Mahou Tsukai No Yome S2 part 2

The much anticipated continuation, the second part of Mahou Tsukai No Yome S2 seeks to follow up and conclude where the first part left off. Damn split cour. Hey, at least it didn’t take another 5 years! But yeah, we continue seeing Chise as a student in her new college life while her husband Elias having a role as a teacher inside the said college. And some supernatural conspiracy going on. I hope I can get through this part seeing that I didn’t really comprehend a lot of stuffs not only from the first part but the whole series itself. So I’m doing this just for completion’s sake, huh? Damn split cour.

Episode 13
Philomela tells her friends that she wasn’t supposed to be in College in the first place. Whatever grandma says, she obeys. As the Sargant family has always been serving the Rickenbacker family, this means she serves Veronica and naturally is here to follow her as her servant. But for the real reason, she doesn’t know. Philomela’s supervisor, Alcyone who is an artificial spirit makes herself known. Because College is sealed, looks like she’ll have to be with her for a while. Next day, all the students gather at the garden as they will have a mandatory lesson by Fabio and Sigrid Wachmann. Fabio materializes some monsters. They pass if they defeat it. He gives them some charm for resilience and clay to have them imagine whatever weapon they want. So they’re not going to fight with magic? He warns them they are not ready for it. So we see them fight against the monsters. Some have it easy while some struggle. Chise is surprised as she acted so decisively and has never learnt such killer move before. Since Chise and Rian quickly dispose their monsters, Fabio has them fight him. Sigrid stops the fight and passes everyone. Fabio’s closing statement is that everyone was so busy fighting for survival, they didn’t have time to think about using magic. Whatever they use to fight or even decide to flee, it is up to them to decide on how to take care of themselves. The most important lesson of all: Do not hesitate. Lesson is over but Sigrid is going to give Fabio an earful about his uncouth teaching style. Philomela doesn’t feel so good so Chise and Lucy offer to bring her to the infirmary. However she doesn’t want to go there and to be taken to her room.

Episode 14
Alcyone mentions Philomela is adverse to destroying things and by doing so, she falls ill. Chise remembers she was in this same state when they first met. Philomela continues to ask Chise for being nice towards her. After all the spying, she should be suspicious. Well, Chise thought she looked a lot in pain and only wanted to help her out. It is okay if she doesn’t want to talk about it. She’ll listen if she wants to. It’s all about the freedom. It’s hard and if you fail, you can try again. However this only confuses Philomela further. Freedom? Free to fail? Those words can actually exist? Even after Chise has left, Philomela continues to fret over this. Alcyone points out she once used to do everything she was told but now she doesn’t. Philomela feels she can’t do this anymore. Because of some new word detected, Alcyone plays a pre-recorded message by grandma to do as she is told! OMG. Meanwhile Marielle and Isaac the werewolf are in town looking for the book. This leads them to a secret room helmed by some weird mummy guy selling weird trinkets. After she pays him good, he agrees to help her find that book and will inform her if he finds it. Soon Liza receives a message from them about the whereabouts of the book: It is still inside College.

Episode 15
With the students stuck bored inside College, Violet has brought some puzzles so everyone can enjoy. When Veronica’s group arrives shortly, she too is eager to try. Philomela is reluctant but Veronica tells her to give it a go. Meanwhile Elias has a chat with Alcyone who relates of her lower analysing abilities and can’t engage with others easily. As Rian and Philomela compete in the puzzle, a short flashback of their time together doing the same thing. Of course, grandma’s trauma of telling her to study rather than playing games starts to activate. Philomela loses and this makes Rian angry. He gets rough with her, accusing she is not taking this seriously. As he walks off, his male friends try to talk to him. Isaac warning him not to impose his own ideals on others even if she acts weak for the sake of survival. For Zoe, all he can say is that he shouldn’t treat friends in such a way. Chise catches up to Philomela who is obviously in shock from everything. Chise can tell it is grandma’s orders so she asks what Philomela wants. However Philomela is still under the condition that she is not allowed to do anything. Win or lose. Chise laments she has no right words to answer her since their circumstances and burdens are very different. But she can feel the sort of closeness they have. She wants to tell her something like the way others told her she is free. Meanwhile that female wolf begs to Lizbeth about returning her children. However she gets abused. As Chise and Elias finally have time to chat, Chise starts seeing ghosts. Well, it is winter. Violet then comes to talk to her about this and finds it interesting and wants to know more. Seeing that he is bored, he suggests doing something fun. Elsewhere, Alexandra is having her hands full treating patients as more and more are coming in sick. Is it flu season already?

Episode 16
Violet organizes a kimodameshi for the students. In pairs, they must visit certain spots and get stamps and the whole event ends with them seeing a horror movie together. Chise is paired up with Veronica as she takes the chance to ask her about Philomela’s case. Obviously she knows about it but what can she do? If Chise thinks she can use her authority to change things, it isn’t as simple as that. She hints about being tied down on things and for sorcerers’ descendants, they are bound to their family from birth. She talks about Philomela being assigned to her on her first day. OMG, she vomited?! Yeah, somebody tried to poison the food. Later Lizbeth tried to have Veronica choose a few other candidates but she wanted Philomela. It wasn’t a request. It was an order. As a girl, she is easier to talk to. Veronica noted the slap Philomela got from Lizbeth for failing to notice the poison as she quickly made friends with her. After all, it was an order and not a request that Veronica wanted her by her side. Veronica id puzzled why Chise would get involved in something insignificant that doesn’t relate to her and wonders what she’ll do if she was in her shoes. Chise couldn’t answer. Rian and Violet are paired up as the latter talks about being bugged by her parents to take over the family. Some sorcerers cross-dress as part of their magic but he does so out of preference. Thus Jasmine became a boy to take his place. He adds about humans have to be taught by those protecting them but Rian is different. He has everything from the start. Rian thinks they are alike. Isaac talks to Philomela about being Rian’s friend. Isaac always loses to Rian but Rian thinks he isn’t talented himself. But he can’t bring him to hate him since he is a good person. He just sucks in thinking about others. During the movie, Isaac talks to Rian and wants him to apologize to Philomela and to also change his ways. Funny, Violet also told him the same thing. When the show is over and the students are about to return to their dorm, Jasmine thanks Violet for everything. However Jasmine doesn’t know who she is and soon she turns into a ghost! Everyone is spooked but this was all part of the programme. This ghost was a student of this place and just being an imposter. Elias sees Chise since Alexandra is asking for her.

Episode 17
Alexandra has Chise examine some crystals. They are devoid of magic as they have been absorbed. This means the attacker is still somewhere in College. Elias and Liza join them in discussing about this. Liza plans to inform the students about the situation tomorrow. As for letting affected students go home if they are not the culprit, Elias doesn’t think it is a good idea. They will be better managed all at one place. When another sick student comes in, the moment he gazes on Chise, he wants her magic and grabs her. Chise then sees a vision of some horrifying monster trying to get her. As she feels her power being zapped, Joseph then closes her eyes and tells her not to look at it. The student goes out of control but Liza subdues him. Chise is given some snacks to replenish her depleted magic. Once that happens, it seems all the sick students now feel better. For the next few days, Philomela has been quickly excusing herself to her room after class. Each time Rian tries to talk to her, too bad boys are not allowed to enter the girls’ dorm, vice versa. Because Alcyone feels she has lost her purpose in Philomela’s eyes, Elias talks to her about the roles they aren’t affix to but can take up if they wish to. With the lockdown dragging on and some students getting weary, Kevin Forbes think of doing a little detective work to smoke out the culprit. Lucy tells him off he will die since he doesn’t know the attacker. Kevin crosses the line and accuses her as the attacker due to her family circumstances. Shockingly, it is Chise who grabs him and tells him not to run his mouth. With everyone against Kevin, now he looks like a dick. He tries to cast it off as a joke but Lucy punches him seeing even if he apologizes, she won’t accept it. Lucy wonders why Chise stood up for her and since she hinted about seeing such stuffs, this makes Lucy suspicious since she didn’t say anything yet. She forces Chise to spill the beans. Veronica visits a sick Philomela. She lets her eat some sandwiches but doing so makes her throw up and feel sicker. Philomela feels scared. Everything terrifies her.

Episode 18
Silky is taking care of Joseph and he isn’t too fond of it. When a strange lady approaches and asks about some maiden, Silky covers Joseph’s eyes and hints to her she isn’t here. She then disappears. Lucy learns of Chise’s ability to dive into minds. She wants her to dive in again to double check her memories to see if there was something she missed. Chise dives back to that massacre scene. She sees a child this time who apologizes. Lucy isn’t impressed. Liza continues to close College through Christmas. Some students are not pleased with this and some think she is not serious in solving the problem to catch the culprit since she has only deployed drones to guard and has not done any intensive search. And poor Philomela can’t believe she is stuck here. When will she be free?! Hey, I thought she doesn’t know the meaning of that word! Chise gives her friends rune amulets. She bumps into Alcyone and gives on to her for Philomela who is said to be very unwell. Chise goes for her check-up and Alexandra is pleased with the progress of her curse. She also explains the basics of curses and why sometimes misfortune fall on some. As such, you don’t even need to be a sorcerer to curse someone. But there are curses that are done by the attacker to actually harm others. The attacker also suffers to some degree. As Chise’s curse is ancient and the work of a sentient entity, it seems she won’t be freed from it. Philomela’s condition gets worse. Alcyone gives her the charm and she immediately swallows it whole. Needing more, Philomela rips apart the book hiding inside Alcyone. She starts to get corrupted and turn into a monster, zapping the magic out of those she comes into contact with. Like Veronica whom she claims she has always hated. Meanwhile Chise also starts to feel ill and can sense that book and its owner are nearby. She wants Elias and Ruth to help. Rian spots Philomela in monster form and tries to stop her but is no match. She too notes how much she hates him because being with him made her feel useless. Now she enters the hall where many students are having a Christmas party. Some get their magic zapped. Liza confronts her as Philomela wants to get out of College.

Episode 19
With Philomela absorbing from the unconscious and even affecting some teachers, Liza grants her wish. Gregory the vice principal turns into a bear to attack Philomela but Alcyone protects her. Before the next attack, the female wolf jumps in to collect Philomela and Alcyone. Liza notes Philomela has been corrupted by the book for so long, there is no hope to save her as she will soon be done. Chise disagrees as it is still not right to kill her. Liza says as head of College, it is her job to look after the safety of the students and teachers. So is Chise suggesting she endanger everyone just to a single person? Maybe it is different for Chise since her courage helped her through past ordeals. But from that hand of hers, she believes she is a fool. If she really wants to save her friends, she must cast away her pathetic sense of compassion. While Chise could only grimace in frustration, Elias praises her for holding back instead of running off. He reminds her that they are mages and they must fulfil promises. Since Chise made a promise to make potpourri with Philomela, I guess that is the loophole needed to ‘fulfil her promise’. Lucy, Isaac and Zoe want to come to buy Elias will not allow it. Fabio also tags along seeing Elias won’t be held responsible for their lives. If there are any dangers, he will protect them. Suddenly Chise turns into a red dragon as Elias takes the rest into his body to protect them. Because now they are riding the dragon, following the vein lines to track down Philomela. Speaking of her, as she is breaking apart, she hands the book to Lizbeth. She is hoping to be praised for it but grandma tells Alcyone to watch her and for the female wolf to stop anyone trying to stop the ritual. Chise arrives outside Lizbeth’s estate. That strange lady approaches her. When one of the spying guards makes eye contact with her, a crow pecks out his eye! Philomela continues to be tormented if grandma would bring her parents back to life. In fact, she can’t even remember how they look like anymore. Alcyone is torn on what to do. Flashback shows the first time Alcyone came to existence by Adam, Philomela’s father and his wife, Iris.

Episode 20
Flashback shows Alcyone was summoned by Adam to take care of his child, Philomela. Due to circumstances, the parents can’t take care of her well and thus Alcyone’s help was needed. Hope she was armed with parenting knowledge! We see Alcyone doing her best as Philomela grew up in a happy and normal environment. Until one day, strange men attacked the parents. Adam knew it was his mom who has waited for Philomela to grow up and use her as hostage to bring him back to that house. Adam will not and made a final gamble of killing himself. Iris let Alcyone escape with Philomela before she gets killed by the perpetrators. Of course it won’t be for long before Alcyone got captured. Now we see Chise faced before this god known as Morrigan. Not sure what she wants from Chise but Elias promises to provide a sacrifice in the future. With the guards surrounding them, Morrigan wants Chise to make a wish. Although Elias warns her not to as they won’t know if it would be in their favour or not, Chise lets Morrigan know her wish. Morrigan then turns into her war version and kills all the guards. This allows Chise and Elias to escape and head towards the mansion. Elias releases the friends from inside as they continue their mission. However the female wolf attacks. Zoe and Fabio stay back to fight her to let the others go ahead.

Episode 21
Thanks to Zoe’s Gorgon abilities, this breaks the curse on the female wolf. She now remembers her family and all the vile things she has done. She doesn’t want to do this anymore and leaves. Chise and co enter the mansion. Alcyone is before them and she is surprised that they are here for Philomela and not the book. Their friend takes priority. Alcyone allows the kid to where Philomela is but will not let Elias pass since she believes he doesn’t care for Philomela. When they enter her room, Lucy sees spiders on the wall and realizes her family’s murder’s culprit is her. She wants an explanation and not an apology. Philomela breaks down explaining whatever she did was never enough. She was always deemed a failure. When her power goes berserk, not sure what Chise does because it’s like they are in another dimension but in child form. Chise stumbles into Philomela as they slowly pick up the pieces of her memories. This place also mixes up some of Chise’s memories. They go through Philomela’s tormented memories, mostly torture from Lizbeth whenever she couldn’t complete a task in time or below expectations. Philomela is puzzled Chise wants to help her despite she tried to kill her. Chise notes she had those same eyes. So by helping her, she might help herself. Then they meet up with Isaac and Lucy as the next scene reveals the truth and makes Lucy mad. It seems Lizbeth tasked Philomela to kill the entire Webster family although Philomela failed to do so on Lucy. Lizbeth promised her that she would bring back her dead parents. She has been strict on her only because it was for her own good. She believed Philomela can pull off the job. Lucy becomes distraught upon known Philomela is the perpetrator but the latter is more confused than before. What could she have done then? It might be easy for the rest to tell her to do as she wants because she has the freedom now. Just as Philomela pleads for help, her dark shadow reclaims her.

Episode 22
Philomela notices some of her parts have regenerated. Now that she has regained consciousness, she makes her way to Lizbeth. Alcyone loses to Elias as we see part of her memories, regretting she could do anything for Philomela. She pleaded to Lizbeth she wanted to help her but was reprogrammed for a different task instead. It is because of that spell, she realizes she failed to protect Philomela. However there is a core inside that Alcyone tells Elias not to touch yet. Flashback shows Lizbeth was always proud to serve the Rickenbacker family. One day she is told to get an heir of her own since with her talents, she would be going places and she would need to have a replacement. However it was soon discovered she cannot bear a child. Fearing she would not be recognized, I don’t know how but she did gave birth to Adam although her husband (or is it mate) died shortly after. Strangely, Lizbeth remained distant as he grew up although he was always curious about her. So one day he wanted to take in Iris as his experiment. Lizbeth didn’t give much thought about it and allowed him. Of course what happened next was unacceptable. Then tragedy struck when he shot himself. Because Philomela looked a lot Iris, Lizbeth despised her. The irony that Philomela also shares the same traits with Adam but is much inferior to him. Now, she is doing a ritual to summon a deity and a great sacrifice is needed. Speaking of which, here comes Philomela. Perfect. Chise and co wake up. They realized they have been dismembered and absorbed by Philomela but managed to put themselves back together. They rush to find her. As Philomela remains sceptical if Lizbeth will grant her wish of reviving her parents, that is when granny shows her true colours. Her wish does not matter. She wants proof of Adam’s existence and for that, his daughter will be his sacrifice. She mocks Philomela of never questioning her intentions and foolishly did all she was told. Philomela lies in the magic circle, waiting for fate to deal the cruel blow. She laments she always got her hopes up but in the end amounted to nothing. Chise and the rest are here to rescue her. However they cannot do anything if Philomela doesn’t will it. After thinking back all their kindness, Philomela pleads for help. The rest go into high gear to save her. As Elias warns Chise she cannot touch the deity, she uses Isaac’s tool to form a hammer to smash the magic circle. Lizbeth is in shock since magic stopped a deity. Philomela collapses into Chise’s arms, realizing that all she wanted was someone to help her.

Episode 23
Lizbeth cannot accept this and so she turns into that same black sh*t like Philomela, consumed by the book’s spell. She accuses all for not knowing anything and intervening. Chise stands up for Philomela. While all might make sense to Lizbeth, unfortunately Chise cannot see the same. So if Philomela is going to die for her, Chise will stop her. Lizbeth attacks but the female wolf returns to demand for her children to be returned. Lizbeth claims they are not here. No children is of concern to her except Adam. When Lizbeth attacks again, this Alcyone saves the wolf. This breaks her core. We see Adam fitting this core with a trigger. If she is destroyed out of malice, something will activate. So, uhm, Adam? Philomela is saddened that Alcyone will die but the latter tells her not to worry and gives her her memories. All contains memories of Philomela but from her point of view. Too bad Alcyone is not in it, duh. Alcyone dies. Now, this Adam is not the real Adam but a programme created in his image with all his hate. His mission is to destroy all those who hurt Philomela. But Lucy says not so fast. She hasn’t gotten her answers yet. However this Adam doesn’t view their hatred as the same and won’t hand over Lizbeth. Lizbeth gets consumed by the deity. The wolf tries to get Lizbeth back but gets struck by the deity. She is saved by Morrigan as she turns Adam into her weapon to fight it. However it seems she is just ‘dancing’ with it. Elias and Chise deduce that because this deity was summoned by a human, only a human can send it away. Thus they need that book but it has been consumed along with Lizbeth. Philomela thinks of getting it back since it has no effect on her. Lucy won’t have her sacrifice herself for this so their plan is to get it back without losing anyone. Using Elias in beast form to further distract the deity, once Philomela pinpoints the book’s location, Morrigan slashes it open. Now in Philomela’s hands, the rest lend their magic to begin the ritual.

Episode 24
Philomela’s mind gets engulfed by the book. A vision of Lizbeth happy she was born incompetent so that she could be of use to her. However Philomela breaks free herself and blames grandma for indoctrinating her so that she won’t be able to think for herself. Now that she has learnt what she can do, she will not obey her anymore. She uses Chise’s runes to cast lightning magic to strike her. Philomela returns to reality stronger than before as she and friends continue the ritual. Not sure what this monster is as it eats up the deity because Elias tells them not to look. It’s over. Morrigan is so pleased with everything, she won’t ask for more compensation and leave. A frail Lizbeth wonders why Adam didn’t come to kill her. This Adam claims the same can be said about her for Philomela. He further adds, she became so strong and accepted no one. In the end, nobody stayed by her side. His job is done so he disintegrates. Philomela is about to ask her about killing Lucy’s family when she is killed off by a little wolf. It also steals the book as it escapes. The female wolf believes it is her child and stops all those who try to interfere. Fabio goes after them and the rest can do no more since they are all exhausted. With the lockdown lifted, Philomela and friends recuperate in Elias’ home. Even Rian is here to see Philomela and is glad she is safe. Chise collects mistletoes for Morrigan. Offering to her, she reborns into a younger spirit and leaves them snowdrop flowers. Meanwhile it is hinted that the wolf cub was under orders by Veronica. Everyone celebrates a lovely Christmas at Elias’ place and for once, seeing Philomela’s great smiling face could be the best Christmas gift ever.

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining; It’s Not Over Till The Old Lady Sings Croaks
So what are the chances of another season? Not that I am hoping for it anyway but I just want to note that it might take a while because where this season ends, this is exactly where the latest volume of the manga is at right now. Oh wow. So the anime has caught up with the source material? Looks like it. Yeah, I don’t have to worry about it getting a new season for the foreseeable future and now I can put this series to rest! No more supernatural confusions! Yahoo! I could’ve not watch this season altogether and save all the mindless b*tching and whining but oh well, you know me…

However I am left a bit confused because at the end of the final episode, they show clips of the next chapter! Hey wait a minute. I thought the anime caught up with the manga and the next volume is scheduled to be released in mid-2024? Well, there could be a few chapters after this college arc. Confusing me further were the big words “THE END” right before the next chapter teaser. When animes do that it means the show is over and no more future seasons, right?! Unless they just mean the end of this college chapter. Because as we all know well, the story of Chise and Elias is still by far not yet over. So when they announce the next chapter called Friendbane, one might assume it would be animated but it could mean just a teaser for the manga’s next chapter and nothing else. It’s like telling us to go buy and read the manga if you want to follow the story and can’t wait a few more years down the road if this assumingly ever gets adapted. I’ll take my chances. Assuming I am still interested in this series by then.

This season’s storyline seeks to address and conclude all that have been built up in the first part. So while there is not much other supernatural lore or stories (perhaps I did not notice them), at least it puts its focus on the conspiracy and mystery that has been swirling around College. I can’t say that I am impressed with the whole thing because as you all already know, I’m just confused by the whole supernatural thingy so my brains weren’t really 100% focused while watching this part either. Hence the whole revelation is perhaps just some evil grandma using her meek granddaughter to bring back her beloved dead son. And some other family got murdered in between. Oh right, lots of magic and supernatural stuffs too. Yeah, that is how I would surmise this whole arc. Nothing spectacular when I think about it. I may be missing the deeper aspects here but once again, I’m not really that kind of a sophisticated person to begin with.

Obviously the ‘star’ of this part would be Philomela herself. This girl definitely has a lot of issues pertaining to her own self-confidence and the likes. I have mixed feelings about her seeing she is always looking frail, scared, doubtful, etc. While I pity her but at the same time, can’t help feel annoyed by all that. Of course as her character and past gets fleshed out, we start to see and understand why she is always having such low self-esteem issues. We can’t entirely fault her. So much so she is programmed to think in only a certain way and seeking for help is a line that does not exist in her vocabulary. Thank goodness for the power of friendship. Yeah. That always saved the day. So when Philomela turned out to be the twist that is one of the causes for College to lockdown, it doesn’t come at all a surprise to me. I mean, with this much focus on her, there has to be something more to it. Something is wrong. And with a scheming grandma like that, you bet she is going to have a lot more prominent role for this part because she’s a good girl and we obviously want to see her getting her deserved redemption. So are we all happy it turned out that way?

Same can be said for Alcyone. This artificial fairy has been given a task to protect Philomela. So for over for the most of this part, we see her mostly fraught with dilemma whether she has done enough for her. Obviously she feels that she has not and believed that she should have done more. But with her hands tied, how could she? So just like Philomela, she too gets her redemption in the end although it wasn’t really a fairytale ending. She had to technically die so her memories could live on with Philomela. So was she useful or not? That’s for Philomela to decide. Clearly, Lizbeth being the antagonist and b*tch for this arc. All she cares about is reviving her dead son who also despises her. Was this revelation supposed to sympathize with her even if it’s just a bit? Nah. The way she used Philomela like a tool made no love lost to this old hag. The way she has scarred Philomela for the most of her life, we find that unforgivable. The way she was killed off, I guess at least our characters don’t have to taint their hands with blood.

The other character in focus is Lucy. But she does not get as much attention as Philomela. At least that is how I see the whole thing. She too has her own issues to deal with especially the massacre of her family. However, Philomela’s drama and character overshadows Lucy a lot. Sure, Lucy may still be distrustful of others. But this is nothing compared to the suffering and torment of Philomela that have been shown to us. Like as though they really want us to feel something whenever Philomela starts feeling unwell. So as revealed, Philomela and Lucy do share a connected (and unfortunate) fate in the past and that’s that.

The other characters are mostly forgettable in this part. Perhaps in the future volumes they will have a role to play but as far as this season is concerned, they aren’t significant to me. Like Veronica whom I thought would play a part in the twist but for better or worse, she doesn’t. At least not for this season. She could be even more a schemer than Lizbeth if that final scene was true to what I suspected. But that is left open to interpretation. Even I thought Fabio would be behind something but perhaps it is just being me paranoid trying to suspect everybody suspicious of being something. Yup, this means I also thought those twins had some sort of ulterior motive. Argh! Why am I feeling so paranoid! What about Rian? Where was he in Philomela’s hour of need? I thought the duo were somewhat close together when young? Well, can’t blame Veronica or Rian as they were out of action during those tense moments. It goes without saying that since this arc continues to be within the walls of the College, the other characters from the first season don’t make any appearance (Oberon, Titania) or at least a very short cameo (Silky, Joseph). Others like Renfred, Alice, Adolf and whoever you can think of are mostly MIA.

Unfortunately, fans who are expecting to see more of Chise x Elias time would be disappointed. As already pointed out, Philomela’s drama has dragged out and took a big chunk out of this season. Chise while she is of course the main heroine, she remains somewhat relevant by trying to be Philomela’s friend and extend her hand to help her despite a sceptical Philomela pushing her away so many times. Elias mainly stays in the background and doesn’t play much role unless some powerful supernatural power starts to threaten then he uses his superior power to destroy or stave it off. That’s what I mostly see his role for this season. For the earlier parts, they don’t interact with other much either and with Chise having bolder wishes to save Philomela, Elias feels like her familiar! Husband-wife or teacher-student relationship put on hold until this drama is sorted out!

The art and animation remain constant like last season. Still the gorgeous backgrounds and sceneries but I can’t fathom why some parts they used CGI, it still looks as bland as ever. Thankfully they are used sparingly although it would have been better without it. Oh well, maybe something to do with being consistent, for better or worse. Oh, this season I noticed there are a lot more darker scenes. The lighting issue, that is. Can’t see but oh well, don’t want to be clearly spooked by whatever supernatural! No wonder there were a few supernatural stuffs Elias prevented Chise and others not to see because we puny humans can’t comprehend such beings!

The opening theme is a strange one. Nemurasareta Lineage by Junna feels like the singer trying to be a diva and singing her lines at the top of her voice. Furthermore, the song itself is dramatic while the animation is a mix of cardboard cut-out drawings. Some even having this abstract feel like Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. Yeah, it’s one really weird stage play. The ending theme, Fam by Yuyu starts off as a slow ballad before it gets louder and more dramatic with the strings before climaxing with a softer and calmer tone. Perhaps to reflect the pace of the series?

Overall, I still stand by my previous sentiments that I find this series boring and confusing. Perhaps not as confusing as previous entries seeing there is not as much supernatural terms or lore. In exchange, dragging out the drama and suffering of a certain girl so it is mixed and divided feelings for those who have watched it. Not surprising, fans of the works would shower praises with the flow of the story and characters while the naysayers will call out being draggy and nothing special. Sorry, I gave this part a chance but it didn’t change anything. Yeah, it’s hard to change a stubborn old goat when you’re at this age. Like a leopard never changing its spots, huh?

Seijo No Maryoku Wa Bannou Desu S2

I didn’t expect this to get a sequel just like many other series. But yeah, it did. So why the heck am I watching Seijo No Maryoku Wa Bannou Desu S2 when I called it one of the most boring romance animes in my books? Oh, to follow up, huh? Maybe this season will be it as our favourite main couple will finally confess and officially become one. Hopefully. After all, after watching quite a number of male targeted anime series lately, maybe it is time to take a little break and breather from all that cliché male fantasy fanservice and love and go for something more (almost) purely romantic. The kind of romance that is mainly targeted for female audiences. Maybe I’ll learn some true love here. Heh. I have a feeling that won’t be likely… Yeah, sometimes I am a mystery myself.

Episode 1
Johan shows Sei heaps of crates for her that are from Klausner’s Domain. She also receives a letter from Corinna who is grateful for her help since the forest has been regrown and the herbs that were once hard to collect are no longer so. She hopes she can visit her again. As Sei is still researching on her new cosmetics, Johan believes there will be some interested to buy so he’ll try to contact a trading company. Next day, he introduces her to Franz and Oscar who are in this trading business. They sold Sei’s previous products and it has garnered them lots of profits and popularity. But due to circumstances, they can’t release her latest products and that’s why they suggest Sei open her own trading company. I mean, who is going to interfere with a saint’s business, right? Don’t worry, the duo can help market and manage the inventory while she can concentrate solely on her research. Later Oscar shows Sei and Hawke how a store is booming very well because of some efficient sales strategy to sell that also now sells to other demographics than nobles. To thank them, he tells them of a famed café where they can enjoy some great imported tea. Looking like a date. They order coffee and drinking it has Sei reminisce about the kind she used to drink in Japan. Thinking of trying to brew some here? Do they have the right tools? When Sei tells Johan about the coffee she just had that also exists in her world, she believes there might be more of such here than she realizes. Especially rice. Craving for some now, huh? Johan suggests asking Franz since he travels around the world or she could head to Morgenhaffen, a large port city that trades directly with Salutania. Perhaps she can find stuffs that are not sold here. Time for a road trip.

Episode 2
Sei and Jude arrive at Morgenhaffen with Oscar as their guide. Because she is a saint, Johan gave her some glasses an wig as disguise just in case. It’s the reason why Hawke couldn’t come as he is quite recognizable as a knight and a disguise on him wouldn’t work either. During their sightseeing, they hear a commotion that an accident occurred on board a ship. It seems some crates fell on a crewman and he is gravely injured. No potions could heal him. The captain, Ceyran pleads for a healer and Sei wanted to go help but only to be advised not to make a scene. As we know she can’t leave it be, she gives Ceyran a potion. Trust her, it will work. Later Ceyran comes looking for her and wants to thank her for saving his crewman’s life. She doesn’t mind but he insists on repaying her. Oscar suggests buying his goods at discounted prices. Ceyran takes them to his warehouse where he stores his goods but they aren’t many since they don’t sell well here. To Sei’s delight, she recognizes many of the spices and more importantly, RICE!!! She returns home and cooks them, even sending some to Aira. A taste from their homeland! Then she invites everyone to a food tasting party using ingredients from her homeland. Our Japanese girls can take comfort in their soul food. Meanwhile Ceyran writes a letter to be sent immediately to his emperor back at Zaidera. He will be staying here for a while since he needs to find out who created this miracle potion (Sei gave an excuse it was a gift from a friend).

Episode 3
Looks like Sei has to attend a ceremony as the king will formally introduce her as a saint to other nobles. Oh yes, there’s a ball too afterwards she must attend. Sei remembers Hawke will invite her. She feels embarrassed about it and hopes he would forget about it. Too bad, he remembers. Any reason for her to turn him down? Guess not. The ceremony proceeds well and without incident. Once it is over, she returns to her chamber and it seems Liz and Rayne are here to see her since they can’t attend the ball later this evening. Rayne is also here to apologize over Kyle’s treatment over her although Sei isn’t the kind to hold such grudges as she has already been given a formal apology. As the ball is about to start, Hawke picks up Sei. Both look so dashing. I know you’re mesmerized with each other but can we move on? Despite all the training, Sei still feels nervous. Don’t worry, Hawke is with you. Then they dance and delight the crowd. Once that is over, Johan then takes over as Hawke goes to bring more ‘reinforcements’. You see, there are lots of guys out there who want to ask for Sei’s hand to dance. Would she rather dance with the guys she knows or with random strangers? Yup. And so we have Drewes and Earhart as her subsequent dance partners. So which one of the guys danced with her the best? Don’t know. Can’t say. I have a hunch… Later life resumes like normal for Sei. Johan tells her it is so because the palace has been taking care of it. You see, nobles have been sending invitations to her and the reason she has not received a single one is because the palace has been politely declining them on her behalf. Sei thought her peaceful researching days are back but talk about jinxing it because now she receives an urgent message to meet Siegfried. An important matter must be discussed.

Episode 4
It seems a prince from Zaidera is going to be an exchange student here in Salutania. It is unsure if Zaidera has got word on the saint and hence Siegfried needs Sei to keep her interactions with him to a bare minimum. This means she might have to stay at the royal capital for a while since the institute is on the list of the places he plans to visit. So they collaborate that Sei is to take leave from the institute whenever the prince visits. So the day comes as the kingdom welcomes Prince Tenyuu. After a week, Sei and Liz talk about him. Looks like he is quite a gentleman and a knowledgeable person too. Did Liz mention he is also the 18th prince from the emperor’s 7th concubine! Don’t worry, here in Salutania, monogamy is only practised! Get the hint, Sei! Also to note, it seems Tenyuu has been asking about for different medicinal plants. It could be that Tenyuu is asking a lot of questions to hide his info gathering. Which is a common practice for royalties. Tenyuu visits the institute when Sei isn’t around. After that when Sei returns, Jude updates him on the tour they gave the prince. As they talk, to their surprise Tenyuu is here! They talk a bit before he leaves. They then talk to Johan who then told them this has become an issue. You see, Tenyuu wasn’t scheduled to visit the institute and this means he snuck out by himself to do so. This has caused an uproar in the palace since they too were caught unaware so guards are assigned to keep tabs on him. Although Sei did not reveal much, there is a possibility that he may be after Sei. After all, Sei’s secret is still not known to Zaidera. Meanwhile Tenyuu confides with his subject about what he has learnt. After he visits the institute, he noticed many spoke about this person called Sei. This means she is important enough to be relied by outsiders and that everyone knows she is on leave that day. This means she could be the key that he is looking for. His next move might be rash but it must be done no matter the sacrifice.

Episode 5
Each time Tenyuu visits, Jude has to make excuses that Sei is not around. All. The. Time. You bet at this point Tenyuu must be suspicious so Johan suggests to drop the act. The next time Tenyuu visits and Sei is able to talk to him, she is mindful not to reveal too much but since Tenyuu is very knowledgeable in herbs, they could’ve gone on talking forever. Jude had to remind her it’s time. Later on discussing with the rest, they are unsure if Tenyuu is trying to gauge Sei as a saint for war purposes. Whatever the case, it must never be revealed that Sei is a saint and the things she could do. Sei feels the need to gather some info too so she talks to Franz and Oscar about getting a book of herbs from Zaidera. As they agree, they feel something amiss. They have talked to Ceyran personally and it seems he is looking for an alchemist who can make high grade potions. His backer is Tenyuu who is the one that is looking for an alchemist. When asked about the saint, Ceyran showed no interest. In fact, other people from Zaidera also share this same sentiment that the saint’s power is only for fighting monsters. Nothing more. Hence the strangest part is the prince is not looking for the saint but an alchemist. Why? Stay tuned to find out. Later Hawke comes to see Sei since he will be leaving for a while to his home to visit his parents. With Liz leaving them ‘stranded’, this has Sei spill the beans about her dilemma with Tenyuu. She doesn’t want to cause a diplomatic row by being too direct. Hawke has a plan. The next time Tenyuu visits, Hawke is also here as he asks Sei for help to make high grade potions. She has an alchemist friend who can do so. Obviously Tenyuu took the bait and eavesdropped the conversation. So later he confronts Sei and wants her to introduce this alchemist friend of hers. He reveals he desperately needs a cure for a disease we all know as muscular atrophy. You know, muscles wasting away. All his alchemists in Zaidera are unable to find that cure. The person suffering from this disease is his mother.

Episode 6
A short flashback of Tenyuu spending time with his mother and her condition is getting worse. She wishes for his happiness but of course Tenyuu’s happiness is to see mother well again. Tenyuu talks to Sei about hearing some high grade potion in Salutania and that’s why he came here to look for it. At first he thought the alchemist was her but was wrong (oh, he doesn’t know how correct he is). They talk about different potions have different symptoms and effects and if the alchemist cannot directly examine her directly, a correct solution cannot be provided. Since the alchemist cannot leave Salutania and his mom cannot survive the journey here, Sei suggests making a panacea. Later Sei talks to Johan about this and although he supports her decision to try making a panacea, the problem is that he has no authority to provide it to the imperial prince. Don’t worry about that, he’ll figure things out so go do your stuff. Sei continues to research but to no avail. Sei brings the sad news that finding the right panacea seems hard but Tenyuu understands. In fact, he received a letter of his mother’s worsening condition. He may have to cut short his studies and return to spend what’s left of her time with her. When Hawke returns, he presents some honey from his village as gift to Sei. This is when Sei hits an idea to make a panacea from different ingredients. Using her powers, she makes an apple tree mature to start working on her panacea. Siegfried summons Tenyuu as he talks about the founders of alchemy were from Salutania. Many of its recipes are lost and couldn’t be replicated but some were passed down by the royal family. He presents to him bottles of panacea. Tenyuu is reluctant to accept because he cannot repay this kindness. Siegfried notes that he might not want something now so consider this an investment because in the future he would love to become friends. A grateful Tenyuu accepts. With Tenyuu leaving soon and no time to say goodbye to Sei, Sei believes Tenyuu has received her potions. Not sure about the details but it’s done. Tenyuu hints he may know who created this panacea because there is only 1 person he spoke to about this. But it doesn’t matter because whoever that person did all she can to help.

Episode 7
Sei explaining to Hawke about the Christmas tree back in her world. Yeah, so beautiful with lights. But of course Hawke finds her beautiful while she talks about these stuffs. Later as she talks with Liz and Aira, they talk about marriages seeing ever since Sei had her debut, nobles have been swamping the palace with marriage requests. Obviously may of such marriages are not of the heart and one has to find the right way to sidestep them. Then they troll us of making it look like Liz and Aira having a lesbian moment as they wish for each other to find true love while locking lips, SORRY THEY’RE JUST PUTTING THEIR HEADS CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. With reports of monster activities dwindling, Siegfried believes it is time to think about Sei’s future. Josef who is Hawke’s older brother and a minister to Siegfried, talks to another minister about Sei’s marriage. Some want to support his family into marrying Sei because would you rather have Drewes or the Valdec family nominate a suitor? Josef then talks to Earhart and Hawke about this. As various families have already begun making a move, he is suggesting one of the 2 bachelors to be Sei’s suitor. While Earhart doesn’t mind, he believes Hawke would be more suitable. And so Hawke agrees. When asks about Drewes’ chances, Earhart immediately shoots it down because he is a maniac who only cares about magic. Nothing else. Similarly, Johan’s brother also talks to him about this and hints of him taking on Sei as his wife. Whatever repayment or putting the family at ease, Johan isn’t buying it. Johan doesn’t want to cross paths with Hawke. Later Johan goes to talk to Sei about marriage. While she isn’t really against it, she isn’t sure. Basically, she’s not ready. Johan straights up tell her to marry him but she brushes it off as a joke. She’ll sue for sexual harassment! HAHA! Oh well, Johan thought a fake engagement isn’t bad but she isn’t thrilled to have him who is like a father figure to be her husband. He tells her to think about it since her feelings are most important. And also a certain guy’s. The first image to pop up in Sei’s mind? Hawke. Oh.

Episode 8
As promised, Hawke brings Sei back to his hometown. But this is part of his mission to subjugate monsters. Also tagging along is Drewes. Sei meets his parents for the first time as they showcase their hospitality. Noting there is a hotspring in the area, Sei shows interest. Hawke promises to show her around once their mission is done. Next day, they leave for the mining village where monsters have been sighted. Just in time as they saved a few villagers from wolves. Then they talk to the mayor how the monsters are spawning from the mines. But now they are attacking settlements at the foothills. Not only their numbers are growing but they noticed a new type too: Undead ones. It is suggested that everyone evacuates the area. However with so many injured, Sei will take care in healing them and a guide will help lead Hawke and his men to the mines. Morale is boosted with volunteers coming to help. It seems because of Sei going around purifying miasmic swamps, monsters have been decreasing and this domain is the last one. This makes Sei feeling a bit anxious because she never thought there would be an end to this. Although Drewes cannot be sure, but based on historical records and what he has seen, this domain is definitely the last one. All swamps purified by her have been completely annihilated and no monsters appeared ever since. Next day as they head to the mines, wolves show up to attack. However they cannot die and still move despite being cut down. Truly the undead. Can’t kill what’s already dead, right? Then a loud roar. This huge boar monster could be the boss. However it doesn’t attack them and goes away. I think it wants them to follow. Only 1 way to find out.

