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TRINITY SEVEN Episode 1 Review – Best In Show

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TRINITY SEVEN Episode 1 Review – Quick Summary

In TRINITY SEVEN Episode 1, “Administer and Third Selection”, Arata Kasuga enjoyed a quiet, happy life living and going to school with his cousin, Hijiri Kasuga. They’d often sit on the school roof at lunch under the giant black sun. Then three things happened. First, Arata realized that no, the sun should not be black. Second, he realized after questioning Hijiri that she was not, in fact Hijiri. And third, a beautiful Mage with long red hair showed up on the roof and said that he could either forget Hijiri ever existed or die by her hand. Does Arata have any hope for regaining the peaceful life he enjoyed?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from TRINITY SEVEN Episode 1

Levi wasted no time in showing that she was every bit Arata’s equal — in more ways than one! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

You may be wondering why I chose TRINITY SEVEN, yet another ecchi series, as my throwback series this season. Didn’t High School of the Dead fulfill my quota? Shouldn’t I go back to interviewing more wholesome series?

I’d argue that in terms of narrative goodness, TRINITY SEVEN is wholesome. Not in a Puritan sort of way, but in a robustness of gender roles sort of way. My favorite quote shows what I mean.

Lilith Asami was trying to show Arata around campus when Arata noticed something odd about the ceiling. His notice impressed the ninja Levi Kazama, who had been hiding there. Lilith introduced Levi as one of the Trinity Seven, and Arata said that must mean she’s seriously awesome.

“Oh, yeah, really awesome. I am a ninja, after all. I know everything from assassination to really sexy ninja techniques,” she answered brightly (17:09).

When I first watched this series years ago, it was at about this point I was hooked. Levi was as forward with her humor as Arata. And it wasn’t like he was a shrinking violet! This banter among equals really appealed to me.

Best in Show Moment for TRINITY SEVEN Episode 1

Arata apologized to Lilith — and it meant it! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Ecchi as an Art Form

I have read a lot about history. Some of it I read so long ago that it almost feels like a mythological event. As in, “In the mists of time, I sat in the dusty, candle-lit library and poured over the parchments…” I could have sworn I saw Gandalf in there, filling in some of the gaps in his knowledge of ring history. 

I have observed current trends, too, and I see what’s happening in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and even the United States. There, I see the same pattern that has repeated throughout through history. That pattern is that those unscrupulous about gaining power will use those who are. Always. 

One pattern in particular is whipping up people who consider themselves devout to rail against any kind of adult sexuality in media. That means movies, graphic novels, or television shows. In our case, it means manga and anime. 

Lilith might object to Levi’s casual mention of sexual themes. And that’s fine. It’s only when the state starts regulating thought that thinks get dire. Well, more dire… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

But guess how the pattern ends? Those who are unscrupulous in gaining power use the fervor about indecency to obtain access to the power of the state, with all of its guns and might, to control thought. They don’t care that it’s ecchi content. They only care that now they have the reins, and they can use them. This isn’t a conspiracy. It’s obviously played out across all of human history.

So I’m reviewing another ecchi series as my statement that freedom is good. If you don’t want to watch ecchi series, that’s cool. I by no means want you to do anything you don’t want to do. But I do not want the power of the state anywhere near artistic expression. And no, I’m not kidding. Ecchi anime is the canary in the coal mine, and I want that little bird to sing.

Delivery: Arata Actually Has Character

That said, even I have to admit that there’s a lot of ecchi that I don’t want to watch. Some tropes just annoy the heck out of me. In particular, anything that denies characters, particular female characters, of agency is just not something I want to see. So, I don’t watch those series.

As we saw with Levi in my favorite quote, she enjoys sexy banter with Arata. That alone makes the series worthwhile, in my book. But he showed something else in this episode that I thought was simply fantastic.

Lilith had just welcomed Arata to the Royal Biblia Academy. She’s a prim and proper type. Social protocols mean a lot to her. When she had given him the choice to forget all about Hijiri or die, he chose a third option — to become a Mage. That bypassed all of the processes that Lilith had mastered. Moreover, she had felt proud of the effort she had put into learning protocols. Now, as they walked the hallway, he chatted with her and referred to her informally. 

From almost the moment she met him, Arata pushed the boundaries of what Lilith thought was socially acceptable. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

“You’re really rude, you know that?” Lilith snapped at him.

“Oh, right,” he said, seeming to realize that himself (13:05). “Sorry about that.”

He seemed genuinely sorry! The guy knows he’s no socialite, and he knows that he’s chatting too informally with her. He’s out of his depth here, too. He never wanted to be a Mage. He didn’t even know they existed just hours ago! Yet, he wanted to show respect for Lilith, so he honestly apologized to her. So the show has confident, sexually aware women and a main character who’s capable of respecting them. That’s one of the reasons I like this series so much!

What did you think of Selina Sherlock barraging him with questions during his introduction? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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4 thoughts on “TRINITY SEVEN Episode 1 Review – Best In Show

    1. I highly recommend it! I’m particularly fond of the animation and character models.

      That said, it’s an acquired taste. I’d love to hear your opinion if you decide to watch it!

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