Knight's & Magic

[MFauli]

Knights-and-magic-anime-681x511.jpg

A mecha otaku is reincarnated into another world as Ernesti Echevarria, also known as Eru. In this world, huge humanoid weapons known as Silhouette Knights exist. Dreaming of piloting those robots, Eru and his friends, Archid Olter and Adeltrud Olter, aim to become Knight Runners.

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Episode 1 is out
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That was very enjoyable. The premise would be best described as another "Tanya the Evil"-scenario, except with a friendly hero.

Great animation and music, quality character designs. And I loved how this guy suddenly introduced magic staff-rifles

Ofc it needs to be seen if the story is being presented in a serious manner of it´s another choker-anime like many fantasy-anime from last season. However, death appears to be a thing in this world, and the final scene showed a menacing enemy. I´m confident for now.

One weakness I found so far: The premise of a guy from our reality being reborn into this fantasy world has been forsaken quickly. I hope there´s more consequence to his past, beyond "I like robots and that´s why I´m such an avid learner".

[KrayZ33]

I didn't expect a whole lot from "Knight's & Magic" (wtf)

And while I'm not into it yet, I like the fact that the mechs look like they are battle hardened and about to fall apart from constant encounters.
I wish all Mecha anime would do this more consistently.

For now, I just hope that this little detail won't change when MC creates his own robot - it's okay for me if it looks nice and clean at the start of course.

One weakness I found so far: The premise of a guy from our reality being reborn into this fantasy world has been forsaken quickly. I hope there´s more consequence to his past, beyond "I like robots and that´s why I´m such an avid learner".

If it's only used to introduce more mecha elements (like the "staffcanon"), it'd be a really lame plot device.

The other weakpoint so far is that they let middleschoolers be protegés of highschoolers and go out alone to such a place. Wth...
Half of them are clearly not fit for this. Why do they do that without a proper escort of veterans (adults).

[MasterOfMoogles]

Surpassed expectations immensely. Not that they were high to begin with.

Good animation and pacing, I actually expect interesting things from this show now.

[Kraco]

I hope there´s more consequence to his past, beyond "I like robots and that´s why I´m such an avid learner".

Liking robots is the source of his motivation, and it seems to be a giant source. However, his genius for magic comes from the similarity that world's magic seems to bear to the logic behind programming languages.

All in all this was much better than I expected, but on the other hand, I've been reading a whole bunch of isekai manga of late, so I guess I was in a perfect mood for this series in any case.

I'm happy I wasn't drinking anything when I started to watch this. A couple of the names would have made me spill that drink all over my keyboard.

[MFauli]

The silly names in Re:Creators have made me immune to silly name-reactions :>

[Kraco]

Episode 2


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This show really is much better than I could expect, and it seems like it's only getting better. Aside from the miserable performance of the first squad of knights (the ones defending the fortress), the fight was splendid as well. Ernie laughing like a maniac when he finally got to operate a mecha was jolly good. In a funny way the fact he had no education on those things was a plus for him, as he could simply fight like mecha are shown to fight in anime, he wasn't burdened by the useless centuries old doctrines that are holding back all the others. Although that being said, obviously the Silhouette Knights were designed for the lethargic movements as the frame couldn't take Ernie's piloting. He really needs to include inertial dampeners (shock absorbers) in his own design so that the sudden decelerations won't break the joints. I suppose reducing the mass would also be wise since he seems to value speed over tanking.

Outside of action, I appreciate how he simply stoically accepts getting hugged by the pretty girls. I hope he remains like that for the time being, until he actually gets interested in someone, should that happen. Much better than panicking and other shit.

[shinta|hikari]

WTF most of that fight made no sense. Most of this show is wish fulfillment garbage for mecha otakus.

1) Why didn't he use his other sword to attack the other eye? It worked once. A blinded enemy would've been helpless, or at the very least way easier to beat. Not attacking the other eye is the height of idiocy.

2) How would he know that electricity conducted into the eye (and he did know, look at his confident mug and victory declaration) would even work? It's a magical blastoise for crying out loud. How would you even know if it has a brain? I'd get it if he just tried it out as an experiment, not an attack that essentially kills him if it fails.