Episode 9
Heading into the mines, they find some undead monsters. The deeper they go, more monsters they face. Until they reach the swamp and there’s that boar mother. Drewes wants to do an experiment and fires his purification arrow at it. No effect. Oh well, I guess this means only Sei can purify it. As everyone begins their assault, Sei starts her purification. Wow. That was easy. Didn’t put much of a fight there. On the way out as they cross a ravine, a stray monster attacks Sei as she falls down the abyss. OMG, she survived that fall and had no injuries?! She follows the breeze along the path and feels a bit gloomy over the thought she has to be protected all the time. Hawke and the rest manage to get down as they too follow the breeze. Hawke and Sei eventually meet up with each other. Why do I feel this was so we can see them hug? Then they soon realize a huge miasmic swamp nearby. This is the main one and the reason why there are still monsters around. But don’t hold your breath because this one is an undead dragon! For some added drama and tension, we see the knights fighting and defending with all they’ve got. Sei gets chased around and almost died. Her blessing protected her from certain death. Drewes almost got knocked out and Hawke using all his last ounce of strength to protect Sei. Sei then starts her purification. It took a while but everything soon ended. It is over. Phew. Now we can breathe easily. Literally too.

Episode 10
With all the miasmic swamps gone, Hawke still has his men keep watch just in case. Is there anything Sei can do? Yes. Accompany him. He doesn’t want to be apart from her again like last time. Romance finally taking off? So they hang out, look at some flowers until his men report there are zero threats. Hawke issues the order to withdraw. With the job done, Hawke’s parents hold a simple banquet to celebrate their successful subjugation. As Sei is interested in some of the foods served, Hawke brings her to the market the next day. After some sightseeing, Sei returns and cooks her specialty for Hawke’s parents to try. Mom tells her where she can go and enjoy the hotspring. Along the way, Sei mulls the idea of learning to ride a horse. It would be convenient for her to get to the palace. Sure, Hawke can teach her but this means fewer chances to escort her. Get what he means? With the declining monsters, Sei won’t be needed for a while. But Hawke notes it will still be nice to have a long ride with her. Sei enjoys the bath in the villa as she tries to stay positive with all the things she can look forward to. She notices herself f thinking about Hawke and realizes she is in love. Finally?

Episode 11
Drewes receives an invitation to a play. Obviously he is not interested until he learns from Aira that such a thing exists in her world. After a class session with Sei, he invites her out to the play. He claims he got these invitations from his family since they couldn’t attend it. The only person he can imagine inviting is Sei since he has no idea about women and yeah, they can talk about magic. Sei has her reservations but since Drewes does take care of her and she is interested to see the kind of plays in this world, she accepts. When Sei talks to Johan about this, he smells something fishy. And since this is a play for nobles and not commoners, Sei better start thinking about how to dress up. As Drewes comes to pick up Sei, Sei feels a bit awkward seeing Drewes is acting more like a gentleman. Isn’t this how one should treat a lady? At the play, we see the theatre pretty much similar to ours. Only the lights in the chandelier are light up by magic. When Sei notes about lights in her world now conveniently activated by a flip of a button, she also demonstrates with her magic how she could easily change light colours. This makes Drewes so excited like a kid! He would really love to know more. Next day, rumours are rife about Drewes and Sei being engaged. Liz casts her reservations because everybody only heard about it but not many have seen them together. Liz and Aira are worried about Sei although they remain confident the rumours will soon die out. Johan then has a private talk with Hawke about the rumours. Although he is unaware, he is not even fazed if Sei went to the play with Drewes. He knows what kind of person Drewes is and he is not concerned about it. However the most concerning thing is that he never knew Sei was interested in the play because he would’ve invited her himself. Onto serious stuffs, they believe Drewes’ family is trying to set them up and publicly push for their son’s engagement to Sei. Imagine the Grand Magus of the Royal Magi Assembly and the holy saint together. Such a nice ring. Also such great powers to gain. Johann tells Hawke to make a move fast because sometimes waiting is not enough. This is the sake for his own life and not for his family.

Episode 12
Hawke remembers 2 years ago when he was badly injured in a battle, it was Sei’s miraculous potion that healed him. So he went to see Johan in hopes to thank that person who saved his very life. The moment he saw Sei in the flesh, he knew he had fallen in love with her. The problem now is how to convey it to her. Liz tells Sei about the rumours and asks about what she thinks of Drewes. Of course nothing more than just her teacher. Liz don’t mean to make her feel in a dilemma but there is a possibility Drewes might step down from his role to honour her feelings. So better be clear and think carefully your feelings. As a woman and not as a saint. Sei is putting a lot of thoughts into this so much so she is acting weird during work. Hawke arrives to pick up Sei but waits for her to finish her lessons. However seeing her being friendly with Drewes, it makes him worried. Drewes assures her about the rumours. He is only interested in her magic. Then he whispers something inaudible to Hawke and then to Earhart. Something about the source of Sei’s power. I think I can guess what it is. Even Earhart has a hunch about it. Can you guess? After Hawke sends Sei home, he invites her to an outing because there is something he wants to show her. On that day as he brings her to the gardens of the royal family, he shows her a spot where all the plants are illuminated. He tried to replicate it like how she told him before. She is happy. He is happy. Makes him want to get closer to her. Makes him want to cherish her feelings above everything else. However he was too weak to do that until he realizes time is not on his side. Also realizing that her happiness is not only what he wants, he doesn’t want anyone else to have her. And finally he pops the question: Will you marry me! Sei hugs him. That’s your answer.

The Saint Apothecary Diaries
OMG. I thought it would never happen. Not at least for this season. Hawke finally having the balls to propose to her! Is that the end of everything?! Well, maybe I am getting ahead of myself. Because despite the proposal, it’s not like they’re getting married right away, no? Many viewers and fans are hoping for another season and my guess is that this series is far from over. It isn’t considering the light novel is still ongoing. So there will be many more volumes after this but as for the anime part, we are unsure because those big “FIN” letters at the end, it feels like the death flag that it is over. Need more? Go read the light novels! Oh yeah. If you know me, you know my answer. Bye.

Good thing or bad, it seems I don’t find this season as boring as the first. Is it because I have unconsciously set my expectations lower? Or way much lower to be precise? But still boring nevertheless. For the first arc, I am perplexed with the whole thing because a prince from across the sea comes looking for help and Sei has to secretly help him because well, you know, shenanigans and protocols of royals and nobles whatever. I felt that it all amounted to nothing much since Tenyuu left in a hurry but with some hope and that some strings were pulled to enable that. Yeah, all of that felt weird. Perhaps it was to showcase Sei not as a saint but an apothecary practitioner. Then they decide to ramp up a little bit of drama with the next arc of purifying the final miasma swamp. Yeah, the fight with the big boss dragon put us at the edge of our seats, no? NOT! They show it from dramatic angles that Sei may be done for but like yours truly being a ‘veteran’, I wasn’t really worried because I anticipated how it would all turn out. All as planned…

And finally, when Sei is made public, the mad scramble for her hand intensifies. I thought they were going to leave that for the next season and end with some sort of cliff-hanger? But I guess with all the miasmic dangers out of the way, now perhaps we can shift the series to focus more on the romantic genre. The real stuffs that the fans and viewers have been waiting for? Yes, Hawke might have proposed to her but the battle is not over yet. Sore loser nobles might want to usurp and hence the real battle for Sei has just begun. Not purifying swamps but the battle to be her husband! Oh damn. This is going to be the toughest of them all! Jealous parties won’t let Hawke monopolize the saint all to himself! Don’t count others out yet. So yeah, the front runners are Hawke and Drewes but who knows if there are other outside parties who will usurp this. After all, now that there are no more official bad swamps to purify, everybody especially Siegfried seems to be more concerned about how Sei will continue to live the rest of her life. Is that some sort of guilt of bringing her here and then mistreating her in the first season? Well, it’s good he put it some thoughts for Sei but can he just let Sei live peacefully like she enjoys it now? Oh right. She holds the saint title so yeah, can’t technically have the normal peaceful life.

I am figuring why this season is still somewhat boring is because I now remember the main synopsis of Sei wanting to live a peaceful and quiet life. That is why there isn’t much drama or intensity and if there were, it won’t last long. Sorry, no evil megalomaniac who wants to take over the world as I hoped for! As long as have rice, Sei gonna love it here. Therefore Sei being the same person as we know last season feels very much at home. On one hand it is good because we expect Sei to be the same person and has not changed much in the sense she stays true to her own character. But on the other, this makes her boring since she is more interested in researching herbs and potions more than anything else. Though, the few occasions we see her blush when Hawke getting too close to her or spew some romantic lines that would make any lady’s heart skip a beat. Ah yes, a reminder that Sei is still a woman aside from being a saint and an herbalist. A sign to give us some (false) hope that there may be some real romance happening soon. I know Hawke made the early move to seal the deal. But we’re going to have to wait for another season to see their romance flesh out. Remember, nothing is set in stone yet. While Sei’s feelings for Hawke may be the strongest (so far and for now), there is a possibility her love might change and she could fall for others! Gasp! Can’t see that coming? Can’t even imagine of such? Precisely the twist and shock factor we need for more drama! If only there was a potion for love… Nah! It must come from the heart! That’s where that power comes from, no?

And Hawke, oh yeah, he is still the ideal gentleman that girls would dream of as their ideal partner. Still the same gentleman and reliable knight we know as before but with the thought of Sei’s hand in marriage heating up, he soon won’t have the luxury of waiting and go at his own pace. In this context, while he might look like the dashing and confident knight commander, perhaps all that is just a façade as deep down he might be agonizing over this. If love was so easy, the concerned couple in love would’ve got it all wrapped up at the start of the first season! But yeah, for dramatic purposes, they have to bottle it up for more drama so as to torture us viewers too. Heh. Doesn’t it feel like that? Hawke x Sei seems to be very likely as we have seen them together so many times and Hawke doing a lot of stuffs for her sake. If that doesn’t scream love, I don’t know what is. I figured out too that the power of love gives Sei the power. Not rocket science but still a mystery. And finally all our frustrations are rewarded. Somewhat. I am envisioning Hawke’s toughest battles is yet to come. Fending off other suitors who won’t give up. Yeah. Fighting monsters or fellow men more dangerous? You decide.

Drewes on the other hand, nobody is taking him seriously now since everybody knows him as one who is just obsessed in magic and nothing else. Hence his interest in Sei is mostly because of the magic that she has that surpasses his. While his appearance this season seems to be lesser compared to Hawke, never say never because you know how funny love works. For all you know, Drewes might find himself truly falling for Sei not because of her magic affinity or pressure from his family but from the bottom of his own true heart. Hawke better start doing something if Sei ever starts to pay Drewes more attention. Johan had his chance and he even went to straight up ask her only to be shot down! But I don’t think this isn’t over yet and circumstances later on may change their opinions. Perhaps this is just to get our guard down that the 3 horse race has now turned into a 2 horse race.

As for the other characters, I felt they are lacking a lot. Understandably, Johan continues to be the good superior looking out for Sei and the same can be said for Jude. But for the other characters like Liz and Aira, they just felt forgettable. Even Earhart. Almost forgot his name! Even if they don’t appear at all, it won’t change much. Sorry, my conspiracy theory of Aira being Sei’s long lost sister did not materialize! But I guess it is best they do because a character who has been entirely missing this season is Kyle. Oh, you don’t remember him? That arrogant prince who tried to shelter Aira as the fake saint. Yeah. That’s him. I understand that he is under house arrest to atone his crimes. But seeing he doesn’t appear here, it is as though he does not even exist at all! Like he vanished to another world! Prince Kyle got isekai treatment! HAHAHA! Just kidding. Oh right, where’s that Leonhardt guy too?! Another character who didn’t show up.

Art and animation remains consistent like in the previous season. Good looking people as well as the gorgeous background and sceneries. Now I do note a bit of CGI was used although it is minimal and does not break the entire series. I could be wrong but some doors are animated via CGI? Yeah. Look at the way how those doors move. So CGI-like! This season’s new casts include Chiaki Kobayashi as Tenyuu, Shinichiro Miki as Ceyran, Ryota Ohsaka as Oscar, Nobuo Tobita as Franz and Ryotaro Okiayu as Josef. Last season’s opener was sung by Aira Yuuki and she continues to do the same this season with Semisweet Afternoon. A pretty decent lively anime pop piece compared to last season’s slow ballad. The slow ballad this season is now the ending theme, Lilac Melody by Aina Suzuki. Sounds a bit empty due to the minimal of instruments used. Just a few strings and piano occasionally played throughout the song. But still lovely nonetheless.

Overall, I still maintain this season continues to be boring although not as bad as the last. The much anticipated romance did not happen (although they leave it right till the very end) and we are graced with more of Sei’s peaceful life. Oh well, perhaps this is just the calm before the storm and maybe the next time, sh*t will hit the fan. If that ever happens, you bet I’m going to be in so much shock that my jaw will drop and break the floor! HAHAHA! So funny. Sorry I have to make such exaggerated jokes since this season is, wait for it, boring. Yeah, yeah. I know fans of the show will have lots of positive things to shower for this show but for a romance genre that the characters have not even kissed on the lips (technically last season Hawke kissing her on the hand does not count!), this is just disappointing. Oops, I mean boring. Yeah, the saint has so much omnipotent power but yet none of it about love and romance. And you thought love was like magic, huh?! Yes it is. Maybe just untapped…

Nanatsu No Maken Ga Shihai Suru

Need another fantasy sword and sorcery anime? You got it. Add an academy that teaches a group of diverse friends to hone such skills. Check. Mysteries and conspiracies also abound. Got that covered. Nanatsu No Maken Ga Shihai Suru didn’t come as anything striking to me. The dilemma of me whether to skip this one has been on my mind for a considerable while. And because of that, it means the only to bust away such dilemma is to, you’ve guessed it, watch it and judge for myself. I know, it sounds dumb like always but if I left that quandary hanging with no resolve, it might bug and haunt me again with the same tormented feelings many years later down the road. Besides, isn’t this already a sign indicating to just (STFU and) go watch it? For better or worse. My guts are one thing but I should have known better…

Episode 1
Oliver Horn makes his way to Kimberly Magic Academy. We see a few other main characters making their way there. They watch the welcoming parade of monsters when somebody plays a prank on Katie Aalto and forces her legs to run towards a troll. Troll goes berserk but is stopped by samurai girl, Nanao Hibiya. She intends to take on the troll but Oliver knows it would spell her doom so he has the rest help him out with his magic plan to create a diversion. It is successful to take the troll’s attention away but Nanao did not run and instead knock out the troll. When she did so, her hair changed from black to completely white. Whatever innocent colour or it is called, all I know is that Oliver says it means she is going to be a great mage. The ceremony begins with headmistress, Esmeralda giving her speech. She warns them their life is in their own hands. Because 20% of the students at the end of their 7 years here will end up being consumed by magic. Meaning they get corrupted, go crazy and some committed suicide. But it is all up to you to achieve greater heights. During the welcoming banquet, our main characters get acquainted and introduce each other. We have Michela “Chela” McFarlane from a very famous magic clan; Katie who is into animals; Guy Greenwood who is into plants; Pete Reston whose family do not have any magic (I suppose he must be a real smart guy because he is always reading and that’s how he got into this school, right?); Oliver who comes from another great family clan and he has family members at this school; Nanao who was about to be killed in battle but saved by Chela’s father who is an instructor at this school, hence she was recommended to attend. Oliver is up very early one morning and goes for a walk. He notices someone watching him and calls out to her. Teresa Carste is tasked by his brother to watch over him and if he needs her assistance, feel free to call her. Oliver is shocked to see Nanao bathing in the public fountain. Oh sorry, purification a she calls it. More shocking, the scars all over her body. Her pose and all reminds Oliver of something similar. He lends his coat for her to cover up. Although he finds her strange and innocent, but he also smells blood on her that cannot be wiped away.

Episode 2
First day of class begins. Pete showing off he knows much about the history of magic and some students are already sniggering the nerd he is. Luther Garland will have some students duel each other so Nanao volunteers. When Richard Andrews volunteers to fight her, Oliver gets a bad feeling about this guy and usurps him to fight Nanao. He knows he was to guy who stood there watching during the troll incident and did nothing. Richard gets met when Oliver points this out so Chela offers to fight him instead. Oliver begins his fight with Nanao and can’t hold back. However she starts crying and this forces him to get serious. But before the fight finishes, Garland stops them. Seeing the intensity of this match, Chela and Richard withdraw from their match. Later Nanao thanks him for facing her seriously and wants to duel him again. However Oliver is not pleased and refuses. He will never fight her again for he doesn’t want to kill her nor to be killed by her. Then under some magical biology class by Vanessa Aldiss, the students are to feed the right amount of magic into silkworms. Because too much will turn them into vicious monsters. Everyone except Nanao is doing fine. But the worrying one is Katie because as an animal lover, she is trying her best to save every last one. And then when the final one flopped, she still thinks she can save it but gets bitten, forcing Oliver and Chela to intervene, causing them to lose points for intervening. Later Oliver talks to Katie as she relates why she will always try to help any animals or demi-humans. She cannot accept the rationale of mages exploiting anything that has no human rights to their benefit. All Oliver can say is about the harsh reality of this world and that what she has seen is just a fraction. Though, it is her choice if she wants to remain the way she is. Later when Pete claims he lost some book, Oliver and Chela quickly help him to find it. Although it is found, suddenly the landscape changes. As Kimberly is built upon some maze, the hallways turn into a maze after sunset. Not to fear, students getting lost is common but thankfully there are instructors and seniors who are patrolling. But they encounter upperclassman, Ophelia Salvadori. Olivia and Chela are cautious about her since her pheromones have a very seductive effect. It might not work on them but it does on Pete. They quickly take him away and won’t accompany her. However another upperclassman, Cyrus Rivermoore won’t allow them to just leave.

Episode 3
Apparently Ophelia and Cyrus hate each other’s guts. They summon their monsters to fight each other. The rest take this chance to escape. Nanao comes to join in the battle but the whole farce is stopped by Alvin Godfrey the student council president and Carlos Whitrow. Leaving the labyrinth, Oliver then lashes out at Nanao because she intended to fight and die in that battle. The rest cool him down and let Nanao explain her story. She starts about this battle she was fighting. There was endless killing. She reached the enemy’s general and wanted to fight his son who was said to be the best. However she was pointed out she just easily slain him. The general was sad of his son’s death and ordered his men to kill her. But that was then Chela’s father popped up to prevent that and invited her to Kimberly. Nanao comes from a school of thought about fighting to kill someone you respect and admire. That term is called shiawase. It is something she has been looking for. She was happy when she fought Oliver but then subsequently he turned her down and she got all weird about it. She is unsure she has fallen for him or his sword. All Chela can advise is that she will come to find a new way to live and proof is that she is here and alive so it’s not a dream. So let’s make fun memories together, okay? Next day, Nanao is obviously too close to Oliver. Not that he hates it. Then some lesson from Garland about the current Spellblades and those who are trying to invent new ones to defeat existing ones. As they practice, Richard still wants to settle a score with Oliver. He agrees but Nanao wonders if he will lose on purpose because she feels it from him. Later Chela talks to Oliver that Richard is her childhood friend. Both were always compared to each other so he has developed that fear of losing his place. Soon a commotion as Katie confronts Snape Darius Grenville because he wants to kill that troll. He is not amused she is vouching for a life that would probably kill many if left to live. She claims she will convince it not to kill but he laughs at it and teaches her a lesson with this painful spell. Garland and Vera Miligan come to stop him as they tell him the investigations are still undergoing so the troll is still an important piece of evidence. Besides, right advocates are no longer a small group so you bet there is going to be trouble if this gets out. Grenville backs down for now. Oliver and Nanao get a challenge letter from Richard.

Episode 4
Katie is trying to talk to that troll. Yeah, even trolls can get depressed. However this has many students mock and badmouth her. Guy wants to give them a piece of mind but Oliver doesn’t believe it is worth it. Until those mockers continue to do so in Katie’s face, Oliver blows his top. Nanao and Guy join him to blow them away. Sure, they get detention but now almost everyone else is against them and this will affect their duel with Richard. When they head over to the colosseum to face him, Richard puts up a display of killing kobolds. Turns out they will not be duelling as Richard feels he will not get his deserved honour in that. Instead they will hunt kobolds brought into the ring and the one who kills the most kobolds wins. Obviously Richard is a veteran in that. Nanao gets mad and chastises everyone for enjoying such blood sport. She gets booed but she lives. This fight is not worth her blade. But chaos soon ensues because inside the kobold’s cell is a divine creature known as a garuda. Yes, it starts slicing everyone! From the looks of it, this isn’t part of the plan. Even the audience can’t run since the loose kobolds are attacking them. Richard gets scared and runs away. Only thanks to Nanao blocking the attack. Nanao and Oliver put up a gallant fight against this mad creature. Oliver gets injured and retreats to heal himself. He sees Richard cowering there. Richard can’t understand why they can fight that monster. Have they no fear? Well, Oliver does but can’t say for Nanao. That is why she has to help her to teach her what it means of being normal. Besides, Nanao was hoping to see him fight. Oliver returns to assist Nanao and they need to end this quickly. Oliver will be the diversion to create an opening for her. Just when things get desperate and Oliver going to allow the garuda to wound him, Richard is the one who returns to help prevent that. This allows Nanao to decapitate the garuda and end the madness. The duo thank Richard who reveals he wasn’t actually afraid to fight but rather the loss of being an embarrassment to his clan since they put high hopes on him. The duo continue to praise him with all the honours and consider him as a comrade in arms so I think it’s safe to say that they’re friends now. Or at least Richard won’t be holding such petty grudges against them.

Episode 5
The friends discuss about the garuda attack and basically it was an attack on conservatives who don’t want to give their rights to demi-humans. It could also be retaliation from demi-human rights activists for that troll incident. Hence this might spark a war but Kimberly won’t do anything about it since it happened in the labyrinth and they’ll view it as students having their little arguments. They shift their topic to praise how good Oliver was. So Chela wants to give him a victory kiss?! When Nanao learns about it, she gives him a quick one and wants one in return! Interrupted by Oliver’s cousin, Shannon Sherwood who is here to say hi. During Grenville’s magic class, some students have trouble with their experiments so Oliver was quick to help solve all of them before it blows up. This earns Grenville’s attention. He notes his talents but warns him to choose his friends carefully. Later Richard talks to Oliver to warn him about Grenville. This guy has a very shady reputation like stealing results from his students and publishing as his own. Oliver will soon get an invitation from him. Tempting but think twice before accepting. His friend also wants to talk to them. She is the one who pulled that troll prank on Katie. She did so since her family thinks activists like her are an embarrassment. However she didn’t think it would go out of hand. Katie continues to talk to the troll and to her surprise, he can actually speak. The troll warns her not to come here anymore. As Oliver and Nanao talk about the troll incident, it seems from Nanao’s point of view, the troll was trying to run away rather than going berserk. This opens up a new perspective for Oliver as he realizes Katie is in danger. Too late, she is kidnapped. The troll gives the description of that person. As they make their way, Oliver narrates about some past project about activists trying to make demi-humans smart so as they could have the same rights as humans. But the project was scorned by many. Perhaps someone is doing that secretly in Kimberly. Not surprisingly, it is Vera. She has kidnapped Katie to examine her brain for her talents (since she managed to get the troll to talk). Don’t worry, she’ll put it back and release her once she is done. Of course Oliver won’t allow that. Vera does some powerful magic that is easily dispelled by Oliver. She further introduces herself as a rights activist and wants to raise demi-humans’ status in society. Yes, demi-humans is her biology major.

Episode 6
Oliver and Nanao team up to fight Vera. She is formidable and can handle both of them at once. Even more so she has this magic eye whom they must avoid contact at all cost. Eventually Oliver realizes Vera has a hidden magic and Nanao might be falling for her trap. However Nanao severs that hand where that hidden eye is. Because Nanao is unaware of what she has done, Oliver deduces that her sword allowed her to break through some space-time and distance and cut her opponent first. So it doesn’t matter how fast the eye could travel because speed has no meaning in the face of that sword. He believes is a Spellblade that doesn’t match the existing ones and could be the seventh. In the aftermath after Katie is saved, she learns of Vera’s fate. She might have started out with good intentions but seeing Katie making to troll talk, she got greedier. Because the troll has showed some intelligence, it will not be disposed as a unique specimen. Katie is glad everything worked out and kisses Oliver and Nanao. Katie stays positive on the path she takes and this makes Oliver cry? Well, he is happy he got to protect somebody.

Later Grenville summons Oliver so as to clean up some students who died while doing some research. Oliver then questions him about the troll incident because he is not a biology teacher and yet he wants to get rid of it like as though he wants to bury some evidence. But he finds it odd Grenville is helping Vera. It seems Grenville wants to eliminate stupidity from mankind. To do that, he must find a way to change human intelligence. Thus he is planning to use the same techniques on humans but now he feels disappointed he won’t get demi-human samples. Oliver then changes his tone and asks for his alibi on a certain date. Grenville soon takes it that he is targeting him from the start. They fight but Oliver could see all the different future outcomes. Most end in Oliver’s death so he picks one that has him emerge victorious. After he slays him, he reveals he is the son of the woman he slew that night. Grenville is in shock not to realize he is her son. Yeah, they don’t do look alike so it worked in Oliver’s favour. Oliver then tortures him with various pains that he did upon his mom until he says the right word. That word is to end this so Oliver kills him. Big brother Gwyn and Shannon check on him and despite Oliver’s determination to use this special ability till it kills him, they note he only has very limited numbers to use it so don’t do so unless necessary. Like some weird cult sh*t, all the other comrades gather around as they coronate Oliver as their next leader. It seems their goal is to kill every last one of those traitors who betrayed and killed Oliver’s mom, Chloe. The remainders are: Vanessa, Frances Gilchrist, Enrico Forghieri, Demitrio Aristides, Baldia Muwezicamili and Esmeralda. But Oliver is left to remember Nanao’s words that swords wield out of revenge bring no joy but only those out of mutual love. Time to test whether if she is right.

Episode 7
Esmeralda and Chloe’s killers are having a discussion among themselves as they note Grenville has been missing for 4 months. It is safe to assume that he is dead. She wonders if one among them killed him or could it be a student. Either way, that person has made an enemy of her and will only regret their stupidity. One night, Pete wakes up and finds himself with boobs?! WTF?! Hence throughout the day, he is acting strange and telling his friends not to get near him, making them feel weird. Then there is Stacy Cornwallis and her attendant, Fay Willock who are relatives of Chela. They have been ignoring her ever since enrolling at Kimberly. Dustin Hedges will teach the students how to ride a broomstick. Apparently broomsticks are living things so they’ll hover close to you if they like you. There are many who like Nanao but it seems there is one stubborn broomstick Nanao takes a liking. In short, they hit it off as they ride wildly into the skies. This brings back memories for Oliver because his mom used to ride like that. The friends talk about Grenville who has been missing in the labyrinth (the official story) but are soon interrupted by Theodore (Chela’s father) who is here to teach them alchemy. Then the next class of magic engineering by Enrico, he has the students diffuse some bomb box but since time runs out, it explodes. Oliver protect Pete from the snakes but nothing fatal. Oliver then privately talks to Pete and from his action all day, he knows he has switched sex. Some phenomenon called reversi due to one unsure of their sexuality but because of that, best of both worlds means his spells are more powerful. Carlos heard it all and gives Pete and invitation. Oliver accompanies Pete into the labyrinth as Alvin leads them to a secret party that is a gathering of students having this reversi condition. The students mingle with each other to make each other feel more comfortable with their sexuality and this makes Pete feel a lot better. Although he won’t change rooms (for fear of being alone at Kimberly), maybe just a simple curtain to separate their beds.

Episode 8
Not sure what beef Tullio Rossi has against Pete but it makes the latter mad enough that during practice, Pete fights him with emotions and that made him lose. As he wants his friends teach him to get stronger, Oliver and Chela argue over which of their styles to be taught. Sorry Nanao, your input isn’t considered! Katie suggests they both teach him so they make a compromise. Tullio then comes up with a game to see who the strongest first year is. Each will be given a medal and the winner of the fight takes it. The 4 with the most medals move on to the finals. Evelynn Odets challenges Nanao and thinks as long as she can keep her distance and use her magic, it is an easy win. Too bad Nanao’s swordsmanship is way better than that as she takes this win easily. As Oliver is invited to have tea with Gwyn and Shannon, he stumbles into Ophelia who talks to him for a while. She warns him not to adventure too much and should be studying like a student. Meeting up with Gwyn and Shannon, they discuss if Nanao is the 7th Spellblade. Oliver has no proof but his guts tell him so. Even more so, the broom that chose Nanao belonged to Chloe. Oliver is confused about his obligations to help Nanao so Gwyn tells him to forget the complicating feelings stuffs and concentrate on being himself. On his way out, Tullio wants to fight him. They begin as Tullio dominates Oliver at first but eventually loses. So I guess he is out of the running. Oliver commends Tullio’s unique fighting ability and hopes he learns some basics to hone it further since his skills will soon hit its limit. He is telling him this since he envies him for his talent. Oliver views his own skills were not of product of his own talent. After that, Joseph Albright challenges Tullio and is going to take everything from him.

Episode 9
Pete is in pain. It seems the magic has not gotten used to his body in his female form so Oliver administers some pain relief. Pete then comes out to the rest of his pals. Chela then administers some magic in his womb to store extra magic. During practice, Stacy seems to have some beef with Pete. Try as he might, Pete couldn’t land a blow. He feels depressed but his friends note how much he has improved. Even Tullio offers his praise on his improvement. Only Stacy remains mad and now she is for Chela, thinking she taught Pete their basic style which in some way humiliates her. Huh? WTF is her problem? Katie then gets her own workshop in the labyrinth and brings her friends there. It seems she disagrees to the rate in which demi-humans are killed at Kimberly for nothing and wants to make a name for herself to change the rules and make this place a haven for fauna. Along the way, they meet a lot of strange labyrinth creatures, some traps and a weird group of students eating as much meat as they can? They’re the labyrinth gourmet club and they invite them to eat but they’ll pass. The friends heard stories of Kevin Walker as he got lost in the labyrinth of 6 months. By the time he surfaced, his funeral was already held! They also go to buy some ingredients for food before finally reaching the workshop. Looks like a really good place as a secret base. They have so much fun camping that Chela suggests giving their group a name. Nanao has everyone raise their swords and because it forms some sort of rose, from today onward they shall be known as Sword Roses.

Episode 10
Katie brings the troll now named Marco to join them. She got Vera’s help, though. A rude awakening from Pete since Vera’s chopped off hand has now taken a life of its own! Is this Thing?! Vera was the one who helped secured this workshop for Katie as she is interested to see her potential grow. As Sword Roses continue to explore the labyrinth, Stacy and Fay show up to challenge Chela and Oliver. But Joseph butts in and wants to make it 3 on 3 with Nanao. Fay thinks this is a good deal seeing Joseph is after Nanao and this will increase their chances in taking down Chela. As the fight begins, Oliver quickly goes to fight Joseph. This leaves Chela and Nanao to team up against Stacy and Fay. Joseph is able to decipher the kind of moves Oliver makes and thus his fighting style. Stacy reminisces about pleading to her uncle in keeping Fay as her servant who was supposed to be killed. Since Stacy wants to win so badly, Fay tells her to just order him so since she is his owner. With that, he turns into his true werewolf form. Chela realizes that Fay being a half-werewolf has some disabilities and that means being in extreme pain in this form. She cannot understand why she would make her partner feel so much pain just for this fight. More flashback showing Stacy has always wondered why her uncle never accepted her. Is it because she is not his true daughter? In that case she vowed to get her real dad back from them. She is jealous of Chela who has everything. Nanao reminds Chela about the wrong way she is showing her kindness. Since they are going all out to fight her, they too must fight at their full strength or it will be an insult to them.

Episode 11
Knowing that he can’t best Joseph, Oliver tries to drag out the fight and wear down his concentration. This pays off. Chela bests Stacy and this reduces the latter to tears. Hope she isn’t a sore loser. As Chela seeks an explanation why she always hated her, Fay admits it isn’t her fault to begin with. As Stacy is from a branch family, she thought by killing Chela, she would take her place. Obviously a silly theory that won’t work. Making it sadder is that Chela and Stacy share the same blood and are considered sisters but their family tradition doesn’t allow them to do so. And with irony, the harder Stacy works and excels more, the more father shunned her. Like as though it made him realize his own blood was inferior to Theodore. So all this was to show she was more talented than Chela to have Theodore accept her as his daughter but come to think of it, even if she was successful, that wouldn’t happen either. Nanao tells Stacy that it would be impossible for her to become Chela because she is not. Instead, she wants to be her friend and get to know her as Stacy. So now they’re friends? Okay. Now it is Joseph’s turn to tell his past. He had a servant girl when he was young. He always beat her in chess but she never gave up and studied until she beat him one day. Despite the loss, Joseph felt satisfied. But when he told his father about it, he got beaten up for half a day! His servant was never seen again and her entire family was rid of! That day he learnt that his victories do not belong to him along but his family. Thus he will not accept this loss as he summons killer bees to get them. The gang stays safe in Guy’s vines but it won’t last. Oliver has a plan but Chela also has an idea. That is to reveal her true form as she is half-elf. This allows her to use some advance magic that would’ve put a lot of strain on normal bodies. After the bees are taken out, Nanao faces Joseph. Time to make him taste what true defeat feels like. This is a fight between them and no family or gods can take this victory or loss. Eventually he loses but accepts it. So now he is friends too? As they return, magical beasts attack. Unfortunately, Joseph, Fay and Pete get kidnapped. When Oliver returns to report to the student council, they too already know about this as there have been many reports of such. They also know that Ophelia is behind this as she has been consumed by the spell.

Episode 12
Guy is impatient. Are we going to sit here and do nothing? Yeah. Seems like it. But it’s better than rushing in and lose their lives. Even when they go talk to some of the teachers of assistance, basically they’re saying that they can’t be of help and they have to figure it themselves. Hey, you were warned when you signed up at Kimberly. Now we have Chela wanting to head into the labyrinth herself as atonement or she can never face Pete again. Better to minimize their losses this way. Oliver wants to come but she wants to do it alone. He won’t approve of it. So he’s her father now? But now there is the issue of Katie and Vera. Katie has agreed to be Vera’s experiment assistant in exchange for her help. Once more, Oliver being Katie’s father or something to object to that even if Katie herself agrees to it. Vera warns that they have very slim chance in defeating Ophelia. But she can help train them to increase that chance by 1%. As Vera’s research depended heavily on Grenville, now that he has gone missing, her research has hit a dead end. That is why she is interested on Katie. Aside training them, she will help find Ophelia’s lair. As Vera takes Oliver, Chela and Nanao into the labyrinth, she explains more on Ophelia’s family. Basically they believe they are related to the succubus and attempted to create a perfect life form. They failed and the succubus is de facto extinct. As seen, a lot of mana is needed to create a chimera. Ophelia needing a lot of chimera, she could be trying to create something more terrifying. Thing is, the mana she specifically needs is the male sperm. Well, this is bad news because if she finds out Pete is a reversi, she might get rid of him. Meanwhile Gwyn and Carlos lead a small team into the labyrinth to find Ophelia. They bump into Kevin who has mapped a lot of the area and it lightens their work to find Ophelia. Our trio watch first hand as Vera teaches them the tactics on how to deal with tougher labyrinth monsters. This is the minimum they have to do if they want to get past it and save Pete. Essentially, their teamwork in different areas will play a key role in defeating the monsters. They arrive in the next layer of the labyrinth which is a forest.

Episode 13
Flashback shows Ophelia was always alone. Every guy she talked to went crazy. Until Carlos. More jungle adventures we see from Vera guiding Oliver and co. Then they come across a lord of a region. Vera talks to it to let them pass. However it shows hostility as she prepares to take it down. Luckily Nanao continues to talk with it and just like that it lets them pass. Apparently it is wounded and would like to avoid any more fighting. Plus, Nanao explaining about the aura and scent one gives out. Magical beasts can sense that so one must confront them with a calm and sincere heart. Well, too bad for that magical beast because it got decapitated by a chimera! Now we see the trio showing off the fruits of their training as they cooperate to make their first big kill. When they camp for the night, Vera asks Oliver why they are risking their lives to save Pete whom they’ve only known for a very short time. Oliver recounts the incident when Marco went berserk during the parade. Nobody would’ve blamed Pete had he run but he chose to stay and fight with them. Considering he comes from a magicless family, he must be the most scared among them. That incident marked the beginning of the friendship for Sword Roses. Another thing Vera points out is that she is interested about Oliver. No, not in the romantic sense! Unlike others, it seems he is a plain guy but when in battle, his fighting becomes equal as his comrades. So what made up that gap in talent? Don’t worry, she won’t pry further and is just concerned as his senior. Now that Joseph has awakened, he now understands Pete’s condition as he is not affected by Ophelia’s perfume. In this desperate situation, Joseph, digs out orbs hidden inside his own body (OUCH!) and gives them to Pete. OMG is he killing himself with this move? Oh well, perhaps better than being Ophelia’s guinea pig. Anyway he is entrusting his life to Pete to use this orbs when he sees fit to escape and get help.

Episode 14
Heading into the final layer, the land is a thick marsh. Vera teaches them how to walk on water and this in turn will be useful so they can evolve into walking on air. As they get going, Cyrus attacks them. They think he is after Ophelia’s research and since they just want to rescue their friends, they can join forces. Cyrus refutes that so Vera believes he wants to be Ophelia’s last visitor before her funeral. Chela manages to summon a chimera to keep Cyrus company as they use this chance to escape. As explained, when someone’s spell goes out of control, there will be a last person to witness their last moments. That person is called the last visitor and sometimes may be consumed by the spell. Now we see Ophelia’s flashback. When she first came to Kimberly, everyone stayed away from her because of her strong succubus perfume. Carlos was her only friends but Alvin tried his best to do the same. But each time he approached her, to avoid being seduced, he kicked his own crotch! Every. Single. Time. To a point where he doesn’t even react anymore. Sure, there are better methods to handle this but this pain is nothing in comparison with the hell she has lived with. Ophelia then soon joins his group who watch Kimberly that includes Tim Linton and Lesedi Ingwe. A shy Ophelia soon grows in confidence as she participates more often in the watch. However there are a group of students who still dislike her. So one day they confront her to accuse her of manipulating Alvin with her charms. Lies obviously. After calling her names, they hint that they will acknowledge her if she is stronger. That was when she hit the button of no return. She activated her spell to consume them. She became lustier and her body even more bodacious, radiating even more sex appeal. When Tim confronted her about this, he too became a victim and it made Alvin sad. The time is right for Pete as he bursts out from his cage. Once outside, he uses a flare in hopes of somebody noticing his position.

Episode 15
Everyone sees Pete’s flare. But the one who reaches him first is Oliver’s group. Naturally Pete breaks down in Oliver’s arms. He was scared all along. But put all that fear in the backseat for now. Because they’ve got psycho Ophelia to deal with now. As Ophelia claims she has reached the peak of a succubus, Vera tries to negotiate to let them go seeing it’s not like they want to interfere with her plans and that she can’t do anything with a reversi like Pete. Too bad Ophelia is no longer rational and locks everyone in her Grand Aria. In this world cut off from the rest, all the rules bend to Ophelia’s will. Also pulled into this Aria is Stacy. Everyone fights off her chimeras while Vera seemingly tries to piss her off about her failed love life. With Ophelia mad and attacking Vera, this is to let Ophelia see her magic eye and get petrified. Too bad it doesn’t work. Vera continues to mock her as Ophelia continues to pierce through her body. Oliver and the rest launch a final attack to kill Ophelia. But before Nanao could land the fatal blow, she sees Ophelia’s crying face and hesitates. She gets owned. Nanao realizes Ophelia is just a child and it’s against her policy to kill one. So we’re all screwed and going to die now? As Ophelia laments her love life, Alvin and Carlos break in. Carlos approaches Ophelia despite being beaten up. Carlos sings to end it all. As Carlos made a pact with Ophelia’s family, something about him having his male reproductive system remove since young and hence his voice ‘frozen’ at that point became resistant to any types of sexual magic. They both embrace and get consumed by the magic. Alvin says goodbye to Carlos. The survivors return to the surface and life returns to normal. Oh heck, this is already the norm for everyone. Oliver hasn’t forgotten his path of vengeance and believe he is still on the right track.

