Strike The Blood

This is a great anime and a great manga too. People find "plot holes" in everything. Ask a large enough group of people and I bet you someone will come up with plot holes for even noble prize winning literature. Also you always hear complaints about the pace of the romance development. It is too fast too slow, too annoying. None of this is true for this manga. The plot and romance are both well done and surprisingly consistent.
 
Here is the real low-down:
 
Comedy? Check
Boobs? Check
Outrageous and very entertaining special powers? Check
Good romance? Check
Respectable main character? Check
Decent plot? Check
Tasteful ecchi moments? Check
 
Ticks all the things you need for a good shounen manga.
 
There aren't any real plot holes. The story is a bit outrageous, but who on earth is going to read a super-power manga with a down to earth realistic story. That is like going to watch a transformers movie without any CGI or special effects and realistic fights. There is some cliche stuff, but tbh they are done with a fresh twist. The harem element is also tastefully done, by linking it to power-ups and making each girl fiercely independent and strong willed. It is definitely not your boring typical harem manga that depends on the cheap and perverse thrill of watching some sensitive, kind-hearted but weak girls get hurt. These are girls who snort harem manga main characters up by the dozen and spit them out all together in a nice fat loogey. The main character is not a rage inducing thick-as-a-brick indecisive idiot. He is actually a pretty cool guy, even though he is a total perv. He is the kind of guy whose antics make you laugh and give him a friendly pat on the back. Certainly not someone that fills you with the desire to punch him in the stomach repeatedly and then kick him in the nads a few times for good measure after he falls to the ground. The fights are not as a nice as other shounen mangas. They are not very elaborate affairs, just nice SFX and no real substance and zero intellectual engagement. That is IMO the only major flaw in this series, but its not enough to detract from the entertainment value.
 
All in all this is a very enjoyable manga and anime. The harem element (which I usually hate) is actually a big plus in this series. The romance and ecchi elements are tastefully done. The plot develops well at a reasonable pace without too much filler and useless side-stories (finally an author who understands the "Chekhov's gun" principle"). The story is light-hearted and funny, spiced up with the just the right amount of tragedy.  If you can overlook the lacklustre action and you enjoy the super-power/vampire/fantasy and ecchi/romance genres, then this is a pretty good one.

This is a great anime and a great manga too. People find "plot holes" in everything. Ask a large enough group of people and I bet you someone will come up with plot holes for even noble prize winning literature. Also you always hear complaints about the pace of the romance development. It is too fast too slow, too annoying. None of this is true for this manga. The plot and romance are both well done and surprisingly consistent.

Here is the real low-down:

Comedy? Check

Boobs? Check

Outrageous and very entertaining special powers? Check

Good romance? Check

Respectable main character? Check

Decent plot? Check

Tasteful ecchi moments? Check

Ticks all the things you need for a good shounen manga.

There aren't any real plot holes. The story is a bit outrageous, but who on earth is going to read a super-power manga with a down to earth realistic story. That is like going to watch a transformers movie without any CGI or special effects and realistic fights. There is some cliche stuff, but tbh they are done with a fresh twist. The harem element is also tastefully done, by linking it to power-ups and making each girl fiercely independent and strong willed. It is definitely not your boring typical harem manga that depends on the cheap and perverse thrill of watching some sensitive, kind-hearted but weak girls get hurt. These are girls who snort harem manga main characters up by the dozen and spit them out all together in a nice fat loogey. The main character is not a rage inducing thick-as-a-brick indecisive idiot. He is actually a pretty cool guy, even though he is a total perv. He is the kind of guy whose antics make you laugh and give him a friendly pat on the back. Certainly not someone that fills you with the desire to punch him in the stomach repeatedly and then kick him in the nads a few times for good measure after he falls to the ground. The fights are not as a nice as other shounen mangas. They are not very elaborate affairs, just nice SFX and no real substance and zero intellectual engagement. That is IMO the only major flaw in this series, but its not enough to detract from the entertainment value.

All in all this is a very enjoyable manga and anime. The harem element (which I usually hate) is actually a big plus in this series. The romance and ecchi elements are tastefully done. The plot develops well at a reasonable pace without too much filler and useless side-stories (finally an author who understands the "Chekhov's gun" principle"). The story is light-hearted and funny, spiced up with the just the right amount of tragedy.  If you can overlook the lacklustre action and you enjoy the super-power/vampire/fantasy and ecchi/romance genres, then this is a pretty good one.

