The content of this piece was written during a viewing of the first episode of The Sacred blacksmith on January 18, 2011. Edits have been made for spelling and grammar, but the rest is completely untouched, and un-edited from its original format.
9:06 PM: Good evening everyone, and welcome to another showblog.
9:06 PM: Tonight’s feature is The Sacred Blacksmith.
9:06 PM: Before I get going with the review, I’d like to get the basics out of the way.
9:06 PM: Directed by Masamitsu Hidaka (Linebarrels of Iron, Pokemon)
9:06 PM: Music by Tamiya Terashima (Hanaukyo Maid-tai, Tweeny Witches)
9:06 PM: Created by Isao Miura
9:07 PM: Character designs by Jun Nakai (Tokyo Majin)
9:07 PM: Animation by Manglobe (Hayate the Combat Butler [movie], Samurai Champloo)
9:07 PM: Opening theme: Justice of Light by Mayumi Gojo
9:07 PM: Ending theme: Miracle Happy Day by Aki Toyosaki
9:07 PM: Released by .@funimation
9:08 PM: Now, let’s get this started!
9:08 PM: Open to a flaming cart.. and dead people. Way to catch attention :o
9:09 PM: And a girl fighting an… ice devil? This is interesting already :3
9:09 PM: And girl has a name – Cecily Campbell
9:09 PM: …She’s getting her ass handed to her >_>
9:10 PM: …and she got her ass saved by some guy named Luke.
9:10 PM: The staff did a good job of grabbing attention from the outset.
9:11 PM: Screen: “Independent Trade City Housman >:o”
9:11 PM: Looks like we’re getting shots of people haggling and living in the city.
9:12 PM: And some guy’s pissed at a shopkeep >_>
9:12 PM: Enter Cecily… who’s apparently a soldier and/or cop… that everyone likes.
9:13 PM: Ohp… breast shot. >_>
9:13 PM: And a fight… some hobo is bustin’ shit up :O
9:13 PM: He’s apparently a knight, and Cecily’s trying to reason with him… fat lot of good this’ll do
9:14 PM: “Why can’t I be saved? D:” ’cause you’re busting shit up T_T
9:14 PM: Swordfight is go! The choreography’s pretty good.
9:15 PM: And Cecily broke her blade. Hobo – 1, Cecily – 0
9:15 PM: …and Luke (I presume) saves her ass before the deathblow. >_> That makes four.
9:16 PM: “You’re a survivor of the war? :o” …what war? >_> Guess we’ll find out
9:16 PM: Hah. :D Ceci’s knees gave out.
9:16 PM: …and Luke has a loli companion. >_>
9:16 PM: A chatty loli.
9:17 PM: Luke seems critical of her.
9:17 PM: And he’s blowing off a meeting… hah :D
9:18 PM: Cecily waxes poetic about the sword, and the blacksmith tells her to melt it down, like a boss
9:18 PM: “That sword has run its course :D” he’s blunt.
9:19 PM: …and now she’s hunting Luke. >_> #StalkerIntraining
9:19 PM: Loli’s got a name now – Lisa. Luke lives with her
9:19 PM: Introduction time! :D
9:20 PM: Hah. :D Cecily’s forward… and Luke’s a dick
9:21 PM: Looks like the truth comes out – Cecily wants a sword… and Luke won’t make one. >_> Scrooge
9:21 PM: “I only forge katanas for myself T_T” …nice fellow.
9:22 PM: The truth comes out. Cecily’s only been a knight a month. >_> She talks big for a newcomer
9:22 PM: “A member of the Campbell family must always serve as a knight. T_T ” …I see.
9:23 PM: “I want a sword that can’t be broken! ” Who doesn’t?
9:23 PM: Lisa is a buzzkill :D
9:24 PM: “I want you to look at ME! :3” “O____o” “NOT THAT WAY! D:”
9:24 PM: And now we get the werewolves on the prowl. They at least keep things moving quickly in this.
9:25 PM: And a badass bandit guy – I like him already
9:25 PM: …And here we are at the beginning.
9:25 PM: Or something. :P
9:26 PM: Cecily has a death wish – going after the inhumans herself.
9:26 PM: And Luke… saves his ass again. “Get up, Cecily Campbell… or are you all talk? :3” Ice burn.
9:26 PM: Again, loving the fight choreography in this.
9:27 PM: First the werewolves, NOW we have the ice giant… thing.
9:28 PM: “A devil’s contract! D:” so that’s… the bandit dude… I’m guessing? Sold his soul for power and all that?
9:29 PM: Cecily = stubborn – refuses to run while Luke’s fighting it off. Admirable, to say the least.
9:29 PM: Bastard broke Luke’s blade… now Ceci’s trying to fight with a broken sword? She’s uh… either nuts or brave.
9:30 PM: “THIS IS WHO I AM!” A suicidal knight?
9:30 PM: Forging start!
9:30 PM: “Folding over… folding over…” number nine. Number nine.
9:31 PM: I now it’s supposed to be impressive, but this is a bit… overblown
9:31 PM: Luke’s gonna cut a bitch.
9:31 PM: …Or not T_T End of the episode.
9:32 PM: And we get bouncy poppy music – talk about jarring XD
9:32 PM: Still… I have to admit I’m digging this.
9:32 PM: Cecily is as dumb as a brick, but she seems to work well with the rest of the cast.
9:34 PM: The setting is a nice high fantasy that you just don’t see too much of anymore, and the story really grabs you from the get-go.
9:34 PM: I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this one going forward.