3) Why the hell is this guy so OP? He just messes with the rules of the world whenever the plot needs it. He even deduced that the monsters were running from a bigger thing the second before the behemoth conveniently showed up, as if to make him seem more OP than he already is. Oh wait, that was the point.

4) And why is he a friggin' psychopath? People died in those machines, and he is like, "robots can only be killed by robots!" He was a friggin' programmer in his previous life, not an assassin or soldier.

That said, I can enjoy this if I turn off my brain. The action looks flashy enough.

[MFauli]

Great episode.

shinta, your complaints are REALLY weird and weak:

Regarding 2): It´s an alternate world with magic. That doesn´t mean that life animals, no matter how monstrous they may be, have completely different inner workings. It was entirely reasonable to assume that the turtle has a brain, and the eye is directly connected to the brain (actually, the eye is part of the brain, strictly speaking). From there, it doesn´t take much to figure out how to kill a tough enemy, ESPECIALLY for someone who´s likely into video games and stuff. We´ve all seen the Pokemon-anime where Ash´ Pikachu defeats a Rhizeros (stone element) by attacking it´´s mouth/horn to do damage. We´ve all toppled over monsters in Xenoblade so attacks would do damage to the soft underside of a monster. And so on. If I were Ernestie, I´d have done the exact same thing.

Regarding 3): Because, as I just said, he´s a gamer/otaku. Kraco mentioned it, too: He doesn´t have the "proper" education of all the other mecha pilots in this world. Instead, he naturally moves the mecha like he remembers from his beloved games and anime.

Regarding 4): Almost the same reason as 3. Because he´s completely detached from this world´s manners. For him, piloting an actual mecha is a wish come true. Would you care about a ringing bell if you were in the middle of fucking a hot loli girl, enjoying her waki? It´s the same with Ernestie and mecha.



I will say, though, that the normal mecha pilots were depressingly weak. What was they plan to beat this monster? What would have happened if Ernestie hadn´t been there? And does it mean that this was the strongest monster ever to appear? Because it´s hard to imagine that these pushovers successfully defeated an even stronger enemy.

[shinta|hikari]

Before I get into the other responses, respond to number 1 first. Why the hell did he not take out the other eye?

2) That was my point. It's an ACTUAL alternate world with monsters. You can't expect it to match video game tropes. I understand what you said that one must test assumptions, but my complaint was about his confidence. He COULDN'T be sure, but he acted as if he was. That was obviously for coolness factor. You may have done the same thing, but would you have been sure enough that it will work to bet your life on it?

3) That's the problem. It's an excuse that allows him to just pull whatever on us. I am personally sick of OP Gary Stus running around making stuff up as they trample their path across the new world. At least Tanya struggled a lot in her story. I think this is more of me being oversaturated with these wish fulfillment stories, which are a dime a dozen in light novels and manga, and now anime.

4) Did you just equate his lack of sensitivity towards death with manners? It's more of a moral question, and I'm fine with psychopaths who don't care about that. What I don't get is why he is the way he is. He was a relatively normal person, albeit very intelligent, in his previous life. He genuinely cares about his friends (which most psychopaths don't), but somehow, he is more concerned with the safety of machines over human life. Life over objects is not a perception limited to that fantasy world. It's also common sense in his original one, which is modeled after ours.

And yes, I would care, as would any logical human being. We aren't animals that only care about fulfilling our desires.

[MFauli]

I can´t answer your 1.), because a) I don´t remember the scene in detail, and b) it might be a case of bad writing. Happens.

2.) Again, if I fought a turtle-monster, I´d make the same assumptions that Ernestie did. Would I be guaranteed success? No. But it´s a reasonable assumption. You´re talking about it as if it was an outlandish assumption that shouldn´t have been realistically possible. Disagreed.

3.) This is episode 2. Tanya was OP for most of the anime. How about we wait and see what happens?

4.) You´re answering your own question: It´s a fantasy world. For Ernestie, this still isn´t real. Admittedly, he´s been living in this world for a couple years by now, but we don´t know how much he´s accepted that as "real". Evidentally, he spent most of his time learning high-level robot-stuff so he could pilot a mecha as soon as possible. That´s his one and only goal. Some fantasy knights dying? Who cares, they´re not real, not in the sense of "my" real world.