I love you for this. This is exactly why i'm picky about what I read. if i see "harem" and "ecchi" in the same category as shounen, i tend to not even give it a chance because its usually all like this(after i read the synopsis....telling me about a boy and then some girl shows up. I stop reading and close the tab pretty fast. to keep my attention even a little after reading that, everything before that better be interesting as hell.)

And i'v read quite a few good shounens that don't end up in such nonsense situations(no naruto/bleach/onepeice ect don't count, but imo, they are better than this).

........its everywhere......EVERYWHERE.

I only gave this a shot because, well...vampires. I started the anime....and pretty much just dropped it after the anime passed up the manga subs. Something about the anime just.. did NOT sit right with me.. and i'm hanging on by a thread trying to reading this now.

I lol'd too hard at the disney lawsuit. xD

That'd would have stopped me from reading gems like Air Gear, they fucked it up rly badly though, which is my favourite all time manga just because of those 30, 40 something chapters

a maiden's feelings are always complex. Also you could always say something instead of staying silent if you wanted to do what you wanted to do.

I've finally decided to formally review this as a MangaSins (in the style of CinemaSins).

 

Spoiler

Chapter 1:

Page 1, Fourth Panel: You’re one little girl. They’re like immortal vampires or something. Good luck with that.

Page 2: Wait, so your job description is “Monitor world’s strongest vampire = Monitor everyone bad”?

Page 4, First Panel: That phone has no buttons.

Page 4, Third Panel: Dude, it’s your fault for doing poorly on your finals. Other people are in the same boat as you. The teacher is doing his job.

Page 5, Second Panel:  How is eating simple home cooking relate to this in any way?

Page 5, Second Panel: Additionally, as an Asian, I’m obligated to say that skipping class is a sin.

Page 5, Fifth Panel: How is that even an excuse? And how is that obvious?

Page 6, First Panel: Hay fever is an allergic reaction that causes rash, nasal congestion, and eye irritation. In no way is he suffering from these. Also, apparently for this girl, the inability to get up on time means this person has hay fever.

Page 6, Third Panel: “It’s not like you’re ____” cliché.

Page 6, Fifth Panel: How would he know about your attendance?

Page 7, Second Panel: I don’t know, is it?

Page 8, First Panel: How many jobs does she have that you have to vaguely describe it as “that”?

Page 8, First Panel: Also, “Articial”.

Page 8, Fifth Panel: Seriously? Like, is it really that hard to believe somebody has high grades?

Page 9, First Panel: “Hates being called smart” cliché

Page 9, Fourth Panel: “How comes”

Page 9, Seventh Panel: A super smart cute girl is tutoring you for small favors. This is something to be happy about, not to be angry.

Page 10, Third Panel: Wow, way to be a douche.

Page 10, Fourth Panel: How does sleeping early make him look like a man?

Page 11, Fourth Panel: If you can’t sleep, then why are you late to school? That means you should have no problem studying or getting to school. If anything, you should be better than everyone because you have more time on your hands.

Page 12: Surprise!!! He’s a vampire!

Page 15, First Panel: You realize if you were born in an earlier era, you wouldn’t have internet. And that would be hell.

Page 16, First Panel: It’s summer. Of course it’s still hot.

Page 18, Third Panel: Dude, you complain about how hot it is and then you put on a jacket. You are retarded.

Page 19, Second Panel: Worst. Monitor. Ever.

Page 19, Sixth Panel: Hmm... If I hide behind this glass, then I’ll be able to see her, but she won’t be able to see me, right? It’s not like both of us can see through glass.

Page 19, Sixth Panel: HE’S RIGHT THERE.

Page 20, Third Panel: This is borderline racist. Also, who in their right minds would confuse an Asian with dyed hair with an actual foreigner?

Page 23, Third Panel: The Lion King Organization sent one little girl to monitor what is presumed to be the strongest vampire in the world. This Organization is retarded.

Page 23, Third Panel: Also, NANTS INGONYAMA BAGITHI BABA!!! (Disney Lawsuit)

Page 23, Fifth Panel: You realize this could have been avoided if you didn’t talk to her

Page 24, First Panel: More reasons of why you shouldn’t use little girls to monitor immortal vampires.

Page 25, First Panel: I know, I don’t get anything either.

Page 26, Third Panel: Why would two 20-somethings try to pick up a girl who is, like, 14 years old?

Page 26, Sixth Panel: You got slapped lightly on the wrist by a little girl and it “hurt”? What a little bitch.