Live By The Spellblade, Die By The Spellblade
Sorry, no fairytale ending. At least for Ophelia and preventing it from being an outright tragedy as childhood friend didn’t let her die alone. I thought they might pull off that sort of ending of saving her but I guess the kind of grim and dark atmosphere this series has, it is a reminder of the dangers and risks that students will face as long as they are at Kimberly. And since Ophelia wasn’t part of Oliver’s group, I guess that’s okay. She won’t be missed. Hahaha! Sorry… Anyway, I’m glad it is all over. Any more of it and I too may be consumed by the magic madness known as confusion. Good grief.

To be honest, I am quite confused with the storyline and plot of this series. Yes, the light novel that this anime is adapted from is still ongoing and there are more chapters that have yet to be adapted. But as far as this anime version is concerned, personally I thought it was all over the place and somewhat directionless. I know it is not fair for someone like me who has not read the source material to be saying such things but oh well, you know how it is for people like me who don’t read. Yup, first impression counts and I would say that this anime did not really impress me. Even more so with the confusing plot. If I have to summarize what this show is all about, it would be simply about a group of friends attending a magic academy and having some sort of random adventures and fending off disbelievers who want a piece of them. Yeah. That.

For the most part, I would say this first season feels a lot introductory as obviously we are introduced to a lot of stuffs like the setting, terminologies and the characters. Oh boy, there are a bunch of characters and we’ll get to that later. The closest plot that got me interested was the one whereby Oliver’s true goal here is to avenge the death of his mom. So yeah, it’s like he has already created a hit list of all those responsible and will be taking his time to pick them out slowly one by one. Unfortunately as my guts would have told me a long time ago, this will not be the case for the rest of the series. That is why we have detours and other random side plots especially the season ending with some sort of rescue mission and turning busty buxom Ophelia babe into some misunderstood villainess. So yes, Oliver slowly carrying out his secret agenda would have been the more interesting plot that I was looking for in this series but I guess everything would have ended too quickly had Oliver did all that instead of biding his time to set things up and build rapport. I believe it is for the better for the overall story but in terms of my enjoyment, very unfortunately it took a nosedive. To think this season had a strange number of 15 episodes. But I guess those extra episodes didn’t do jack sh*t to improve my sentiments. My, how fussy I am, huh?

One thing that also impeded my enjoyment are the various terms they used here. I’m not saying they are tongue twisting but they sound so alien and it adds to my ‘torture’ and hence my brain don’t really start remembering them. WTF this weak excuse but yeah, here I thought only sci-fi genres I will have such problems but it turns out if a series is too much fantasy, looks like I have a problem with the terms too. But hey, at least I remember that tonitrus spell is. A basic spell of just shooting basic lightning! Yeah, they spammed enough of that for me to remember. Last and not least I want to point out if not all of you viewers would already have noticed, the setting of this fantasy world is heavily inspired by Harry Potter. Sorry, I’m not a fan of that fiction to make deep comparisons and analysis but it was enough for me to think if Harry Potter got an anime version, this was it. Only big difference is that the students aren’t placed in different houses! Yeah, Mashle already did that so… We have flying brooms here but no Quidditch as per copied in Mashle so…

Moving on to the characters, I am also primarily confused by them. Heck, there are a hell lot of characters here although mostly are minor. Thing is, the way they show them feels like they are as of importance but as far as this anime played out, it feels like it leaves more to be desired. Like that obnoxious Richard guy, it felt like he was going to be a thorn in Sword Roses’ side. Oh you know, he could be this anime’s version of Draco Malfoy. But after he got ‘tamed’, he fell into obscurity. Oh well, better he being a repented insignificant than some persistent annoying dick. And then there is that Tullio guy whom I am also confused with his intentions. But you know what? Anime already reaching its end so it doesn’t matter. While there are a few like Vera who seemingly play more supporting roles in later episodes, the rest just fail to impress at least at this point in time. So what about that Kevin dude who wanders the labyrinth by himself? Or Stacy being some jealous misguided relative of Chela? Or Carste who is always working from the shadows like as though she is Oliver’s shadow secretary. Too many unanswered questions in the end so I just screw it all.

It doesn’t help that the sextet of Sword Roses too don’t make much of an impact in my books. They are only so because well, they’re the main characters. So to sum them up, we have Oliver (typical main character with revenge guy), Chela (elf girl), Katie (beast girl), Guy (plant guy), Pete (trans guy) and Nanao (samurai girl). There. To put it bluntly. So yeah, the typical ingredient that as a group of besties, they do things and care for each other. So while it may look like some draggy affair, I suppose this way is better than rushing things so in later chapters we can vouch for them being close friends in times of crisis. We are also being enlightened briefly about some of their past but it is not enough to make me feel like I want to support them. It’s all bits and pieces that the light novel has probably done its part in fleshing them out later. But as I have said, as far as this anime is concerned, a lot is left much to be desired. Can we consider Marco as their pet mascot now? Sorry people, not cute like your Pokemon, Digimon or Hamtaro so please don’t be a racist. Heh.

Although the action bits are part of this series, sad to say that I am not impressed with it either. Yes, all those flashy moves and some spells to go with it to add some spice. But at the end of the day, our young heroes always end up victorious because it is in the script. And yes, a bit of blood and gore too although it won’t affect your wellbeing unless you’re a weak ass wuss. If there is one thing that I really dislike about such fighting sequences, they ramp up the volume of the sound effects. I thought it was my hardware problem but thankfully it is not. So unfortunately I have to annoyingly turn down my volume because the clashing and even the damn background music suddenly becomes very loud. I know, I know. They want to increase the tension and drama of the intensity of the scene. Too bad it just annoyed the hell out of me.

To further nit-pick, want to bet that Nanao is the 7th Spellblade or something? Oh don’t worry, I already Google it so I’m already spoiled. Thing is, this Spellblade thingy still feels confusing. At least to me. From what I understand, it is supposed to be some super move that cannot be blocked. Oh you mean like those special uncounterable moves in fighting video games? Must be so badass, huh? Yeah, like we seen Oliver’s case but I’m still left confused. Not awe. Just confused. So this is the invincibility of his Spellblade? Uhm. Whatever. And to think there are 6 known ones but nobody knows who they are. Then how the f*ck do they know?! It just feels so flimsy. Especially when I did my short Google search to find out more, it had to gall to state it is not known except for the fact that it ‘exist’! WTF. That sure killed my motivation to do any more research. Unfair to conclude so but yeah, whatever. And to think that I thought the Sword Roses would be the ones mastering the Spellblades but that’s just my fault for me to go so far and assume all that. Come to think of it, the anime title might have trolled us all. How is it the f*ck the reign of the 7 Spellblades?!

I have mixed feelings for the art and animation department. Well, at least for the most part it looks pretty standard with the characters looking like your conventional Japanese anime character. Also with the fantasy setting and Harry Potter influence, mostly the atmosphere of Kimberly feels dark and eerie. Well, we were warned about what this school is about and it isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Especially in the labyrinth where it is all mostly dark, what a way to hide all the visual shortcomings. Just kidding! But oh well, got to be pleased with all the special effects of magic during the action sequences. It’s more than just some flashy light show. Done by J.C. Staff, you know at least there is at least some quality assured with this veteran studio.

Voice acting is also rather okay. Nothing that impresses me much. Hearing a few recognizable voices like Ai Kayano as Ophelia, Hochuu Ohtsuka as Enrico and Satoshi Hino as Alvin did little to bright up my day for this series. The rest of the huge casts are Atsushi Tamaru as Oliver (Ayato in Gakusen Toshi Asterisk), Yuka Nukui as Nanao (Serina in Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha No Oukoku Saikenki), Misuzu Yamada as Chela (Koushi in Megami-ryou No Ryoubou-kun), Riho Sugiyama as Pete (Jessica in Kinsou No Vermeil), Shinsuke Sugawara as Guy (Kei in Flying Witch), Hitomi Ohwada as Katie (Ryouko in Machikado Mazoku), Ai Kakuma as Vera (Rossweisse in High School DxD), Atsuko Tanaka as Esmeralda (Motoko in Ghost In The Shell), Kaori Maeda as Stacy (Shizuku in Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai), Kazutomi Yamamoto as Carlos (Yumoto in Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love), Makoto Furukawa as Joseph (Shirogane in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Hiroki Touchi as Grenville (Lily in Fairy Tail), Shouya Chiba as Richard (Ayanokouji in Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi No Kyoushitsu E) and Tastumaru Tachibana as Fay (Mori in The God Of High School).

Kenka by Kujira Yumemi featuring Mimizuku & Fukurou as the opening theme tries to sound dramatic and epic. Oh you know, it starts off quite grand to get you into the feel that this is going to be some great and big Hollywood-esque movie wannabe. Over the top orchestra strings and vocals, but the rest of the song just sounds pretty average to me. Then there’s the ending theme that is also sung by the same singer, Aim. Another epic and dramatic piece wannabe but with a slower pace and a bit of hip hop-like elements. Still doesn’t impress me, though. The better one is the special ending song for episode 7, Beyond Fate by Mion Yano. A string filled slow piece, it has medieval-like vibes which also suits the dark nature of the series and the powerful vocals give the song more impact.

Overall, I am not impressed with this series although it is only from an anime standpoint. The light novel is still ongoing and my guess is that there are more revelations over there than what has been adapted. So another season for a chance to change my mind? All I can say is that if you want to watch and enjoy this, you have got to be an enthusiast in the fantasy genre. Or else if you’re a casual viewer, you’re not going to appreciate what is going on. It just doesn’t have to be this anime but others that are heavily and deeply rooted in fantasy vibes. Need time and dedication to invest and understand the world. Otherwise, it will all be just pretty meh. At this rate this series won’t be more than just a Spellblade. It will just spell (its) doom! HAHAHA!!! Sighs. Sorry to end it with a bad pun.

Mushoku Tensei S2

At first I was in a dilemma whether to wait for the whole season to come out and binge it at one sitting or should I just watch the first half first. Well, that’s the problem when the much anticipated Mushoku Tensei S2 decided to split itself into 2 cours. And yeah, at this point it is safe to say that I have chosen the latter seeing the flurry of animes that I wanted to watch so I just needed to get this out of the way first to ‘lighten the load’. Even more so the next part only comes out 6 months later! Holy sh*t! Am I going to wait half a year for the rest of the second half to come out so that I could watch it at one go or at my leisure? No way! I’m not that patient anymore! I’ll deal with this first half first! HAHAHA!!!! Sighs…

Episode 0
Well, not a recap episode! Thank goodness! So where has the wing brought Sylphiette? Looks like the kingdom of Asura. Just in time as she crashes into a monster boar and saves Ariel from certain doom. So as Sylphiette wakes up in a room, Ariel tells her that her hometown is no more and all whom she knows are scattered or dead. Instead of punishing her for trespassing the palace, Ariel makes Sylphiette her bodyguard. Do so and she promises to find her family and friends. With a new pair of shades also comes a new name: Fitz. Ariel along with Fitz and Luke attend a party by Lord Pilemon. Attending it too is her half-brother, Grabell Zafin Asura. You can tell the siblings don’t like each other. After all, Grabell is the heir to the kingdom. As many suspect Fitz to be shady (she doesn’t even speak), some try to communicate with her but this makes her panic and clumsy. Almost caused a scene had not Ariel’s quick thinking of singing before the crowd to distract them. Later Grabell talks to his friend, Darius Silva Ganius about Ariel’s popularity. Because of that, she is in a way a threat his succession for the throne. Darius hints of taking action so Grabell leaves it to him. Fitz continues to learn and be by Ariel’s side. However, because of the constant nightmares she heard she has, Ariel offers her to sleep together to ease it. Sorry to get your yuri hopes up because she’s just teasing Fitz. Ariel hopes she can ease Fitz’s problems since she is grateful the day she came into her life. In fact, she saved her. Both girls feel at ease as they sleep. But deep in the night, Fitz notices someone looking at them! Oh sh*t! This is not horror movie! Turns out to be an assassin trying to kill Ariel. Thanks to Fitz’s quick reflex, she manages to defend and fight back, even blowing the assassin out of the room. Not sure if that scantily clad babe is dead but the threat is over. Fitz is slightly injured from the poison but it isn’t fatal. She is cured in no time. This leads to a discussion with Pilemon that there are enemies in the palace. Who knows when they’ll strike again. Hence he suggests she flees. Ariel is forced to accept reality. She is going to forge ties with foreign dignitaries and her time. When it is all right, she will return as ruler of her kingdom. She relieves Fitz of her duties since she coerced her into this and failed to keep her promise. She will not burden her anymore. But Fitz wants to stay with her because she considers her as her friend. She wants to follow her on her own free will. Ariel makes the journey across the snowy mountains with Fitz and Luke.

Episode 1
Rudy is travelling and he is so depressed that Suzanne had to ask why he has been sighing. Yeah, he doesn’t feel like answering and this rudeness makes Sara lash out at him. So you want an answer? He claims he is looking for his mom who was a victim of that mass teleportation incident. Well, that sure dampens the mood a whole lot more. Suzanne tries to cheer him up by telling about the northern countries that they are heading to. Upon arrival at Basherant, Rudy continues to be depressed. So much so he wants to deregister his party and take a dangerous job alone. This is when Suzanne invites him to join hers. Obviously Sara not happy but Suzanne takes him to meet the rest of her party, Counter Arrow that includes Timothy, Mimir and Patrice. These guys are nice fellows but of course Sara once again doesn’t really like Rudy. So why he keeps staring at her? Well, in a way her personality is quite similar to Eris. The quest begins with Timothy casting his spell to take out the monster grizzlies. But then Rudy feels something is wrong as he puts his ear and listens to the ground. Suddenly everyone is surrounded by other grizzlies. The best option is to retreat but they are surrounded on all sides. Rudy is willing to die, seeing he thinks he will lose everything anyway. However he is saved by Suzanne. Then he watches the rest fight tooth and nail with all they’ve got to survive. At first he is puzzled why they are struggling so hard but then he realizes the answer has been obvious to him all the time. Rudy now gets his mojo back as he summons the biggest fireball and destroys all the grizzlies. In the aftermath, Suzanne thanks him otherwise they’ll all be dead. In contrast, Rudy thanks her for letting him join her party. When they return to the guild to claim their reward, many are not happy with these outsiders. Until Timothy buys them all drinks since this is their first success. And just like that everybody changes their tune to love them! Even more so when they make Rudy the star of the team. Later Rudy reminisces how Roxy took him in and taught him everything. He still has those things and cannot betray her teachings. Despite far apart, he is not alone and he has had it worse than this before. He stops moping and burns Eris’ clump of hair to move on. Still keeping the panties, though.

Episode 2
Rudy buffs himself up and offers to help others. This is to build up his reputation in hopes his name will reach Zenith. He continues to join Counter Arrow on their quests. This time, collecting scales dropped by snow drakes in some cave. Suddenly the place is swarmed by them so everyone fights back. But halfway into that, they are usurped by Soldat Heckler as he and his Stepped Leader party finish off the rest. When Timothy tries to thank him, Soldat punches him, thinking they were taking his prey. Apparently their quest was exterminating snow drakes infesting in a different cave. However it seems the caves somehow linked up and thus this misunderstanding. When Counter Arrow is back celebrating, a drunk Soldat comes to apologize. However he calls out to Rudy and his fake smile because those eyes are always looking down on others, like as though he is the one who got it worst. He hates brats who is running away from something. Since it all rings true, Rudy can do nothing but sit there and give his fake smile. Soon, Rudy learns that a quest by Counter Arrow has gone awry. Mimir is dead and Sara missing. The rest are feeling guilty for abandoning them and can’t do anything to save them because of the stormy blizzard. Well, guess what? Rudy sets off on this journey alone. His magic clears the blizzard sky! Then as he looks for Sara through the forest, he thinks about Soldat’s words, wondering if this is all just part of his redemption to make himself feel better. Then he finds Mimir’s corpse and some accessory belonging to Sara. Assuming she is dead? Well, looks like she is not but held captive by some monster tree? Had it not attacked Rudy, he might not have found her and gave away her location. Rudy saves her and then heals her up in a cave before they return home. When they return, Counter Arrow learns of Rudy’s heroic deeds. But Suzanne lashes out at Rudy for doing something so reckless. Ironically this time, it is Sara who comes to Rudy’s defence. Timothy is grateful and wants to repay him but Rudy claims they are the ones who saved him and have done a lot for him. Especially the strange feeling of saving Sara, he felt like he was being saved instead. Hence Rudy wants to call it even.

Episode 3
What has changed? Rudy working more frequently with Counter Arrow. He is getting more popular. Sara getting closer to him and talking more. Wow. She’s really this close to him. Uh huh. Even inviting him out for a date! He’d be a dumbass not to accept! During all that, she’s been sending strong signals to him. Very strong. In fact, she wants to go back to his place. Instantly get on the bed and allows him to do anything he wants! Not a trap! Oh yeah! We’re going to have sex! OMFG! SEX!!! But wait… Something is wrong… OMFG you kidding me?! He can’t get it up?! HOLY SH*t?! Don’t tell me he is impotent?! Or ED! Because of that, Sara leaves. She claims she is only doing this to repay her debt to him and she’s not into him or anything. Why does she sound like a tsundere? Why does she sound so disappointed. Oh well, back to square one since Rudy is back being depressed. So as Soldat comes to mouth him off as usual, Rudy punches him as he pours out his woes of being dumped. He even wants Soldat to punch him back but at this point, it’s so freaking awkward. What has a cocky guy got to do but listen to his problems. Basically, Rudy is still sad Eris left him right after they did their first time. Soldat can try to help him out and that is bringing him to a red light district. Elise, one of the top prostitutes there serves him. She is grateful to him for helping her sister some time ago. But soon the session is over. Yup, still can’t get it up. Elise believes he is frightened by women. You sure he isn’t impotent? The only thing left is to drink all night. By morning as they leave, a drunk Rudy tries to reconcile the whole thing by badmouthing Sara. Then of course the cliché moment that she is there and heard the whole thing. Obviously she is hurt and slaps him. Don’t want to see his face ever again. Well, it’s not the slap that hurts the most. Oh man, Rudy going to be depressed again. Before he kills himself, Soldat stops him. He tells him to go after Sara and explain. But Rudy is so tired of this, he doesn’t want to do anything anymore. Soldat suggests he takes some time off and go home. Can’t. Too far away. In that case, Soldat invites him to join his team as they are leaving for Neris soon. Rudy accepts this offer for a change in pace and realizes Soldat isn’t such a bad guy he thought to be. Meanwhile, Rudy’s great deeds have reached the ears of Elinalise. She now knows where to find him.

Episode 4
Rudy goes hunting with Soldat’s group. Rudy landing the killer blow to a dragon that earns him lots of praises. Soon, Elinalise finds Rudy and of course the latter doesn’t know who she is. He gets excited when she introduces herself as well as Paul’s comrade and a friend of Roxy. He wants to know more but she sends him mixed signals by flirting with him. He is willing to take the bait until she notices a pendant he has that is similar to hers. It belongs to Sylphiette. She is here to tell him the good news as she knows where Zenith is. Apparently in the labyrinth city of Rapa in the Begaritt continent and is working as a labyrinth explorer. He also learns that Paul as well as Roxy have also formed a party to look for her. Because Rudy feels assured of Roxy, he decides to stay here for the time being to hone his skills. After all, walking to Begaritt by foot takes about a year and now it is winter. Well, he has to put up with Elinalise’s f*cking every damn day!!! OMFG. She probably has slept with every guy in town!!! Doesn’t that make you jealous!!! Yup, Rudy have to admit he has a serious case of ED!!! Who wouldn’t want to f*ck with this hot babe!!! Even more so, she pays the guys to keep the relationship platonic! How much more can Rudy take it?! One day, Rudy gets an invitation letter from Ranoa Magic University. Jenius the vice principal is inviting him to join as a special guest. This means he is exempted from classes and tuition. He can use the facilities there to his heart’s content to do research. Needing some verification, he talks to Konrad (one of Soldat’s comrades) since he studied there although dropped out. Basically it is a good deal. This has Rudy remember his original goal was to save up and go there with Sylphiette (the reason he tutored Eris, remember?). However he thinks of honing his skills first and thus will pass up this invitation. That night, Hitogami appears for the first time in 2 years in his dreams to talk about this. It seems like he is running his mouth on how pathetic Rudy is right now. Sure, he might have gotten a bit of muscles but his magic barely improved and he got dumped by a few girls. Hence if he goes to Begaritt now, he will surely regret it. Hitogami wants him to take up the offer at Ranoa to research on the mass teleportation incident. Doing so will also cure his ED! For real?! Yeah, he better take that offer. Because waking up with naked Elinalise next to him and his little guy is still dead… And so, Rudy and Elinalise begin their journey to Ranoa after bidding goodbye to Soldat who hopes to meet again in the future.

Episode 5
Arriving at Ranoa, Rudy goes to see Jenius. Elinalise needs to go find some men to f*ck since the journey was sparse in picking some up! Yeah, got to f*ck on a regular basis to fend off her curse! As Jenius welcomes him, he would like Rudy to demonstrate his wordless incantations. In fact, there is another student here who can do so. She is Fitz and obviously Rudy doesn’t recognize her since she is dressed up like a man. But not too sure if Fitz recognizes him. Rudy easily defeats Fitz and he thought he might have gone too far to embarrass her. He promises to make it up to her later. Rudy and Elinalise are part of the new students enrolling at Ranoa as Ariel who is the student council president, addresses and welcomes them. As Rudy is free to do as he wish, he still needs to attend the mandatory homeroom class once a month. There, he is reunited with Zanoba who is glad to see his master again. The rest of his seniors in this class include Linia Dedoldia who is Gye’s eldest daughter, the strange Pursena who claims she is the same circumstances with Linia, and the self-proclaimed magic genius Cliff Grimoire who knows all about Rudy because Eris told him. Obviously she is not at Ranoa. Zanoba claims there is one more student but she is given exemption as she is always holed in her research. She’ll eventually come out so Rudy will have that chance to meet her. As Rudy goes to start his research at the library, he stumbles into Fitz. She learns of his cause and refers him to some books that he might be interested. But well, can’t tell he is here to cure his ED! Later when Luke sees Rudy, because Rudy doesn’t recognize him, Luke has to say his full name: Luke Notos Greyrat. This means he is Rudy’s cousin as he is under Paul’s branch. Zanoba explains to Rudy about Luke being a student here is actually to protect Ariel who lost her place to fight for the throne and studying here is just a pretext to flee. As Rudy returns, a white panty floats down into his hand. Suddenly all the girls surround him and accuse him of being a panty thief. How is he going to get out of this since that gorilla girl is really bent on making an example of him. Fitz comes to his rescue, claiming she was doing Ariel’s laundry and dropped that. Somehow Fitz’s word is law so the girls fear retribution and let Rudy go. Fitz helps heal Rudy and the latter truly believes she is a nice person and will definitely treat her with utmost respect.

Episode 6
Care to here Rudy’s boring narration of his monotonous school life? Yeah, it’s all about the routine. He continues to join Fitz in the library and it seems she too she is researching on that mass teleportation case. She claims someone she knows was a victim but was found. Though, she hadn’t had time to go look for that person and wants Rudy to help her in her research. As they continue talking, Rudy finds himself attracted to her smile. Oh man, starting to get worried he will swing that way? What does his little guy say about it? Oh right. Still limp. With Zanoba begging Rudy to teach him sculpting, obviously Zanoba has no magic talent so Rudy teaches him the most primitive form of carving. Too bad with his brute strength, such delicate work with hands too isn’t possible. Despair. Rudy confides in Fitz about this so she suggests getting a slave. Rudy will go check out the slave market this weekend and since Fitz is hinting she is free, wanna come? You bet. So the trio head down town and see the slaves being exhibit. Needing someone with dexterity in their hands, Fitz further suggests getting a young child since it is best to teach the child magic at a young age. This was how Rudy developed so much mana since he started casting when he was basically a toddler. The slave trader has a young dwarven girl who fits the description. However she is malnourished as her family is sold off to repay some debts. Plus, she doesn’t speak human language and is illiterate. They go check her out as Rudy talks to her. However she is unresponsive. He knows too well those looks in her eyes indicates she is in despair and longs for death. This brings back painful memories of those tormented days of his. Hence Rudy claims he can make her life better despite knowing the fact he cannot bring her true salvation. Then she starts to eke out that she doesn’t want to die. This is good enough for Rudy to buy her. Since she doesn’t have a name, they need to give her one. Rudy asks Zanoba’s opinion and he opines Julius seeing this was the baby brother he accidentally killed with his strength. And so she will be called Juliette or Julie for short. They get permission from the university for Julie to live with Zanoba and wait on him. By day, Rudy teaches her language and wordless incantation magic. Sculpture making plan on track.

Episode 7
Now it’s Fitz’s turn to narrate her routine. Nothing much but she can’t help have thoughts on Rudy lately. Julie is making some great progress after a month. But soon disaster struck. You see, when Rudy asks Zanoba about that Roxy figurine, he starts to panic. And to Rudy’s horror and anger, it is in pieces!!! How did this revered figurine turned into such shambles! Explain yourself! Well, when Zanoba enrolled here, Linia and Pursena challenged him to a duel. Both wagered their most prized possession. No guess what happened next. Rudy is still mad but will teach those beast girls a lesson. So he confronts them and starts to mock them. Short tempered Linia takes the bait as she lunges at him. Obviously Rudy could see all her movements and easily defeats her. Soon the same for Pursena who is trying to escape. They are tied up and locked in Rudy’s room. What’s the punishment going to be? He gropes Pursena’s boobs. Any response from the little fellow? Nope. Still as silent as ever. The girls don’t know the weight of the crime they have done as Rudy tells it to them how they’ve desecrated his goddess. Here is the revered holy altar with Roxy’s panties in it that he worships! OMFG! They start to panic and even accuse the other while Rudy tries to think of a punishment. So he goes to see Fitz for an idea that will leave him satisfied and they will bear no grudge. She has an idea. When they return, the girls are still tied up but soiled themselves where they are! Stinks. After cleaning up, they continue to look down on Fitz so Rudy’s word is law to make them know their place. Fitz then draws on their face. They have to be on their good behaviour or she’ll make this paint permanent as tattoo on their face. After they leave, Fitz notes it was just a ruse and it’s just cheap paint. Fitz hangs out in his room as Rudy’s curiosity grows that she never takes off her shades. She trolls him about taking it off but backs down, claiming she is under orders from Ariel not to show her face. And that’s the end of that.

Episode 8
Rudy trying to molest Linia?! Well, keep it down because Cliff can’t concentrate on his studies! Soon, Rudy sees Cliff being bullied by several students. He tells them off and they go away, not wanting to find trouble with him. Later, Cliff calls out to Rudy and it seems he has fallen for a girl. Eh? What? Don’t tell me Rudy is going to be his messenger or something. Turns out the girl he has fallen for is Elinalise! Oh dear. Cliff wants him to introduce him to her seeing they know each other. And so Rudy goes to ask Fitz for advice. Despite what Rudy thinks of Elinalise, another person might have another view. So it’s best to let them meet up and express that. Don’t worry, Rudy is just introducing them and what they do after is up to them. And so Rudy introduces Cliff to Elinalise. Not really hoping this will turn out well and even Elinalise needs to have a word with Rudy. Is he trying to pimp her? Well, if she doesn’t want to, she can turn him down. Rudy won’t feel sore about it. Next day, Rudy is shocked to see Cliff and Elinalise close to each other! They have decided to become a couple! She couldn’t turn him down after his manly proposal. What about her curse? She’ll try to control it. Yeah. Whatever makes them happy. Rudy notes that this is a season where the beast people fight each other to take over the head of their family. Basically, it’s their way of proposing. Rudy wonders why Linia and Pursena lock themselves in their room and wrote a letter to leave it up to him. Because they are princesses of their tribe, many want to challenge them. So to avoid that, they claim Rudy is their boss so many are challenging Rudy now! Of course he can defeat them easily but look at that long queue of challengers! Must be tiring. But soon all are defeated by this Demon Lord Badigadi AKA Badi. This eternally laughing dude is Kishirika’s fiancé and wants to challenge him after the greatness Kishirika told him. As they wait for Fitz to bring his staff, Rudy asks if he knows Hitogami. None. Before the duel begins, Rudy makes a plea not to kill him if he loses. It’s because he fears for his life after nearly being killed by Orsted. The laughing stops. Did he hit a nerve? Badi then suggests Rudy hit him with 1 shot with all he’s got. If he gets wounded, it’s Rudy’s win. Rudy accepts and puts all his magic and power in this single drill. Badi is sent flying! Don’t worry, he is alive. Badi declares him the winner. But it’s now his turn. Eh? What? Badi punches him! Don’t worry, Fitz can heal that big bruise. Next day, Rudy thinks all that craziness is over but wait till he sees Badi is now a student here! Not a laughing matter! That shirt might be ripping anytime soon…

Episode 9
Fitz gets more worried about Rudy. So much so Ariel is also taking notice about it. To her shock, Fitz has not told Rudy about her true identity for fear he might have forgotten about her. Ariel leaves it to Fitz to do whatever she wants when it comes to Rudy. Rudy continues his research and this mass teleportation looks more like summoning. The only thing is that you can’t summon people. He asks Fitz for anyone specializes in summoning so she points out to a particular girl, a special student known as Silent Sevenstar. When he goes to see her, immediately he recognizes her. It’s Nanahoshi! He gets so scared and tries to run! Well, he passes out. He makes up with Fitz next to him but Nanahoshi is here too. While he is still scared, she assures him Orsted won’t come to kill him. Yet. Then she shows him 2 names: Akito Shinohara and Satoshi Kuroki. He wants to know which of these name is him. None. But it proves he can read Japanese because Nanahoshi claims she too is from his world. Shizuka Nanahoshi. When she unmasks herself, Rudy might have recognized her. She was the girl he saw across the street before he got hit by a truck. Nanahoshi wants to be friends with him since she finds it assuring that she isn’t the only one sent here. However unlike him who got reincarnated, she got teleported after being hit by a truck. Also, she hates this world and wants to go back. When she came here 5 years ago, she was dumped in the middle of Asura and Orsted picked her up. She doesn’t think Orsted summoned her. She spent a couple of years learning the language and all before spending a year travelling around the world to find clues to return to her world. None. It seems they used ancient teleport circles but Nanahoshi cannot divulge much about that. During her journey, she met a man who also claimed he was summoned by someone. Rudy wants to know who but she claims that guy wanted to remain anonymous.

She further adds as they are foreign objects in this world, any changes will have them erased. Now she is here researching these magic circles by herself since no one can do so as none has ever done it before. She also lacks any sort of mana and even though it has been 5 years, she has not aged although that doesn’t mean she is immortal. She hopes to make a deal since they both have something the other wants. Because she wants to go back to her world, she needs an enormous amount of mana for her experiments. Hence Rudy will be her experiment and in exchange, she’ll tell him what he wants. He agrees and wants to know about that mass teleportation. She doesn’t know about it but thinks she is probably the cause. While Rudy is not surprised since he had a hunch but relieved to know it wasn’t his fault to begin with, suddenly Fitz gets mad and starts attacking her. Nanahoshi is protected by her ring barrier as Fitz continues to blame her for all the sufferings she had. After Rudy restrains her and says Nanahoshi is also a victim, Fitz apologizes for her outburst and Nanahoshi for not wording it better. Nanahoshi continues that she is unsure of it nor what anyone would gain from doing so. Even Orsted said nothing of this sort happened before. She has an idea of what caused it and that’s why she needs Rudy’s help and mana. Rudy needs time to think about all this and ends today’s conversation. On the way back, Fitz asks him about his opinions on Nanahoshi. She still rubs him the wrong way in a some ways, brings some relief to her.

Episode 10
Fitz feels more distant to Rudy. Even more so he shares a special bond with Nanahoshi and that they are emotionally closer to each other. Starting to be depressed? Thanks to Rudy’s bout with Badi, many students now keep their distance from him. Cliff asks Rudy about cursed objects so he explains the one from the Superd legend. It helps him realize something. Rudy continues to experiment with Nanahoshi. Basically she draws a magic circle and he puts some mana into it. All failures. She hopes to have one that will summon a person from their world. Her logic is that by doing so, she can send herself back. Of course she would want to prevent another disaster but this experiment will likely give her a clue on how it occurred. Rudy receives a letter from Soldat. He is in town so he hopes to meet up. What a great reunion. In town, Rudy bumps into Luke and Fitz. It seems Fitz avoids him and Luke is the one doing all the talking. Rudy gets the point and leaves. Somewhat he felt hurt and needs somebody to talk with about it but thinks none would be a good listener. Then he sees Fitz at the library. This time she is acting normal. She claims her avoidance was because she was on duty and thus forbidden to speak as her voice sounds childish. Although Rudy has his reservations, it is good to know that Fitz doesn’t hate him. Rudy continues to think more of Fitz until he realizes that he is in love with her. Yes, he thinks he is in love with a man. He tries to ask more about Fitz via Jenius but he is given the gag order by his superiors. So as Rudy ponders about asking Fitz out in case she is a woman or even at least jerk off to her, to his surprise she almost heard that. The shock has them fall on top of each other. It is then Rudy realizes Fitz is a woman. Fitz denies and runs away claiming she is a guy. But the best part? Rudy realizes he got a bit of an erection! Although it doesn’t last long, he believes Fitz could be the cure. Whatever circumstances Fitz acting like a man, he will respect it and continue to treat her so. Thus he can’t get intimate with her now. Slowly but surely. At least there is hope now for his ED!

Episode 11
Luke confronts Rudy about Fitz’s identity. Knowing he is on to him, Rudy feigns ignorance. He even goes so far as to say he is afraid to challenge them in whatever and that’s why he is supportive in what he is doing now. Soon Fitz is called by Ariel. She too knows about Rudy realizing she is not a man. Although she sees nothing wrong in that, the problem is that Fitz is taking her own sweet time. It’s annoying to see nothing happening and so she is forced to intervene. After reminding her that she is her friend and not her servant, Ariel has her state what she wants to do now. Fitz wants to be with Rudy. However she feels she cannot recover from the shock if he doesn’t remember her. That is why she is here to help her think through this. They talk about the most memorable moments Fitz has with him. It is that moment when Rudy realized she wasn’t a man after forcefully stripping her in the bath. That was unforgettable. Then she asks what kind of relationship she wants with him. Uhm, Fitz ranting about some sexual fantasies with Rudy?! Oh wow. That really is her desire? Before she discusses the plan, she warns Fitz that if she chickens out this time, she will be banned from contacting Rudy ever again. So the first step is to get Rudy to go adventure with her through the forest to get some flower for Ariel in some challenge. Rudy wanted to hire others and use his connections so Fitz had to protest and hint that it should be just them. Fortunately he gets the hint. Then as they trek through the snowy forest, Fitz starts to make it rain and Rudy can’t seem to make it stop. So they head to take shelter in a cave. Rudy has no qualms getting naked to dry himself but he sees Fitz shivering in the cold. Trying to be considerate and not look while she dries herself, she continues to do nothing. He is going to leave the cave but she stops him. She claims she can’t undress herself and wants him to do it for her. Okay. He slowly takes off her clothes. Finally, he takes off her shades. Recognize her? Yes. Are you Sylphiette? It is then she breaks down emotionally in his arms. How long have she waited for this day. He hugs her as she continues crying, confessing she has loved him and even more so now. She wants to stay with him forever.

Episode 12
Rudy can’t believe how he couldn’t recognize Fitz as Sylphiette. Were they like 2 different people? Anyway, he realizes she might go away again if he doesn’t tell her how he feels. After he confesses, they kiss and now it’s the big one. Oh yeah! SEX!!! But wait… OH SH*T! F*CKING ED!!! OMG! HIS DICK BETRAYED HIM AT THE MOST CRUCIAL MOMENT!!! Obviously he is depressed and even begging for forgiveness. Can you blame him? 3 whole f*cking years of ED! But Sylphiette isn’t offended at all. They spend some time together talking about the old days and Sylphiette explaining her circumstances. A good news is that Rudy’s little brother sometimes can get it up although it doesn’t last. This means he knows he still has it but cannot control it. There’s still hope. When Sylphiette returns to report to Ariel, the latter thinks it all failed. Well, she would be surprised. Even more so after learning Rudy’s ED and why he is here in the first place. Now Luke seems to understand why Rudy is docile. Not that the girls would get it anyway. He vows to do something about this. Soon, he returns with an aphrodisiac. Due to the mass teleportation, its manufacturing method was lost. So the few that was left soared in prices and he kept this as a last resort in case he needed some emergency funds. But since Sylphiette has saved him many times, he is giving it to her as token of appreciation. Be warned, it is very strong and a man could lose himself. He suggests Sylphiette take some too if she can’t keep up. I suppose she needs it since Luke was also blunt to say Sylphiette lacks any feminine charms! Proof is that Luke doesn’t even have feelings for her! It is the family’s tradition that men fall for busty women!

So with renewed confidence (somewhat), Sylphiette goes to visit Rudy in his room to celebrate their reunion. Obviously both getting nervous until she lets him drink the aphrodisiac and she herself has a bit too. And then it starts to kick in. Rudy wants to get it on. Okay. Itadakimasu. Sorry folks, we have to use our imaginations what happened next. Next morning, Rudy wakes up alone in his bed. Sylphiette gone. Some blood on the sheets. He starts crying. Oh man. Did he fail? Soon Sylphiette returns. She just went out to thank Ariel and Luke. Rudy starts to hug her. Now it is his turn to be a cry-baby. Those tears, it means his ED is cured! Then he goes to officially see Ariel for the first time. This is to thank her for everything and in return, he will assist her in any way. Although he would prefer not to get involved in family politics, however it is a different story if his loved one is involved. So this means he will be supporting Ariel. Although he still has a duty to find his lost family members, Ariel says he can continue to do so and her own affairs can wait till she is done. Now she truly asks him what he wants to do. She hints now that his ED is cured, is this goodbye to Sylphiette? With great resolve, Rudy says he will marry Sylphiette. A shocking proposal as Ariel now asks Sylphiette her answer. Yes, she accepts. Now that she will be his future wife, Ariel gives her permission to no longer dress like a man. Embrace your femininity. In exchange for this, Ariel will make use of Rudy’s reputation and likewise he can use hers.

Erectionless/Jerkless Reincarnation
That’s the problem when you watch a split cour series and now I have to wait for the next part to come out! Ugh! Feels so long… Thank goodness. Better for me to feel that way and it proves that this sequel is still as highly interesting as the first. Yeah, imagine if it turned out all sh*tty and boring, I wouldn’t have such impatient sentiments and wouldn’t even care if the next part comes. Thus with all the interesting developments so far, I would say that I am now quite interested to see what the second half has in store. Just need to be patient. Yeah, imagine me learning how to be patient again via split anime cours. Sheesh…

As seen, this sequel moves the plot along very nicely albeit it feels a bit slow. After all, the first quarter sees a lost Rudy trying to get back on his feet with some random group of adventurers and the rest of the bulk of this season showcases him studying at Ranoa as a special student. I would say that it has not merely solved anything and instead it has opened up a lot more possibilities and developments for future plots. Maybe that is why I felt impatient. Especially with the introduction of a handful of new characters that didn’t really go anywhere. Hence if I look back at this season, I would say that nothing really much progresses in terms of the storyline. Therefore it felt strange that they had to throw in that distraction known as Rudy’s ED as some sort of mini plot for this season! Yeah, life was definitely HARD!!! HAHAHA!!! Oops, sorry for bad pun. I wonder if this ED thing is to reflect his previous life’s incident because he was bullied for having a small dick which led to his traumatized and hikikomori state before he died. Whatever. But yes, thank goodness it was somewhat solved in the end because I’m sure it will leave a bad taste in our mouths if this impotency thingy was brought forward to the next part. Uh huh. No wonder all the naughty bits were pretty much toned down this season. Aside from Rudy keeping Roxy’s pantsu in his altar as his idol of worship. Oh right. Almost forgot about Elinalise’s hyper sexual activeness! Sure, no sex scenes but you can’t help imagine such stuffs when you have a woman so f*cking horny!

