Strike the Blood: Disappearing Holy Lance Arc [Episode 1]

Strike the Blood: Disappearing Holy Lance Arc Episode 1 – The Uncensored Comeback Fans Craved

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re here for Strike the Blood’s signature blend of vampire action, harem chaos, and unapologetic fan service, Episode 1 of the Disappearing Holy Lance Arc delivers—hard. Released as a 26-minute OVA on January 29, 2020, this isn’t just a filler episode; it’s a love letter to the fans who’ve stuck with Kojou Akatsuki, the world’s fourth Progenitor vampire, and his ragtag crew of sword shamans, princesses, and demon allies since Season 1. And yes, before you ask: the uncensored scenes everyone’s tweeting about? They’re definitely here.

First, let’s set the stage. After taking down the villainous Vattler and claiming Itogami Island as his “Dominion,” you’d think Kojou would be living like a vampire king. But nope—his days are still a mess of school, Yukina Himeragi (his sword-shaman bodyguard/observer) nagging him, and the usual harem hijinks. That is, until he and Yukina wake up alone in the school gym with zero memories of the day before. Cue the chaos: a mysterious new threat is messing with Kojou’s powers, the girls are diving into Vatler’s old ship to uncover clues, and—let’s be real—the bath scene with Sayaka Kirasaka (the fiery Onmyoji) has already become a fan favorite.

But let’s talk about what fans are actually buzzing about. Over on MyAnimeList, the comments section is a mix of hype, thirst, and that classic Strike the Blood energy. One user summed it up perfectly: “THIS IS THE LIFE—oppai and oppai and oppai…” (we see you, Comment 1). Another screamed, “HOLY SHIT ITS BACK omg im so glad the best harem of all time is back holy shit soo much nipples soo much plot soo much story!!!!!!” (Comment 3). Let’s not sugarcoat it: the fan service is dialed up to 11 here. Sayaka’s bare moment? Yeah, that’s the one everyone’s replaying (Comment 7: “Sayaka’s bare oppai just made my whole year”). And while some purists side-eyed the lack of censorship (“This being uncensored really caught me off guard, in a good way ^^” — Comment 33), let’s be honest: after years of censored Blu-ray teases, this feels like a victory lap.

Of course, it’s not all skin and laughs. The episode drops a bombshell cliffhanger (Comment 2: “I can’t wait a month for the next episode! Especially after that cliffhanger!”) that leaves Kojou compromised and Yukina in danger. Fans are already theorizing: “Koujo was taken control easily. That’s impossible while he’s a 4th Primogenitor” (Comment 8). Is the new villain using some ancient magic? A loophole in his vampire powers? We’ll have to wait for Episode 2 to find out—but that hasn’t stopped the hype train. Everyone’s crossing their fingers for a Season 2 announcement (“Fingers crossed for a season 2 announcement after part 2” — Comment 4, 6, 9). Let’s be real: after this OVA, we need more.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the subtitles. If you watched the first fan uploads, you know the struggle. “The subtitles were probably worst I have ever seen” (Comment 17). Another user ranted: “Those were the worst subs I’ve seen since Hadena—Seriously what the fuck is this lol” (Comment 37), even sharing a screenshot of a sub that called La Folia (a princess) a “nephew.” Yikes. Pro tip: skip the sketchy subs and either watch raw (it’s easy to follow, per Comment 27) or hunt down the AnimeRG version (Comment 42: “go for ‘AnimeRG’ release though. That himeragisubs guy messed up everything”).

But here’s the thing: even with wonky subs, the episode’s heart shines through. Strike the Blood has always been about balance—between Kojou’s dorky “I just want to eat ramen” vibe and his badass vampire transformations, between Yukina’s stoic loyalty and her secret soft spot for him, between the over-the-top action and the quiet moments that make the harem feel like a found family. This episode nails that balance. Kojou’s still the same guy who trips over his own feet… until he’s not (Comment 14: “LOL! Kojou is so hillarious in this episode. i didn’t expect that uncensored… BANZAI! 4/5”).

And let’s not forget the characters we love. La Folia, the vampire princess with a penchant for chaos, gets her time to shine (Comment 48: “Finally get to see all my favorite girls! La Folia FTW!”). Yukina’s still the no-nonsense bodyguard we adore, even when she’s flustered by Kojou’s antics. Sayaka? She’s still the fiery Onmyoji who steals every scene she’s in (Comment 12: “Sayaka’s the best. I remember I saw season 1 entirely because of her”).

So, who is this episode for? If you’re a diehard fan who’s been waiting for Strike the Blood to return, this is your new favorite episode. If you’re a casual viewer who loves harem anime with actual stakes (pun intended), this is a great jumping-on point (though pro tip: watch Season 1 first—you’ll thank us). And if you’re just here for the fan service? Well, you’re in heaven.

At the end of the day, Disappearing Holy Lance Arc Episode 1 isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s giving fans exactly what they want: more Kojou, more Yukina, more harem chaos, and more vampire battles. As one user put it: “This was all i needed lol” (Comment 5). And honestly? Same.

So grab your popcorn, skip the bad subs, and get ready—Strike the Blood is back, and it’s not holding anything back.

Final Verdict: 4/5 stars. The cliffhanger leaves us begging for more, the fan service is unapologetic, and the return of our favorite characters feels like catching up with old friends. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re replaying that Sayaka scene.

P.S. If Season 2 doesn’t happen? We riot.