Page 27, First Panel: Uh... No. She wasn’t acting virtuous at all. She just wanted you to let go.

Page 27, Second Panel: “You’ve made me mad now! Time for my secret move! SKIRT FLIP!!!”

Page 27, Second Panel: Also, Yukina’s face. She’s emotionless as somebody flips her skirt.

Page 27, Second Panel: Additionally, the fact that the first thing this “baddie” character does in retaliation to a little girl is flip her skirt. Not slap her or anything, because that’s for the REALLY bad guys.

Page 28: Yeah, that’s the right reaction.

Page 29, Fourth Panel: No shit Sherlock.

Page 32, Third Panel: This guy literally transformed in front of your face and summoned a Ponyta. Also, the girl just said “European Vampire”. So the answer to your question is no. He’s actually a Pokémon Trainer.

Page 34: This guy patiently waited for Yukina to assemble her spear after talking shit about how he was going to kill her.

Page 35, Second Panel: It’s a spear. Dumbass.

Page 37: Let’s talk about this scene. From the previous pages, you could tell that she was stabbing at the horse, which should already be a bit difficult considering how on page 35 she was presumably holding it sideways behind her. To orient yourself properly to meet a charging horse from that close would be very difficult. But then on page 37 you see her slash at the horse and cut off its head. However, that would do nothing to stop the momentum of the flaming Ponyta, which should immediately crash into her. But you know, everything’s fine because magic. Essentially, this scene has its head stuck up its own ass.

Page 39, Fifth Panel: Why is there a random truck here? Where did it come from? It wasn’t there before.

Page 40, Fifth Panel: No, that was definitely obstructing. And if you really think that you should stop a fight when you see it, then where the fuck were you eight pages ago? Or you’ve been standing there watch a vampire set a Ponyta on a little girl with a spear.

Page 41, Third Panel: Not saying it was justified or not, but the guy flipped her skirt first, so technically he started it.

Page 42: This scene.

Page 43, Second Panel: After spending several seconds trying to profuse his innocence, he just stands there and stares.

Page 45: “Dropped Wallet” cliché.

 

Number of Sins: 51

Punishment: Disney Lawsuit (Lion King)

I love you for this. This is exactly why i'm picky about what I read. if i see "harem" and "ecchi" in the same category as shounen, i tend to not even give it a chance because its usually all like this(after i read the synopsis....telling me about a boy and then some girl shows up. I stop reading and close the tab pretty fast. to keep my attention even a little after reading that, everything before that better be interesting as hell.)

And i'v read quite a few good shounens that don't end up in such nonsense situations(no naruto/bleach/onepeice ect don't count, but imo, they are better than this).

........its everywhere......EVERYWHERE.

I only gave this a shot because, well...vampires. I started the anime....and pretty much just dropped it after the anime passed up the manga subs. Something about the anime just.. did NOT sit right with me.. and i'm hanging on by a thread trying to reading this now.

I lol'd too hard at the disney lawsuit. xD

I wonder if this can catch up to the anime b4 2015....probably not

Spoiler

Am I the only one that finds this manga/LN lacking? Certain moments in the storyline seem to be forced and the climax always seems to start without having any proper foundation laid. The characters are slowly developed, but then rush towards a relationship. It does a decent job of masking some of its faults, but many of the problems become evident if you review the chapters. Also, the plot inconsistencies are numerous and should leave the reader confounded

 

For example: The priest guy "kills" Kojiyou, who he knows is the fourth primogenitor and immortal, and leaves Himeragi untouched. He shows immediately in the next chapter that he has no qualms about killing anybody, but when it comes to the Sword Shaman that has a spear of doom? Nope, he wants to make sure that the only people who can defeat him will be perfectly fine.

 