Of course the biggest accomplishment for this season is the reunion of Rudy and Sylphiette. I suppose if there was a plot for this season, this would be it. So yeah, it’s like a bit of a draggy drama and affair as Sylphiette FKA Fitz trying to wait out and play the waiting game until Rudy remembers her. Well, in a way not rushing this is a good thing because at the end when everything works out fine and now the duo are reunited, we can look back and vouch for the genuineness of their relationship. The irony that Rudy is already living out his dream of going to a magic university with Sylphiette right under his nose. Now it’s like killing 2 birds with 1 stone! The other being the cure of his ED, of course! Things are looking up for Rudy! Now he has bagged his childhood friend as his wife. What more can he ask for?

Character wise, Rudy obviously being the main character, we have seen him grown since the first season as a kid. Although there is more room for improvement, his life isn’t a bed of roses and we definitely see the efforts he put in. In a way, you could say that whatever outcome that led him to where he is today is mainly because of the efforts he put in. Sylphiette was sorely missing for a big chunk in last season and it feels like this season was her redemption. Like anybody who fears being forgotten, the reason why this whole drama dragged out until Ariel had to step in and give the ultimatum to take action or else. I suppose if a guy doesn’t remember a girl, it would be equally as bad if not worse when a girl rejects a guy. And so all that baseless fears were for naught and a happy ending for our happy couple. Oh sorry, make that a good start.

Speaking of missing, viewers would obviously notice the absence of a certain main character from last season: Eris. Fans of Eris can cry over her no-show but whatever. Because of that, in a way it makes the whole series felt like it had turned towards a new direction. It’s like this series has changed slightly. Because the first season had them as kids. Now at least we see Rudy has grown up into a respectable (term used loosely) teen and he has mature in some ways. There’s no feisty woman by his side this time for all the shenanigans. However with Sylphiette’s drama, I felt that Eris’ absence was blown away and at times, I believe I wasn’t even thinking about her or how she’ll come back. In fact, I can now see with Rudy getting engaged to Sylphiette, it is a very high probability he will cross paths with Eris again in the future and I wonder what kind of reaction these characters will have. After all, it is still premature to accuse that it was Eris who made Rudy impotent. I mean, the coincidence was there. And then the heavy drama with Sylphiette in the final 2 episodes helped cured it. So am I not expecting some sort of bloodbath the next time both girls actually meet!

As you would also have noticed, this season also sees the absence of a lot of characters from the first season. So much so you might have forgotten them if you don’t force yourself to think back what happened to them. Many too did not even have any visual appearance this season. You guys still remember that Ruijerd dude? The one who guided Rudy and Eris back home when they got blown away by the mass teleportation? Then there is the rest of Rudy’s family members. Paul, Lilia, Zenith and his sisters, Norn and Aisha. You still remember those cute girls? Oh, what about crazy girls? Sorry, this season is not Kishirika’s either. Other than cute girls, remember that brute girl? Oh actually that muscle woman Ghislaine who was Rudy’s teacher in the fighting department. And yes, who could forget about Rudy’s master, the great Roxy. Sorry, that (broken) figurine of her doesn’t count as her making an appearance! So yes, all these characters and more were sorely missing here but with the ongoing drama, I hardly felt their absence.

Of course, not all were side-lined and some do recur like Zanoba and Elinalise who are given more screen time this season. Sort of. Well, Zanoba has turned into some sort of perverted lackey for Rudy and Elinalise’s strange curse that has her sleep around with men sure will raise some eyebrows if it is an excuse for her to satiate her endless promiscuity. The more important one is Nanahoshi. Damn, should’ve guessed her moniker at Ranoa is actually her name directly translated into English! Anyway, her cameo gives an important insight and direction as well as intrigue to Rudy’s previous life and perhaps this world. It is one of the biggest revelations this season so I hope that more can be fleshed out in the next part. Hitogami only made 1 stinking episode of appearance and he is even more a mystery than before. But I guess for now his absence is needed because as pointed out, don’t want to divert attention away from Rudy-Sylphiette/Fitz drama. It’s not like we’re going to get any straight answers from him, right?

This season also introduces a handful of new ones. As pointed out, these new characters have really gone nowhere yet and it just felt like they were for introductory purposes this season. For instance, Linia and Pursena felt like Rudy’s reluctant lackeys. Julie has been bought to wait on Zanoba but more remains to be seen about her. Yeah, she’s pretty amusing (and cute) with some of her reactions. Then there is Cliff. Who the f*ck this guy? I don’t know, but it’s like he is the cure to Elinalise’s self-prostitution because just like that, they’re now a couple. Imagine if Elinalise continues to f*ck around, how annoying would that be? Who is this Badi guy? I don’t even know why he is needed but I guess it’s for some future plots. Then there is Soldat who might be cocky but he’s a good guy and now he is good friends with Rudy. Probably in future plots, they’ll go adventuring again. What happened to Counter Arrow? Especially Suzanne and more importantly, Sara? I believe I won’t be seeing the last of them but ever since Rudy enrolled at Ranoa, they have been close to forgotten. After all, Rudy realized his ED when making out with Sara and then it was like she wasn’t amused. Imagine the first guy you slept with was limp. But she was the turning point in Rudy’s life and I would say it was for the better at this point in view.

Art and animation remain consistent and it’s good to note that they still maintain that quality. Especially the backgrounds and sceneries. I’m more impressed with the breath taking views rather than the character designs. Oh well, it just feels pretty iffy the character looks. Even with Rudy growing up into his teens and he has put on a bit of muscles, he still looks a bit weird. Last season’s seiyuu’s are retained and new ones joining the fray. Nice to hear Yuu Kobayashi as Suzanne although her character is very much calm and subdued. The new casts are Kousuke Toriumi as Soldat (Nozel in Black Clover), Reina Ueda as Ariel (Lemon in Mashle), Kazuyuki Okitsu as Luke (Nagare in K), Shion Wakayama as Nanahoshi (Mie in Suki Na Ko Ga Megane Wo Wasureta), Ai Fairouz as Linia (Takechiyo in Hanyou No Yashahime), Minami Tanaka as Pursena (Mary in Kakegurui), Taiten Kusunoki as Badi (Drakken in Edens Zero), Ryota Ohsaka as Cliff (Marco in Shingeki No Kyojin), Sumire Morohoshi as Julie (Koyori in Hand Shakers) and Haruka Shiraishi as Sara (Asirpa in Golden Kamuy). Unlike last season, this season’s opening credits animation is fixed. But for the song, Spiral by Longman, sounds more like some generic rock piece rather than the medieval fantasy or Celtic tunes like the last time. Even the ending theme, Musubime by Yuiko Oohara (who sang all of the themes in the previous season) feels more like slow rock.

Overall, this season is highly interesting with all its developments and characters despite not being anywhere conclusive. Heck, even though the novel series it was based on was way done in 2015, last time I briefly checked this adaptation so far only covered about 1/3 of the entire series so there is still a long way to go. Since I am quite impressed with this season, it is obvious without saying that I will be looking forward to the next. And obviously if you are those who aren’t impressed with that first season, you should stay away from this one as it might exacerbate your misery. And lead to ED! Stress and anxiety can lead to ED, you know! So while I wait for the next season, maybe I’ll go watch a few ecchi fanservice shows just to keep in check and prove I have no ED! Serious! Thank goodness I still got it!

Mashle: Magic And Muscles

We must be impressed with magic because they defy science and to the impossible to impress us, right? It is no wonder we place magic in such high regards so much so if we were to face off a greatest magician against the greatest martial artist, the former will definitely win! Oh yeah. Magic. So magic that it’s magic. But wait. What happens when somebody without magic can be stronger than all that? Wait. What?! Folks, I bring you Mashle: Magic And Muscles. In a world where magic is the norm and those without or having weak magic are greatly discriminated, our titular character has none of that but his incredible strength. He is going to turn the magic world upside down with his raw force of power! No magic can literally stop him! Punching his way through all you magic weaklings! Mash smash!

Episode 1
As narrated, this world operates on magic and it is the norm. Except of course if you are Mash Burnedead. Yeah, look at him pump those weights in the middle of the forest! Even the animals are flabbergasted! He lives alone in the remote forest with his grandpa, Regro. Too bad Mash with his immense strength keeps breaking the door. Luckily grandpa knows how to destress, right? Regro warns him never to go to town when he is out. But one day he can’t contain his hunger and heads there just to get his cream puffs. Obviously his cover as an unmarked is blown. A drunk policeman harasses before his superior, Brad Coleman comes by to see what’s going on. Regro then quickly takes Mash and run. Brad sees this as a chance for promotion and tails them. Back home, Regro lectures Mash and makes him do his usual training as punishment. But soon Brad and his men from the magic police department start knocking on his door, harassing him to hand over the unmarked kid for leniency. Regro will not sell him out despite Brad claims those with no magic have no right to live. Flashback shows Regro has very weak magic and from young till his adult life has always been a failure. One day he tried to kill himself but saw this unmarked baby. Obviously abandoned because he has no magic. Because the toddler took a liking for him, Regro felt wanted and vowed to raise him as his own despite not blood related. Regro wants Mash to escape but obviously Mash barges in to give the police their beat down. Why? Because Regro is his only family. Brad tries to use his superior magic but Mash easily slaps them all away! Then he throws the wand at him like a projectile! Time for Brad to give up. Mash warns him not to threaten his family again but Brad has an idea. Enrol in the magic school and become the chosen one. Every year, an exceptional student is chosen by God and is known as Divine Visionary. If Mash succeeds in that, it means God has chosen him and society has no choice but to accept him. Brad will back him up since he wants fame and fortune from this. Mash has no choice but to accept because he might be tough but what about Regro? Is he willing to risk being hunted down for the rest of his life? Better to die trying to turn the tables. For the sake of peace, Mash immediately accepts that proposal and is now enrolled at Easton Magic Academy. Time to go crush all that prejudice.

Episode 2
Entrance exam time and Claude Lucci will invigilate. You know how tough it is when only on average 3% of participants pass. Lucci is shocked to see Mash doing muscle training instead anything magic related. He thinks he is a slacker and will fail. Even more so, Lucci wants to fail him as he makes snarky comments about his speech! First the written test, students must use their magic to unjumble the words. Mash? Use force and threats to have it arranged properly! For other magic tests, because of Mash’s strength, it makes it look like he is doing magic like running on water or lifting a huge boulder (with a finger!). Lucci is not impressed this slacker is still in it so the final test is a maze in which students must navigate it with traps within a timeframe. Mash meets Lemon Irvine who wants to team up to be efficient. But it seems she gets into all the traps and slows him down. Then it is revealed she is hired to slow him down and make him flunk. Mash abandons her as Lemon is soon confronted by a sphinx. She fails to answer his riddle and is about to get killed. She believes this is karma for betrayal. But then Mash returns to save her. So how did they make it out in time? Why, Mash punching holes through the walls! Obviously this isn’t magic so everyone calls for his expulsion. But then Lemon reveals Lucci put her up to this task in exchange to pass her since her family is poor. The rest about Mash wanting to marry her is all made up! When Lucci continues to badmouth them, Mash breaks his wand! The headmaster, Wahlberg Baigan has seen Lucci’s disgraceful actions and will see him later. He will now take over the rest of the exam. Time for the final interview as Mash is whisked away and asked several questions. Amusing answers Mash has but it’s the truth. Finally Wahlberg invokes his magic to show that there is something stronger than him. In this voodoo magic, he claims his loved one will be killed by this needle. Mash uses his strength to stop it. In terms of endurance, Mash should win, right? Of course all this is just a test to see if Mash has what it takes to have Noblesse Oblige, to protect the weak with the great power he has. Because he has that capacity, he passes. Mash also reminds him that he will not hesitate to get violent if he ever resorts to that. And so Mash is accepted but it’s going to be tough. A simple task to use magic to unlock a lock, he just breaks it! Mash is roommates with Finn Ames and the latter knows he is in for a weird time. Yeah, Mash has names for all his muscles?! Freaky. Mash then asks about the requisites to be a Divine Visionary. You are evaluated on just about everything and given coins. But if you fail your grades each semester, you get expelled. Well, it’s going to be a harsh road ahead.

Episode 3
The class is having lessons to fly a broom. Oh dear, how is Mash going to even do it? A bully challenges him to a broom race. He agrees. As it starts, Mash is so fast that nobody sees it and the teacher thinks it’s a world record! But Finn saw the whole thing. Mash threw his broom and then jumped onto it, making it look like he is flying it. When the bully accuses him of cheating, he is forced to shut up by Lloyd Cavill. He wants to be friends with Mash. Obviously Cavill is the bigger bully as he beats up that guy for failing to impress. Mash learns from Finn that nobody opposes Cavill since his father is a high ranking officer in the Bureau of Magic. Anyone doing so will be immediately expelled since the family has ties with the vice principal, Farman Gregos. Cavill claims he can fast track Mash to be a Divine Visionary but he has to do errands for him. In short, be his gopher. Okay, Mash does all that he is told. Soon Mash becomes a target as his textbooks get torn. No matter. He shares with Finn and calls him a good friend. The culprit behind that is Finn as he is under orders by Cavill to do so. Now he wants him to burn Mash’s clothes. That’s when Finn objects and won’t do it. He is beaten up as Mash sees the whole thing and learns the truth. Mash beats the sh*t out of Cavill. He is the one who needs to apologize! Farman sees all this and claims assault so he will seek counsel to expel Mash. Mash’s answer? Beat him up! Not only that, he goes to bury Farman! Because if he claims he can expel him anything, the same logic that he can bury him anything also stands! OMFG!!! Obviously Mash is summoned by Wahlberg who has received a letter from the Bureau of Magic for his immediate expulsion. However Wahlberg quashes that request. Because of people like Mash who dares take action, this will stop the rot and corruption that has seeped into those high levels. This is why he wants Mash to become the Divine Visionary. All he needs to do is earn high marks in classes and activities as well as acquire as many coins possible. He will handle Cavill and Farman’s case. With that, Mash receives no punishment. Soon, Mash is confronted by popular senior, Tom Knowles who wants to challenge Duelo with him. Uhm, is that f*cking discount Quidditch?! Mash still can’t fly a broom…

Episode 4
Mash just sitting there and everyone thinks this game is rigged! Tom tries to motivate him but the opponent does a sneaky move and breaks his bones. Now he is out. Tom then gives Mash some advice and since the opponent talks bad about him, that’s it for Mash. OMG how the f*ck can Mash fly?! Well, he is moving his legs so fast that he is walking on air!!! OMFG!!! Then he throws the ball into the goal. Heck, so powerful that the ball returns to his hands! Rinse and repeat! Damn, he scores off the charts!!! Record win!!! He gets a silver coin for that. Later Tom is bugging him to practice Duelo, Lemon trying to study with him and Finn just ignoring him. Suddenly Lance Crown pops up and wants to do something fun. He kidnaps his friends into this bottle and to meet in the woods if he wants to save them. They will bet their silver coins too. It seems Lance has a grudge on Mash and thinks he is a slacker who doesn’t put in effort as his wins are all easy. Lance unlike other mages, he has a double strip on his face. As many mages have only one, having multiple lines means you are basically being chosen by magic. Lance tries to defeat Mash with his gravity but of course it won’t work. During the battle, a locket containing Lance’s sister, Anna drops out. Yes, self-proclaimed siscon. Lance then threatens to drop this bottle off the cliff. Flashback shows he loves his sister a lot but one day she was diagnosed with some incurable disease that will strip her off her magic. When that happens, she will be handed to the government. Lance cannot accept this and vowed to destroy this rotten system. That’s why he is willing to become the demon for her. He drops the bottle but damn, Mash jumps down to save and back up all in a flash! But yeah, the bottle is empty. Mash searches him for the real bottle and frees his friends. Lance realizes he has lost so he calls it off and gives him his silver coin. Mash thinks he isn’t such a bad guy. With his friends all so relieved over him for the rescue, he realizes he should’ve freed them back at the academy. Noisy…

Episode 5
As narrated, Easton is divided into dorms. I guess they don’t want to make it so obvious that they copied the houses from Harry Potter so we have Adler, Orca and Lang. Students are housed in one of these dorms based on their personality. For Mash and co, they’re in Adler. With Finn panicking about their forgotten potion assignment, here comes Lance to brag that is done with his. Not until Mash bribes him with a pic of his sister, Lance offers to help them. First, he teaches them how to silence this screaming radish. If Mash makes it turn madder, he just slaps to quiet it down! Then it is cooking time and despite following the exact same moves, how the f*ck can Mash turn it into a cream puff?! Lance tells Mash that he is here to prevent others from taking his coins away since he is equal, if not better than him in combat. Soon, a class assignment between Adler and Lang. We see Dot Barret thinking he is the main character. Until he sees Lemon lapping up to Mash, he starts getting jealous about some gender inequality thingy. Nobody’s listening. The assignment has to dorms exterminate some monster scorpions in the forest. They can receive bronze or silver coins depending on the difficulty. Silva Iron tries to show Mash his place by using a bit of excessive force. Mash is only mad because his cream puff is squashed. Silva has a history of being a delinquent. Students and teachers who get in his way often come out injured and it is still a puzzle why he hasn’t been expelled yet. Mash gets lost in the forest and stumbles into Dot. But soon, Dot saves a girl from being harassed. He tries to calm himself since the girl is trying to get close to him. Obviously she is using magic to make him fall for her charms. Heck, this simpleton might not even need magic. Now to do the same to Mash. No effect at all! Then she claims Silva has been threatening her. Dot offers to beat him up but here he comes, saving the trouble to look for him. Dot starts pounding him with his fire explosions. But not a scratch on Silva as he returns the favour many times fold and brags about his superior skills. We know who is superior because once you messed with Mash’s cream puffs…

Episode 6
Silva is willing to leave that girl alone if Dot can withstand 10 hits from him. Of course he will bet a silver coin too. Dot endures all the iron magic hits and of course he is messed up at the end of it. That is when the girl reveals her true colours too. Feeling like a fool? Of course Mash has also had enough of it and will participate in this challenge. As you would come to expect, he punches through all of Silva’s magic and even through that jerk himself. After 2 hits, Silva knows he cannot take another hit or he is a goner. Mash then throws down the challenge, can he withstand another 8 more! When a scorpion shows up and Mash easily deflects it away, Silva knows he is screwed. Who the f*ck is this guy?! The girl tries to feign she was forced into this but Mash isn’t buying it and does her a supplex. That’s right, he treats everyone equal so don’t you worry about it! Mash reunites with his pals as Lance explains that the coin hunting from Lang has begun. Those from Lang have their own twisted ideals and view birth right as the most important factor. They want to stop others from being the Divine Visionary or even get into the Bureau of Magic. The strongest group in Lang is called Magia Lupus. Apparently Mash doesn’t even know he was sorted into which dorm! Of course now he remembers something of that sort. I swear, they copied this from Harry Potter because we see a bone unicorn analysing the student touching its horn to be assigned to which dorm. When it was Mash’s turn, the unicorn can only see creampuffs! Confused, he just made Mash into Adler. Lance believes Adler will be Lang’s target so be sure to keep your distance. Meanwhile Silva apologizes for his failure and pleads for another chance. However Magia Lupus’ leader, Abel Walker dismisses him since he even failed to be a sacrificial pawn. Talking about collecting coins to create a world free of impurities, he then turns Silva into a puppet. Mash is lost and breaks down the door of Magia Lupus’ room. Yeah, can’t figure out to push or pull!

Episode 7
Abel asks Mash’s reason to become Divine Visionary. To live in peace. Abel rubbishes all that as he explains his about returning the world into its right order, blah, blah, blah. Mash understands that as he wants to live in peace too. Abel allows him to leave in exchange for his coin and of course Mash refuses. Abel sends a puppet (Silva) to attack him but Mash manages to dodge. Another puppet attacks and steals his coin. But Mash is more interested in taking Silva to the infirmary. Did Mash give up on his coin? Apparently Abel realizes the coin in his hand is his puppet’s button. When the puppet stole it from him, Mash used his strength to replace it and then suck his coin back?! Too fast to see! Silva wakes up in the infirmary, confused he is saved by the enemy but glad he is no longer a puppet. WTF Dot and Lance having a showdown in Mash’s room. But Lemon tells the big news to the guys. Looks like Lang is starting to steal coins from other dorms and thus they are leading way ahead in the standings. As Orca is more into research and won’t fight back, it is up to Adler to put a stop to this. As Mash and Lance clean the owl hut, Magia Lupus goons come to attack them for their coin. Anser Shinri fights Lance while Mash goes head to head with Olore Andrew. While it looks like Answer is giving Lance a hard time, it only looks so because Lance is trying hard not to hurt the owls. So when he manages to get the owls out of the way, he easily owns Anser. The difference in strength is because Magia Lupus fights for supremacy which is selfish whereas Lance fights to protect his sister. Meanwhile there’s no fight for Olore as he gets beaten up even in his monster shark mode. Imagine, Mash can swim faster than a shark underwater! A fellow Magia Lupus, Abyss Razor is here to retrieve his comrades. Mash quickly attacks him although he manages to escape. He notes Mash having no magic but and is the same like him.

Episode 8
Looks like something happened to Tom. He is recuperating in the infirmary but have enough strength to speak. It seems he was in this nightmare being trapped in some dark box for hours. When that is over, he realizes he can’t use his magic anymore. He isn’t the only one. There are other students too who have experienced the same thing. Lance believes Magia Lupus is behind this. That night as the gang go hunting, they see Lemon acting strangely. She has turned into a doll?! They tail her but end up in a dead end. While Lance reveals a secret door, how do they open it? Simple for Mash. Pry it open with force! Oh damn, see how the door fly through several layers into the sky. Heading under, they arrive at an arena. A Lang member is tasked to stop them from proceeding further. Dot offers to fight him because he is jealous of how handsome he is! As expected, Dot tricks him into thinking he has won before he turns the tables for absolute victory. Then the guys get swallowed by the ground. All emerge in different location as Lance believes Magia Lupus wants to separate them. Here are the Adler vs Magia Lupus match ups. Lance vs Wirth Madl; Dot and Finn vs Love Cute and Milo Genius; Mash vs Abyss. Abyss hints he knows Mash doesn’t have magic like him. Mash is a bad liar trying to hide this fact. Both have no reason to lose so get ready for the big fight.

Episode 9
Wirth can clone himself in various mud forms. Lance fights back and Wirth sees potential in him and offers him to join Magia Lupus instead of hanging out with those failures. When Lance manages to see through his tricks and get the upper hand, Wirth resorts to using a power up potion. Why do they always have to do this? Summons a great demon but oh well, Lance uses his more powerful gravity magic to destroy it. Flashback shows Wirth has been drilled into his head that his existence is all about worth. So uhm, was this how he was named? He tried hard to earn his father’s recognition but apparently he was still not worth it. Wirth is in shock that he is defeated and this means he is worthless. However Lance notes that they grew up in similar environments and someone’s worth is quite subjective depending on the environment. Lance acknowledges that Wirth has at least put in a lot of effort. Wirth realizes that he probably didn’t want to become a worthy person in the first place. Now we move on to Mash’s fight with Abyss. The latter using his acceleration magic to swiftly cut up Mash. Of course he is surprised as Mash uses his brute muscle power to break through and all. Even breaking his mask. So Abyss got this red eye. Know what it means? Lucky us, he explains it is the eye of the devil as it nullifies all magic of those who look at it. Hence like those without lines, those with the devil eye will also be scorned. His parents locked him up for fear of being found out and even tried to kill him once. Hence he regretted he was born since he was of no use. However Abel needed him and that’s why even as a tool, he thought he could serve a purpose but his defeat to Mash means his existence means nothing. Now he is back to being unwanted. Mash thinks they could be friends. For this kindness, Abyss warns Mash is unable to defeat Abel at this rate. He has not seen his true powers yet. However Mash is still going to wallop Abel’s ass. He further adds that despite what the world says and scorning him, Mash will still think of him as the same. So screw what the world thinks because we’re still friends? Looks like it.

Episode 10
Milo lets Love handle Dot and Finn. First she asks if they think she is cute and love her. Dot obviously like cute girls but he has to turn her down as his heart is already set on another girl. With that, Love is going to kill them. Yeah, her father told her to kill any guys who don’t like her! So either you love her or you die! As Dot bears the brunt of her magic, he remembers his past whereby he gets bullied and never fought back. His sister asked him why and he said he didn’t want any trouble. She noted it will be real problematic if he got a real friend. Someone who will get sad or angry on his behalf. When he has such friend, never betray him. Mash, right? Dot breaks out of the spell and is now even more powerful. Love sees a cross on his head and believes they are those who power up when their emotions reach a certain threshold. Dot now shows who is in charge and throws all his explosions at her. Luckily all missed as it was just a warning. Milo returns to finish a job as Dot gets injured while trying to cover Finn. However Milo is soon swiftly taken out by Rayne Ames, a Divine Visionary and the top student of Adler. Did I also mention he is Finn’s brother? Milo tries to repent but Rayne beats him up and doesn’t believe his words. That is the only way to teach such people. After forcing some details out of him, Rayne then stumbles into Mash. He throws a few swords at him to test his magic level. Yeah, his spider familiar who measures it is so freaking stumped! Rayne remembers Wahlberg putting him up to take care of Mash because of his selflessness. Rayne advises Mash that he needs to have powerful magic to face Abel and without it, he will be tough. Mash still trying to lie he has magic? Rayne has also heard about his Divine Visionary dream. By beating Abel who holds most of the coins will bring him closer to that. Rayne is doing this to help himself as he needs all the help he can get. Especially allies who are strong on their own. Mash then breaks down the door to face Abel. He was trying to knock…

Episode 11
First, Abel telling his ideology that those with magic, the weak and those who even aid them must be weeded out. Mash doesn’t think so. This difference in their beliefs, Mash will not be his friend. As Abel sends his dolls to fight him, Mash is able to destroy all of them with his brute force! Mash even has the cheek to ask if he beats him, does this mean Abel is inferior to him. Abel tries to control Mash but once again brute force wins. Now getting a little dirtier, he uses Finn who is now a doll to fight him. Of course if he defeats Finn, it means killing him. Mash stands there and gets whack but guess what? Finn’s weapon breaks! More Mash flexing as he uses his coin to cut off the strings tried to Finn as the coin boomerangs back into his hand! Abel then tries to turn Mash into a puppet. He does so but at the cost of Mash giving him a knee kick in his face. But wait. Mash reverts back to normal?! Abel deduces spinal reflex (like pulling back when one touches something really hot) that protected Mash from such threats. Now Abel uses his ultimate magic. Some hideous puppet that can turn anything it touches into puppets. But we know the drill, Mash’s brute force destroys the strings and even this monster. And here is a supplex move on Abel. Flashback shows Abel’s mom was a very kind soul. She went down to the slums to help the poor. However she was stabbed by one, claiming such nobles had it all. She believed in the good of humanity and this was what she got? That is why Abel believes the weak don’t need their pity and hence created his own legion who were also dissatisfied with all the inequalities. This defeat won’t change his mind, though. Mash understands his case but notes that bad guys are not confined to social standings even if many of them are at the bottom caste. As promised, Abel releases all the students in his control. This includes Lemon. The idiots celebrate their victory but note where the heck is Lance. Speaking of which, Rayne attacks him but this is to reveal the imposter behind: Cell War, a member of a dark magic organization led by Innocent Zero. He tasked Abel in looking for something but since he has failed, he will kill him. He lets Rayne play with Jon Pierre while he goes to finish his mission.

Episode 12
Cell War is going to kill Abel. He thanks him for giving some info on Wahlberg although it wasn’t enough. Now that he is of no use, he will die. But this is interrupted as Mash returns to celebrate eating cream puffs. Oops, a fly causes him to sneeze and blow the cream puffs everywhere. Cell War feels something strange about Mash but returns to killing Abel. However it is Abyss who protects him. The reason Abyss didn’t die is because Mash threw a stone at Cell War and causes him to go a little off on his trajectory. Cell War faces off with Mash as the former sends sharp rocks flying at him but Mash is just pummelling his way through. Abel calls Abyss’ action as foolish but Mash believes he was happy to do that because he was of use to him. Flashback shows Abyss was afraid to show Abel his devil eye but Abel wasn’t and instead will put it to good use. Abel also remembers his mom’s words about being kinder to others. Just when it looks like Mash may be faltering, Abel returns to protect him with his dolls. Although instantly crushed, this allows Mash to get up close to Cell War and punch him in the face. Cell War then takes out a dreadful mirror. All mages fear it because it reflects your spell. The more powerful your spell, the more fearsome the reflection. So how? We already know. He kicks through it! And just like that this fearsome artefact is destroyed! It is only then everybody realizes Mash has been doing everything with brute strength and has no magic! Cell War escapes and is confident they will meet again. Good grief. Mash is glad he has gone home. Abel thanks Mash and will repay him someday. When Mash’s friends confront him about having no magic, obviously he panics and denies. Though, they will do all they can to help protect his identity. Mash thanks them. So he admits he has no magic? But one of the students heard it and will report! Oh no! What now? Mash just eats his cream puff! Cell War reports to his father AKA Innocent Zero about finding what they have lost. He is told to retrieve it and his wish will finally come true.

Super Smash Blows
If you felt the season just smashed by so quickly, then fret not. Because the good news is that there will be a second season! Hooray! More cream puffs! Oops, I mean more magic to smash through! More Mash smash! After all, things were just getting started and it would be a shame for this series to end like that with only a single cour.

It is a good thing that another season will be coming up because honestly, this season felt like it didn’t really get anywhere. It was all just introductory stuffs and a small stepping stone for Mash to achieve his ultimate goal and become Divine Visionary. Because if you look at this season, it’s all about Mash enrolling at Easton before getting entangled with the antagonist of the season which isn’t really the real antagonist but just a lost group of people AKA Magia Lupus. That’s just basically it and very much what this first season is about.

As I thought this might be the new reverse Fairy Tail in the sense that this series I speculate may go on to have multiple seasons thereafter (yeah, I’m really getting ahead of myself), to my surprise I found out that the manga just recently ended back in July 2023! So it has got to be a long running manga, right? Nope. Nope, it started in 2020 and only had 17 chapters. Oh wow. So I guess we can have the ending already in the next season. Oh well, better than going on forever and ever without any end in sight. Sighs. Oh well, this is what I get for trying to get ahead of myself.

Obviously as you can already see, this series borrows heavily the elements from Harry Potter as you can see several influences of that series in here. I’m not really a Harry Potter fan (I haven’t watched any of those full length movies at all but only clips or trailers of it, so sue me) so I can’t really compare them much in details. I can only point out the clone Quidditch as well as the houses as its references, that is all. Feel free to scour the internet for lots of talking and debating points. But yeah, I just thought this series was like a weird idea mashed up together (pun not intended) when the author though what if Saitama (of One Punch Man fame) but with magic. Uh huh. And so that is how Mashle was born! Yeah. Weird.

The fun part in watching this series is seeing Mash smash through all the magic users with his extreme brute force. It is so unbelievable and exaggerated. But oh well, at this point you can’t argue with logic here. Mash’s superhuman strength from his extreme training and exercises would definitely put Saitama’s regime to shame! How can he do and achieve that! It’s impossible! Oh well, it isn’t for Mash. And to see all those arrogant mages and wizards eating humble pie and not even knowing what hit them, that has got to be the funniest and best moments of the series. Uh huh. Their flabbergasted faces, priceless. Seeing Mash owning them even without they knowing it is all brute force and not magic, it never fails to put a smile on my face. No matter how ridiculous such feats are. Yeah, magic is going to be obsolete if Mash gets his way and that’s why in thousands of years when people could no longer do magic, they’ll look back and call this as some lost ancient magic or something. Don’t take that seriously. That’s just me getting ahead of myself with my conspiracy theories.

This also makes me wonder if Mash is actually that strong to brush off any sort of magic that is casted upon him or is there any sort of magic that could overpower him. Oh I don’t know, maybe one that actually zaps away his strength. But then again, dumb muscle logic will show us Mash has so much muscles that he will still have that incredible amount of strength inside. So whether it is decay magic or soul stealing magic, all that will never work as long as Mash’s muscles are written to be way stronger than all that. Uh huh. Maybe it is not brute force or magic that is superior but down to good ol’ steel will and iron clad determination! Mash certainly got that hands down.

The underlying issues the series is trying to tell is of course the inequality and discrimination but it feels a bit hard to relate since it is magic vs non-magic. Real life no magic! Sure, we can try to see it from the perspectives of the haves and have nots, the wealthy and the poor, etc. All we know is that people in power often get corrupted so they will want to maintain that power as long as possible, causing a lot of pain and misery to the rest of the common people. So that’s why Mash who is an underdog who isn’t part of the system, smashing his way through that belief, it also feels great and can’t help root for him in that sense. And then will those have magic be discriminated when those without take over? I doubt so with Mash but you’ll never know.

The characters are quirky in their own ways and it is hard not to hate them even the seemingly most despicable one. At least as of now. So take our main character Mash, he is so super strong as f*ck that he defies the laws of science and physics. But to balance all that strength, this is why Mash isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed and it’s like the Drax (of Guardians of the Galaxy fame) of the series. He is quite good natured despite being a whole lot dense, making him look a bit like a retard and probably why having many look down upon him. They’ll learn the hard way is not one to be messed with. You think he would get mad when the baddies hurt his friends but he still manages to keep his cool and doesn’t get mad. Often, he fights back because the baddie is in the way as he needs to take his pal to the infirmary or something. Yeah, is Mash really that of a nice guy? Or is he just putting on his poker face? Nah, I’ll give Mash the benefit of the doubt. Literally at this point, nothing can get in Mash’s way. Not magic and certainly not even brute force. Anyone who is physically stronger than Mash, please step up and challenge him. Didn’t think so. As long as Mash continues being Mash, we’ll all root for him, no? And don’t forget, his favourite cream puffs. Yum! Don’t ever leave home without it.

The rest of Mash’s groupie is also rather quirky themselves. Somehow I don’t really find them to be as fun as Mash despite each having their own weird personalities. Of course, Mash having the most screen time and since he is the hero he bulldozes his way through with his might, he resonates more than the rest. To be fair, they have their screen time and chance to shine and show what they’re capable of (Magia Lupus battles were cue for that) but for now I’ll just remember Lance as a siscon who uses gravity magic, Dot as the loud obnoxious simp who uses bomb magic, Finn the coward who uses… Uhm, what magic he uses again, and not forgetting Lemon the cutie pie of the group who wants to marry Mash. Yeah, can’t wait for some inter-school competition to have the quintet fight in a team battle.

Those in Lang are painted as bad guys and heck, they even have the baddies look because most of them look so crazy. Of course as we can see, they’re not actually bad people because it won’t make sense for a school to have a bad organization or group inside. Imagine if Slytherin were actually made for evil people. So these Lang people are more like bullies and got a bit too desperate in their bid to change the world. Sure, the world changes not by your words but by your actions. However seeing that Abel has met a stronger match, I guess it’s all up to Mash now to bring the changes? Speaking of Abel, his small flashback provides some insight so that we don’t simply cast him as a bad guy. So now do we sympathize with his circumstances? Unfortunately the rest of his Magia Lupus don’t get such fleshing out so at this point they just look like Abel’s goons trying to make up the numbers and for this season’s group battle. And of course the real antagonist, Innocent Zero, we’ll have to wait next season to see the kind of threats they’ll bring to the world.

For the art and animation, at first I thought the series was created by the ones who wrote One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, seeing Mash has a very uncanny resemblance to the protagonist of both series. Turns out it is not. So it could all just be a coincidence. Because I thought the art style and some of the character designs have the same vibes as Mob Psycho 100 but that could be just me. A bit cartoonish if I should say. After all, when you have many characters looking weird especially those in Lang, you can’t help wonder if they’re even human to begin with. Is it me or does Lance look like Fairy Tail’s Jellal, Dot like Black Clover’s Asta and Cavill like Loid of Spy x Family? Other than that, the series is quite vivid in its colouring and hues although there are some scenes that are just dark and gloomy. This anime is done by A-1 Pictures who have done a lot of hit animes like Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail, Nanatsu No Taizai and Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai.

Voice acting is okay as I only recognized Yuuichiro Umehara as Abel, Cho as Regro, Natsuki Hanae as Cell War and Shinichiro Miki as Innocent Zero. At first Rayne sounded familiar and I couldn’t put my hand on it. Oh wow. It’s been a long time I have watched a series that Yuuki Kaji had a role in me so that eluded me! The rest of the casts are Chiaki Kobayashi as Mash (Yuichi in Tomodachi Game), Reina Ueda as Lemon (Kanao in Kimetsu No Yaiba), Reiji Kawashima as Finn (Blade in Eiyuu Kyoushitsu), Kaito Ishikawa as Lance (Iida in Boku No Hero Academia), Takuya Eguchi as Dot (Hikigaya in Yahari Ore No Seishun Love Comedy Wa Machigatteiru Ken), Aoi Koga as Love (titular character in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Hiroki Nanami as Abyss (Ayame in Gibiate), Wataru Komada as Tom (Marcus in Kenja No Mago), Mugihito as Wahlberg (Wombat in Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love) and Katsuyuki Konishi as Brad (Oga in Beelzebub).

The opening theme Knock Out by Taiiku Okazaki is a typical rock music. Pretty generic but it gets you into the smashing flow of the series so I guess it’s not bad. But the more amusing and catchy one is the ending theme, Creampuff Funk by Philosophy No Dance. Oh yeah. The title already tells you what this song is going to be, right? This is quite a lively and funky jazzy piece. I think it has some 70’s disco dance beat too. Not bad. So forgive me if I can’t help myself to sometimes get up and do a little feet shuffling. Yeah, if this was an exercise song, I guess it will also work. But then again, the song will make you crave for more creampuffs and there’s your losing battle with your weight. Oh creampuffs, we all love you!!!

Overall, this is quite a highly entertaining and funny series and I can’t wait for the next season to come. There’s a lot of dumb fun and rip-offs (references as some may call it) to a certain famous wizard boy from Hogwarts but if you can’t stand all that inelegance and want something sophisticated, GTFO is what I’ll recommend to you. That’s not a show, by the way. So whoever says that brute force or violence is not the way, clearly has not seen this. But obviously it is only a privilege for Mash. Think twice before calling him a muscle head or brawns over brains. Because he’ll take it as a compliment! Magic is tragic when might is right! Oh yeah. Now, how many creampuffs can I finish as I await the next season…

Mahou Tsukai No Yome S2

5 years later, here’s the sequel, Mahou Tsukai No Yome S2. Felt like a long time but since I wasn’t particularly a fan of this supernatural drama series, it came of a surprise to me. One of those series which I thought would never get a sequel although but after watching that side story OVA that came out back in 2022, that pretty much confirmed this sequel. So you know me, still have to check this out to follow up on what has happened. Though honestly, can’t remember much except the general premise of a human girl becoming the bride of a strange masked mage in some contract. Always hoping for the better… Yeah, I should know better myself…

Episode 1
Adolf talks to Chise and Elias about the former attending a college for mages and supernatural. Because of Chise’s curse as Sleigh Beggy, this is too good for the institution to pass her up. Also, they may find a way to lift her curse. While Elias is against this, she wants to know what Chise wants. In short, she wants to go in hopes she can learn and help others in the future. Elias accepts her decision but will also go with her. Adolf takes them there where they meet Liza Quillyn the president of English College. While Chise will be a student, Elias will be an instructor. After that he shows them the brief layout of this underground college before taking them to Alexandra Heath for Chise to get her check-up. In the meantime, the guys continue their tour. Renfred is shocked to see Elias here and maintains he still hates him. Though, Elias doesn’t think much of it since he doesn’t feel the need to kill him. Chise tells Alexandra about the memories of others she has seen ever since swapping her eye. A thousand years worth of it. Chise thought someone is watching her but brushes it off when she could find no one. Then she goes to the dorm section whereby she meets 4 cats who are the dorm matrons. Among the cats, she chooses Rose Lyn to guide her since she wants the freedom in her heart. Outside her room, she is in a dilemma to be rude to her roommate. Thinking she will understand, she opens the door without knocking but too bad the door hits her. Lucy Webster isn’t a sociable person so she tells Chise what is needed. And don’t wake her up as she plans to sleep until her next class. Chise gets dressed and makes her way to class. Then she stumbles into a girl collapsing before her.