I will say this: If this anime wants to aspire to greater heights, it WILL need a moment of humiliation for Ernestie. Him losing. A dear friend dying. Stuff like that. If this is 12 episodes of Ernestie pwning everyone and everything, it´d be bad in hindsight, yes.

[shinta|hikari]

2) Stop making stuff up. Look at the bold part in what I said in the original post. How is that me saying it was an outlandish idea?

2) How would he know that electricity conducted into the eye (and he did know, look at his confident mug and victory declaration) would even work? It's a magical blastoise for crying out loud. How would you even know if it has a brain? I'd get it if he just tried it out as an experiment, not an attack that essentially kills him if it fails.

3) Tanya got injured left and right from the start, and that is with her training her combat magic diligently. This guy, without ever even sitting in a mech, suddenly piloted it beyond flawlessly and destroyed a monster that dozens of knights can't beat. See how different that is? He is unmatched at magic, athletic (albeit short), intelligent, and can insta-program a mech he's never touched before. That is clearly lazy, if not outright bad, writing. It is clear that the author doesn't even know the first thing about actual coding and what programmers actually do.

4) But he cared about the mechs that were destroyed in this "not his world" place. If he really didn't see that new world as "his world," then why would he get so angry over a bunch of robots getting crushed? I'm not actually complaining about his lack of concern for life. I'm complaining about his comparative concern for life vs. machines that can be rebuilt (and apparently made from scratch).

Good luck having this walking wish-fulfillment trope lose. I'm being sincere when I say that.

[MFauli]

I disagree with everything you wrote, so I don´t see any sense in continuing to answer. Have a nice day.

[shinta|hikari]

Disagreeing with something that has clear evidence (my quote for item 2) is hilarious. You can disagree with the rest because they are opinions, but disagreeing with a fact is nonsensical. Unless you're Trump

[Kraco]

Yes, I also think it's lazy writing that this was his first time piloting a mecha (unless the anime actually cut relavant stuff). It would have been much cooler if we had had previous flashbacks of him sitting in one with his father or somebody, allowed to try out things supervised, and then perhaps something like trying those programs with a cockpit of a disassembled mecha or some old training machine. However, these things are actually controlled with magic, so it's also possible that piloting one is as easy as moving your own body. Who knows. Nevertheless, even in that case the super easy programming part was bs.

I don't have particular problems with his personality. He's a man obsessed. Such exist. He's not only obsessed with the mecha as machines but also mecha fighting. I don't think he lacks fear of death entirely, but his adult soul already accepts that in a fight to the death somebody necessarily dies, either the enemy or he (and his allies). That's soldier mentality. It was no different from the loser knights defending the fortress earlier: They also attacked, despite knowing they would likely perish, because it's their job and if they don't try, then the monster would slaughter all the people in the city, including their families. That still doesn't mean Ernie wouldn't feel pissed off when precious mecha are destroyed.

I do hope Ernie encounters difficulties later, but I'm not particularly concerned right now. I sometimes get annoyed by too OP isekai MCs, sometimes I don't. I guess it depends on the character's personality and the general entertainment value of the story. If there's nothing else but an OP MC kicking ass, it's boring, but if there's a whole lot of other things going on and an OP MC kicking ass, it can be good.

[shinta|hikari]

I actually found the way the student knights handled the behemoth to be stupid. If the thing responded to and can get aggrod by range fire (and it did), why the hell were they trying to pummel it with swords? If the goal was to buy time for people to escape/reinforcements to arrive, they should've focused on baiting it and running away (aka kiting), making sure to avoid the direction of its mouth, which could breathe fire.

I also found the knights defending the wall idiotic. Why did they have to fight (aka get massacred)? They barely slowed the thing down. When they slashed the foot and that didn't work, what made them think doing it again and again would do? Retreat is also a part of strategy. Their CO is a friggin' moron.

I don't like how the writer had to dumb everyone down to make the protagonist look even more OP than he already is.

[MFauli]

And I think we ought to wait for the next 1-2 episodes before fitting such an outrage as you´re doing. The king already realized what a danger Enersti´s power could be, meaning, it didn´t go unrecognized that Ernesti is unusually powerful/capable. That´s a good thing, as it shows that the people in this world aren´t dumb and just go "aww, yeah, you showed that monster, Ernie, great!". Nah, they noticed that something´s not normal about him. Will be interesting to see how that goes.

