I’m happy enough at this point, that there are the side story novels to fill the craving for more Ayano x Kazuma… and more side stories yet to be published in its tankoubon form.

@GP: yeah… it’s been like two years since we last heard of the author >__< I'm hoping he can get back to work on the series again. Much love for KnS >__< @Eleonore Magilinon: wow... that's like, a post but I'm glad you were able to gain this much insight with the help of my [sometimes random] thoughts

It's quite an established fact even before, that Ayano's Enraiha summoning sequence is really lame... generic scene mixed with the wooden-stick-looking-"sword" But yeah... disregarding all these animation flaws and focusing on th serious tone of the series, there really is much we can gain insights from (inconsistent as they might have been shown at times).

With regards to Kazuma's berserk mode, Kirika has also mentioned that he's been hiding all that sadness and rage, even after he killed Arwin for revenge. As you have also said, his berserk mode is a result of him wanting to run away from all these problems... or rather, the burst of emotions triggered by remembering his painful past. Showing how he still hasn't been able to fully come into terms with Tsuoi Rin's death that time (until Ayano knocked some sense into him)

I believe Kazuma likes both Ayano's serious side (when she knocks some sense into him with some rather powerful words), and her naive (aka easy to tease) side I enjoy both sides as well ^-^ It's really fun to see how Kazuma responds to Ayano's actions, similar to how Ayano responds to Kazuma as well :3

About Ren... I also think he's a rather "perfect" character at this point, since much of his flaws attributed to his innocence are pretty much resolved in an idealistic manner as well. If there will ever be changes in Ren, it would be him learning about some harsh realities he has to accept and embrace... like some questioning with regards to these idealistic principles he has at this point.

And don't worry much about the lengthiness (although readers might really find it.. @__@ hehehe... it is a "meaty" and insightful read, especially for someone who has grown to like this series).

@Do-I-Need-A-Name: I'm also unsatisfied with the ending, because of the tons of questions left to be answered. But I guess the fact that I already knew it was going to turn out this way (knowing the novel ended the same way) made me accept the ending as it is. And I guess the fact that I saw the Kazuma x Ayano antic I've been wanting to see made me forgive the ending somehow.

Before we demand for a second season however, let us all hope that the author will recover and get back >__<

My opinions in just a few words: badass guy still alive + conflicts still unsettled + Kazuma calls Ayano partner with the novellistic trademark of slapping her butt (yes I remember he does that according to an AnimeBlogger page) + blah blah blah = MUST DEMAND FOR A SECOND SEASON.

so that says it all |333

And about the series, I found them accidently, really, just was checking smb’s facorites on Veoh, and found this series, ad decided to take a look. “Take a took” turned out to be throwing away all what I was watching at that moment, and watching only that till I came to ep.20, the last one at that time. And now I think about it, it’s my second favorite series of all the time (first would probably always be FullMetal Alchemist).

I like it a lot because in some way it’s the golden mean between “serious” anime I was watching later, with deep meaning, but which is quite difficult to watch emotionly and easy-going anime. I just can help thinking that when Ayano summons Enraiha, it looks just like how Sailor Moon summons her stuff, or rode, etc. Just better graphic And the series, they are my favorite type especially because great diologues between Kazuma & Ayano (antics you mention). Sometimes I even had a feeling that all the fights and other things are just the serery for that antics
But around ep. 20 & 21 I suddenly understood how thier world isn’t exactly at easy place. Because I couldn’t help feeling that Kazuma has every reason in the world to be mad, that Tsuo Rin in the past might actually be worth more than evrything he has in the present. I got over in, though. At that time just saying that some people were in even worse situations, so he hasn’t got a right to act that way)

And what I can say now about Tsuo Rin, Kazuma’s personality & Ayano (I wonder if the author will agree with me, I’m sorry if it was already written). I think that Tsuo Rin was (and is) so important to Kazuma, because she was probably the first person to see him as he was. Not as a bad fire mage, ot cool wind mage, but just as a person. All his life in his “great” family curcled around power, at that point, the lack of it. And Tsuo Rin just took him as he was, looked at him personality. (Btw, I think the fact Kazuma tried that much to save Masao has the same source – she was another person that was able to look at him not as a mage, but as a person, as a relative, as part of the family. the fact that he remembered it that clearly means that it was really important to him at that time – if I’m right, I bow to the author, for the logical storyline).
At that point, he was completely happy and didn’t care about power (I still think it was a great thing). But – the destiny had other ideas. And so he was returned to the power-judged world, although on the opposite position, being a great mage. But it didn’t bring him any bit of happiness. (That’s the only thing I find in common for two sorts of Contractors – in KnS and Darker than Black – Contracts doesn’t bring any happiness.) Returning to Japan and in a way to his family, he was judged there (at least it seems that way) again just as a mage – now a strong one. But it seems like only Ren was happy to see his brother returning (that’s why I think that if we’re talking about the best (in the meaning of the personality) character there – it’s Ren). And though the series it’s clear that in some way he was always alone. There wasn’t a person that could understand him and support him (and everybody need support after all), although was mostly because he didn’t want that person to appear (can’t help remembering the line from the ending – “With your blade of wind you keep others from coming close”). And when he was faced with his past, it was his loneliness that was the reason he couldn’t hold himself together. He just couldn’t bear it and, truthly told, ran from his problems. And from Tsuo Rin. Because I think that his beserk state was the result of his trying to forget Tsuo Rin, to forget his unfulfilled promise. Because if he didn’t forget her, he could become what he was. Tsuo Rin also reminded him of his promise, and it was remembering her and that promise that drawn him back.