Episode 2
Chise advises Philomela Sargant to take her medicine from whatever illness she is suffering. Is there one for anxiety? Well, Chise gives her some tea or herbs to calm her down. Philomela would like to repay her but since Chise hasn’t thought about that, she just hopes she could give her some feedback someday. Chise then joins Alice attending class. Chise notes Philomela is in this same class. Their teacher, Narcisse Maugham starts explaining about the fundamentals for magic. Then he points out to Chise since she is a visiting student, she doesn’t have to practice sorcery but is required to have outstanding grades in general courses. Chise soon makes friends with Veronica Rickenbacker. Chise and Alice then attend a magic class by Elias (taking on a human form). He talks and warns them about the supernatural when it comes to wielding magic. Then he has Chise and Alice demonstrate their magic. While Alice creates extreme fire, Chise is gentle and perfect. Then the rest begin practising to get a feel of it. When one of the students gets impatient because this lizard familiar doesn’t want to cooperate, the lizard then becomes hostile and tries to kill him. If not for Elias’ quick intervention, it could’ve been a tragedy. In this instance, Elias has revealed his true form as he has those who believe they have magic aptitude to continue. For those who don’t, quit now. Later, classmate Rian Scrimgeour sees Chise because he wants her to teach him magic.

Episode 3
Since Chise is looking for Elias, Rian saw him being brought away and will lead her there. Rian also notices about Alice and wants to observe her magic. She doesn’t intend to be a mage but her fairy shows up and cheekily mocks them especially Rian’s magic as rusty. Chise wonders why he wants to learn magic so badly and it is to protect someone. They arrive seeing Renfred lecturing Elias about some stuff. Narcisse then talks to Gregory that Chise is a normal girl and will not be a detriment whatsoever. Gregory reminds to keep watch on her because they need to maintain the balance. Elias and Chise join the rest of the classmates at the cafeteria. Well, I’m gonna skip the names, there’s a hell lot of them. While the gang happily enjoy their meal, Chise notices Lucy eating by herself. Also, there’s another group who is also by themselves, namely Veronica, Philomela as well as April and May Atwood. Of course not everybody in the gang enjoy each other’s company. Like Sofia Healey who thinks this friendship is useless since they’re all going to be enemies in the end. And there’s Zoe Ivey who is scared as he senses Chise and Elias as non-human. Adolf contacts Lindel that Elias has become a teacher at College. He wants to know if there were instances to harm others and wants to know the circumstances. We see Chise and Elias harvesting pumpkins and turnips for Halloween as Elias explain some of its origins. As Chise washes the fruits, Joseph comes to visit her. He still wants his eye back that is in her possession but feels too sleepy to do anything about it. Going back to bed. Soon, Stella visits her and as they walk along, suddenly a mist shrouds them. Chise and Ruth find themselves in a strange place.

Episode 4
Chise and Ruth are at a seaside cabin that Rahab stays. She claims she sensed the pendant she had given to Elias (which is now with Chise). Rahab wonders who she is so Chise says she is Elias’ teacher to teach him about humans and well, his bride. Inside her cabin, she claims this place is disconnected from other dimensions but yet connected to everything. She starts explaining how Lindel and Elias came to stay here for quite a while when they were small. One day after his wandering, Elias came here looking dishevelled. Apparently he got confused by the numerous types of humans and didn’t know who to imitate. Thus he wanted to imitate Rahab and believed doing so he will do well. So she allowed him to stay and she taught him what she knew although there were some that she couldn’t. Then one day he just left and that was the last she saw of him. Rahab notes she couldn’t teach him to smile but had taught him the concept of family. Especially a bride. So if Elias’ idea of a bride seems different, Rahab has herself to blame for not properly explaining. Chise believes Elias is smiling right now and is living decently. Though at times he might get a little giddy. Chise thanks Rahab for all that because he imitated her and she got to meet Elias. When it’s time to leave, Rahab hopes Chise won’t tell Elias they have met. She wants to continue observing him. But mages aren’t supposed to lie. Conceal the truth without lies. Rahab can’t give any more advice but hints there will be a lot of things that she can and cannot see. Chise and Ruth return to their own world and reunite with Stella. Like as though all that never happened. Elias and Chise has this centaur guy take them to a phone booth hidden in the middle of the forest. It is supposed to be some shortcut passage to the College and not many use it because you can get lost easily due to its twisted time coordinates and there are monsters known as hell hounds guarding it. They stumble upon a group as centaur guy appease them with some meat to let them pass. Chise then reads one of their thoughts, warning them not to stray from this region or they’ll hunt them down forever. They are given to eat some horrible crystal to pass. Arriving at the College, Chise asks Elias when they first met, why did he want her to become his bride.

Episode 5
Lucy might sound rude but Chise thinks it is her way of looking out for her. You think? Chise has breakfast with Rian and Isaac Fowler and learns about the 7 Shields, the 7 families that founded College. Rian’s family is part of that pillar although he has ostracized himself from it. Chise tries to ask about this Webster Tragedy as heard from Jasmine St George. However she is told there are some things she is better not known. Later when Chise and Lucy bump into Zoe, Chise asks if he is avoiding her. He ignores and walks away. Lucy thought he is being rude and takes off his earmuffs thinking he can’t listen. That is when Zoe goes crazy as he claims she doesn’t know Chise’s true form as a monster. Suddenly Zoe’s hair turn into snakes! He runs away as the girls including Isaac and Rian give chase until they find him hiding in some garden maze. Chise approaches him and surprisingly his snakes don’t attack her. After Lucy returns his earmuffs and apologizes, Zoe tells about his origins. His mom is a Gorgon from the Black Sea while his dad is a human sorcerer. Yes, Zoe is born from an egg. Because he feared the outside world, dad send him to College to get used to the outside. The earmuffs are to help him from transforming back and forth as human and snake as he is quite sensitive to light and smell. Everyone also learns about Chise’s dragon curse. When Ruth catches Philomela eavesdropping, they note her family as one of the 7 Shields and one who specializes in intelligence. Rian suggests forming a contract to not let all they’ve learnt get out. If they tell others or write it down, there’ll be some divine punishment. And so all those here agree as they make a pact and swore this to secrecy. Lucy still cannot trust Philomela and blames her for her family’s death. Later Rian confronts Jasmine about putting weird ideas in Chise’s head. Unlike him, Rian has no plans to stick with his family. Jasmine’s twin, Violet consoles her over Rian’s arrogance and suggests if things get rough, they can just find a master and run away.

Episode 6
Elias needs some time to think when Chise asks why he chose her as his bride. Elias then asks Renfred to get some references. It seems Renfred views Alice as his daughter although at the same not much of a use when it comes to magic talent. He will continue to protect her until she can find her own path. Since Alice heard all of that, that night she goes to stay at Chise’s place because she wants to ask for some advice. Not being useful to her master has hit her hard. Because how could she forget that incident when he protected her. The day Joseph came knocking on their door, she tried to protect Renfred but he protected her instead and got his left arm cut off. Joseph then borrowed that arm to make something since he wanted to take the corruption of the cat kingdom. He will return it once he is done. Now she is fretting over what Renfred said although she doesn’t hate it. Despite living with him, she has always viewed him as her master rather than a father. What about Chise? She too is confused about the master-student as well as married relationship thingy. That night, Chise talks to Elias for his answer. He says taking her in as both a disciple as bride is because since they’re both the same person, he would have one less thing to deal with. She expected such answer. But Elias adds that an apprentice eventually leaves the master. Married couples stick together, right? Chise then explains about how everyone interpret words and roles differently. Hence their relationship as married couple as well as master-student may not mean the same as others would think. It’s not Chise is unhappy with such a role. In fact she is happy because it is good to know he won’t let her go. Okay then, let’s continue this role. Next day, Alice confronts Renfred about this dad thingy. While she doesn’t oppose his thinking, but it makes him feel inferior to her. Renfred claims he has forced this lifestyle onto her without her knowing and took her in because he thought she might be useful to him. Otherwise, she would’ve led a much normal life. She disagrees because back then he chose her. Now it’s her turn to choose him. Wait. Is this Pokemon?! Anyway, she wants to protect him for his worth. He calls her a child for thinking such and she gets mad that he doesn’t get it.

Episode 7
Chise’s class is doing some boulder climbing activity as Elias watches her. Adolf talks to him about watching the different expressions of Chise that she won’t normally show him. This has Adolf reminisces some of his old memories, good and bad. Philomela soon receives a letter to come home. She takes leave to return home to see her grandma, Lizbeth who summoned her. It seems the family had no intention of sending her to College and only did so because of Veronica’s charity. As such, she cannot be an embarrassment and must excel in it. Lizbeth also beats her up a little to remind her of her place and that she is still ineptitude. Renfred talks to Adolf about the thought of wanting Alice to at least stay as a child until the time comes. But now she is 18 and it will be weird for him to be ordering her around. His wish is for Alice to not end like him or his father. Adolf notes they were trying to rush to become adults then. Maybe what kids and adults want to do aren’t that different at all, hinting Alice is trying to make herself useful for him. Renfred knows it too and that is why it is a problem. Because if he keeps pushing her away, she will just keep resisting. Chise’s class soon take part in an outdoor camping activity in the forest.

Episode 8
Initially Elias wanted to come to this camping to watch over her but Chise claims doing so will make her rely on him as she wants to train to become independent. Elias compromises by splitting himself. Well, half his face will be with her. In this pet form, he can’t do much and will be basically useless as she wished. So nothing really eventful on this camping trip. Chise seeing a few supernatural spirits including this water horse, each-uisge. Don’t ride with it because it’ll eat you when you’re drowning. That night, Chise wakes up and feeling something ominous. Lucy is gone. She goes to look for her and finds her collapsed outside. She is on the verge of death since her magic has been dried up. Chise puts her close so she can absorb some of hers. However, they are soon confronted by this monster. It’s not a centaur but a nucklavee. It just wants to kill humans and its weakness is fresh water. Chise runs but manages to stumble into Rian, Zoe and Isaac. Zoe’s snakes manages to petrify it for a while. Chise has this idea to call forth each-uisge. With Elias summoning it, Chise hopes it can lead the nucklavee to the lake. Sure, but it wants her to ride it. Rian goes with her. After each-uisge dumps the duo into the lake, it then pushes the nucklavee into it. Rian manages to get out but the nucklavee tries to take Chise down with it. As Chise isn’t resurfacing, each-uisge thinks of eating Chise but Rian uses his metal weapon to keep it at bay. Chise’s arm turns into something monstrous and slashes the nucklavee until it reduces to nothing. She doesn’t understand what happened but knows without this, she would’ve died. With Chise out of the water, each-uisge can’t eat her now and leave. However Chise lets it eat some of her hair.

Episode 9
Lucy is still unconscious but recuperating back at College. Chise stays with her as Elias talks to her about the meaning of worry. Then some strange visions and conversation between Chise and Joseph. Seth then visits Lucy after learning what happened. It is revealed he is Lucy’s brother. When Lucy looks like she is in pain, Chise tries to relief her forehead with a wet cloth. But then she starts to see snippets of something horrifying in her memories. Lots of dead people everywhere. Lucy is then awakened and not too happy to see Seth before collapsing again. Soon the entire teaching staffs are called for an emergency meeting. It seems a forbidden book in the safe has been switched with a fake and this fake has turned into dust. Though the actual original one is in England’s library. Learning that the book is The Testament of Carnamagos, Elias lets everyone knows he has read it before. As it is said to alter the character of one who reads it, Elias returned it. Part of its contents include how to become immortal, destroy them and even resurrect the dead. Liza announces they will continue their investigation and when the time comes, she’ll need everyone’s cooperation. One more thing, it seems a spider silk was found in the dust of the book’s remains. As this is highly speculated it could be from Webster, this news must not reach Lucy’s ears. Later as Elias asks about this Webster thingy, Simeon Paladilhe offers to explain. The Webster family are famous for having spiders that produce special silk that can duplicate magic books. 8 years ago, the entire family was massacred. Lucy was the only survivor and the killer was not found. All their spiders were also stolen. The eldest son who was supposed to inherit the business had no control of magic and was kicked out of the family. Despite everyone knows about this story, it is best not to speak freely about it. As Simeon returns, he gets attacked. Lucy wakes up to see Seth still with her albeit sleeping. Meanwhile enemies kill off a security guard as they’re going to finish this up quickly.

Episode 10
Simeon is tended by Alexandra who notes that had not Elias passed by, he would’ve been dead. Even more so, Elias shared some of his magic to restore his health. Simeon’s memories are fuzzy and he can’t remember what happened. The wolf enemies start to attack Lucy when she leaves the perimeter. Seth protects her and gets wounded. Even Ruth too. Elias senses Chise in danger so heads down there to fight off the enemies. Lucy recognizes them as the ones who killed her family. They admit they are here to finish the job. Years later?! Cornered, Chise is forced to take Lucy into the shortcut passage. The enemies chase them and get pounced by the hell hounds as they get eaten alive. But when Chise hears the female scream about their child, Chise promises to provide a proper offering next time. She can’t provide a human but a sheep or cow. The hell hounds let the enemy go although her mate is already dead. As Seth gets treated, Chise learns more about their past. Seth was kicked out of the family as he couldn’t use magic. They were more than happy to sever ties and do not want to be related to him. Lucy thought it was her fault since she succeeded him and holed up in her room. Until that day her family was massacred by the enemy but it seems she also saw a scared child cowering in the corner. When Seth returned, he saw the aftermath like as though Lucy killed them. Then rumours surfaced that Seth hired the enemy to take out the family. Seth never deny it since he had no backing and it was too risky for a man like him who can’t fight. All that matters now is that he can put Lucy through College and that’s good enough. Elias has Marielle look into Simeon’s case. She dives into his mind and sees some horrifying being. She believes something is continuing to zap his magic and she has seen this before as there are a couple of several similar cases. She believes someone is using Testament of Carnamagos to steal people’s magic power. Lucy is not impressed Chise helped the enemy who killed her family. However she also thanks her because now she can find out who attacked them and why. Soon, Lucy collapses.

Episode 11
It is said that no matter how much magic they supply to Lucy, it is useless as it will be drained away. Elias tries to track where the source is drained to but some force is blocking it. Elias wants to get to the bottom of this but doesn’t want Chise to get involved since it will be dangerous to her. However she argues that if he claims he is doing it for a friend (Simeon), then she too is the same for Lucy. But Alexandra supports Elias for Lucy to stay out since she is still a child and he is worried for her. To take her mind off, Lucy attends an extra class that teaches her about runes. Zoe goes to visit Lucy. Uhm, she wants to pet his snake hair? Animal therapy? Yeah, brings back memories of those spiders she used to have. After Chise goes to make good her promise to the hell hounds and provide them sheep, the centaur guy talks to her about how lucky she was those hounds settled for that. He talks about the unfairness in the world and worries for her since she is making bad bets and doesn’t think ahead, expecting things to work out in the end. He doesn’t know if she is being greedy or trying to be important because although it is fine wanting to save everyone, if she gets hurt, there are others who will hurt as much as her. When she goes to visit Lucy, Zoe is trying to stop her from going to her job and has her continue resting. Seems she doesn’t want to use Seth’s money for fear he will use it as an excuse to boss her around. They learn her job is to clean the waste tower. Failed experiments or botched magic are kept there. Students don’t normally go there but it is said that one may find very rare ores or herbs that pays well. Chise and Zoe offer to do it in her place. Does she have a choice? With Ruth keeping an eye on her, in bed so she’ll stay. Chise and Zoe along with Rian and Isaac go to the waste tower as Fabio Zaccheroni warns them about certain ores that might mesmerize them beyond. Chise is also surprised to see Philomela here. She claims she sometimes come to help here and whispers caution to Chise to watch out for Fabio. Meanwhile Lizbeth has received a letter of Philomela’s withdrawal from the College.

Episode 12
Alice continues to confront Renfred about being treated as his protected daughter. He still gives her the slips. Lucy too is having an argument with Seth and runs away. What’s wrong with these young ladies?! As Chise and the rest continue their job, Zoe gets separated and stumbles into a pair of other students. It seems they want to bully him but he shows them his Gorgon side to petrify them to escape. Fabio reveals his true nature as he confronts Chise. He is not an instructor but a mage bound to this place. He knows Chise is that girl sold at the auction and wants to get his hands on this Sleigh Beggy. However he sees a terrifying Joseph inside her and backs off. When the students are done and return to the entrance, the real instructor is shocked to learn what happened. She learns Fabio led them him and will file a complaint. He dares her and doesn’t care. Seth finds Lucy as he hugs her, admitting he is a loser who once thought he was happily freed when the family abandoned him. He thought because Lucy was loved, she was okay. But he was wrong. He apologizes. Lucy in turn also admits she forced herself to hate him since there was so much to learn and hardly thought about him. After he left, no one saw her for who she was and hated everyone. Though, they still didn’t deserve to be killed. That’s why she’ll study and master sorcery and become powerful. Chise and the rest meet up with Elias and Liza. Just in time because Lizbeth has sent her familiar here with the message for Philomela’s withdrawal. This shocks everyone although Liza is not going to hand Philomela easily and will let her stay if she wishes to continue her studies. Lizbeth continues to badmouth Philomela as talentless and a failure who can’t perform her duties. Isaac takes her to run and the rest follow suit. Liza then makes a sudden announcement the College will be temporarily sealed due to a string of attacks on its students. The cats transform into cait siths and rip apart the familiar. Lizbeth isn’t amused with all this but is please this has at least bought her some time.

The Irregular Magic At College
Well, if the ending felt somewhat strange (in fact it didn’t really end at all) and this season somewhat felt a little bit short, make that a cour too short, then be advised that there is actually going to be a second part of this sequel (which is actually airing now)! Looks like they decided to do a split cour for this season. Here I was thinking it was going to be double cours and got baffled when they reduced it to just a single cour. Did they cancel production or something? Oh right. Another part in the works. Shouldn’t be a surprise considering the development and direction of this sequel is heading, there should be more to unravel rather than just ending it after a dozen episodes.

Honestly, if I have to summarize my personal feelings and thoughts about this season in a few words, it would be boring and confusing! You fans want to hear me out first before you start throwing bricks at me or summon the Demon Lord to devour my soul? Both my sentiments can be attributed to the fact that I am not very well versed or interested in the realms of the supernatural. That’s right. You can say that my knowledge in this area is very lacking and thus this is where my boredom and confusion of the series as a whole stems from. In a way, you could say that I have wasted my time watching this because I don’t really understand the supernatural aspects of it all. Even right till the very end. Yes, there were some brief explanations but I suppose if one is interested, they can continue to do more research about that supernatural subject over the internet. I didn’t. Because I don’t want to be further spooked and have sleepless nights over something that I believe I still won’t understand after reading up! While this series is of the supernatural fantasy genre, those supernatural terms and creatures weren’t pulled out of thin air as they were taken or at least referenced by lore and myths of other cultures. Yes, I did Google up those terms but did not delve further into it. Therefore while watching and being spammed with those supernatural terms, all I could muster was just a blank reaction. Oh, uhm, yeah, whatever you say.

Aside the supernatural stuffs, there is also some sort of drama that is going on and of course which I do not really understand fully. The sequel starts off slow for me because obviously Chise has gotten herself enrolled at the College so there has got to be some introductory stuffs like the students and friends that she will make there. Understandable. But still boring. Yeah, what was I expecting? Chise to be spirited away? Even in the later half when some supernatural incidents take place to shake up the boring drama and for some much needed ‘action’, it felt slightly better but those interesting bits only lasted as long as that. Whether it is that nucklavee incident or that pair of wolves trying to complete their mission to eliminate the Webster family. Just a short burst of interesting excitement, that is all. And of course there are other plots like the 7 Shields thingy which I think could get pretty messy with different clans getting dragged into a bloody battle royale mix to fight for the right to get the Holy Grail to get their wish granted. OH SH*T! WRONG ANIME!!! Fate/Stay Yome it is not!

As for the characters, the big focus here is on Chise as she continues to sort out her thoughts and feelings after everything that has happened. While she tries to be noble and be concerned for others, but as others can see her, her actions are rather rash and she does it all without thinking about the future consequences. Only because of lady luck (AKA the script), the situation is resolved in a way that does bring something very unfavourable to her. So perhaps that is why Chise is often having that worried looks on her face? She might know about this problem but at her level, what else can she do about it? I guess it shows that despite her curse and powers she got, she is still human as she is struggling with her self-worth. Elias feels a bit more side-lined here. Often playing more of a supporting role. After all, he is still trying to understand humans and I’m not saying Chise is a bad teacher, some things that time to learn. Well, to the benefit of Elias, he has all the time in the world to learn.

The new characters don’t seem to make much impact here as I personally don’t find them memorable. At least for this season. The new friends Chise made at the College don’t really stand out. For instance, I thought Rian would have a more proactive role after that stunning request to Chise to teach him magic. What happened to that? He then is relegated to a minor character. Maybe it’s not his turn yet. Yes, he too has his own past and family circumstances but it is not fleshed out in this part of the season. Then there’s the strange Philomela who is always having that worried looks on her face. Feels like she could explode and cast a deadly curse upon the world! Again, she has some weird family circumstances but nothing conclusive although it is intriguing. For now, it is Lucy who is being focused because of her family’s massacre. But that too doesn’t feel complete so we’ll have to wait for the next part to see how it all plays out. These young ladies including Alice, they sure have some personal issues at hand, don’t they? And I’m starting to think Zoe has a thing for Lucy because she took off his earmuffs and revealed those snake hair. Strange. Do snakes and spiders go well together?

With Chise attending College, this means that many of the characters from the first season do not appear like Oberon and Titania. I’m sure there are many other characters too but obviously I would have forgotten about them at this point and won’t even remember them had I not referred to my previous blog. Yeah, even so, who that character again? Those who do appear also felt a bit paltry like Silky and Ruth. Silky continues to stay at home and watch over it while Ruth is just being like Chise’s guardian dog. Again, not very much of an impact but I guess it is better than those characters who didn’t even turn up this season at all.

For this season, Studio Kafka took over from Wit Studio. This is a relatively new company and this series is actually their first works. While the character designs largely still remain the same, however I think they look a bit weird. Uhm, can I say that their face looks a bit, uhm, fatter?! I don’t know, looking at the girls’ face like Chise, Lucy and Philomela, it just gives off that one kind look. In fact, the characters have this one kind look as the details on their face look a bit simpler. And of course being in the College filled with strange mages and supernatural beings, some characters look really strange like some sort of weird chimera like Alexandra and Simeon. Although it is a good thing they aren’t nightmare fuel. Aside the character designs, at least what I like about the art and animation quality are the background and sceneries. They still look quite gorgeous and of high quality especially the visual effects like the water and particles in the air. Sometimes I prefer to look at those rather than the characters. Though, sometimes spoiled by the weird CGI but thankfully those are very far and few in between.

There’s a host of new seiyuus joining this season in addition to those retained from the first season. Because first and foremost… OH MAH GAWD MAMIKO NOTO MAKING HER CAMEO AS THAT FEMALE WOLF ENEMY???!!! OMG IT’S HER!!! Thank goodness they didn’t kill her off… At least there’s a possibility she might return next time. Heh. The rest of the casts are Minami Tsuda as Lucy (Yui in YuruYuri), Maki Kawase as Philomela (Yuna in Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear), Seiichirou Yamashita as Rian (Cid in Kage No Jitsuryokusha Ni Naritakute), Daiki Kobayashi as Zoe (Nico in Nanbaka), Koutarou Nishiyama as Isaac (Sagyo in Kyuuketsuki Sugu Shinu), Reina Ueda as Veronica (Lemon in Mashle), Kousuke Toriumi as Narcisse (Nozel in Black Clover), Daiki Yamashita as Violet (Midoriya in Boku No Hero Academia), Minami Tanaka as Jasmine (Mary in Kakegurui), Mami Koyama as Liza (Big Mom in One Piece), Miki Natsutani as April, Mari Uchiyama as May, Aya Endo as Alexandra (Tchaikovsky in ClassicaLoid – note she is also the voice of Silky so could her character be Silky in disguise?), Sayuri Sadaoka as Lizbeth (Makiko in Muteki Kanban Musume), Mitsu Iwata as Simeon, Makoto Furukawa as Fabio (Shirogane in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Mayumi Tsukishima as Sofia, and Mitsuo Iwata as Simeon (Pyoro in Vandread).

The opening theme, Dear by Junna sounds weird. I’m not sure if this is some sort of Bollywood song because it sure has what I think are Indian or Arabian musical vibes. At least for the first half of the song. And then it becomes some generic and dramatic rock piece. Can’t say I like it very much. The same can be said for the ending theme, Mubansou by Edda. Though, it fares slightly better but this slow rock isn’t my cup of tea either.

Overall, I still stand by my assessment of this season being boring and confusing unlike many other reviewers out there who have lots of positive things to say about it. I’m not really into this genre or subject as it didn’t even spur a sliver of my interest after watching this. Good news I’m not a freaky occult nerd? Yeah. Maybe. But still a ‘refreshing’ series-cum-sequel too watch since I have been watching too many of those isekai and high school romcom types recently! Heh. Maybe I should stick with those. Those who are enchanted by this supernatural and magical tale are free to continue to heap praises on this fantasy series. It’s a free (anime) world after all. But don’t worry, I’m still giving this series a chance when the next part of this season comes around. Though, not putting too much hope on it! So I’m not sure if I am bugged with some sort of supernatural curse that has me not retaining memories of many of the animes I have watched over the years!

Kono Subarashii Sekai Ni Bakuen Wo

Explosion! Sorry, this isn’t some animated version of one or any one of those Michael Bay’s explosive movies. But you know a character is famous enough to warrant her own prequel spinoff and that is why fans of a certain explosive chick can rejoice with Kono Subarashii Sekai Ni Bakuen Wo. Fancy on seeing the life of Megumin and how she became an infatuated explosion nerd before she joined Kazuma’s bizarre party? Well, wonder no more as we see the rise and (mis)adventures of the one and only Megumin from her sleepy remote village of Crimson Demon mages to, uhm, how we all know her as it is. Life is one heck of an explosive adventure for Megumin. Literally, so to speak. Time to have a blast. But let’s hope it all won’t blow up in her (and our) face.

Episode 1
Long ago, Megumin witnessed some busty babe, Wolbach doing some explosion magic. It gave her the motivation to pursue this field. Not sure what Megumin did to help but she is grateful and will grant her any wish. Uhm, she might want to scale that down a bit because she can’t grant Megumin’s wish of world domination, huge boobs or even becoming a Demon Lord! And so she settles for teaching her magic. But she warns of the many demerits of it. Now we see Megumin catching crayfish with her little sister, Komekko. They return home and to their delight, their parents prepared sukiyaki for dinner! Got some meat! 2 each! Yeah! Such luxury! Thanks to today’s sale of selling an adventurer some magic item. They even have enough money to buy Megumin new clothes. One that she will wear to the local magic school she enrolled: Red Prison. Yeah, not many students this year. Count ‘em. Just 11 of them including Megumin and Yunyun. Not many remember Yunyun who is the village chief’s daughter. Even more so she is quite shy but weird enough to go up to an unimpressed Megumin to proclaim as her rival. Because her reason of enrolment is to defeat her? As the teacher starts class and explains all the magic, Megumin wonders why there is no mention of explosive magic. Because it’s a joke magic! Everyone laughs. During practical, the teacher claims that it is not being calm or power that is the most important thing but to look cool! WTF?! Yeah, see how cool he summons this thunderstorm. Everyone pairs up and Yunyun is unfortunate to be paired with the teacher. Because she is so shy and lacks confidence, Megumin feigns being sick to sit out so Yunyun could partner with her partner, Arue. Then it rains and those naughty tulips start running away? Yeah, got to be barbaric and catch all them the hard way without magic. Getting down and dirty, eh? Later Megumin ponders about explosive magic and knows it’s real and not a joke. Because on that day she saw Wolbach using her explosive magic to seal a demon which is supposed to be her other half. Megumin vows to master it and become like her.

Episode 2
Komekko shows Megumin something she caught: What’s this cute little black cat? After getting permission from her to keep it for herself, Megumin brings it to school where all the girls fawn over its cuteness. Sneaky plan to have its meal covered by them… But will the teacher allow it? Nope! Whatever lies Megumin cooks up from this feline being a fragment of her soul and that being away from her will make it go berserk, the teacher doesn’t buy it and in fact wants to see all that! But today’s lesson is special. Because of some seal weakened, monsters came out. Luckily the villagers took care of it so the weakened remnants are left behind. Hence the girls are to raise their level by defeating those. Oh right, please form groups too. Yunyun too slow to ask Megumin and thus Arue beats her to it. Megumin is going to show her grace and let Yunyun join her but Dodonko and Funifura invite her and she gladly accepts. Oh Megumin, is this how it feels to be cucked?! The teacher demonstrates what the girls need to do. Megumin thinks she can kill this lizard creature mercilessly but it puts up fight until Megumin eventually wins. Tough. Yunyun can’t bring herself to kill this cute rabbit. Oh, Megumin going to help guide her! Have you no compassion?! Suddenly a huge gargoyle pops up. Everyone runs! Until a huge explosion kills it. Turns out it is from Bukkorori. In short, he is an idiot. How did he get trapped in this pit? His love for the town’s most beautiful girl, Soketto. Yeah, stalker material. His logic of digging a hole so she could fall in and then he’ll come help her out. Good thing the girls leave this wacko in the hole. The girls are shocked to see gargoyles attacking their town. But don’t worry, the teacher, the principal and a few other guys show off their light magic to destroy them. While it all looks cool, Megumin realizes this is not the kind of magic she wants. The explosive kind where heat burns your skin, the painful smoke and glaring light that pains your eyes, the shockwave that leaves you trembling. That’s the kind of explosion magic she wants! These guys went overboard and as they destroy the entire village! WTF?! Then they make some great speech that their fight continues, blah, blah, blah… Felt like an excuse to cover up their mistake. But don’t worry, the next day, the village is fixed back to normal! The power of working overtime? To Megumin’s dismay, everyone decides to call her familiar as Megumin. It’s part of her soul, right? Well, Megumin will not take any of this sh*t!

Episode 3
Yes, everyone still calling the cat Megumin so the girl herself wants them (especially Yunyun) to name it. Kuro because it’s black? Yeah, Megumin finding it lame! The teacher then tells everyone to self-study because with monsters getting active, all the adults need to go stop them. Usually rivalry between Megumin and Yunyun at the library. So when Dodonko and Funifura invite Yunyun to be their friend, oh yeah, that’s the buzzword for Yunyun. They happily make her hair until Megumin ruins it all by stealing her hair bands just to shoot some pesky little spider! Obviously Yunyun chews her out for her immaturity. It’s the first time her friends did her hair and she was not going to change it for the rest of her life! But look who’s back? Yeah. Bukkorori managed to get out of the hole with his teleport as he proclaims his love with Soketto. Everyone not impressed with this stalker and buries him with books?! But soon Bukkorori ropes in Megumin and Yunyun for his devious scheme. As they stalk Soketto training alone in the forest, he wants them to ask her what kind of guy she likes. Wouldn’t it easier to ask her directly since she is a fortune teller? Oh well, if Bukkorori is going to treat them lunch, Megumin is on the plan. That includes making Yunyun the baddie and threatening Soketto with her ornamental dagger before Bukkorori swoops in to save the day. Yes, this method is way cooler than Bukkorori killing monsters to earn a living. Must be done flashily! He turns himself invisible and gets too close so Soketto beats him up. That is when she reveals she thinks he hates her so please stop stalking her! Suddenly macho bears attack! Bukkorori mans up and uses his flames to get them. Too bad Soketto gets dragged into the flaming mess. Oh dear. Beat down time. But after she learns his intentions, she’ll give him a free fortune reading. So who is his future lover? That person will pop up in her crystal ball. Any time now… None! Oh dear. Doomed to be alone? Poor Bukkorori thinks this is worse than being rejected. Poor guy runs away crying. Yeah, even the girls feel bad for him. They ask Soketto if she ever takes her own reading. Apparently fortune tellers can’t read their own fortunes. With some low level monsters wandering into the vicinity, the teacher wants the students to walk home in pairs. So, Yunyun hinting Megumin? She is about to agree but Dodonko and Funifura usurp her. Surprisingly, Yunyun decides to go with Megumin. So are they rivals or friends? Okay, friends for today and they can resume rivalry tomorrow. Frenemies maybe…

Episode 4
Megumin is top of the class and gets a potion to level up as reward. But to her surprise, Yunyun is not even in the top 3 and there is definitely something wrong with her as she doesn’t feel like challenging her today. Later Yunyun privately talks to Megumin about the meaning of friends. And money. Basically Funifura’s brother got sick and since the family has no money, the friends thought of raising some money to buy medicine. Personally, Yunyun thought doing so would be rude. Of course Megumin has a quirky ideas so Yunyun believes she’s trying to subtly help her. Then there’s the case of the seal of some Dark God weakening. Megumin thought instead of having everyone reseal it, why not just break it and defeat it? The idea did come up but I guess the village wanted to sound cool for having sealed the Dark God right underneath their village. After Megumin sees Yunyun gives the money to her friends, she confronts them and mocks them for using her. Is this what friends are for? Heck, why didn’t they ask Megumin for money? Because she’s poor! They go ahead and ask out of courtesy and of course, she can’t lend because she has no money! This girl… But she can help out in other ways. Hence she brutally kills some innocent looking onion duck before Yunyun’s eyes just to create some potion and then give it to her friends. Now give back the money. She warns them she doesn’t care about Funifura’s brother but don’t they dare exploit a lonely girl who is desperate to have friends. This is when they tease Megumin for wanting to be friends so badly with Yunyun. Though, Megumin denies and claims some rivalry thingy. She’s not going to let that slide and ‘attacks’ them.

Megumin returns the money to Yunyun who is grateful and will treat her. Uhm, she might regret that because Megumin eats her heart out with all those tasty treats! This girl has no shame! Then as they talk, Megumin gets mad upon learning Yunyun purposely didn’t do well in her test so as to give her the top spot. After all, she’s always being smug being better than her so she thought of just giving her the points she wanted so much. Megumin makes it clear that she will always be better than her and will achieve her dream of learning explosion magic. Yunyun still thinks it is a joke magic like many. They start fighting and although we don’t get to see how physical they got, Yunyun wins for the first time. Megumin then explains why she is so bent in learning that magic as she tells of her origins of meeting that wandering mage. After she has learnt explosion magic, she’ll find and ask her opinion of that magic she taught her. This means after graduating, she’ll be leaving the village. But for now, she’ll be staying on and working around. She can’t leave her sister alone. When everything seems to be going fine, Megumin kills a passing onion duck for her dinner. You bet Yunyun is once again traumatized! But soon they see demons approaching from the horizon. Looks like the resealing failed. They rush back to Megumin’s house. Partly destroyed and Komekko is missing.

Episode 5
Previously, Komekko saw a high level demon, Host dabbling something at a seal. Komekko is impressed and with a few praises, uhm, they’re like friends? Komekko then easily fixes this miniature Death Star puzzle. To complete whatever unsealing, Host then goes in search for some sacrifice. It is then Kuro popped up before Komekko and she brought it home. Now Megumin is panicking because her sister is smarter and stronger, she can’t be dead yet, right? Then they see monsters trying to kidnap Kuro. Megumin places priority in finding her sister but Yunyun is begging her to save kitty. Yeah, she missed throwing the dagger and the monsters take off with Kuro. That sucks. Save Kuro for later, they have to go find Komekko. It won’t take long as she is seen trying to confront those monsters to release Kuro. Uhm, the monsters are scared of Komekko? Yunyun for once becomes cool as she uses her lightning to blast the monsters so the sister can escape. But this doesn’t sit well with Megumin. In short, she is jealous her rival has learnt intermediary magic and she’ll need to fight monsters to further level up her advanced magic. The sisters can’t let her be so they return. Komekko announcing herself to ruin Megumin’s cool appearance. Well, Yunyun manages to take care of the monsters herself and save Kuro. But with more monsters popping up, this is when Megumin realizes it may be all related to Kuro. She noticed monsters only attacked while Kuro was with her and their appearance came about after Kuro came about. At this rate, they are doomed. Megumin is going to have to do what it takes since Yunyun is all out of magic. Then as she looks at what magic she has, she sees a new skill and laughs like a maniac. Utilizing all skill points for it, Megumin unleashes the greatest explosion to wipe out the horde. She is so satisfied this is the explosion she always yearned for. In the aftermath, Yunyun is panicking to Megumin as she notes the seal of whatever Dark God has been destroyed in Megumin’s explosion. But Megumin is unfazed seeing no adults believed it was Komekko who completed that seal and that they do not believe Megumin has mastered the explosion magic. Then they go see Soketto about their future. She predicts she will meet some capable adventurers in Axel. Oops, she takes back the part on being capable. Megumin and Yunyun then graduate in a low key ceremony (damn Yunyun getting emotional). Yunyun suggests Megumin form a pact with Kuro to make it her official familiar. Megumin then believes it needs a name. So Kuro wasn’t the official one? And that is how Chomusuke came to be!

Episode 6
Too bad nobody wants Megumin’s explosion. This means no job, no money. And she doesn’t like it as Bukkorori views her the same as him. A NEET! Job hunter, she thinks is more accurate! Every night, Megumin releases her explosion in the forest. People thinks it’s some Mad Exploder trying to attack. Of course Yunyun confronts Megumin about this but she gives her excuses. Yunyun advises her to work and save instead of trying to get rich quick. And so Yunyun has Megumin help her in various jobs. That does not use explosion! Obviously Megumin can’t take this anymore as she is supposed to go on a worldly adventure. So she as Yunyun accompany her as she witnesses first-hand how she blows up the forest just to let out some steam! Megumin now wants her to carry her back since she used up all her power. Bukkorori is here thinking Mad Exploder is at it again so Megumin lies through her teeth about that. Back home, a girl named Arnes finds Megumin and claims has been searching for her since the sealed has been broken. She will serve her from now on. Turns out she is referring to Chomusuke whom she addresses as Wolbach. The cat doesn’t want to leave and Megumin can’t be bothered. Until Arnes offers her a large sum of money! She’ll give back Chomusuke right now! But the kitty still won’t leave so Arnes will come back tomorrow.

Next day, Yunyun is appalled to learn what Megumin tried to do. Arnes is here to collect the cat but Chomusuke still won’t go. During the struggle, Arnes’ horns are revealed. She is a high level demon. They don’t believe she is here only to get her master. When she claims demons keep their promises, suddenly she goes into seizure? After regaining composure, turns out she got some trauma from sleazy and trashy men who failed to keep their promises. Bukkorori is here since he senses something powerful. Megumin lies again to point out Arnes as the Mad Exploder. Bukkorori then summons all the village adults to get her. A traumatized Arnes can’t help run away because an aura of trashy men!!! Well, at least she didn’t take Chomusuke along and with the money reward, Megumin is now ready to go on a journey. She wants Yunyun to take care of Chomusuke while she’s gone. Of course Yunyun is feeling sad about it since this is all too sudden. Even more so when Megumin claims she won’t be coming back and she’ll be aiming to ascend the throne of the Demon Lord? So she wants to conquer the world, huh? We see a few scenes of Megumin spending time with Komekko. Telling her who to see in case of emergencies. Yeah, probably Yunyun will be feeling lonely so do go check on her once in a while. Next day, Megumin is at the teleport station as some of her academy friends are here to see her off. Funifura gives her a staff that her dad made while Arue gives her eye-patch since her goal is to be a writer and write happy stories. She would love to write about Megumin’s adventures one day. And off Megumin teleports on her big adventure.