Another example: When Himeragi and Kojiyou notice a kenjuu wantonly destroying an abandoned factory, they run to the factory to stop the vampire instead of waiting for the police. Himeragi's counterargument is that the police would not come because the vampire is too strong. Okay, let me stop there and explain exactly why that's bullshit. I don't know what sort of system that island/country/thing has but it's seriously messed up. Do the police refuse to go to a crime scene because it's too dangerous? What do they do when there's a bank robbery or something? Oh wait, right. They leave the dangerous jobs to the little girls with sacred spears. Okay, so back to the original point. Himeragi tells Kojiuou to go protect his little sister because apparently there isn't a law that lets Vampires protect their family. Just think about that statement. She told him, "You have to go help your sister because the law says you can't." Also, why is his sister in danger. Isn't she at home? Why would she be in danger when the fire and explosions are at an abandoned factory? And then Himeragi leaves. She arrives in time to see the guy get the shit kicked out of him by the antagonist priest guy. And then they fight. The issue I want to address here is not Himeragi or the antagonist. I want to point out the vampire who was the cause for all of this. Why was he blowing shit up? Like, its unlikely that he was fighting the priest guy because we saw just how quickly this guy was decimated by him. What kept priest from killing him earlier? And even if they were fighting, why would the vampire run to an abandoned factory? Wouldn't be easier to run into a mall and yell "I'm being chased by a pervert with a giant axe?"? I'm pretty sure that'd be more effective than running to the top of a fucking factory to fight. What, is he trying to pull an Obi Wan Kenobi and claim to win because he has the higher ground? Cuz it didn't really help him.

 

And let's not forget the cliches. Some of the moments in here are almost copy-and-pasted straight from other manga. Now cliches are not in and of themselves "sins", but the sheer frequency of them border on the hilarious. I mean, come on. New transfer student with weird powers? Check. Arbitrary somewhat-useful friend/potential love interest? Check. Random ecchi? Check. Have main characters awkwardly live next to each other? Check. Token imouto character? Check. Give the MC endless Deus Ex Machina scenes? Check. These cliches were taken only from the the first two chapters. And it's not like this conglomeration of overused ideas makes the manga bad. It's just that the author has such a hard time tying everything together. It's like the mangaka saw that certain ideas and plot devices worked for other successful manga and tried to mix all of them together. And thus, Strike the Blood was conceived.

 

Hardly deserving of most of the praise it gets, it seems that certain parts blind the reader of it's blatant faults. The rushed pacing, half-assed characters, and other issues make it difficult to read. It certainly isn't as bad as other series (*cough cough* Seven Sisters! *cough cough*), but the very fact that it got an anime adaption confounds me. And so, I decided to write a huge rant on why Strike the Blood is a decent action manga with huge plot issues. 

 

Undoubtedly, this is either going to generate a large amount of feedback that details on how I have no life or will generate little to no feedback, in which case I will truly feel like I have no life.

I'm going to keep this incredibly short.  I agree with you on the plot holes and pacing.  It's hugely evident in the anime as well.  The only viable explanation is: It's a shounen, it's aimed at a younger audience who won't be delving too much into the story.

~~Dos

Oh god......our fight

Spoiler

Vietnam flashbacks....

At least they cut Himeragi out.

Oh god......our fight

Spoiler

Vietnam flashbacks....

He wasted his chance! She was totally waiting for him and he blew it! BLEW IT!

You do know Touma is also a middle schooler in that. Even Style who looks either late teens or early twenties is said to be ridiculously young though i forget how young he is.

Touma is 16, and a first year in highschool. Stiyl is "supposedly" 14.

I've finally decided to formally review this as a MangaSins (in the style of CinemaSins).

Ichigo 100% had a good level of that

Hmmmm.... Still searching for that mythical happy median with that one.

You do know Touma is also a middle schooler in that. Even Style who looks either late teens or early twenties is said to be ridiculously young though i forget how young he is.

...perhaps I missing something or because not reading the LN too much but... isn't Touma already a high-schooler? a first year high-schooler though

welp this is my top anime/manga of the season for sure 

Did you forget To aru majutsu no index/To aru kagaku no railgun?

The girls who like Touma (although he keeps failing to notice their affection, even after 24 volumes into the LN) are middle- schoolers as well (or at that age)

(I am talking about Misaka Mikoto and Index)

You do know Touma is also a middle schooler in that. Even Style who looks either late teens or early twenties is said to be ridiculously young though i forget how young he is.

wow! STB is a harem manga? gotta watch the anime + read the manga XD

Actually it seems kind of better due to the fact most romances have hints within one volume but no actual developments and no confirmation to each other until bloody the end of the series. I'm hoping it wont be ya standard "Our story is over, I now say I love you, now lets date" in this.

Hmmmm.... Still searching for that mythical happy median with that one.

Don't you guys think that the anime is progressing way too fast?

And they skipped some parts

...

just starting to notice this manga because the anime ...

wow, To Aru Index again ... *follow* ... =3= ...

AHh, they didn't show the Lightning Rasengan Type move, however the fight was still epic. and now with Episode 4, we are now ahead of the manga!

Himeragi is boss!: 

Spoiler

Akatsuki finishing it off with the Imagine Breaker!

Spoiler