[shinta|hikari]

What outrage? I'm just nitpicking. I said so from the start, that I can enjoy this show if I turn off my brain. This show isn't even taking itself that seriously in the first place, something expected considering the saturation of this story type in the current market. It is by no means terrible or not entertaining.

Basically, it's a teen-oriented, wish fulfillment show, but I'm analyzing it like it was Game of Thrones or a big budget Hollywood movie. Why? Because it's fun.

[MFauli]

That´s my problem with your postings, " I can enjoy this show if I turn off my brain". This anime hasn´t yet done anything that justifies labeling it as a brain dead show that´s just there to shallowy entertain without food for thought. That´s what I mean with "let´s wait for 1-2 more episodes".

Tanya started exactly the same. Her being OP, massacring any opponent. Then they first real obstacle came. Later another came. That´s when this anime became so incredibly great.

We have seen the introductory episode and an action-episode of Knights and Magic. The next two episodes will be the deciding factor which direction this goes: Brainless fun or well thought-out scenario.

[shinta|hikari]

Hasn't done anything to justify being a turn off my brain show?

How about not attacking the other eye when it clearly worked the first time? (Turns off brain, enjoys.)

How about the protagonist who has never ridden a robot before suddenly showing up all known pilots, killing a giant monster that pawns platoons of knights, and impressing the friggin' king? Because he is a "genius programmer?" That very premise is a joke. Even Kraco, who likes this show, admits as much. (Turns off brain, enjoys.)

Programming doesn't work like that, and no, hacking doesn't work like what you see in TV. But you see, that's the point. This IS a TV show, for teens no less (This is fact, being adapted from a light novel targeting youths). The Isekai (transported to other world) genre in particular is terribly saturated with boring OP protagonist drivel. Exceptions like Tanya, Grimgar, or Overlord are rare, and even then they suffer from the same problems sometimes (plot convenience). So this show is actually okay and is what it is. It's a dime a dozen OP wish fulfillment show. Don't expect it to make sense all the time. It is fine if it's flashy and entertaining. I'm just nitpicking at it for fun. The same way I keep replying to you for fun.

Clearly this is just my prediction based on what I've seen in these 2 episodes, but I think I've consumed enough of this sort of media to be a good judge of how it will likely turn out. (EDIT: And no, I have not read a word of Knights and Magic LN.)

Maybe this will surprise us and turn out to be amazing, but I wouldn't bet on it. Based on the lazy writing so far, the harem-y setup, the absurd (and unnecessary) OP-ness, this has already ticked all the boxes of typical isekai fare.

[Kraco]

I actually found the way the student knights handled the behemoth to be stupid. If the thing responded to and can get aggrod by range fire (and it did), why the hell were they trying to pummel it with swords? If the goal was to buy time for people to escape/reinforcements to arrive, they should've focused on baiting it and running away (aka kiting), making sure to avoid the direction of its mouth, which could breathe fire.

They were just students with no battle experience but too much pride and vigor (until people started dying). They also must have thought nothing can stand against their mighty Silhouette Knights. If you have got a sword, you have to try it. It's a pity they didn't have anyone naturally competent among them, although even if there was, they didn't seem like people who would have listened.

I also found the knights defending the wall idiotic. Why did they have to fight (aka get massacred)? They barely slowed the thing down. When they slashed the foot and that didn't work, what made them think doing it again and again would do? Retreat is also a part of strategy. Their CO is a friggin' moron.

They were fools, yeah. Plus I have got a feeling these kind of gigantic monsters are only familiar to them through books. Maybe their great grandfathers once fought something like that, who knows. They didn't know what they were doing, and that moron CO instead of deciding to act approriately for an unknown situation chose to act as if it was a normal situation. Still, I can't blame them for lack of courage, like I said before.

How about not attacking the other eye when it clearly worked the first time? (Turns off brain, enjoys.)

The monster wasn't actually too stupid, so it's possible trying to attack the other eye would have been a suicide. You can surprise someone once, but repeating the same thing is pushing your luck. If you were in a fight and somebody took out one of your eyes, you'd do anything and everything to retain your remaining one. The monster wouldn't have anymore simply relied on its tough skin.