Episode 7
Megumin arrives in the hotspring city of Arcanretia. Her new adventure begins, right? Well, only she hasn’t been able to land a decent job and gets fired. Yeah, stupid adults treating her like a child so what’s the deal if she beats them up?! She then sees a couple of girls trying to solicit new members for the Axis church. She ignores them but soon sees an Axis priestess, Cecily accusing a couple of priests from Eris faith about sexually harassing her. When Megumin goes to stop them, Cecily escapes so the priests blame her for letting the criminal who defaced their religious portrait and stole goods for the needy, away! But Cecily returns with a police officer to interrogate them. Cecily then takes Megumin and run while leaving the officer with the priests. To thank Megumin for her effort, Cecily takes her back to her church for some food whereby she meets Father Zesta. I’m starting to believe this is some deviant pedo cult since their faith doesn’t allow them near children?! Yeah, look at how they desire so much to do those sickly stuffs! Learning that the church wants to recruit members, Megumin is willing to help out. WTF this genius plan of hers to accidentally drop apples, pretend to help and pick them up and then this leads to Zesta giving them a sermon to convince them to join. Well, I didn’t think I t would work but it would have if Zesta’s horny face didn’t scare off that lady!!! Next, Megumin tries herself but this time it is an undercover police! Care to explain this at the station? Oh, Zesta abandoning her…

Later they talk and it seems Zesta may have met the person Megumin who is looking for. Megumin agrees to help him one more time to recruit. As Megumin pretends to trip over nothing and in pain, guess who this girl not impressed with her acting? YUNYUN!!! What the f*ck you doing, Megumin? AWKWARD! WTF Yunyun rolling Megumin down the street?! After Yunyun learns what happened, she is also taken back to Axis church although she warns Megumin to not trust these guys so much. Upon returning, a group of knights is here to arrest Zesta. Megumin will not stand for baseless accusations but when his followers think Zesta did some lewd deviant stuff, okay, ARREST THIS DEVIANT! Actually they are going to arrest him for treason and conspiracy. They received a letter warning about a threat descending on Arcanretia. As already predicted, something has happened to the hotsprings and they have received many complaints about its quality. Since the Axis sect is responsible in water control, it is no surprise they think they are working with the demons for this. WTF Zesta makes it worse by trying to attack and sexually harass the knight lady?! TRYING TO SMOOCH HER AS REVENGE?! TAKE HIM AWAY! With him gone, Cecily isn’t worried. Yeah, the church will still be alright without him. Megumin notices Yunyun has been uneasy ever since so the latter reveals that letter is from Soketto. This is the reason she left the village so as to deliver this letter to the city as she has foresaw something. So basically, this letter is the cause of all this mess.

Episode 8
Megumin and Cecily are pretty chill, not doing anything about Zesta’s arrest. In fact, there are a bunch of Axis priests trying to canvass for votes from the people to be the next head! As they investigate, they find that the hotspring water has been replaced with jelly slime mix, which is also the town’s delicacy. Yeah, trying to get the easy way out by blaming Zesta, eh? Even the knights gathering the evidence believes Zesta is guilty seeing there is evidence that he was holding a bag filled with such slime. When they head to the station, there is a commotion of Zesta accusing everyone of falsely accusing him of being in cohorts with the demons. Apparently some prosecutor with a magic lie detector that exonerated him. The knight lady has no choice but to reluctantly declare his innocence. This makes Zesta all so high and mighty and he is making sexual harassing comments about her boobs?! On the way back, they stumble into Arnes. They believe it is her behind this incident although she isn’t sure what they’re talking about and is here to get her master back. Zesta seems pretty interested in her boobs. Of course she doesn’t appreciate this lecher and fires her magic. Once realizing she is a demon, he easily deflects it! OMFG! This old geezer is actually powerful?! With other villagers gathering and Zesta continue to pound her with powerful magic, déjà vu for Arnes as she is forced to flee again. In tears! Later Zesta gives Megumin some funds for her trip to Axel. Yes, her recruitment methods she taught came in handy. Megumin would love to go there right now and this worries Yunyun. Can she be honest to say she wants to stick around with her? Since it is late, Zesta invites her to stay. In this small cramped hotspring with Cecily, she reveals that the jelly slime incident was indeed Zesta’s fault. He mixed up the baking soda with slime mix while cleaning up. She doesn’t want Megumin to reveal this as she wants to use this as blackmail. Megumin gets an idea to increase the size of the hotspring. That’s right. Explosion magic! Now everyone can fit in spaciously! Next day, Zesta and Cecily see off Megumin and Yunyun. Zesta blesses Megumin with Aqua’s divine protection. None for Yunyun as they all think it was her fault! He hopes Megumin will come back here. She will for vacation once she gets a bunch of friends. Cecily then hands her parting gift: A stack of recruitment forms! Megumin throws it back in her face! Then it’s off to Axel for a brand new adventure!

Episode 9
Yunyun arguing with Megumin to swap her window seat as promised and the latter gives excuses. So much so the mother and daughter pair in the coach offers theirs. Yeah. Let’s stop this embarrassment, shall we? As the pair learn they are going to be adventurers and Megumin bragging she can handle any monsters, looks like she jinxed it as monsters are now attacking! The caravan guards need their help and seeing Megumin likes to be called a sensei, let’s get to it. Well, they have to fight weak but numerous giant worms. Megumin wants to use her explosion but Yunyun forbids her as she will engulf everyone too. Are you done arguing because the worm is going to eat you! Eventually Yunyun’s fireball did the trick. One down, how many more to go? In the end, Yunyun did all the work as everyone praises her and criticizes Megumin for not doing anything. But the daughter knows Megumin is stronger and is assured they’ll be safe if stronger ones pop up. That night as Yunyun tries to recruit Megumin to join the same party, giant bats attack! Oh well, Yunyun again did everything and now she’s quite exhausted. Next day as the journey continues, goblins turn! Oh my. You know the drill. Yeah, Yunyun is all out of magic and very tired. That is when Arnes shows up. Yes, all the monsters were sent by her to exhaust their magic and see their despaired faces as part of her revenge. Arnes wants Chomusuke or her money back. I’m sure Megumin won’t want the latter. Megumin then dares Arnes, if she wants Chomusuke so badly, go and get her. Megumin throws the cat away!!! Arnes flies to grab the kitty as Megumin starts chanting her explosion magic only to be stopped by Yunyun because it’ll also hit Chomusuke. Not that Megumin cares. Their argument has bought enough time for Arnes to cast her magic spell. When Megumin notices her bracelet she bought from her father and thanks her, this only riles Arnes up because it brought her nothing but misery. Yunyun panics and prays to Aqua for help and suddenly some divine light is seen covering Axel. This distraction allows Chomusuke to escape and Megumin to chant her explosion. Both ladies fire all they’ve got but Megumin is stronger and blasts away Arnes. Hopefully that would be the last of her. In the aftermath, everyone praises Megumin while Yunyun rethinks about her question of letting Megumin join her group. It’s not that she doesn’t want to, she realizes she’ll be only in the way. Hence she wants to train and become stronger so they can settle things. Finally they reach Axel.

Episode 10
Megumin makes her grand entrance before the adventurer’s guild. Too bad, nobody is in. How embarrassing. Oh well, at least the receptionist, Luna is there to register them. After Megumin gets her licence, many adventurers want her to join their group. So I guess she goes with this pair of rookie siblings. Unfortunately in her first quest, she blows up the entire forest of chestnut trees just to fight this little critter. Yeah, the amount of compensation she has to pay… Plus, the siblings think she is too great for their party. Read: You’re fired. She goes back to see a request on the bulletin by Yunyun seeking for party members. Oh well, I guess Megumin is going to let her continue waiting. Then she sees one who needs a spell caster. She takes up this one and joins this group to take out some slime monster. While her explosion is effective, she got slimed. Her comrades praise her awesome magic but that is when Megumin comes clean with the flaws of it. It’s the only magic she could do and only once per day. She has no intention to master or level up any other magic. Well then, hope you find yourself a new party. Nearly broke Megumin returns home and talks to Yunyun. Looks like she too is having a hard time. Yeah, some old man wanted her as company. Seems nice, bought her lunch but oh yeah, you bet all the signs there are ringing like hell for Megumin. For a week, Megumin joins a party but after her explosive stint, they changed their mind and cancel her contract. Starting to feel sad nobody wants a child prodigy like her? Are we supposed to sympathize with her?! Soon, Megumin hears clues about the whereabouts of Wolbach. She now knows how to find her but will only do so when she’s ready. When she returns to the guild, everyone is seen taking down their requests. So when she manages to read one that needs spell casters but others claimed it is already filled, this makes Megumin enraged like as though there is some sort of prejudice against explosion mages! She gets lectured by Luna for such outburst. But soon, that old man begging Yunyun for company. She would’ve accepted it had not Megumin beat him up. She chides her friend for being gullible. I mean, this dude is now asking her to pretend to be his girlfriend. He offered her money but the best part, she gave him some allowance instead out of pity! WTF?! Megumin then suggests they form a temporary alliance until they find their own party members. But this makes Yunyun sad and mad. Had she forgotten about that promise? Has too much explosion ruined her brain?! But they need the money or they’ll be sleeping in the stables tonight. Please, any job will do!

Episode 11
Megumin and Yunyun are being chased by horny rabbits! Oops sorry! Phrasing! Horned rabbits! Stop blaming each other and do something! Explosion! But right after that, Host swoops down and says he is looking for a black creature. The girls won’t stay to hear him elaborate and make a run for it. Back at the guild, they report this to Luna and she believes he is looking for a monster nicknamed Rookie Slayer. After another mission, when the hero gets gravely injured, this causes the rest of the adventurers to lose morale and retreat. They think they have no chance. So as everybody is depressed at the guild, Luna tries to give some hope because there is a newly registered arch priest who can fight the powerful creatures. However she has not been showing her face around lately. From the way she describes her, it must be Aqua, right?! Yeah, all the men leave to look for this beauty. Heh. Megumin on her way back sees a shoddy worker (definitely Aqua!) trying to scam an adventurer. This can’t be that said arch priest, no? Megumin is not pleased that Cecily is in her room. It seems Zesta received an oracle from Aqua and hence she was dispatched to Axel to investigate it. As far as she interpreted the oracle, it’s like they want her to hire people to kill the demon whatever. Megumin wants to kick her out because who would want a pervert who blatantly sniffs and covers her face with Megumin related stuffs! But Cecily is willing to pay her 5 million to find the arch priest and then another 10 million if they slay the demon. Just like that, Megumin is in! Money talks!

So they walk around trying to find this elusive arch priest. To a point Megumin visits the rival Eris faith and what do you know? Cecily starts acting like a gangster and even throws rocks into their window! Then at the graveyard they thought they stumbled into a ghost and ran for their lives. Well, it could be just Wiz. Megumin and Yunyun are depressed as things aren’t going their way. Until Rex of the hero’s party invites them to join in on a mission as they require powerful spell casters. After impressively taking down this beast, suddenly Host shows up and whacks Rex and his fellow party away into the sky! Now, Host is looking for Wolbach but this beast whom they caught is only Rookie Slayer. Host then smells scent of Wolbach over Megumin and Yunyun and he believes they know about this. Megumin can tell he is after Chomusuke. She tries to tell him to get another black kitten of his own and stop harassing her Chomusuke. Host keeps his word that if Wolbach is handed over, nobody will be harmed. Not even this town. A demon always keeps his word. I wonder if Host gave them some time because the girls head back to Axel as they ponder about this deal. Megumin thinks if handing over Chomusuke resolves everything, it might be a good idea…

Episode 12
The guild is in panic after Megumin tells what happened. Yunyun will not allow her to give away Chomusuke. She’s grown too attached to the kitty for that. And then Megumin says the buzzword that should tug her hug: Aren’t we friends? Oh boy. Playing the friendship card of all times now, eh? And so this is Megumin’s plan. Using Cecily’s funds, she buys a doll that resembles Chomusuke and soaks it with that kitty scent. Is she confident she can fool Host? Got to give her points for that. That night as Megumin is about to sleep, Yunyun comes in to praise everything about her friend from their days back in the village. Obviously Megumin is pretending to be asleep as she gets embarrassed hearing Yunyun spouting all that. In short, she knows this plan won’t work so she puts Megumin to sleep and will do this herself. Megumin wakes up late the next day and makes her rush to find Yunyun. What now Cecily? No time to entertain your shenanigans. However Cecily knows all about Rex and his group because she was the one who healed them. Basically, the source of the annoying turn of events. Yeah, she felt good showing off to the Eris sect. Cecily then blesses Megumin before she heads on her way.

Meanwhile Yunyun has joined Rex’s group as they fight Host. Too bad they have thrown everything they’ve got and the demon still has the upper hand. Eventually Yunyun does a risky gamble to paralyze Host temporarily. Host suggests calling a truce. He promises not to hurt anyone for today if she lets him go. Well, she would love to consider it but the thing is, she too got paralyzed from her own magic! Damn Wiz sold her a super cheap potion whatever. Host can’t stop laughing. But here comes Megumin. A fate worse than death as Megumin reiterates all that Yunyun said last night. Yup, Yunyun so embarrassed, she wants to die! Megumin then uses her same epic explosion that killed Arnes to do the same on Host. Host knows he is done for and could’ve survived this had he had full magic. If not for certain weirdoes he bumped into yesterday that drained most of them. What a wasted life. BOOM! In the aftermath, Cecily goes on a journey to improve her skills. She hints she wants to take over this town. Sneaky. Yunyun then does some cringe proclamation to renew her rivalry and friendship with Megumin. Is this supposed to cover for that embarrassment? Yunyun hates to admit it that it was Megumin who defeated Host. If she stays the same, shell never beat her. Yeah, for the record Megumin still has 100% record in owning her. Well, almost. So the girls part ways and Megumin would’ve had a better time had she not given most of her funds to Yunyun! Now nobody wants to take her as a party member for jobs. Until this strange recruitment poster claiming this is a happy party. Suspicious… But Megumin notices it is looking for an advanced job class. Obviously the poster is written by Aqua and Kazuma is telling this depressed goddess to reduce the hurdle. But don’t fear, Megumin shows up and claims she is that arch wizard fit for that job. We all know what comes after, right? Yeah, the rest as we already know is history.

Boom Chicka Boom: You Put The Boom-Boom Into My Heart!
Boom! At this point it’s not even a secret anymore. Not even a dropping of a bombshell. Oh, Megumin is not going to get another sequel but the main KonoSuba series will be getting a third season! Oh yeah. So could this spinoff serve as some sort of an appetizer before that third season arrives? Seems like it. Hope you like your Megumin and her explosions because now we can move on to the main course. Heh.

Is it me or do I feel that the story for this spinoff series is a little bit underwhelming? Oh heck, what was I expecting? Something grand like, uhm, huge explosions or something?! Yeah. Maybe. Well, even if this spinoff didn’t turn out as super awesome as I hoped it would be, that is only because Megumin in the proper main series is just a supporting character. Imagine if she had such an awesome back story before she joined Kazuma’s group and then after joining, it’s like she would have gotten the biggest downgrade in her adventuring life ever. So I think it’s only right that well, her origins aren’t as super exciting as I thought it would be so as not to overshadow the main series itself. Yeah, I know it’s a dumb theory but whatever. Imagine if many people start preferring and wanting to see more of Megumin than the rest of the other casts in KonoSuba. That will be so weird.

Hence the story just feels quiet basic as we see Megumin scrapping by in trying to become the best explosion mage. And of course, lots of misadventures in between. Perhaps it is because I don’t remember much of the original 2 seasons of KonoSuba so I’m wondering if I am missing a heck lot of Easter eggs or other stuffs that I’m supposed to know and hence can’t see the connection. Otherwise, the series starts off with Megumin and her seemingly uneventful life in her small sleepy remote Crimson Demon village before graduating and making her way to Axel to become an adventurer. To me, it feels a bit like random stories or at least the spinoff divided into small mini arcs. So yeah, nothing really explosive to it. Furthermore, questions about the demons and that puzzle box in Komekko’s hands were never really answered. Thus some wasted potential which makes me feel all that was much ado about nothing. Like as though this spinoff is just a linear story telling the events that led up to Megumin joining Kazuma’s party.

Obviously Megumin as the main star of this spinoff and she is as quirky, snarky and eccentric as the character I remember her in KonoSuba. That’s our Megumin for you. Of course that would only be half of the fun because the other half who also made this spinoff worked is Yunyun. Yup, have got to admit that she has more screen time here than in the KonoSuba seasons combined! Obviously! We get a glimpse on how far back the duo go back to the days of their village. So certainly it is amusing to see the weird kind of banter and interaction the duo have. Are they friends? Are they rivals? Are they frenemies? Yeah, more like a bit of everything. But I would definitely say that it is because of their friendship that takes them this far even though they might not want to admit to that. When the series started off, we see them putting up haughty acts with each other but eventually they end up having the care and be concern for each other. Because they’re friends, no? Not that their pride would admit it. They become more reliant on each other ever since entering Axel most probably because of that promise they made. Inseparable as I can see it. As always, Yunyun remains the panicky one and the one with more heart compared to the reckless Megumin. This is why Megumin is always on top when it comes to teasing Yunyun, a great feature of their relationship we see in the main series.

Then there is the curious case of Chomusuke. I don’t remember much if there was any explanation about this pet mascot in the main series so I was hoping it would shed some sort of light. Well, not much either except that we have hints that it could be that Wolbach lady herself whom Megumin drew inspiration to go into explosion magic. That could be it since we have powerful demons who are trying to find her and of course, how much do we know about that Wolbach lady. Note, her name was not mentioned or referred to in the first episode and I am only assuming it because of my Google search in wanting to pin a name on that character. Yeah. So that’s how I came up with that theory that Chomusuke is that busty explosive master. After all, why is it sticking around Megumin like a leech and not wanting to go back to the demons. Could it be that Megumin’s explosion holds a key in freeing her from some trapped spell?

Unfortunately, the rest of the other characters feel very limited. I don’t know but I felt disappointed about Megumin and Yunyun’s fellow classmates because despite only a handful of them, I thought they were going to play some sort of important role whatsoever. None really. So the only prominent ones were stoic Arue as well as Dodonko and Funifura who were, well, Yunyun’s friends? But even so, they didn’t anything much. Perhaps they don’t want to usurp the Megumin-Yunyun banter. I wonder what happened to them after Megumin left. Then there is Komekko who feels like there was like some lost opportunities. This curious girl displayed herself to be smart and even getting a demon to become a familiar. But unfortunately she is just a side character and fell into more obscurity after her big sister left the village. We are sometimes shown short clips of her frolicking back in the village but it’s nothing much. Other underwhelming characters in the village include Soketto and of course the village idiot, Bukkorori. I believe his character is to be a punching bag and even his name is so freaking suspicious. Uh huh. With this idiot around, Megumin would look like a baby in terms of idiocy when standing next to him. Thank goodness he doesn’t have much screen time.

If you think Zesta is weird and a pervert, then you haven’t known Cecily. Oh yeah. Makes me wonder if the entire Axis faith are just degenerates. Maybe. Religion makes you do weird sh*t stuffs and make it look normal. Anyway, to further make Megumin look like an angel, that’s why this weird character who is obsessed with her so that Megumin can make her unimpressive smug face whenever she starts breathing hard into her perversion. Viewers would definitely haven taken notice of the presence of Kazuma and the rest of the other characters of KonoSuba once Megumin reaches Axel. Obviously those characters are confined in the background (why faces not shown clearly?) and mostly we hear are Kazuma chastising Aqua on her stupidity or inefficiency. Oh yeah. Fate is going to have Megumin join this weird group one day soon… My guess is that this teaser of such characters is also not to usurp the spinoff. Megumin is in charge and the main character here!

Art and animation are pretty standard. Despite Drive (Vlad Love, Teppen) a new studio animating this spinoff and taking over from Studio Deen, it is good to know that the art style and the character designs of the series remains largely the same. At least I can see no obvious difference. The background sceneries look good and of course some nice special effects when magic gets used. Though, I think there is very minimal CGI used and I noticed they are done for the horses and carriages. In other words, they should have done a freaking better job on this! Well, thankfully they are only confined to such minimal and seemingly unimportant scenes but yeah, I can’t believe they didn’t give us better CGI quality. I’m not saying it looks like sh*t but they should’ve made it less obvious.

For the voice acting, our lovely Rie Takahashi and Aki Toyosaki play their recurring roles to perfection as Megumin and Yunyun respectively. I only recognized Yuko Kaida as Wolbach but holy sh*t, did I just see Mamiko Noto’s name somewhere in the credits???!!! OMFG!!!! WHO???!!! WHERE???!!! Who the f*ck this Yuiyui character?! Oh, it’s Megumin’s mom! OMG. How the f*ck could I miss her?! Even if she has very limited lines, I should have been able to pick her out???!!! WHY DID I NOT???!! I AM SO ASHAMED OF MYSELF!!! I still can’t believe I missed it… Or maybe I did recognize her but forgot all about it since her character was quite insignificant and Megumin’s explosions bombed my memory. WTF… Why… Oh why?! Sob, sob…

Anyway I’m so unmotivated now so let me just get the rest of the casts out of the way… Ai Fairouz as Cecily (Power in Chainsaw Man), Maria Naganawa as Komekko (Kanna in Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon), Itaru Yamato as Host (Haran in Fire Force), Kaori Nazuka as Arue (Nunnally in Code Geass), Sayumi Suzushiro as Dodonko (Takemoto in Bokutachi Wa Benkyou Ga Dekinai), Miyu Tomita as Funifura (titular character in Gabriel Dropout), Miki Hase as Soketto (Sayo in Boku No Kanojo Ga Majime Sugiru Shobitch Na Ken), Yoshiki Nakajima as Bukkorori (Serge in Fairy Gone), Sachiko Kojima as Arnes (Monad in Ergo Proxy), Takeo Ootsuka as Rex (Leon in Otome Game Sekai Wa Mob Ni Kibishii Sekai Desu) and Yasunori Masutani as Zesta (Gazelleman in Kinnikuman Nisei).

Stay Free by Machico as the opener is your typical upbeat rock music that fits the pace of the series. The more amusing one is the ending theme, Jump in by the duet of Megumin and Yunyun. Singing in their character voice, they make this easy hip hop piece sound a lot cute. Not sure if I should consider this song as calming but in some ways it does have that sort of effect especially Yunyun singing in her dreamy voice, making the song sounding somewhat breathy too. There is an insert song (not sure its name) that is played sparingly throughout the series (it was also used in the trailer). The one with some creepy solo choir voice. It can either sound eerily unsettling or harmonically beautiful depending on the circumstances you’re listening to.

Overall, the spinoff may not be as explosive as one can come to expect but in its own right, it is still enjoyable and entertaining. The only thing ‘explosive’ is perhaps the banter between Megumin and Yunyun as personally, their interactions were the most amusing parts of the series. We’ll see how they carry over their strange friendship over to the third season of KonoSuba. Hopefully it will be something even more explosive than this. It would be an irony if that season has more explosions than this one… But still better than any Bayplosions anytime, anywhere. Ready to let the explosions flow through you? Let’s hear it one more time, EXPLOSION!

Isekai Wa Smartphone To Tomo Ni S2

OH MY GOD!!! OH NO!!! HOW COULD THIS BE?! One of the worst isekai series is back and has a sequel???!!! Did my ears hear wrongly?! Are my eyes playing tricks on me?! Is my brain deceiving me?! Apparently not. It’s true. Because yeah, Isekai Wa Smartphone To Tomo Ni S2 just dropped. That’s right. You know that anime whereby reincarnated main character was allowed to bring his handphone to his new world and create anything, and I mean ANYTHING from that damn Smartphone of his. And don’t forget his harem too. Yes. That. Oh brother. I never thought a series like this would ever get a sequel, especially when its first season was released back in 2017. That’s about 6 years ago! Of all the isekai animes out there, this is one that got another season after a long time? Oh well, Smartphones are getting more and more intrusive in our lives and now we are just so freaking dependant on it. So what a way to remind us all about that indispensable tool that makes us all dependent tools on it with this heinous second season. I made that up but yeah, Smartphones are here to stay…

Episode 1
We see Touya and his girls fighting a pair of mythril golems. Skin too hard to cut? Why, Touya using his Smartphone to send them plunging from the sky! That did the f*cking trick!!! Back home, Leen talks to him about finding the remaining Babylon teleportation gates but Touya doesn’t seem interested in it. After all, it’s not like Leen has any lead on it right now. Touya gets a call from God so a timely visit to assure his second life is so much more fun. Definitely they have so much time on their hands, they really want to see where he goes with his fiancée. Speaking of which, Yumina talks to the other girls about this ‘engagement ring’ Touya gave them all as it also serves as some power ups. You know what they say about less (wo)men more share? They think in the future there will be many other girls who will try to snag Touya and knowing he is the weak guy who can’t say no, he’ll end up with more fiancées. So it’s up to them to get stronger and be enough to support him. So yeah, Yae may be the first as she goes around town with Touya as she manages to get him hold her hand. Normal for fiancées to do that, right? Then Touya and Yumina visit the latter’s parents. The king really wants some grandchildren but Yumina isn’t ready to go that far yet. The queen warns Touya that there might be some nobles especially those who were engaged to Yumina may not accept Touya and may grow hostile towards him. Hence he needs to have some accomplishments to prove himself. Later in town, he learns the inn is not having many customers these days. Touya thinks on how to make the customers stay for the long term. Aha! He creates a hotspring! FROM HIS HANDPHONE!!! OMFG!!! WTF???!!! A few people are called over to test it. Why only old men on his side? Anyway, Yumina wonders if the rest are half-heartedly in love with Touya since they are too shy to admit his love for him. Yeah, it’s bait to get them to reveal why they love him. In short, it’s like this: Elze: He makes me feel like a real woman; Linze: He paid attention to her and solved her anxiety around men; Yae: He has a true heart and stands up for others; Yumina: Love at first sight. Enough said. Meanwhile Francesca tries to be cheeky and climb over to Touya’s side. Thank goodness he laced the fence with some paralysis. Just when he is about to return enjoying his bath, Leen barges in to announce she found a ruin of Babylon!

Episode 2
As the gang heads out to the desert where the next ruin is, they stumble into a group of refugees led by Rebecca running away from an attacking Fraze. However as they attack, it has no effect. Suddenly Ende pops up before Touya. He easily destroys it! He explains about using the same vibrations and frequency to destroy it. Also noting about the cracks in the barrier of the world and that’s why these creatures are coming in. It seems Fraze’s goal is to look for a sleeping king. As in Ende too. Then he leaves. Tending to the refugees, Rebecca and her men are helping these slaves escape the cruelty of their kingdom. But as their master has died, their slave collars cannot be taken off. Oh my, just leave it to Touya to easily take them off! But since they have their slave status, they cannot return to their kingdom. Yumina offers to take them all in. Later Leen questions him about Ende. Who the f*ck that guy? He explains how they met and especially this strange coin he paid him with. Francesca recognizes this coin minted more than 5,000 years ago! Then they also ask him about Fraze so he tells them what he knows as told from Regina. Not that he wanted to keep it a secret, just never found the right time to tell them. Anyway, it was predicted the world would be destroyed by Fraze but then they suddenly disappeared. Back then as the people fought back, by the time the ultimate weapon known as Frame Gear was created, Fraze disappeared. Touya is excited to hear Frame Gear is a mecha and wants to ride it. It is probably in Babylon’s hangar so they head to this ruin as Touya gets transported inside to another garden. Another weird android girl, Rosetta. She wants him to guess her underwear colour! Wouldn’t Touya love to play this game? WTF colourless?! Anyway, this proves Touya to be the new master of this hangar. To his disappointment, it’s just a workshop. Even if Touya can use his skill to duplicate, this one can at least mass produce as long as he has the materials. Unfortunately Rosetta can’t make Frame Gear as she doesn’t have the blueprint and the workshop can only make accessories. Rosetta is introduced to the other girls. Is there some rivalry or bad blood with Francesca? Anyway, Touya wants to merge both gardens since he is control. But back home, a new problem arises as Rebecca and the slaves can’t find proper work. As they don’t have any skills, they can’t join any guild. So live here until something is done? Touya is fine with that but he can’t have them work at Babylon’s workshop since he needs to keep it as a secret

Episode 3
Touya is now the manager of this library café and has employed several staffs to help run it. One day with Yumina as they are at the guild to take on a quest to take down some bloody crab, the receptionist, Prim asks Touya if he has this book series called The Order Of The Rose. She would like him to order a complete set. He sees no biggies in that until Yumina explains about the story about that book. Basically, gay romance happening between the knights! She knows about it because the author is a friend. Under the penname Riel Rifrese, she is actually Reliel Rehn Refreese, the princess of the Refreese kingdom. Yes, she writes such weird stories. Touya gets more orders from Prim as she has her fellow receptionists write down what books they want. From those shady titles, I can guess their rotten fetishes… Boy In A Cage, Sweet And Dangerous Embrace, The Mage And The Sweet Trap… Yeah… As Touya looks for those books in the store, he notices a lady being depressed as she learns the last copy of a book she wants has been sold out. Yes, Touya bought it. Learning what kind of books he is buying, she wants to trade. That volume in exchange for her signature. Yes, this girl is Riel. Touya shocks her by revealing her true name so she panics and starts thinking his intention is to steal the chastity of the next king and take over the nation! WTF?! Head chop! When Touya introduces himself as Yumina’s unofficial fiancé, once more her imaginations run wild. Yumina getting married?! Is it a sham marriage and Touya’s target is the king! WTF?! Head chop! Thankfully Yumina explains everything so Riel better keep her mouth shut if she doesn’t want another Touya’s punishment. Touya gets all the books as Prim and her friends happily indulge in their reading. Time for Elze to have some screen time with Touya as he gives her this Chinese dress as present. Stunning. Soon, Linze shows Touya a new series by Riel. It’s about an overpowered man who gets the nation’s knight, beautiful princess, her brother and prince as he climbs up the ladder. Wow. Doesn’t this protagonist sound and look familiar? Looks like Touya’s going to need to practice that head chop. Don’t look now because Riel is on a roll with more inspirations! Next volume coming out next month!

Episode 4
When Touya visits the empire’s capital, holy f*ck it’s under attack! That escalated quickly! After helping a soldier, healing him and bringing him to safety, he learns the military is rebelling against the kingdom. Inside the palace, Touya saves Princess Lucia Rea Regulus from being assassinated. Her knight aide, Carol Rillettes wants Touya to teleport her to safety. However Lucia won’t leave till her father and brother are safe. They find Emperor Zephyr unconscious and of course the perpetrator is the military guy, General Bazoar. He thinks the emperor has gone senile as he refuses to break the nonaggression pact allowing him to invade Belfast. Bazoar thinks he can do it because he has summoned the Demon Lord as his subordinate after sacrificing criminals. Also, he has a few bracelets that nullify as well as absorb magic. Touya knows he can’t win for now and teleports the rest to safety. Also, he toys with Bazoar’s pride by making him slip?! And some illusion magic to make him scared while he escapes. Back at his mansion, obviously Lucia has fallen for him but Yumina has to put her foot down and mention Touya is her fiancé. Bummer, right? But knowing she likes Touya a lot, why not incorporate him into his harem?! Sorry, that’s just me saying that. But I get what’s going on. Touya confirms with Rosetta that Bazoar’s artefacts were leaked from the store. Yeah, looks like we have a clumsy garden admin on our hands. With Zephyr awake and safe, Lucia wants Touya to find her brother. This guy looks familiar? Yeah, it’s that soldier he saved. Touya and his harem soon storm the capital and take down the military. Easy. Heck, Touya even easily defeating the Demon Lord! THE FREAKING DEMON LORD! I guess this proves he is more overpowered. To face Bazoar, he locks him in a barrier with some stinky slime. Enough for him to pass out and end the coup. Wow. It’s already over?! Using Touya’s Smartphone as projection, Zephyr apologizes to his people about the coup and credits Touya’s bravery. Touya returns to his harem but for once they stay away from him because he stinks of that slime!

Episode 5
To thank Touya for saving his kingdom, Zephyr hopes he can wed Lucia. SAY WHAT?! That’s right. Marry him as his wife! Heck, even Yumina agrees to that and has already made arrangements! SAY WHAT?! Why does Touya not get a say in this?! With Lucia happily accepting, now both nations are on good terms. That’s not the end of it, though. Both kings have also agreed to cede some portions of their land at the border so that Touya can have a small kingdom to rule! They’re serious in that seeing they need Touya to have some sort of status if they’re going to marry their daughters. Well, it’s a good offer and not like Touya can refuse, right? So as Touya discuss this with his girls, first he names his new kingdom as the Duchy of Brunhild. After his gun? It is suggested they build a new home there and move in as soon as possible as occupying this place would look like they are favouring Belfast. Also, this mansion could now be serve as an embassy for Belfast. So how to build a new castle? Just ask Rosetta. Yeah, her workshop is bloody convenient in replicating materials so there you have it. All the construction materials needed to make the castle go up in just 3 days! Damn, this is better than his Smartphone! Leen pays a visit to also inform Touya that she is no longer an ambassador of Belfast but Mismede. She got bored and switched?

Touya then gets a letter from the king. This time the emperor of Refreese is here to see him. They also want to have good relations with Belfast so, oh no, not marry his daughter?! You mean that crazy princess! Touya would love to decline but thank goodness the emperor says she is already engaged. Phew. Touya learns that more rulers want to see him. I’m sure there’s more to it than building friendly relations. True enough, the monarchs just want to hang out with each other! So Touya and his girls get working on the entertainment room and prepares lots of gaming facilities and amenities. Touya is soon visited by Tsubaki who relays the bad news that their new lord mismanaged the land and in the end, got it confiscated. Now with no place, she hopes he can take in the Takeda clan. Can he say no? With his duchy growing in population, Touya discusses with Kousaka on how the people can secure their livelihood. Yeah, build more roads and shops! Brunhild is booming in no time. Lucia comes over to hand Touya her bento. Delicious. Did he call her cute too?! Touya you smooth operator! Touya then entertains the royals, monarchs and his people in his entertainment room before ending it with a nice fireworks show. He gives Lucia a ring. Now that makes it official. He notes they look like siblings but in no time they’ll look like lovers and then a married couple. I don’t know, they look like one to me right now!

Episode 6
Touya and co find another teleportation gate in the frozen wastelands. Touya teleports in to meet its admin, Bell Flora. So he has to pass an acceptance test which is groping her boobs?! Because he didn’t do anything more, she passes him and proceeds to register him as her master via kiss. I swear, this registering thingy is getting weirder and weirder. Touya learns that this is an alchemy ward. Basically it houses all sorts of medicine. Mostly lust based ones… Flora is then introduced to the rest and since her huge racks stand out, cheeky Leen wants to know if Touya fondled them. Flora spills everything to the kissing and makes him sound like a lecher. These girls should’ve seen this coming, right? Touya goes to research on how to fly. Yeah, he manages to do so but goes overboard and gets a bit dizzy. Talking to Elze, some technicality that he can’t cast this fly spell on her. But if he combines it with levitation, there you go. Now they’re both flying. WTF loophole?! With the God of Love calling Touya about some of his harem wanting to meet their parents, Touya goes to see Yae’s parents. Surprisingly, father agrees to their engagement. So, no duel? Father changes his mind and wants to how strong he is. But it is Yae who will fight on Touya’s behalf since she doesn’t want him to get hurt. Noting how much she loves him, they let this pass. Next, Touya sees Linze and Elze’s parents. No problems here but one of the kids note about some thunder bears causing trouble in the vicinity.

Touya easily takes care of them and while the guild confirms all his kills, he waits and what do you know? Ende shows up. Time to let us in a bit on what’s going on. He explains more about Fraze who are from another world, trying to look for the king’s core. It is however residing in someone’s body. Because the human heartbeat drowns out the sound, they cannot hear and that’s why they kill to eliminate the noise. This was why the world was almost destroyed 5,000 years ago. As looking for their king is just instinctual, they aren’t even aware of being invaders. Ende admits he was also there to help exterminate the Fraze until some barrier got repaired and they left. As the barrier is weakening, there is no telling when they will return. Especially the advanced ones. As for Ende’s mission, although he is also seeking the core, he isn’t killing anybody. Killing Fraze is just to buy time until the core is transferred to the next world. He is just a traveller. Touya is worried history might repeat itself so he sees Rosetta if she can create Frame Gears. Long story short, no. The most they could do now is gather materials and they need tons of need just to make one. Touya then confides in his familiars so they think he needs something that can fly. In that case why not summon the Flaming Emperor? And so they summon this phoenix who agrees to form a pact with Touya because he has already formed so with her pals, thus she trusts him. With Touya naming her Kougyoku, he has her release and scatter numerous birds all over. They are to track anything suspicious and let him know. He hopes to find the remaining Babylon ruins.

Episode 7
Wow. We’re moving on fast! Yumina sleeping with Touya! Only makes sense because they’re married, right? Oh wait. They’re not! Not just yet! With Kougyoku reporting another Babylon, Touya and his girls head there. But first, time to show his wives’ chops as they all take down the monsters. Yeah, Touya not even needed! Touya enters the teleportation circle and this feisty petite girl attacks him with a wrench! But this Shana rip-off AKA Fredmonica AKA Monica is easy to deal with. She slips up, unwittingly showing her pantsu many times. She even throws a tantrum after admits losing. But soon registers Touya as her master via kiss. Touya is relieved that he hit the jackpot as this a hangar where Frame Gear is stored. But here’s the bad news: No fuel to run them. Runs on ether liquid. Maybe Flora can help make some? Yes she can. But she needs ether ore. Uhm, what’s that again? The girls show this little crystal which Flora confirms it is so. However they need big chunks to make a decent one. Don’t worry, use the Smartphone to find its location. How convenient! There’s some in Brunhild! Touya tests out piloting a Frame Gear and then creates a few simulation cockpit so his wives can train in them. Production of the real Frame Gear is slow but at this rate they’ll soon have enough for everyone to pilot them.

Suddenly Sue comes running to Touya and desperately wants to marry him! He likes young girls, right?! Woah, woah! Hold on! Reim explains that Prince Zabune of Linhea Kingdom wants to marry Sue right now after seeing her at a social party. Like Sue, he is against the marriage because Zabune has reputation for being a womanizer (and Touya is not?), mistreats others and is already over 30 years old. No wonder Sue is so desperate to marry Touya even if she will be at the bottom of the pecking order. Discussing with the rest, his harem of course agrees to this. The more the merrier! Heh. Only for Touya’s case, RIGHT?! But the problem now is trying to refuse the marriage because this will lead to Linhea severing relations. Well, got to give Francesca points for suggesting to just kill that useless bastard! Of course Touya wants diplomacy so he goes to talk to Sue’s father first. This won’t be easy dealing with Zabune as he has the prime minister’s backing, Wardack. This is why he isn’t expelled from the royal family as he is the one holding real power while its king is just a figurehead. Plus, Wardack is the same family of Queen Dacia, Zabune’s mother. He uses that status to get things his way. The only decent royalty is the second prince but his mother is a concubine. Unfortunately his mother is kept isolated due to an illness and he is forced to live away with her. Linhea’s emissary is here to talk things out. The king pointing out Touya will be Sue’s husband. When the emissary learns who Touya is and that he can do teleportation, he begs him to save his mother. He is Cloud Zeph Linhea, the second prince!

Episode 8
Further revelation reveals that Cloud’s mom, Erya is actually imprisoned and his father the king cannot do anything because Wardack is holding all the power and might kill him. Hence Zabune’s engagement to Sue is only because he wants to ascend the throne. Touya and the other kings hold a summit to discuss this. They all agree to do something about Linhea but dump all the responsibilities to Touya! Touya using his invisibility mode, goes with Cloud back to his kingdom. Cloud talks to Zabune about his failure to get Sue because he is already engaged to Touya. Zabune mercilessly beats him up and then says he should’ve kidnapped Sue because it won’t matter after he enslaves her. Furthermore, he wants Cloud to start rumours that Touya is a womanizer and since he won’t, more beating up. Later, they rescue Zabune’s slave and disables the slave collar. Just in time because they see Zabune talking to Wardack about his missing slave. Wardack suggests killing her since he doesn’t need that slave. Good thing they saved her because the collar just got crushed! Wardack then continues to tell his plan to Zabune. Obviously send Cloud to some northern kingdom to declare war. They will then kill Cloud on the spot for that. First step to prevent all that, Touya teleports Cloud to where Erya is held captive to rescue her. Now that nothing is holding back Cloud, they can go on the offensive. They also meet Marquis Koupe who is a good man who helps Cloud as they plan their next move.

