Ep 2. Commoner Familiar
- July 9, 2006
Louise is a noble magician in training, and she is still grappling with the fact that she has summoned a commoner boy, Saito, as her familiar. In episode 2 of Zero no Tsukaima, titled "Commoner Familiar," the story picks up where episode 1 left off, with Louise still struggling to accept Saito as her familiar and Saito struggling to adjust to this new world.
The episode begins with Louise and Saito attending their first day of class at the Tristain Academy of Magic. Louise is mortified when she sees that Saito is wearing his old school uniform, which is commoner clothing, instead of the school uniform for nobles. As punishment, Louise makes Saito wear a horse bridle for the rest of the day.
The main plotline of this episode revolves around a competition between different magic schools for a special magic staff. Louise is asked to participate in the competition, which surprises her as she is still considered an underachiever at the academy. She is also shocked when she finds out that the Dean of the academy has chosen Saito as her partner in the competition.
Louise and Saito are paired up with two other students, Princess Henrietta and her familiar, a dragon named Sheffield. This is a chance encounter for Louise and Saito as they become allies with the princess and her dragon. The four students meet to discuss their strategy for winning the competition, which involves a magic obstacle course with the staff as the prize. Each team has to complete the obstacle course and the team with the fastest time wins.
The day of the competition arrives and Louise and Saito are ready, albeit begrudgingly. The other schools participating in the competition are made up of snobbish, aristocratic mages who look down upon Louise and Saito for their less-than-noble background. The competition is intense and fraught with danger, with each team having to navigate through multiple challenges, including spellcasting and avoiding dangerous creatures.
The competition results in several tense moments between Louise and Saito as they struggle to get along and work together. However, they manage to put aside their differences and win the competition with the help of Princess Henrietta and Sheffield. In the end, Louise and Saito emerge victorious, and Louise gains a newfound respect for Saito as a competent and capable familiar.
The episode ends with Louise and Saito commuting back to their dorm room, exhausted but happy. Louise grudgingly acknowledges that Saito is a competent familiar, and Saito admits that he has grown to like this new world. The episode sets the stage for future plotlines, with Louise and Saito's relationship evolving and the possibility of future competitions and adventures at the Tristain Academy of Magic.
Overall, Zero no Tsukaima season 1 episode 2 is an exciting and fast-paced episode that offers plenty of tension and humor. The episode is well-written and engaging, with strong character development and world-building. The show is a must-watch for anime fans who enjoy a good mix of magic, fantasy, and romance.