And though this arc, when there were moments when he let his “cool guy” guard down (like the moment after he heard what were the last thoughts Tsuo Rin had) he slowly opens himself to Ayano. And I think some part of him want this to happen. He wants to find a person to understand him. He’s truly just like his dad, and he knows it, and he knows that he won’t ever say anything like that to Ayano or anybody else. But he wants someone to understand how he feels deep down. And for that, I must say, Ayano is a perfect candidate. She’s carefree just anough not to be foolish (but I think that her carelessness is one of the things Kazuma needs), and she can feel person’s feelings just anough not to be too noisy.
I’m not even sure who’s changing who more)

For some time I actually thought that Ayano’s “interest” in Kazuma comes from his powers mostly and that’s why she totally loose to Tsuo Rin. Now I wonder how could I… It’s just not Ayano’s kind of personality, not at all. She couldn’t like person just because he’s strong in the means of power. But she can like a person strong in means of the personality (I’m mostly rewriting what was said in the blog for ep.23). So she’s not worse than Tsuo Rin (and counting that she’s alive, she’s even winning). But even more, I totally agree with the statement that Ayano’s better than Tsuo Rin cause she doesn’t need or want her prince on the white horse that will protect her, she want to be fighting alongside that prince))))) She has a stronger personality. And I have a feeling that the bond formed slowly though doing many things and fighting many fights together will proove to be deeper than one formed quickly on impression. Or I just wish it to be)
If you know some “Omokage” from Shaman King, there’s this lyrics:

Rather than murmuring “I love you”
Surely my heart shakes
Rather than telling me “I’m in love”
The bonds become deep

For some reason I think it can be used here.

Also, there’s a couple of ritoric questions I think about. For example, what will happen to Ren in the future? Cause right now he seems absolutely flawless to me in means of the personality… But if we look at his brother & dad, they’re… quite different. And I have a bad feeling that they used to be like him – at some point, but they changed. I wonder if that gonna happen with Ren. On the other hand, story with Ayumi didn’t change him, which prooves him different from his brother, at least at this point.

Btw, about Tsuo Rin again. I think that it’s quite probable for her to think the way Lapis said in the end. I think what the author tried to tell was that everybody’s human. And it’s understandible for human to feel this way in the situation she was. But I not just doubt, but simply doesn’t belive she could stay with this opinion if given time to think about it.
(And Ayumi – it was stated, she was an angel in some way)

And about the ending of the ep. I liked it a lot, really. I like the endings where it’s shown that despite the world being near to coming crumbling down (or Tokyo,whatever ) characters still can enjoy themselves and laugh. Btw, it’s another think I love about the series – though characters always state that they don’t care or even hate each other (take Kazuma & his dad), it’s quite clear that it’s not true at all. Somewhere deep the invisible wall exists, and in real danger they forget al that talk and support each other. Genma said he’s going to kill his idiot son but (as it’s clearly stated in the novel) he just tested Ayano. I’m more than sure that he came to help not just Ayano & Ren, but Kazuma as well. Though he never admits it.
And the picture of Kazuma running from Ayano (and it’s clear they both enjoy it a lot… Well, it’s abvious for Ayano, and Kazuma, if he didn;t enjoy it, could have stopped it long ago), and others sitting calmly (and plus in the novel, Soushu supported Ayano in her “chase”) make you feel relieved. It’s one big happy family with lots of issues. And what else you need?)

I’m truly sorry for writing this much of the useless thoughts, but I just saw last ep today and I totally needed to write my impression of the whole series. And if somebody actually read it till the end, thanks a lot) And I would be more than happy to see that do you think about this, esp. about Ren and other questions.
And thanks again for the adventure though KnS)

@tigerlily: aww… thank you for sticking up with me and my blogging as well

and yes, you’re exactly right in the “initial attraction” argument you gave. I’ve also given some insights regarding what probably made Tsuoi Rin drawn to Kazuma before… the fact that she saw something deeper beneath his mask of sarcasm and scornfulness. And of course, his looks and other strong points.

Much credit goes to Ayano for being able to stand the worse Kazuma who became more cynical, sarcastic, etc.

LOL@ being my follower
Rest assured that I’ll be giving tidbits about the manga and novels from time to time. The drive to want to share it is certainly within me… I just have to find the time to do so

@quittinganimesoon: hehe… I’m glad to see I got you into [wanting to] read the books :3 It’s a good read, in my opinion… way better (though darker) than the anime.

Wow… that’s some great character analysis you gave to Lapis. I’ve never thought much about the co-relation of the the Ayumi arc with Lapis until you mentioned that. And yes, Lapis will never be Tsuoi Rin because they’re just… different entities. She only has a fragment of Tsuoi Rin’s memories, and that’s it. She’s a completely different person, who gets to develop her own feelings and insights / principles, now twisted by Wernhard. (don’t worry cause you’ve made your point clear XD)

@melody: I too am hoping for a fumoffu-like KnS, but hopefully… with a different studio >.>

@GP: the anime only covered 5 volumes, since the 6th volume focuses on another arc. volume 6 introduces another clan in the KnS world, and the arc is complete in volume 6. I haven’t seen much info about the continuation of the main arc yet… particularly the re-appearance of Wernhard and Lapis… sigh =__=

@FLiPMaStAZ: and yup, you’re right (as I also mentioned in my reply to GP) :p