Touya in invisible mode uses his Smartphone to record the devious dealings behind closed doors of Wardack. Basically Wardack knows Erya has escaped and this puts a damper on his next plan. So before Erya’s escape reaches the king’s ears, they plan to make him renounce his throne to Zabune who is revealed to be the child of Dacia and Zabune! Now you know where the fatty genes come from, right?! Touya conveniently replays this footage to the rest who are shocked of this plan to oust the royal family. Soon the king of Linhea makes his announcement to step down and pass on the throne to… Cloud! Why? He summons Touya to play that footage in front of everyone. Now that the king knows everything, he is no longer scared of Wardack and strips him of his title and everything. Zabune continues to blame others and this isn’t all his fault. But the king won’t turn a blind eye to his evil deeds and passes on the death sentence! He gets scared and then blames Touya, even threatening to ruin his women and nation?! Oh yeah, Touya doesn’t hold back to shoot a few warning shots at him! Try it, buster! Scaredy cat got so scared he fainted! With Cloud the next king and Koupe the next prime minister, although officially Zabune, Wardack and Dacia have been officially given the death sentence, they are actually now slaves in some other kingdom to atone their crimes. Sue is happy with all this good news. What is he going to say to his future wife? Oh Touya, don’t make her cry… Since the others already gave their blessing, Touya will wait till she is 18 to marry her. Everybody happy and wins in the end.

Episode 9
After witnessing a marriage between the royals of different nations, Touya’s girls also dream of theirs. Oh damn, he has to hold 6 weddings?! Count ‘em! Assuming he doesn’t get more! Hence as Yumina suggests, they should all go on a date with him to improve their intimacy and relationship. After all, Touya has been so busy working in his duchy that he lacks spending time with them! Oh my! I wonder if that’s a blessing. And so we see them going out on a date with him and taking turns to hold his hand. When jealous punks try to rob them, his girls easily beat the sh*t out of those losers. No need for Touya to even raise a hand. When they return, Sue is mad because she was left out of this date. Therefore she gets to date him all by herself the next day. Rosetta then contacts Touya that a Frame Gear is ready. Happily he and his girls go to check on it. Since Yae has the least magic proficiency, she is given the honours to ride it first. Works like a charm. Yeah, now everybody takes turns to pilot it. So sad Touya is last in line… Rosetta then hands him a sword made out of Fraze’s crystals. She also has made some bullets out of it but since she is out of orichalcum material, she hopes he can get some. Using his Smartphone to look for orichalcum golems, he notes there are some at the kingdom of Lestia. He flies three to see a village under attacked by Fraze. The knights are on the verge of defeat when Touya swoops down to save them. Time to test his new sword. Cuts like knife through hot butter. Once the threat is gone, Touya talks to the knight leader who is also the kingdom’s princess, Hildegard Minas Lestia. She is grateful for his help and notes his specialized sword to fight Fraze. Noting that her gaze is hinting she really wants such sword, Touya thinks of building good relations with Lestia, he gives her a few of his swords to commemorate their meeting. Touya then leaves to get some orichalcum. When that is done and about to go home, he sees a strange deer who then leads him to a very badly wounded girl. He tries to heal her but she passes out.

Episode 10
Flora tells Touya that this girl is amnesiac. Although it is mostly about herself as she is still able to speak, write, etc. Better not insult it is a result of Flora’s treatment because she threatens to chop of his dick and regrow it! OMFG!!! Touya talks to her and obviously she remembers nothing. Finding it hard for her to be nameless, he calls her Sakura because of her beautiful hair colour and eye. Wow. He sure knows how to charm, eh? But sorry, still amnesiac. As Sakura wanders around his territory, Touya notices she has a beautiful voice. Great singer. Even greater as he plays the piano and she accompanies it. But soon Touya is given an important quest from the guild. Apparently this Catoblepas creatures can petrify you when you look into its eyes as well as emit poisonous gas. 13 adventurers have fallen victim and nobody is as strong as Touya to stop it. Guess he has got to do it. He lets his wives know so they’re eager to help him too. Before that, Touya gives Yae a special sword created to fight Fraze, making other girls jealous. Then the gang goes to tackle a Catoblepas and after a hard fought battle, manages to decapitate it. Though, Touya almost got his feet petrified but thanks to the recovery spell, it saved his skin. Though, his affected clothes can’t be saved. The Catoblepas’ petrification is still in effect even when it’s dead so Lucia almost fell victim to it. This part is cue for some trolling fanservice because her pantsu got petrified! Touya is forced to look away while the girls handle this. Uhm, should Touya cover his ears too?! Then another Catoblepas but this time Touya hits an idea. Use some mosaic spell to cover its eyes! Why didn’t we all think of that?! Touya is rewarded after taking down the rest of those beasts. He recovers the petrified adventurers too soon because what happens when a group of naked men are within visual distance of hot chicks? I guess they’re not as hot as Touya… The kings are having mecha fun battling each other in the Frame Gears! Touya agrees to lend them each since he believes Brunhild can’t handle all of Fraze and it’s best to have everyone prepare for it.

Episode 11
Look who is visiting Touya? Why, it’s the God of Love! Posing as his sister, Karen, she meets his future wives and they’re ecstatic to meet her as well. So apparently watching all the love flocking by Touya isn’t enough and thus she has to come down herself to soak in all that love power. WTF. Soon, Hildegard and her grandpa who is the previous king, Galen visit. Galen heard about the machines he has to fight Fraze so Touya shows them. Galen wants to borrow them and Touya agrees if he doesn’t misuse it. Of course this means Galen’s purpose of visit is also to build relationships and become his ally. Hildegard then requests to fight Touya’s strongest. After sparring with Yae, she soon learns that Touya has not one, not two, not three but 6 fiancees! OMFG. Oh, look at the despair on her face. Karen then jumps in to push things forward to claim Hildegard is in love with Touya and wants to marry him. No use hiding now. She admits it and his wives approve of her becoming Touya’s seventh! Oh my. Seventh heaven. Because Galen won’t allow his granddaughter to get married without resolve, Touya fears he must fight him… But now we see Hildegard talking with the council of Touya’s wives as they approve of her. Karen then eggs Hildegard to describe the coolness of Touya and how he looks in her eyes. Yeah, Hildegard spilling all the romantic stuffs that sends other girls squealing. That’s what you call love at first sight. And now it’s time to prove herself as Hildegard fights Galen to prove herself to marry Touya. At first she looks like she is losing ground so Touya does a sneaky move by using his Smartphone to project a sexy bikini babe to distract that pervy old man. This allows Hildegard to come back and win. Now Touya’s wives are jealous. Because who that busty babe! GRRR!!! Oh… Uhm… Gotta tend to the winner and injured. And now Hildegard is official as all the wives gather because Karen is going to spill more juicy stuffs on Touya like his first love as a child! Aren’t we all eager to hear such stories!

Episode 12
All the girls are dressed in sailor uniform because well, Karen said that is Touya’s fetish! WTF?! Oh Touya, are you going to deny them?! Yeah, you girls look cute. See how happy they are? Soon Touya finds himself in another Babylon ruin. However this is both the tower and rampart together as both found each other a long time ago and docked. He meets Preliora AKA Liora who is the admin for the rampart who surprisingly sounds very normal and accepts him as her master without any testing shenanigans. She then brings him to Pamela Noel, the admin for the tower. How to wake up this sleepyhead? Give food! She too doesn’t have him go through all those weird tests. As long as he can feed her with lots of food and provide a good place to sleep, she’ll register him as his master. Okay. What more can he ask, right? And here comes the kisses as registration… Soon Touya gets word that Belfast’s king now has a healthy born son. Finally he has an heir to his nation. He gives Touya the honour to name him. Yamato. Need to inject some Japan spirit into this prince?! But soon the Babylon androids confront Touya because they saw through the clairvoyance gem that he will have 9 wives and each bore a child for him! OH WAIT! WHAT?! Reminder, currently he has 7… This is so because there are 9 ruins and hence that magic number. So, he gonna give each his wife a Babylon garden to administer? The other girls heard about this and wants an explanation. No use hiding, Touya. The cat is out. Wow. For them to look so disappointed at him for having more wives… Are you girls sure not treating him as your property?! Then they decided it can’t be helped so they still charge him guilty. WTF?! The only way out is to kiss each one of them. Touya ‘escapes’ for now by claiming to go celebrate Yamato’s birth. During the fireworks, Touya claims he wants to live with all of them forever despite not having children yet. Oh, you don’t know… Cue for each of them trying to kiss him. While Yumina and Linze got a normal kiss, Sue gets a little peck. Lucia runs away after being too embarrassed and Hildegard passes out. Yae and Elze beat him up after he kisses them. WTF?! You girls wanted this, right?! Then they all continue to watch the fireworks as the androids get even more curious as they peek into the crystal ball to see all his wives. Yup, count them. 9 beautiful wives in their wedding dress.

First Wives Club: The Real (Royal) Housewives Of Brunhild
Can the ending get any cheesier than this?! Yeah, got to remind us all the wives that Touya will soon be marrying and f*cking so as to give him a child! I can’t imagine they will all grow up and fight a battle royale to succeed Touya’s throne! HAHA! Made that one up but I guess that bloody succession thing is for another delusion story another time. For now, everybody just happy to live their peaceful lives as it is. Assuming Fraze doesn’t come burn down everything. Oh heck, the battle for attention among his future wives will be the greatest battle Touya will ever face like no other! Better appreciate the good times right now.

If there is one thing that I want to point out about this season’s plot, it is for Touya to amass his wives! I am sure that there are other plots about this series but as far as I can see for this second season, it is all about Touya getting more wives! Like having his usual quartet from the last season wasn’t enough, because I suppose the more the merrier and now how many does he have? Spoiler alert, ending credits animation should give a good idea on how many wives he will supposedly have by the end of the season. Yeah it’s no joke. Are they trying to make Francesca’s predictions come true? She predicted he’ll have 9 wives. Oh heck, it will come true! But that is so only so far… If it’s not fiancees and future wives that Touya is getting, there’s be a bunch of other girls who are interested in him or least stay a close acquaintance or ally like those garden androids. So in order to hide the fact that he has too many girls around him, hence he is given his own mini kingdom with his own subjects so it won’t be looking so obvious that Touya collects and keeps girls. HOLY SH*T! WHAT AM I SAYING?! Oh wait, with his own kingdom to rule, this means he now has a place where his girls can run around scot free under his supervision!

The only interesting plot that interests me is the Fraze (respelled as Phrase officially but I’m keeping my old spelling for consistency purposes). Once again, Ende pops up mysteriously to drop more bits and pieces about this very strange phenomenon. And then off he goes and disappears like the wind again. So aside from the cringey wife amassing shenanigans which is actually my favourite subject of such anime series (that I shamefully admit to), I was hoping to see some sort of development regarding this Fraze thingy and the strange thing that these creatures are looking forward. Oh well, are they trying to say to wait for another season to find out more?! Oh dear. In the meantime, we’ll get back to more of Touya’s wife amassing antics. After all, not all the gardens have been found and it’ll be some time before Touya finds and merges all of them. Only then I am guessing he and his wives, girls and allies will be ready to take on the full onslaught of Fraze. Too bad it’s not in this season. Time to for me to go think up some crazy Fraze conspiracies like the sleeping king they’re looking for is Touya because the core they want is the heart filled with love, something Touya has after amassing his wives! Oh yeah. Somebody stop me.

Is it me or do I feel that this season it seems Touya has relied a lot less on his Smartphone. Sure, he does use it from time to time but I don’t see him spamming it all the time in utilizing it. Perhaps whatever needs to be created has already been done and there is no need for him to overwork the app whatever. Also, Touya’s girls are strong enough and a bunch of savages especially when they work in a group to take down monsters. Ah yes, Touya not really needed so he doesn’t need to get his hands dirty or even whip up his Smartphone to do something because his wives already got it all covered. So yeah, in a way it feels like a shame that his Smartphone has been relegated to a secondary tool. But in other ways, it feels a lot better since he doesn’t need to rely on that thing that we have becomes so attached and relied upon in our daily lives. Remember, despite the title of this anime, the main star is Touya, not his Smartphone. Hell yeah, on a trivial note, Touya sure didn’t need that Tinder app, the way he is amassing his wives naturally! HAHAHA!!!

As for the Frame Gears that Touya is slowly manufacturing, how come I feel that this is going to be like China’s panda diplomacy policy? Oh you know, Touya is willing to lend his mecha to them if they are allies to fight off Fraze. Yeah. That. So if you’re not an ally and want to have your hands piloting this big boys’ toy, you better get on the good side of Touya. And with all the allied kings hanging out at Touya’s place, they must be having the time of their life with Touya’s hospitality as well as the Frame Gears. It’s like Touya is the scapegoat to provide them with all sorts of entertainment. Oh well, only he could create and come up with such, right? Just like dumping all their responsibilities on him because no matter what, Touya will still get it done. Somehow. We are so assured.

As for the characters, what else can I say about them this season? Touya as the main character trying to live his second life and now he has to juggle with more responsibilities as he got his own mini kingdom. The land and his wives, that is. From the looks of it, he is handling it all fine and he’s not getting a mental breakdown because you know, so many wives! I’m sure I want to make some cringey joke about one wife is enough to drive a man crazy and freaking Touya has how many of them?! Yeah. But I guess that is why we’re all so jealous of him.

As for his harem, the more officially gets inducted, obviously the more of the pie they have to share. Get what I mean? But I guess it is alright for them because Touya’s coolness and awesomeness is to be shared by everyone! Touya belongs to everybody! Anyway, the original wife quartet has been given their dues last season so they don’t make much of an impact as the newly inducted ones. After all, there needs to be some sort of excuse why Touya takes them on. Like in Sue’s case, it’s to save her from a bad marriage and what a way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone because he also helped to kick out a dictator in that kingdom and bring justice back to it. Wow. You could also earn yourself a cute wife if you save an entire kingdom from terrorists and rebels. That’s how he got Lucia. And then the classic case of love at first sight for Hildegard. There is no stopping to Touya. In time too, Sakura will be official because with no memories, might as well make new ones and the best way is to marry him! By right Leen should be his wife too but I’m sure she is playing hard to get. It is a good thing the ruler of Linhea is a prince because if it was a princess, oh my goodness, another marriage at hand! Yikes! Overall, these Touya’s wife council might approve of each other and they’re all so friendly with each other. But they get jealous when he looks at outside women… Imagine a wallpaper hologram was enough to send some suspicions. How to solve this? Make her part of the wives pact! I can’t imagine Touya married to every single girl in this world. This is too much!

Thankfully not every girl he meets becomes his wife. In the case of Riel, I’m sure it would have been chaotic had she been that but thankfully and oh God thank goodness she is engaged to someone else. Someone else’s crazy wife problem… Heh. But you’ll never know. In time this may change and Riel may even join the party and write books for Touya’s harem that would open and awaken hem to a whole new world. Uh huh. More like a can of worms + Pandora’s box! As for the garden androids, each have their own quirky personality and although most of them are perverted in nature in one way or another. I think Monica is just being tsundere. And who could forget about Flora threatening to cut off Touya’s dick! That sure woke him up.

Although J.C. Staff took over from Production Reed in doing this sequel, thankfully there isn’t any obvious difference in the quality. The character designs and the art style mostly remain the same unlike certain sequels that somehow downgraded their visuals when they changed their studios (looking at you, a certain part timer devil series). While last season’s seiyuu’s are retained, new ones include Miyu Takagi as Lucia (Miyu in Wake Up Girls), Miyu Kubota as Sakura (Medusa in Jashin-chan Dropkick), Yuu Seizawa as Hildegard (Yumemi in Kakegurui), Madoka Asahina as Rosetta (Kominami in Bokutachi Wa Benkyou Ga Dekinai), Hisako Kamemoto as Flora (titular character in Shinryaku! Ika Musume), Miharu Hanai as Monica (Sassa in Busou Shoujo Machiavellism), Moe Kahara as Liora (Akari in Shokei Shoujo No virgin Road), Misaki Watada as Noel (Yaeka in Kumichou Musume To Sewagakari), Kenichi Ogata as Galen (Santori in Radiant) and Shunichi Toki as Cloud (Fukuma in Kyuuketsuki Sugu Shinu).

The one catching me by surprise is Misaki Kuno as Riel. I didn’t know it was her before I saw the credits. She wasn’t putting on her squeaky high pitch trademark voice as her character sounded a bit lower. This season’s opening theme is Real Diamond by Gemstone7. Not only it sounds generic a manufactured pop song, but it is quite heavy on the techno and synthesizer effects, making the song generally one huge noisy dubstep mess. The ending theme isn’t so bad but still not really to my liking. All of Touya’s 9 wives sing Isekai Jewelry. Still a generic anime rock pop but with the girls singing in their cute squeaky voices.

Last time I checked my blog on this series, it seems I didn’t really dislike it as I thought I would. My, how things changed throughout the years. Yeah, the first season was mediocre but enjoyable. I can’t believe I wrote that and I don’t even remember it! Must be all the disappointments of isekai tropes throughout the years that had me believe deeply that this Smartphone series had to be one of the worst isekai series out there. Good thing or not, I don’t find this sequel that terrible too. Maybe I put my hopes very low, so low that the limbo rock champion can’t even pass! Yeah. That and that’s why I don’t find this second season of this dreaded series to be that awful in the end. Can’t believe I’m saying this but it’s true. But this season still sucks, by the way. The sequel might not bring anything much save for Touya, wait for it, amassing his wives and the interesting potential of Fraze once again remains elusive. Wait a few more years down the road and with more disappointing isekai animes, I’ll probably forget all this and start believing the Smartphone isekai series as one the worst in the genre again. Who needs a Smartphone and all its app when you have great gorgeous wives by your side who can do much more than any Smartphone could! They should rename this series as, In Another World With My Wives…

Saikyou Onmyouji No Isekai Tenseiki

Another season, another usual isekai series. Now that we have so many types of people and profession get the isekai treatment, who else hasn’t got it yet? That’s right. Time for the onmyouji to even get this. The irony that a profession dealing with the mystic is now getting this isekai treatment which is a load of total fantasy BS! HAHAHA! Sighs. But yes, that is what Saikyou Onmyouji No Isekai Tenseiki is. Being the strongest onmyouji in this world wasn’t already enough, he had to be reincarnated (after being killed of course) into another world and retain all that superior divination magic for more usual and typical isekai tropes. So magical that it is not even magic anymore. Oh, what do you mean there’s a difference between magic and onmyouji???!!! I don’t get it so screw it, I’m going to use them interchangeably here.

Episode 1
Haruyoshi Kuga is a strong onmyouji. However he wanted to be stronger and that led to his downfall. Because he got betrayed and got killed. Hence he vowed to reborn in his next life to be more cunning. And now he is reincarnated as Seika Lamprouge. The third son and born out of his father’s mistress, he is often ignored and left to his own device. He doesn’t have magic but has lots of spiritual power. Seika practises that spiritual power of his and puts up with cowardly bullies from his elder brother, Gly. One day as father Blaze is teaching his sons magic, Seika is given a chance to try. Damn, he uses some flame power to destroy the target and even changes the flame colour. Seika lets known his intention to learn magic but Blaze disagrees since there are no stories of powerless mages becoming successful. There’s your excuse. However he will be given a private tutor like his brothers. Many years later and one night, Seika uses his power to open the door to another dimension. He is reunited with his familiar, Yuki whom they know each other in his previous life. For now she takes a form of a little white fox to hide herself from the rest. Another day, Seika saves Yifa the young maid from being bullied by Gly and possible rape. Yifa then takes Seika to an injured animal and hopes he can heal it. Of course he can. Seika then deduces that Yifa too can see spirits like him and teaches her how to hone that skill. This is to make her his ally. A year later, a giant fire newt attacks the place. Gly’s first reaction is to run! Seika rushes to save Yifa but it seems he notices she repelled it with her power. Seika then faces the newt and in one powerful strike, kills it. Everybody sees this (except Gly because he’s busy hiding) and is in awe with Seika. Seika is glad things turns out this way and hopes to build on this. All part of the cunning plan…

Episode 2
Seika receives an upgrade and is now treated like a noble. Blaze would like to reward him and so Seika wants to go to learn magic and Lodonea Magic Academy. He allows it as Seika also wants to bring Yifa along (as an ally, her power will be useful). Blaze disagrees at first because Yifa has no magic talent. But after Seika has her demonstrate, he agrees. Now Gly disagrees with everything, citing tradition, blah, blah, blah. In that case, Blaze says he will put Gly in the army. For many years, Gly has not improved and is only swinging around his sword. It is only fitting for him to join the army. Gly is unsatisfied and wants to challenge Seika for that right. Blaze will judge tomorrow’s fight that will not have weapons or magic used. But that night, Gly challenges Seika and screw father’s rules. The loser will go tell father tomorrow about forfeiting the match. Gly throws all he’s got at Seika but as we can already tell, he is so powerful and just by using his onmyouji skills, defeats Gly and makes him admit his loss in just seconds. Seika and Yifa soon leave for Lodonea. Blaze reminisces it has been 12 years. Yup, Seika not his own son but could be from his brother, Gilbert. Baby Seika was left at his doorstep. The ever carefree Gilbert went adventuring right after graduation but disappeared when he entered the Demon Lord’s domain. Could it be Seika is a child of a demon? It can’t be. There were no magic detected but noticed other weird powers from him. Therefore it is too dangerous for him to be in the army since his powers could either save or destroy the world. Yifa wants to visit Seika in his room at night. Too bad he thinks it is for dinner. Sad slave leaves. Yuki had to point out Yifa being in love with him and the irony a non-human knows the matters of the heart more than this dense kid. Yeah, he straight up admits he doesn’t understand girls. Care to study about this? Outside the academy, there is a booth where one can test their magic aptitude to see which element one is closest with. Yifa seems to have fire and wind. Obviously Seika has none. This makes the rest think he is using his connections to get in. Then this commoner, Amyu shows how powerful with is as she has talent for all 4 elements. Amyu claims she isn’t doing it for him but also hates people like him who use their connection to get around. So don’t get in her way. Now, why is Seika interested in her? Not out of love, please! It seems she looks like a girl from his previous life…

Episode 3
We see the students taking the tests. One of them being the magic practical, Yifa wows everyone with her display of a couple of elemental magic (oh Yifa, don’t apologize for being too strong destroying the targets). Yeah, wait till you see Seika. Did their jaw hit the ground now? In the end, Seika is ranked third. Surprisingly, Yifa ranks second! Unsurprisingly, Amyu is top. As they head to the academy for the opening ceremony, Seika and Yifa spot a strange and ominous magic circle hidden in the bushes. Seika doesn’t want to do anything suspicious for now. During the ceremony, lesser demons ambush the place. Yeah, everybody runs! Can’t blame them. They’re just students. Even the teachers can’t do no jack sh*t on those demons. Only Amyu steps up to the challenge to fight. Seika notices the demons are sluggish like as though they’re decoys or looking for something. As he searches, he finds the culprit controlling them all at the magic circle. Gull Galeos is a demon who specializes in a few elemental magic himself. He sets upon Seika but of course he can counter all his tricks. Seika trolls us by taking fatal damage and even getting killed. But we all know those are just his onmyouji powers, right? And so Gull reveals his intentions to find the hero at this academy. The prophecy 12 years ago rang true and he is out to kill her. Now Seika shows who’s the boss as he pulls out all the stops of his powers to fight Gull. Some lecture about the elements before Seika summoning a dragon to devour Gull. The dragon tries to even escape but Seika manages to command it back to the gate. Going back to the hall, Amyu has singlehandedly defeat all the demons. Seika then notes how being the most powerful means there are others who will try to drag you down. Hence it is his goal to have someone be the strongest in his stead. That’s why he is going to be friends with Amyu and make her strong even if he has to defeat the Demon Lord himself.

Episode 4
Well, Amyu doesn’t want to be friends with him. Oh Seika, you just realized you don’t have any skills from your previous life on how to make friends! As part of the tradition, the top students are to deliver some offerings in the forest. Seika believes this is bad news because that’s where Gull’s base was. Instead of making Yifa go, Seika offers to go in her place. At first, this rubs Yifa the wrong way as she thinks Seika likes Amyu. In that case she can be stronger for him too. Seika manages to reason why he wants to be friends with Amyu so Yifa agrees to help him achieve that. As Amyu and Seika make their way, they spot a magic circle. It suddenly transports them to a dungeon. They fight their way through the dungeon’s monsters. When a strong horde injures Amyu, Seika takes over to defeat them all. While recuperating inside his barrier, he talks about Amyu’s pain and it seems she has been cursed or something. He makes a shikigami to substitute that curse here. Amyu still has doubts that Seika hasn’t made any sexual moves on Yifa so Seika explains he is the son of a mistress and Yifa is like family. This prompts Amyu’s own family circumstances in which she was too strong for her age. It also didn’t help as she likes fighting. Thus her goal enrolling in this school is to get stronger and to get away from the guild which her mom is the head of. They continue their journey and then fight and defeat the dungeon boss. Amyu looking so happy she defeated one. Reward is a mythril sword and a ring. Once out of the dungeon and completed the ritual, they report to the faculty and none are aware of such. Of course Seika knows who the culprit is and is one of the teachers, Cordell. He is human but a spy for the demons. His job is to kill the hero but Seika points out his curse isn’t on her now. Seika then transfers Amyu’s curse to himself and the curse soon is reflected upon Cordell and is left to die. Seika praises Cordell for coming up with many curse theories but curses are Seika’s specialty too. Seika gives the ring to Yifa. And Amyu still doesn’t want to be friends with him. But she’s friends with Yifa already? Since when they got close? Oh Seika, maybe you missed something. Yeah, maybe Amyu is just shy…

Episode 5
It has been a year and no demon attacks on the academy ever since. Seika and Yifa get called by the principal as she wants either one of them to participate in an upcoming combat tournament at the capital. This academy has been given 2 slots. One of them is occupied by Mabel Crane. The final slot is either Seika or Yifa. Uhm, why isn’t Amyu considered? The principal tells the truth: They are stronger than her. You bet Amyu feels insulted with that and she’s puffing a lot. So as they talk about it, Mable shows up before them and claims Amyu is weak and that’s the true reason she isn’t even considered. Besides, she is spoilt. Well, Amyu not going to let that slide and challenges her to a duel. Seika agrees as he wants to gauge Mabel’s power. In the end, Mabel wins as Seika notes the kind of magic Mabel used is dark magic. Soon, it is Seika and Mabel who are on their way to the capital. Yifa is following because she is his servant. Amyu? Oh, that stubborn girl just wanted to come. Without permission too. So let’s see the tournament bracket. If Seika and Mabel keep winning, they’ll meet in the semi-finals. First match is Seika against some mercenary group. Wow. They really include all kinds of people aside nobles and mages, huh? Obviously Seika defeats this mad guy in a blink of an eye. Next match witnesses another serial killer mercenary, Kyle against a mage student. However the latter gets frozen by some dark eye magic and is killed off! The crowd cheers with the tournament’s first fatality!

Episode 6
In the next round, Seika fights this golem user and easily beats this cocky b*tch. Then it’s Mabel turn as we see her also easily taking out her respectable mage opponent. When everyone refers to Mabel as a hero, Amyu explains to Seika that the second hero in history was also called Mabel. Seika now has an idea about the whole thing. Later that night, he captures a demon spy trying to send back a message to his employer. Since he will not talk, Seika uses his ayakashi that reads minds to reveal all the juicy details. It seems there are many who are targeting Mabel whom they believe is the hero of the prophecy due to the same name, hair colour and right down to her birthday. Once done, Seika allows the ayakashi to eat him as reward. With this info, Seika decides to have Mabel the false hero win the tournament so that all the attraction can be placed on her. This is to keep the demons away from Amyu the true hero. Because the spy and assassin sent to his school were disposed by him (they were the only ones who knew about Amyu as the true hero), they think Mabel is the hero. Next day, Mabel confronts Seika and wants him to forfeit his match. He refuses because since they are slated to clash in the semi-finals and if she wants to win it so badly, she must beat him. The other semi-final is Kyle and some hero who can use all magic elements. Sure, he manages to prevent himself from being hypnotized by his dark eye magic. But none of his magic can even touch him. Not sure if the judges added a new rule because Kyle is about to kill him but the judges blow their whistle to signal him as the winner. That night, Seika narrowly escapes Mabel’s attack as she tries to kill him while he is sleeping. Seika analyses her power and definitely she is strong. Mabel then escapes and Seika believes this is just a trial run for their match tomorrow. So is Seika going to let her win? Not yet. Time to return the favour.

Episode 7
Seika talks to Mabel and knows she didn’t want to kill him. She admits that and it was just to scare him in withdrawing from tomorrow’s match. Seika could also guess Mabel’s goal to win the tournament so as to impersonate as the hero and draw the demons away from Amyu. But he needs to know the whole truth if she wants him to consider giving up. Mabel soon reveals her ultimate goal is to get killed by Kyle in the finals. Mabel was part of the mercenary group that groups young kids together. But only one of them will graduate and be a soldier by killing the rest. Kyle was chosen to be the soldier since he had some implant in his brain that changed his personality, blah, blah, blah. After killing other members, Mabel is the only one left and her death at Kyle’s hands will complete this mission. However Mabel plans to kill Kyle instead for revenge since her brother was killed by him. Seika knows she is lying because Kyle is actually her brother. After all, Kyle once said to her to kill him and free him from this curse. Mabel has resigned to her fate that she will die whether she wins or loses. Hence Seika has decided to defeat her and face Kyle in the finals. He guarantees her safety as long as she enrols at school. With him around, nobody can touch her. He is the strongest. Besides, if there was a wish from Kyle, it wasn’t to kill him but for her to live freely.

Next day, Seika easily defeats Mabel to proceed to the finals. Seika and Kyle chat a while before they fight. Seika hopes he would cherish his sister since she’s the only one he’s got. They fight and of course Seika is obviously stronger. Too bad Kyle’s curse activates and Seika tries to save him but it’s too late. He gets desperate to use his powers as Yuki reminds him of his goal in this world and has no obligation to do so. In the aftermath, Seika sealed his body away and tells others he vaporized him during the match. Seika and Mabel pay their last respect at his makeshift grave as Seika delivers Kyle’s last words to her. Seika then tells most of all this to Amyu and Yifa. Amyu requests to fight Mabel again and this time wins. So, this supposed to be the start of their friendship? Back at the academy, Seika confronts the principal and knew it was her plan all along to plant Mabel in the tournament as Amyu’s decoy from demons. As she belonged to the mercenaries, it is why she chose Seika to go defeat her so that she will have a place in the academy. The mercenaries were using the tournament to market their ‘products’. They have lost both their soldiers now. It’s a win-win for them. You think Seika won’t have any more hand in this but she makes him take care of Mabel since she needs some getting used to this school life. Don’t be too harsh, Mabel is already complaining about studying, studying and more studying! Don’t lose it now, it’s about to get even worse. Welcome to the school life.

Episode 8
Prince Cecilio Astilia comes to personally see Seika at the academy. When he first sees Yifa, he instantly wants her to join his harem! Even if she is Seika’s slave, he’ll pay any amount for her! But it’s business first as Cecilio needs him to help investigate the nation’s dragon as requested by his father the king. It seems the dragon who has lived peacefully with humans has started acting strange over the past year. Attacking crops and cattle, each attack worsens by the day. Then there is this shady legend that the dragon was hatched from an egg by the kingdom’s queen. Seika is to investigate this matter too. When they arrive at the palace, the dragon attacks them. A mercenary named Zekt uses his lava tiger to scare it away. However it soon attacks Yifa. Had not Seika acted, she could’ve died. Cecilio claims he hires mercenaries as he believes the only way is to kill the dragon. Seika hopes he would rethink his decision since the dragon is this kingdom’s symbol. Besides, did he get approval of this from the authorities? Cecilio claims he has full authority on this matter. Seika then goes to scold Yifa for not using her magic to defend herself. He can’t be around to protect her always. He might sound like a dick but it’s for her own good so that a certain tragedy will not repeat. Seika then goes to the library to research more but the shady legend doesn’t reveal much. Hence he will go to the mountains tomorrow alone. That night, Cecilio calls Yifa to his room. Unsure what to do, she confides with Seika. She doesn’t have to go if she doesn’t want to. So she shares his bed when he asks if she considers to join Cecilio. Yifa took that the wrong way and is sad thinking Seika views her as a hindrance. This is of course not his intentions and what he meant was eventually everyone needs to choose their path. Well, Yifa will sleep on it. Later Yuki tells Seika he was too harsh on Yifa and reminds him that girl loves him since young. As usual, he brushes it off that they just grew up together. Next day, Seika talks to Cecilio about Yifa. Of course he won’t sell her and if Yifa wants to go, it must be by her own volition. Then he goes off to the mountains alone. Later Cecilio’s elf maid, Lize talks to Yifa about joining the harem. Because it seems Yifa has elf lineage too. Is she going to stay Seika’s slave forever? She must noticed by now that kid is a monster.

Episode 9
Yifa continues to believe in Seika but Lize thinks she’s just taking the easy way out and refusing to think. After Seika defeats the dragon, he notices a dragon’s egg. Strangely, the dragon has him take care of it and now they’re like buddies? Damn, dragon won’t let him leave its nest! Meanwhile Lize shows Yifa around the harem. This entire all-girls’ school trains women to be future politicians, etc. Once the tour is done, Yifa is brought to Cecilio who once again wants her to join his harem. He will even pay as much as Seika wants and if that doesn’t work, use his authority to conscript all slaves. Yifa doesn’t want to be freed because despite being Seika’s slave, she is still free to do what she wants. The rest think she doesn’t think too far into the future so they’re going to force her to sign the deal. Thank goodness Seika returns with the dragon and needs someone with fire magic to warm up the dragon’s egg. That’s you, Yifa. Soon, they are attacked by Zekt who of course is the one orchestrating the whole thing and lied to Cecilio. His goal is to steal the egg. No prizes to guess Seika owns them with his magic as well as Yifa’s assist. Later Seika explains to Cecilio about the whole deal. The dragon was behaving erratically because it laid an egg. The story about the queen hatching the dragon egg is true because the dragon considered humans to be its parents and hence repaid its favour to protect the kingdom. However Cecilio panics and still wants the dragon killed as he needs some achievement to prove himself as the next king. With Seika refusing to kill it, he orders his arrest. Seika is about to play along with this but when Cecilio is seen forcing Yifa to be his, that’s when he puts his foot down to tell him off he has not solved anything and is acting like a child. Yifa is his! Lize then tells Cecilio to give up since she has clearly rejected him. Then she talks to Yifa privately and hopes she will find happiness as one day he will recognize her feelings. Now we see a group of cruel weirdoes annihilating a village with their bizarre strong powers. Their leader claims they must defeat the hero at all cost even sacrificing their lives if needed.

Episode 10
Amyu is shocked when Seika invites her to come home to meet his family. Of course it’s not what you think. Somebody is there now who wants to see her. So as the gang return home, Gly wants to fight Seika. Although he is having a blast in the military, he still can’t forget about that humiliation and wants to fight Seika. Seika however has Amyu fight him since she is stronger. Beat her and he’ll fight him. Well, well. Gly wins. But the match is stopped with the arrival of the Holy Princess, Fiona Urd Alegreif. She is the one who wants to see Amyu. Seika and Yuki exchange notes on Fiona’s history. Born between the emperor and temple priestess 15 years ago, hence she bears both the royal and priestess bloodline. Fiona talks to them and is impressed to see Amyu and will assist her in anything if she requires help. Despite sounding like a dreamer and a bit ditzy, in some ways she sound scheming and teasing. Next day, Seika, Amyu and Gly accompany Fiona to town. I guess holding hands with Seika to blend in like the crowd? When their clothes stand out like hell? She talks about how to get close to someone when a construction mishap happens. Gly and Amyu use their skills to protect her. Everything safe. But is there something to it as Seika notes Fiona seems disappointed he didn’t do anything. Well, he was holding your freaking hand! To soothe her heart, he buys her a hair band. Back at the mansion, Gly reveals to Seika that he was chosen to be Fiona’s holy knight not based out of skill. In fact, the title of Holy Princess and the likes were created and spread about by her so that others like bards can easily write songs about her. In short, she is a politician even if she doesn’t look like it. It is because she possesses the ability to see the future and she inherited it from her mom who once spoke about the prophecy of the hero and Demon Lord after she was born. However the empire doesn’t know who they are. Gly is telling him this because Fiona’s real intention is to see him. He warns not to get too deeply involved because she’s got an eye on the empire’s future.

Episode 11
Fiona looking for Seika incessantly. Can’t blame the kid from hiding from her. Eventually he goes to accompany her since it’ll be a sad thing if a princess plays chess by herself. They talk including their opinions on the strongest chess piece as well as her ability to see the future. She hopes to use this ability to benefit her kingdom. On the return trip, Seika accompanies Fiona in her carriage. As expected, bandits attack the carriage but this is already all foreseen by Fiona. The bandits don’t stand a chance against Seika’s magic as they get overwhelmed. Sure, Fiona has lots of political enemies but can’t her ability tell her which one sent these assassins? Guess not. She’s kind enough to have all the bandits take a carriage to the capital, the reason why she prepared so many of them. It won’t be fair to let them walk and slow their journey and make Seika late for his school. How thoughtful. As for the possibility of bandits slipping out or another ambush, she assures them there won’t be any. She laments some group’s destiny that the future they want will never come. I think she meant those group of cruel weirdoes. They sound like they’re on a suicide mission to kill the hero and bring glory to the demon race. Looks like they’ve already arrived at their destination.

Episode 12
The principal wants Seika to represent the current student body to welcome new students. He accepts the role as later Yuki asks if this is okay because it will make him stand out. Seika claims he was once afraid of dying like his last life. It made him a coward. So I figure he thinks he is so overpowered and nobody can defeat him, that’s why he is done with that and is going to lead a normal life?! This means he doesn’t need to use Amyu as his shield now? But as a normal person, he must run in the face of danger, right? Oh well, maybe except that. He’ll find a way to deal with it. No wonder Yuki is confused and worried. Those crazy demons warp inside the school to slaughter the students to bring out the hero. They find a strange red mist everywhere. They start killing students who come by but felt something amiss. First fight we see is between Mabel and Murderev. The latter takes a liking for her because she is strong. He is superior and could’ve killed her had not Seika’s shikigami substitute saved her. When the demons converge, they are confused because when they attacked the students, they realize this shikigami substitute. Then Seika pops up before them and explains what happened. Though, the exception was Mabel as she was real. As Murderev brags and wants to fight her some more, suddenly Seika decapitates him! OMFG! They detect him as the Demon Lord?! Pyrslaria is so pissed she tries to use her evil eye to turn Seika into stone. Won’t happen. His white snake familiar makes her evil eye go mad and she got a heart attack?! WTF?! Lo Ni tries to tame his snake but gets eaten alive! Won’t work on a creature that was born out of human hatred. Captain Zor realizes they cannot defeat him and wants Ganis to escape to tell his brethren what happened since he is the only with teleporting abilities. Zor sacrifices himself for that and although Ganis escapes outside, it won’t be for long he dies from a lethal gash on his chest. Yeah, thank Seika’s voodoo magic for that. Wow. Suicide Squad lived up to its name but failed their mission… Not funny… Seika and the rest are in a party after his speech for new students. Suddenly knights barge in and confront Amyu. She is accused of slaying a demon emissary and that is a grave crime of the empire. She will be arrested.

