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Year: 2015
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Romance
Episodes: 12
Rating: 3 out of 5
What is it like to be labeled a failure or loser by all your peers? Remember back in elementary school, middle school, or even high school. Who was the person that was always picked last, and people deemed to be a loser of the group? That they would never be as great as the top person in the class. Everyone around them would call them names and state that they will never be anything but a loser or failure.
Have you ever witnessed the person that was considered a failure to become one of the top students in not only the class but the school? That they have a look in their eyes of unwavering determination to prove themselves. You don’t know it, but they worked hard to be seen and not be the worse one. Where the person is practicing over and over again to one day be better than everyone else but was just looking for that one opportunity to make it.
Chivalry of a Failed Knight shows what happens when one student finally gets the opportunity to show off his skills and not be considered the “Worst One.”
Overview:
In an alternate universe, the world is inhabited by humans that are called “Blazers.” Blazers are people that have supernatural abilities that can create weapons known as “Device.” Devices are made through the person’s very soul. Seven academies around the land teach students how to harness and use their Blazer abilities. Each year, the academies hold an annual tournament called the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, where each school academy seven representatives to determine the strongest apprentice.
Hagun Academy is one of the academies that participate in the festival. They were considered one of the top schools, but through the past few years, their ranking has fallen on hard times. Hagan Academy has decided to make a change and hired Kurono Shinguji as the new academy director to bring the academy back to its former glory.
Chivalry of a Failed Knight revolves around Ikki Kurogane and Stella Vermillion. Ikki is considered the academy’s F-Rank Blazer and is nicked named “The Worst One” for his low magical abilities. Stella, on the other hand, is the princess of a European country called Vermillion and is a top A-Rank Blazer.
Chivalry of a Failed Knight begins with Stella transferring to Hagun Academy. On her first day, she moves into her room where unbeknownst to her and Ikki, they are assigned to be roommates. After an unfortunate event where Ikki walks on Stella changing clothes, Stella loses it and challenges Ikki to a duel. The loser has to be the slave of the winner for life. After a brief battle, Ikki surprises all and defeats Stella. After some conversation, they decide to become roommates and drop the whole slave thing. With his epic win, Ikki starts an adventure where he climbs the ladder to be recognized by his school and one day not be considered the “Worst One.”
Review:
Chivalry of a Failed Knight is an okay anime. It has its moments of being entertaining and engaging but ultimately falls flat with the story along with some of the characters in it. First, the message of the anime is strong but could have been presented in a better fashion. The main character, Ikki, is one that everyone considers a failure, but through hard work and remarkably, unyielding determination manages to beat one of the top students in the school. Through his battles, he manages to become one of the strongest while everyone starts looking up to him. The message is pretty much the same, work hard, and you will be noticed. Never give up. The only problem, Gurren Lagaan, did a far better job at it in a far more entertaining way. Another common theme, the school is currently on a losing streak. They were the once the top school to go to, but now they have fallen to the bottom. A new regime comes in that wants to bring the school back to former glory. Rather than doing things by the old system, the new person in charge changes everything to give everyone a fair shot at representing the school. The same story that is told over and over again.
The characters of the anime are quite entertaining. The main character, Ikki Kurogane, is a relatable character to anyone who has been picked on in school but has a lot of potential while looking for a chance to prove themselves. That’s why you should root for this character. No matter what is thrown at him, he finds a way to overcome the odds while being considered the worst one in the school. He comes from a strict family that shunned him, but it was his great-grandfather who gave him the advice and motivation needed to keep going. He is considered and F-Rank Blazer that no one takes seriously. When presented with the opportunity to prove himself, he takes hold of it and never lets go. The main female character Stella Vermillion is something. She is a gorgeous and buxom red-hair girl who is considered a once-in-a-decade genius along with being the second princess of the Vermillion Kingdom. Stella is very strong-willed and has a strong sense of loyalty. At the start of the series, after a misunderstanding, she challenges Ikki to a duel where the loser must obey the winner and be their slave. Thinking she is better, she ends up losing the bet. After Ikki says all he wants is to be her roommate, she feels an obligation to treat him as a master. Stella reminds me of those girls who think they are the best and look down on certain people until they are proven wrong.
Other characters help drive the anime or make it seem a little more diverse. First, there is Nagi Arisuin. Nagi is a first-year student who describes himself as “a maiden trapped in the body of a man,” being very knowledgeable of make-up and fashion. He dresses feminine, along with having feminine features. Even though he is quite mysterious, he is also one that tries to give a helping hand. You will appreciate this character. Out of all the characters, my favorite is Toka Todo. Toka is an all-around badass on the battlefield but klutz everywhere else. She usually trips and ends up showing her underwear. On the battlefield, she is incredible. She can manipulate lightning and has one of the deadliest moves I have ever seen. She is quite scary.
The animation in this anime is probably one of the highlights of the whole series. Now when presenting all the characters, it is okay. Nothing special. BUT when the fight scenes come, and the characters use their powers, that is where the excitement comes in. Stella’s fire attack is pretty awesome. When Ikki uses Ittō Shura, where he pushes his skills and abilities beyond what the human body would limit. His eyes glow, and he goes into another mode. Toka’s Raikiri, Reverse Sight, Shippu Jinrai, and Takemikazuchi are a highlight. Homegirl stands in one place, and literally, with a flash of lightning, the opponent is defeated. My favorite scene that is the highlight of the animation is when Ikki and Toka face off in a fight. The fight is literally one move between them, but it is intense and drawn so well. Both characters turn grey with red eyes as they draw closer and closer to each other before the finishing strike.
Overall, Chivalry of a Failed Knight is an okay feel-good anime that is lackluster in a few areas. Even though the message is strong, it could’ve been presented in a better way. The story is good but one that has been shown over and over again. The characters are pretty good, but the highlight are the battle scenes and action scenes. When some of the students battle each other, they are intense and full of action. Definitely watch if you need to watch a pick me up anime.
