fantasy set in the world of a VRMMORPG, praised for the growth of the protagonist and the depth of the worldview.

Like the Strike the Blood series, these works also contain elements of fantasy and action, so I would especially recommend that fans of the series check out these works as well.

Conclusion

"Strike the Blood Special OVA: The Disappearing Holy Spear" is a work that condenses the charm of the series, and is a long-awaited new episode for fans and the perfect entry point for new viewers to the series. The story, characters, visuals, and music all deserve the high praise it has received, and we recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and action.