Okay, let's talk Chivalry of a Failed Knight, episode one. It's an anime, if you didn't know. And, honestly? I kind of liked it more than I thought I would. *Gasp!*
The Premise: So Basic, It's Brilliant?
We have Ikki Kurogane. He's the "failed knight." Get it? He's supposed to be strong. He isn't.
Then there's Stella Vermillion. She's, well, the opposite! Royalty, powerful, basically perfect. They end up…sharing a room.
Yep, it's got all those classic anime tropes. But stick with me!
Unpopular Opinion Time!
I'm going to say it. The ecchi isn’t *that* bad. Hear me out! A lot of people complain about it. I found it… surprisingly tame?
Maybe I'm desensitized. Probably. But it didn't feel overly gratuitous to me. Sorry, not sorry.
The forced fan service gets old fast in anime. I didn't think it was that bad.
Stella: More Than Just Boobs?
Okay, okay, the first episode definitely focuses on Stella's… assets. But, there’s more to her, I swear! Her pride is endearing.
She's super confident, even arrogant. It’s a nice contrast to Ikki's self-deprecating attitude. I liked her design and colors too.
I found myself getting interested in her character and back story.
The Duel: Surprisingly Engaging
The fight scene between Ikki and Stella was actually good! No over the top transformations. Just skills and strategy.
Ikki's "Blade Steal" technique is pretty cool. It's a subtle way to show his intelligence. Makes him likeable and engaging to watch.
We all love the underdog, right? Rooting for Ikki felt natural.
Ikki: The Relatable "Loser"
Ikki is supposed to be the failure character. He is ostracized and bullied. But he has an inner resolve.
His humble attitude is refreshing. He doesn't whine. He just keeps trying. Good qualities I admire.
It is easy to see him going far despite the odds.
The Ending: Hooked!
That ending! The whole "if you lose, you're my servant" thing is… questionable. A little cliche. But I was intrigued.
I wanted to know what would happen next. I wanted to know if Ikki could overcome the odds. Check out the episode for yourself.
Sue me, I was invested!
Final Thoughts (For Now)
Look, Chivalry of a Failed Knight episode one isn’t a masterpiece. It’s not reinventing the wheel. I'm not going to lie.
But it’s entertaining! And sometimes, that's all that matters. I'd watch it again.
Don't judge it too harshly. Maybe give it a shot. You might be surprised like I was.
Who knows?