Episode 13
Seika tells Amyu to go quietly with them and he’ll do something about it. Later he confronts the principal about this and she mentions about some complicated politics behind all this. But she is applying pressure to get Amyu released so just sit back and wait for the good news. But that won’t do for Seika as he somewhat threatens Amyu might die while waiting. So yeah, Seika going to take this into his own hands as he summons his dragon to fly there. Yuki is worried because she believes it is best he let Amyu die or else the same mistake will be repeated in the past. Seika tells her to STFU. Damn, Seika looking angry. And here Seika boy is, barging into the prison castle whatever and killing all the guards with his onmyouji power. My, such evil. Amyu is shocked to see him here as he explains that she is the reincarnation of the real hero from the past. As some fear that, that is why some want her killed. Soon they are confronted by Gly and Fiona. Yes, she has seen all this coming. Her reason for Amyu going to be killed: They were once a small nation conscripting people to fight demons until the hero came along. Now both humans and demons have armies. Hence the hero and Demon Lord are just relics of the past and they alone cannot conquer nations. HUH?! So why the f*ck must they kill Amyu?! Just ignore her! Yes, but the existence of the hero itself can start a war. SAY WHAT?! WTF?! Nobody wants a war. Not even the demons too. Gee, so to avoid a war, just kill the hero? WTF logic is that?! Wasn’t better just to simply f*cking ignore her if the hero can’t do anything?! Fiona adds a damning statement that Amyu will never attain the true power of the hero because of Seika. Yes, your fault for always protecting her and she never has gone through hardships. Fiona promises to do everything she can to save Amyu so Seika should retreat for now. She wants to use the promise from the chess game to get him to abide but sadly he doesn’t trust her and this makes Fiona sad. And so she prepares a carriage for them to head home. Oh Seika feels so bad he didn’t keep his promise so the least he could do is revive all the dead guards and repair the place! WTF???!!! WHAT DA FFFFUUUUU???!!! Fiona not amused because she was going to report a powerful demon attacked. Oh well. Later Fiona communicates with her father who is unsure about Seika whom he sensed as quite powerful. She says he is this generation’s Demon Lord. The irony because why is a Demon Lord protecting the hero? Because she is close to him. She believes Seika has no choice but to use his power to help others even if he knows he will be destroyed in the end. Seika and Amyu return and happily reunite with Yifa and Mabel.

Strongest Hex-orcist Via Hack-xorcism
Oh wow. The final felt like a big mess. It was confusing and all because it’s like trying to show that Seika is a big dick by becoming the Punisher but at the same time a caring person because he’s the only one willing to take proactive action to go save the hero. How noble. And to think nobody wants war but can’t stand the existence of the hero. Solution? Kill her! Brilliant. Absolutely f*cking brilliant. I’m glad this whole thing ended. Because I’m just like Amyu, didn’t get what the whole f*cking thing was about. I hope nobody could see into the future where this series gets another season! Please, no! After how it all ended, which is nothing burger, I think it is best to leave it the way it is. I’m satisfied. Can we just put this anime to rest forever? No more reincarnation in the form of a sequel, please!

I did not place any high hopes on the story or plot because I figure out it will be mostly be showcasing how overpowered Seika is. Basically that is what the entire series is about despite being hidden behind mini plots that seemingly focus on his harem. At the end of the day, it is all about Seika because there is nothing in this world, not even the so called magic in this fantasy world that could best Seika’s onmyouji powers. It just makes him like God. Or the Demon Lord. So yeah, the several stories here aren’t really exciting and are just plain. For instance, the combat tournament. Heck, it wasn’t even about the tournament but to help solve whatever issues that was eating Mabel. And then induct her into Seika’s harem. Oh, I mean group of friends. In short, it was not impressive.

This means the characters themselves are a big miss because when you have showcased Seika as a totally overpowered kid that no one can come close in besting, that sets the tone for the rest of everything to fall in line. So let’s focus on Seika first. At first it felt refreshing (albeit just a bit) that his character wasn’t going to be 100% noble or of the goody two shoes kind. After all, being betrayed in his previous life and hence going to take precautions to not fall for that again, I thought maybe that would be interesting. Like how he was going to use Amyu as his puppet for the better second life he wants. Then as the series goes, you can tell (and guess) that he isn’t really a dick even though he might sound and seemingly act so (that part when he scolded Yifa). This is ramped up in the finale where he just does what he like and killed many just to save Amyu (reviving them all doesn’t justify he killed them in the first place!). He puts on this stubborn poker face and tone maintaining that he is going to do just that but his actions suggest otherwise. While still not the most noble or the must justice filled character, you can see the compassion in his actions especially with his harem. Sure, it won’t do him any good if he becomes rude or boorish. But with all that we have seen, this makes Seika fall into the typical category of isekai main characters.

At the end of the day, all that would just be forgettable because got to remember that Seika is overpowered as f*ck so who in their right mind can best him? If the demons can’t, you think puny humans can? So yeah, even Seika himself screws this initial idea of his and it would be better to just do as he please as a normal person. Yeah, it’s so tiring when you try to live up and achieve your goals but when you’re at the top of your game with nobody coming any close, what is there to be afraid of? In addition, Seika is such a smart person that he knows what is happening all around. Yeah, he reveals it because we’re too dumb to reach that conclusion and of course to show off how smart he is. Heh. So really, what’s there for him to be afraid of? All powerful and knowing everything. The only thing stopping Seika is Seika himself. So yeah, wherever he may be reincarnated and whatever selfish reasons he will think of, eventually he’ll come back to saving others because that’s just who he is. No wonder I’m so confused too. So are we still interested in Seika’s family history that he is not the actual son of Blaze? Guess not. But if I’m going to make a big conspiracy theory, it is that setting that is going to be the biggest twist that Seika is not Haruyoshi but actually the Demon Lord reincarnated himself as said by Fiona! Amyu could be the reincarnated Haruyoshi! I hope I’m wrong…

Thank goodness in this world there is nobody who have the same onmyouji powers as him and because of that, he manages to avoid standing out. Yeah, it is just strange that this world has some mechanism to measure what kind of magic affinity you have but none for onmyouji. Oh right. I guess the onmyouji can’t be easily classified into the basic elemental magic or even light or dark. It’s a whole class by itself and that’s why Seika is able to use it freely and avoid being detected by others as a strong magic user, oops I mean onmyouji powers. Different magic measuring standards, huh? Just like Mahouka Koukou No Rettousei, huh? So technically he isn’t lying when he is weaker in his magic compared to Yifa.

And the girls who are in his party, honestly they feel forgettable seeing that Seika is, wait for it, overpowered. They do enough to stand on their own but not enough to overshadow Seika. So like Yifa, servant girl looks up to him and even loves him but Seika too dense to see all that. Using that childhood friends excuse doesn’t quite cut it. Like as though Seika is in denial. Because the moment he admits that, he’ll have emotions, something we see Seika lack of and perhaps the reason why he is able to stay head strong. Then there is Amyu who is supposed to be Seika’s puppet but we all know better that it won’t turn out that way. Now she’s friends in his group and it’s weird that a hero like her is hanging out in a weird group. Lastly Mabel. I felt like she’s the sympathetic pick up (if that’s the right word to describe her) after her whatever case in trying to be the fake hero and save her brother. Woah. What confusing plot. And now she’s friends in his group because he promised he take care of her. I don’t know. It really feels weird.

While Fiona doesn’t seem like it but I won’t discount her from being part of Seika’s group in the future. It is hinted the future is not fixed and certain actions may lead a change to it. Imagine Seika’s harem having a wide range of different class of girls. From a servant to a hero to a failed mercenary and possibly a princess! Does the power of onmyouji have a part in this? I wonder if Yuki is the pet mascot of the series and the only one who knows of Seika’s reincarnation. She acts like the voice of consciousness for him (by questioning some of his actions) but Seika often disregards it with his own logic.

It couldn’t be more disappointing but I guess I have myself to blame. I thought Zor’s group will be the much needed balance that will give Seika a run on his money. Even if I didn’t put much hopes on it, at least put up some fight. After all, we see a few snippets of them as the season reaches its end. They could have successfully trolled people like yours truly to think they’re a commendable threat. And then what do we get? F*cking easy annihilation!!! Complete wipe out!!! OMFG! They sounded like they’re the best of the best in their expertise area but then again, they could be just bragging. I know, Seika falls into this too but we’ve seen his powers are the real deal. But for Zor’s group, we don’t know anything and after seeing a few merciless massacre, we assume they’re going to be credible enemies. Who’d knew Seika was the bigger Demon Lord than all of them combined. Sheesh. What a disappointment. And to think they were demon emissaries?! Those demons killing others were emissaries?! You got to be kidding me! Am I missing something?! Yeah, maybe some crooked politician gave them that title.

I know Seika is a douchebag himself (yes he is!) but other characters are made to look even more a scumbag so that Seika can look a bit more like a saint. For instance that Gly guy. Yeah, don’t you just want to hate his guts on this coward who tried to rape Yifa? Well, he got a bit of redemption now that he is Fiona’s escort and personality wise might be better than Seika but yeah, he started off as a dick. Is it me or does Yifa attract trouble because once more, Cecilio trying to induct her into his harem but the Seika love force is strong in her so much so he reveals his douchebag side trying to muscle his way using his authority. This is only so that Seika could confirm Yifa is his. Nobody touches his slave girl. Heh. Remember Cordell? Oh wait. Don’t have too. Cocky arrogant spy already dead. Oh Seika you killed him! But this is for the greater good, right? So we let that pass…

I can’t say the action is impressive because well, as said a million times already, Seika is overpowered and we see him easily chant his spells and curses as well as summoning creepy familiars from another dimension to do his bidding. Lots of flashy magic circle effects and the likes but nothing really mind blowing. Seika easily winning over his opponents without a sweat is what makes the fights boring. The only interesting part is how he sometimes get cruel to kill them off and yes, that is perhaps the more interesting and greyish part of the battle than that battle itself.

Art and animation are pretty standard but there is one thing that I want to point out: The disappointing CGI! Ah yes, even in today’s time it boggles my mind they can make such mediocre quality CGI. I mean, why even bother? While I am not saying it is the worst, it definitely sticks out like a sore thumb. Yeah, look at all those CGI horses! They look so… FAKE! Some monsters are animated using CGI too and while they do look jarring, they aren’t as bad as those horses. Yes. So fake and looking so lifeless! They should just animate the whole thing using typical 2D animation because the characters already look like your typical conventional Japanese anime character with cute boys and cute girls and everything is quite colourful and bright, so why even bother with horrible CGI. Even those magic effects were just pretty meh. This anime is done by Studio Blanc who did Uramichi Oniisan and Boku No Kanojo Ga Majimesugiru Sho-b*tch Na Ken.

Voice acting is rather okay. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka making his cameo as Kyle, Youko Hikasa as that cocky golem user b*tch and Yuuichirou Umehara having a shorter cameo as Haruyoshi. Not forgetting Takehito Koyasu as Zor and Sho Hayami as Blaze. I didn’t realize it was Yui Ogura behind Yuki’s voice since I have always pigeonholed her as a loli specialist. Now that she’s gorgeously grown up and moving away from such roles, not even though this Yuki character still has a high pitched squeaky voice, it never even crossed my mind it was her. Sighs. I think I’m losing touch on some of the veteran ones too because it also shocked me that Rina Satou was behind Lize’s voice. Sighs.

The other casts are Yumiri Hanamori as Seika (Hayasaka in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Azumi Waki as Yifa (Special Week in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby), Nene Hieda as Amyu (Izumi in Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun), Akari Kitou as Mabel (Nezuko in Kimetsu No Yaiba), Kaede Hondo as Fiona (Echidna in Yuusha Yamemasu), Yuuto Uemura as Gly (Yotsuya in 100-man No Inochi No Ue Ni Ore Wa Tatteiru) and Gakuto Kajiwara as Cecilio (Asta in Black Clover). Fans of Angela can be glad that she sings the opener, Reconnection. Feels very much like the previous anime songs she sings but this one is infused with some mystical effects and traditional instruments. The ending theme is Link and your generic anime rock pop. But there are various versions of this. Actually more like different girls in Seika’s harem sings this be it solo or a combination between them.

Overall, this anime is mediocre with its generic characters and plot. It doesn’t help this is one of the many isekai genres out there to flood the industry for the season. Imagine in that same season this anime came out, we had other isekai animes like a certain magical girl isekai, a certain farming isekai, a certain cooking isekai, a certain handyman isekai, a certain merchant girl trying to save up for her retirement isekai and a sequel of a certain slime master isekai as well as another sequel of a certain evolution fruit isekai! OMG!!! Isekai madness! And now we can add this certain onmyouji isekai to the growing list. Yes, growing list of disappointing anime series! Sad to say, not even the onmyouji powers can save the anime industry at this point. I don’t have abilities to see the future but I can tell we’re going to have more isekai crap for the seasons to come. And I will continue to make the same mistake of watching many of them again. Sadly I did not learn from past reincarnations…

Kami-tachi Ni Hirowareta Otoko S2

Remember that isekai anime whereby some guy died and then get reincarnated in a fantasy world that has something to do with slimes? No, not the one that turned him into an overpowered slime but the one that turned him into a master of a variety slimes. Ah yes, I wouldn’t have guessed this would get another season, Kami-tachi Ni Hirowareta Otoko S2 happened only because I’m guessing we can’t have the other more famous and mainstream slime anime dominate the slime theme genre, right? Just kidding. Made that one up. And sometimes I myself too need to take a break from all the senseless violence and mind numbing fanservice stuffs and go watch something wholesome. Yeah. I figure it’s that timely time again. It’s slime prime time!

Episode 1
We see Ryouma’s laundry business doing well. So much so Carla has to remind him that he needs to delegate work to others or he’ll be taking away their job! Then a slight commotion. Apparently punks trying to lie that the laundry didn’t clean their clothes. Too bad their clothes as clean as f*ck. They get violent but don’t worry, easily apprehended. This has Ryouma think of the need to have some security. And by that it means letting his slimes create some reinforced glass windows. But it is at this moment too that he realizes that his poison slime has evolved into a medicine slime?! He remembers that accident the other day he spilled some antidote and that slime absorbed it. Now let’s see what medicine it can make. Ryouma then pays a visit to the Gods but nobody is in except Tekun who is the God of craftsmanship and technology. He is fascinated with Ryouma’s figurines and has made replicas of them himself. He also talks about other Gods who have their own spaces where they feel comfortable to be. If he requires more explanation, feel free to seek Fernobelia as he is the God of wisdom and magic. Ryouma has done his new windows and lets Li Ling test it. No matter how much she pounds it with her fists and kicks (even magic), it won’t break. However she notes that even with such tough windows, the downside is that if there’s a fire, they might not be able to break out. But for now Ryouma will have these windows installed to prevent break ins. Then he thinks about Carla’s suggestion about opening another branch in another town. Ryouma thinks it is too early as he wants to build relationship with the people of Gimul first. Then he goes to see Serge on some advice to buy large quantities of bottles to make medicine. He is referred to register as a chemist at the merchant guild where he can do so and get wholesaler discounts. Soon, he receives a letter from Eliaria that she has reached home as she thanks him for the slimes. Now that she is motivated to work harder, Ryouma thinks the same too. Changed his mind on opening on another shop?

Episode 2
Another trouble at the shop. Looks like this ruffian is accusing the slimes of ripping his shirt. Obviously Ryouma sees through his lies as he demonstrates how the slimes have no ripping ability. And just like that the punk decides to use violence against a kid! Ryouma easily judo throws him of course. With such recent incidents, Carla thinks of investigating why these punks are trying to tarnish Ryouma’s reputation seeing he has no competition in this business. Ryouma meets up with Agni to get some ideas how to make katana. For self-defence. Soon Carla returns with reports that there are parties who want to sully the reputation of Taylor Smit (REALLY?!), the head of the tamer guild of this branch. As he believes in coexisting with monsters, this idea does not sit well with some so they try to frame him like giving favours to beginners like a certain kid who can only tame slimes. Ryouma has an idea to fight back those rumours and that is to spread the truth. Something about how he has tamed 6 limour birds. Ryouma then attends to slime researchers, Tony, Caulkin and Lobelia. As they would be new future managers, they are passionately observing Ryouma’s slimes. Turns out they have their sad story of being exploited by their own research lab for not producing results and get chided for the slightest mistake. To their enlightenment, Ryouma mentions slimes evolve depending on what they eat and now they have motivation to study slimes even more. One night on his way home, Ryouma knows he has been followed by thugs but manages to fight back before Worgan and his men arrive to help. Hence he warns his staffs about the possible attack and will help enhance security. He has a meeting with Worgan and other guild masters about this as they suggest he lie low. But Glissela has a better idea. We see Ryouma beating the sh*t out of the thugs and then charging them to be healed. Sneaky but yeah, it’s not charity either. Although the guild pays him, they will have these thugs work their asses off to repay that amount. Ryouma has a security practice drill and it all works out fine. Dolce has been introduced and hired as the store’s bodyguard. As the attacks soon dissipate, now Ryouma has time to think of his next move. Yes, looks like he can’t follow Eliaria’s advice to take a break yet. Because now he sets out to the next town to open his second shop.

Episode 3
Don’t tell me Ryouma walked all the way to Lenaf by himself without any transportation?! Oh right. It’s Ryouma we are talking about. Based on Glissela’s recommendation, he is to meet Pioro Saionji the owner of the town’s trading company. What luck, he bumps into him in the streets as well as his daughter, Miyabi. He brings Ryouma to the merchant guild. Ryouma is fascinated it is as big as a fortress. It doesn’t house the merchant guild but a few other guilds as well and that includes the dragoon guild that is mostly used for transporting goods. Pioro brags about the harmony of logistics in the guilds that allow them to sell and trade goods so well and that’s why this town expanded so rapidly. His ancestors even coined the term airport. This has Ryouma believe his ancestors too were from his world and carved a name for themselves. Pioro then shows the place where he will live but since it is still empty, he invites to stay at his place for tonight and even join in for dinner. Ryouma has got to be super happy because they’re serving those simple nostalgic Japanese food! Then as they learn Ryouma is also an adventurer and that he wants to take some jobs on the outskirts, Miyabi warns there aren’t many quests since there are strong monsters prowling over. Some even disrupting businesses. Learning that the smash boar is responsible, Ryouma remembers what the Gods told him. One of them being many people whose names Ryouma borrowed to establish an identity in this world, wanted him to find their heirlooms which they hid in their hometown of the Great Forest of Schluss. Which is also home to many dangerous monsters and the smash boar is one of them. Next day, Pioro and Miyabi watch in shock and awe as Ryouma has his slimes work the lumber to turn his empty abode into something. Never knew slimes could use tools, eh? Then Ryouma goes to collect herbs on the outskirts. He receives another letter from Eliaria who can’t contain her happiness in telling her family that he opened another branch in Lenaf. She hopes he could one day open one in the royal capital too. But now it’s time for Ryouma to face the smash boar.

Episode 4
OMG! Ryouma defeats the smash boar with just his fist! Well, at least he threw several hits or else I would’ve nicknamed him One Punch Kid! HAHAHA!!! More Ryouma miracle as the adventurers have a very badly injured comrade. Yes, Ryouma now shows his healing chops and heals her back to normal. Back in town with the commotion surrounding Ryouma defeating a smash boar, what’s the problem with Miyabi? WTF she not happy or something? She only tones down after testimonies from the adventurers. Ryouma sells the meat to the butcher. They find its blood has been drained. All thanks to his bloody slime that eats blood. Pioro is so fascinated he wants to buy this slime but Ryouma can’t sell to him as it is his only bloody slime and it will be dangerous without a tamer. With things in order, Carla soon arrives as she has brought new employees for the shop. After some test runs, it is now official as Ryouma’s second laundry branch in Lenaf opens. Lots of customers lining up to get their laundry slimed, oops I mean cleaned. With the shop up and running, it is obvious Ryouma will return to Gimul to think of his next move. Before he leaves, he remembers Miyabi will be attending a school in the royal capital. He hopes she will seek out his friend, Eliaria and become friends. Is he trying to create some harem chaos?! Probably it’s just me… Off Ryouma returns to Gimul. Damn, this kid actually walk all the way back?! SERIOUSLY?! Even Carla at least came in a carriage!!! Back in Gimul, Ryouma visits Serge who shows him something fascinating: A toy car imbued with magic and some spinning gear mechanism. He then shows the potential of magic items and thinks Ryouma can create new ones with this stack of junk he has. Time to expand business horizons.

Episode 5
Callum reports that a slime started eating charcoal and now it won’t eat dirt off clothes. Ryouma believes this one is evolving and will keep it under his supervision. As Ryouma plans to go back to his hometown in the forest, he decides to take on a job as an adventurer. Maylene needs a favour from him first. This newbie receptionist, Paena is of course a greenhorn so she hopes to put her in charge of Ryouma’s case for experience. Ryouma then takes a delivery job to Keleban, the place where magic items are sold in their famous markets. After delivering a package to Dinome, this old guy shows his hospitality to have Ryouma stay for tea (which tastes like coffee?). Turns out Dinome is friends with Serge and this guy is here to check out the markets too. Dinome shows them his workshop and his automobiles infused with magic items. Serge learns he is accepting non-magic item related jobs and it seems he needs the money for his grandson’s tuition as he plans to send him to study at the royal academy. He gives Ryouma a small magic item as token. Serge invites Ryouma to stay at the inn he is staying at and then over dinner, Ryouma shows him this orgel he created. Of course Serge is impressed since such does not exist in this world. At least none that plays music automatically. He could make a killing if he sells those. Since Ryouma is unsure, Serge can go talk to Dinome for some ideas.

Episode 6
At the market, Serge talks to Dinome about Ryouma’s idea. Ryouma is left to company Dinome’s grandson, Fedele. Ryouma impresses him by introducing this spinning top toy. Once the deal is all done, Ryouma returns to Gimul. He continues experimenting with fluids produced by deodorant slime to absorb bad smell. He tests them out by putting several different bags around the shop to test their effectiveness. Miya also gladly helps out with this. Then it’s back to Ryouma’s man (slime) cave to do more experiments with the slime. Wow, he managed to create a sharp sword and thinks this will be enough for his hometown return. I thought his fist was sufficient… Oh well, can’t be too careful. Later Ryouma stumbles into a group of young people from the slums. They’re transporting rubbish for some extra money and their cart broke. Don’t worry, there is nothing a few slimes can’t do to patch it up. Perfect timing to test his deodorant fluid too. They are impressed as Beck and Wist introduce themselves so Ryouma tells them where they can contact him if they need help. Yeah, they need his help to clean the church too because they get free snacks as reward. In the midst of that, Ryouma is suddenly called by Fernobelia. He asks Ryouma several questions in succession but before he could answer them all, Fernobelia already knows it from reading his heart. His concern is that many who were summoned became corrupted from their powers and will turn evil. Ryouma will remember that as Fernobelia senses his sincerity since he is grateful for coming to this world. After done with the cleaning, Beck mentions they get free fighting lessons from Worgan. Imagine their shock when they realize Ryouma knows him and that he is a higher ranked adventurer than them. Obviously the slum kids have a long way to go in their fighting skills. Then they watch Worgan and Ryouma spar. Worgan thinks Ryouma should teach others too but he declines seeing he needs to study how to teach others before doing it. Worgan thanks him for always helping out as Ryouma realizes the many people who have supported him. Now it’s his turn to return the favour.

Episode 7
Ryouma receives a letter from Eliaria that she will soon embark to the royal capital academy. Hence Ryouma makes soaps in various shapes as gifts for her. Ryouma then learns about a founding festival that Gimul will soon celebrate. He asks Dolce for more info like the people can apply to put up stalls and in the end everyone joins in to clean up the entire town. Ryouma gets an SOS call from Lenaf. Looks like the cleaner slimes have rapidly multiply. Oh dear, don’t tell me Ryouma is going to run all the way there! Yup, he did. He arrives in time to contract all 75 of them. Phew. Then he hears Caulkin on his report on how this happened and the actions that he have taken. Impressive but of course I don’t really get it. Before he leaves, he decides to go say hi to Pioro. Just in time because there’s this stinky dried preserved food being stored about it. Can Ryouma do something about it? You bet this deodorant slime will eat up those stinky smell. Should last for a day and when it’s expired, here’s a sack of liquid to compensate. As for Miyabi, she is already on her way to the royal capital. Returning to Gimul, Ryouma sees Serge as he reports Dinome has already created several of this music boxes and will soon start to sell them. The tune played is provided by a group of travelling entertainers known as Semroid Troupe. It seems they will be performing at the festival at an empty lot next to this establishment. Back to his shop, Ryouma cooks with Selma for some delicious semesa. Then the staffs discuss about wanting to participate in the festival. Ryouma will not force them since it is extra work outside their duties. Since everybody is so eager to help, it is without a doubt that they’re going to take part in this festival.

Episode 8
While Ryouma’s staffs have narrowed down the kind of food they’ll serve at the festival, there is still the issue of staffing since they are definitely short of manpower. What? So are they making their stall all over Gimul?! Serge then introduces Ryouma to Prenance Semroid since his troupe will be using his place as a greenroom (a place for performers to rest). Prenance tells of an annoyance for travelling troupes like them because of monster ants making colonies all over the place, the roads become bumpy and some would collapse. So far nothing tragic but it be nice nothing disastrous happens before the festival, right? That’s right. This means Ryouma heads over to the guild to see what job he can take on. He takes the most unpopular one to relocate the colony. On site, he stumbles into those slum kids. They’re collecting carcases so they can have someone they know to make decent armour. Ants make good armour? Whatever. Thus Ryouma helps them sniff out the hiding ants but lets them handle taking them down but helps out when it gets tough. Don’t want to steal their job, right? After getting a bunch, they head back as Ryouma offers them to help out at his stall for the festival. He also invites them to a party he is holding at his place now for everyone to get to know each other. And so everybody has a great time testing the foods as well as giving each other confidence for what’s to come. Meanwhile Eliaria sets off on her journey to the royal academy.

Episode 9
Eliaria fans can rejoice! No more crying if she is ever going to make a proper appearance because this episode is on her and her new school life! A month into her school, she meets Michelle Wildan who is the eldest daughter of the count (why she dresses like a man?!). They become friends as Michelle mentions she is studying alchemy herself since the only teacher here quit last year. This is overheard by Miyabi so she introduces herself and relays Ryouma’s message to Eliaria. And just like that, she too is part of their circle now. They need a few more people to form a team which is necessary for their curriculum. Michelle suggests Riela Clifford, the eldest daughter of a baron and she doesn’t care about status but only merits. Long story short, she gladly joins their team. Lastly, who this loner girl sitting all so rejected? You bet Kanan Schuzer is invited to join them as she reveals her family past and secret. She wants to be a craftsman but as an enchanter who can only use enchanting magic, she cannot use other magic which is essential in crafting. That’s why many rejected her to join their team. Kanan is happy to join them although rumours are already spreading this ragtag team will fail! For the outdoor camping practical, Eliaria’s group is doing fine. But next day, a rival group starts bickering and blaming among themselves since their tent collapsed and one of them got injured. Before it gets ugly, Eliaria’s group comes in to mediate and do all the necessary stuffs to fix things. Before you know it, they’re back to being friends and it’s all thanks to Eliaria and friends. And camping is now a lot more fun outing with everybody helping each other.

Episode 10
Before the festival begins, Worgan requests Ryouma for a job to collect treant materials. Minimum 300 of those tree creatures! You see, Gimul was established as a mining town. When the ore dries out, people will leave. Hence he is thinking of creating a new fighting arena attracting. Some guy agreed to build that but he requested treant wood. With Asagi leading the team, Ryouma joins in for this treant expedition. With Leipin’s knowledge on how the treant monster works so don’t worry too much. Yeah, I bet we don’t have to worry because we have Ryouma. So as they start their treant extermination, oops I mean treant hunting, it all seems too easy. They realize something amiss because treants live in the deeper and darker parts of the forest and there’s too many here on this bright side. As they take a break, they stumble into a flying slime. You bet Ryouma is going to tame it since its speciality is lightening weight as well as flight. Next day as they head deeper into the forest, now they have to fight hordes of treants. At this rate, they’ll all tire out so Ryouma comes up with this genius plan of turning his metal slimes into metal axes and throwing at them. Then they stumble into the big mother elder treant. Bet this is the one turning the trees into its brethren. As expected, it is more powerful than usual and Ryouma’s metal slimes are scared of it. Naturally, as it has some weird breath that corrodes and rust metal. So Ryouma’s solution is to make pure iron and that is enough to defeat elder treant after a few pounding of the pure iron mace into its face! They see magic crystals and believe some black market dealer buried this here and that’s why the elder treant powered up. Everyone celebrates Ryouma and his slimes doing most of the job as they eat fried vegetable tempura. Thank goodness not from treant! But can they still stomach vegetables after the entire day taking down tree monsters? Oh well, as long as it tastes good.

Episode 11
Ryouma returns to Gimul and is impressed to learn and see that Semroid Troupe has amazingly created the stage and even helped in putting up the stalls in just 2 days. Callum soon calls Ryouma because they have a problem. Despite their great food they’ll be serving, they only have ordinary drinks. THAT IS THE PROBLEM?! Adding Ryouma’s favourite dante tea is not feasible as there is no time left. Of course Ryouma comes up with barley tea by using the grains and problem solved! Serge shows the orgel that Dinome has completed and of course it is fantastic. Later Ryouma catches a glimpse of Pioro arriving to deliver goods. Long time no see. It seems the one ordering it all is Asagi. To explain it all, he brings them back to his place. So Asagi and Miya are going to run a stall selling tempura? Apparently Miya wanted to sell this at the festival after being impressed with Ryouma’s tempura the other day. Because Ryouma was too busy, she didn’t want to bother him and came to Asagi instead. Hence Asagi took up the challenge and after so much practice, he has improved. But it isn’t only tempura they’re selling but white rice and miso soup. Hence the orders. Because people will be walking while eating during the festival, Ryouma comes up with another type of food that would allow them to do so: Tenmusu. The Gods watching Ryouma are happy he is having the time of his life. Fernobelia notes the slime research Ryouma is doing might lead to good effects on magical properties in this world. Ryouma rallies everyone to do their best as the festival is tomorrow.

Episode 12
The festival begins and we see Ryouma’s staff very busy. Business must be good as a large crowd gathers and Ryouma is overseeing things so that everything runs smoothly. Even Carla and some staffs from Lenaf return to help. Don’t worry, the Lenaf branch has enough workers to run the business. Serge and Pioro then talk to Ryouma because they like this barley tea and would like to make arrangements to turn it into a proper business. Later as Ryouma visits Miya and Agni, suddenly they see a lost child, Theo. Since he is only not afraid of Ryouma, I guess he has to take him to the station to find his mom. As this is Theo’s first time at this festival, this has Ryouma remember his previous life and his reincarnation. Basically a very short recap of last season’s main points. Theo’s mom is finally found. Ryouma ponders Glissela’s question if life here is better. Well, the forest has its own perks too but I bet this is definitely much better. Finally a performance by Semroid Troupe to end the festival. Before the after party begins, Ryouma sees Semroid Troupe decorating a statue with cloths. It is part of their tradition to give thanks to some Wind God that watches them as they travel from place to place. Each town they visit, they buy a piece of cloth there and decorate it on this statue. Everybody celebrates their success at Ryouma’s after party. Oh wow. Ryouma even going up on stage to perform with Semroid Troupe?! This kid excels as an entertainer too! Next day, to commemorate this day, Ryouma has Serge make him 2 special music boxes. One of them he sends to Eliaria as he writes his gratefulness to come to Gimul. He has a place to call home and will continue doing his best to serve this community.

I’ve Been Taming Slimes For 3 Years And Maxed Out My Business Level
Oh wow. Doesn’t all that in this season felt like… NOTHING BURGER???!!! Yup. I have to honestly admit that it felt pretty much like so although I won’t go so far as to say this season sucks unlike many reviews out there who were just unforgiving how bland this season was. Sure, this anime was meant to be wholesome but I guess with so much sugar coating and icing on the top, this sequel has become bloated with all the sweet goodness that eventually brings nothing much to the table. Basically, other than Ryouma ramping up his desire to help others and hence turning into some sort of masochistic community serving altruistic volunteer with a smile, there is really nothing else in this season. You know what the funny part is? In his previous life he worked so hard that he died. Now he is working as hard and I believe even more so. So why isn’t he dropping dead yet???!!! Oh right. He died via sneeze! A SNEEZE! Haven’t seen Ryouma catch a cold this season… Oh well but OMFG! I think this is more interesting a point to ponder!

Personally, this second season feels a lot mediocre than the first because like I’ve already pointed out, it is nothing but Ryouma levelling up into some sort of laundry business man. Or kid. This is practically what the big majority of this sequel is all about. While I don’t expect any big changes like say, suddenly a Demon Lord appears and wants to destroy the world! Yeah. That. Not happening in this kind of anime as far as I can see. Heck, do you even remember the basic plot of Ryouma being summoned here to refill Seilfall’s diminishing magic?! Looks like everything is so freaking fine here, huh?! And remember Ryouma has all the magic but can’t master them all? F*ck yeah, he looks like he is a pro in all of them now or is it because others suck at magic. But the lack of such plots can be both good and bad. This is after all supposed to be a calming and feel good wholesome series and while it might cater to those who love all this sugar coating stuffs, to many others, it is like a huge, wait for it, nothing burger.

Initially, they tried to give us some sort of drama with thugs trying to target Ryouma. However it was nothing to worry about because we all know Ryouma will somehow overcome it. Heck, even when those ruffians acted tough and resorted to getting physical, I didn’t even go, “OMG! Will Ryouma get hurt or be injured after this?!”. None of that. Not even close. Didn’t even cross my mind. And that case itself I’m not even sure what the heck it was as Ryouma was an indirect target of Taylor Swift toxic fans and it died down just as fast as it came. Before it sank in, it was already over. Yeah, those thugs sure don’t want to mess around with him again, huh? Yes, that is the closest heart pounding drama that we will ever get to see this season. After that is over, nothing can obstruct Ryouma from expanding his business.

Making it even stranger is that Ryouma and Eliaria don’t even meet or see each other! They communicate via letters which we see at the beginning or end of every episode, to update what has happened and hence the motivation to do even better. Ah, such kiddie innocence. Understandably, Ryouma is the main character so he gets the big bulk of the limelight. Unless I am under the wrong impression, because Eliaria is also an important character and to relegate her to this passive background role, it just makes this whole experience a bit weird. Yeah, we are all expecting Ryouma to end up with Eliaria, right?! Like that single episode of her adapting to school life would be enough to satiate you lolicons out there! Heh. Of course when you take a closer look objectively, Eliaria needs to ‘level up’ herself by attending school and learning magic, etc. Therefore this ‘separation’ is only temporary because it’s not like they’re never ever going to meet again, right? Uh huh. The ‘right’ to be Ryouma’s side in the future. Ahem. Get what I mean? However in the context of this season itself, it still feels strange that both such important main characters don’t even meet face to face as I thought maybe Eliaria will take a break to go see Ryouma at least once before she leaves for her studies. (And then give him a big hug upon arrival to shock everyone as well as to send a warning signal to love rivals that Ryouma is hers! HAHAHAHA!!!!). Alas, we have to remember they’re just 11 year olds and hence no need to rush whatever teen or adult romances we have envisioned for them.

An interesting food for thought as mentioned by Fernobelia, the Gods are being very careful not to let bad or evil souls get reincarnated into this world. Of course those who subsequently turn evil later on in their reincarnation, that cannot be helped. So this has me ponder, how do you define evil then? For example, killing your family’s murderer out of revenge or whatever personal vigilante justice, is that considered evil too? I know, this concept was just briefly mentioned and if you really want to go into details, might last over a few episodes in which we don’t have! Anyway, it makes me wonder where such bad souls go. They disappear into nothingness or is there a separate hell isekai for such wicked people? Yeah, I would like to know that!

I know I’ve already pointed out that this series’ aim is probably to have a very feel good factor. But sometimes when I see it, Ryouma makes it so easy when he conducts his business as well as being a social butterfly. Remember in last season, he was living alone with his slimes and had no human interactions for about 3 years. All that seems to be forgotten when Ryouma suddenly becomes a business genius and a charismatic kid who is friends with everyone in town or those he meets. Wow. Such perfectness. No wonder he can keep smiling and being grateful to everybody because life is a bed of roses for him, so smooth a sailing. Heh. I’m so jealous. Grrr!!! Everything so fantasy! So much so it just feels unreal. Oh right. Got to remember this is isekai too. Everything must go Ryouma’s way just to show this current life is way better than his previous cruel Japanese life that sucks balls hard! Yeah!

Oddly too, I don’t feel that Ryouma’s slimes were also focused too much. This is one reason why I felt this sequel is mostly about Ryouma’s business expansion. After all, he uses many of his slimes in his laundry business so what is there more for them to showcase? Sure, a few new species and discoveries of what those slimes can do but those are very few and they just breeze through that. For instance, they introduced Ryouma to this flying slime but for he doesn’t seem to find a good use for them yet. Maybe next time when he thinks of something. Oh you know, expand his business. Become Pioro’s rival and do some sort of transporting! Hell yeah, Ryouma may I suggest to you this business expansion: Delivery of cleaned clothes to customers who live far away! Just send in those flying slimes for delivery! Genius! Ryouma should hire me too! When can I start?!

This season introduces a slew of new characters albeit many felt like minor supporting characters. This is of course the need to showcase and increase Ryouma’s social skills. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with this friendly kid, right? Better than being his enemy! And hence many don’t really feel like they have an impact but I suppose in future seasons, they will prove useful because building bridges and rapport are essential in building future relationships. He will have friends from all corners of the Earth. Or at least the places he visits. From nobles to commoners to even slum people, Ryouma will be no stranger to anyone! Hence Ryouma will have future business associates like Pioro because we all need some sort of Japanese influence (sorry Agni, you’re not Japanese enough despite being a Japanese swordsman) and Dinome as an old fart who would market Ryouma’s soon-to-be-very-popular tiny music boxes.

I guess Miyabi is needed so that Eliaria won’t feel too lonely and at least she can connect with something ‘Ryouma-related’. Heh. I keep hoping for some harem love triangle but I have to keep reminding myself this is not that anime. Oh heck, what if both agree to be Ryouma’s lover! I better stop thinking of such… And so to show us that these lolis can be independent without Ryouma, hence the formation of their own circle of friends who will stand up for justice and equality. I’m sure Ryouma would love to meet and be friends with them too. With so many new characters, I guess the old ones have almost faded into the background like the Jamil household as well as some of the Gods who brought Ryouma here like Gain and Lulutia. Heck, I don’t think those Gods even appeared save in flashbacks (where the heck they go?) and thus don’t even have any dialogue!

While this season’s art and animation quality relatively remain the same (everything so bright, clean and colourful!), however I do notice that some scenes have slight downgrade in quality especially when Ryouma fights monsters. Heck, did they recycle certain movements?! I don’t know about last season but the backgrounds especially the forest seem to look like sketchbook or watercolour drawings. In short, low quality. And yes, the CGI. Oh God. It did not improve. Those horses still look like crap. I wonder if we’re all too drunk in the sugar coating that they think we can forgive such cheap animation quality. NOT! Oh Maho Film, did you not have any budget to improve from last season?! On a trivial note, those slimes still look like colourful tits to me!!!!!!!! Another business proposition for Ryouma: Using slimes as silicone breast implants for women who want to bust up!!! You can thank me later, Ryouma! Where’s my employment application form, Ryouma?!

With last season’s seiyuus retained, this season adds more to the even bloated cast of characters. Those I recognized are only Kenichi Suzumura as Pioro and a mild Nobuyuki Hiyama as Tekun. Was that Akira Ishida’s voice behind Caulkin? I swear I almost missed that one. Okay, I did. Some of the new ones to note are Yuiko Tatsumi as Miyabi (Shizuku in Mouka Koukou No Rettousei), Takuya Eguchi as Fernobelia (Loid in Spy x Family), Junya Enoki as Dolce (Nasa in Tonikaku Kawaii), Daisuke Hirakawa as Prenance (Makoto in School Days), Megumi Han as Beck (Rinko in Ore Monogatari), Natsumi Fujiwara as Michelle (Damian in Spy x Family), Minami Takahashi as Riela (Megumi in Shokugeki No Souma), Atsumi Tanezaki as Kanan (Anya in Spy x Family) and Yoku Shioya as Dinome (Ryouta in Slam Dunk).

This season’s opening and ending theme are still sung by Azusa Tadokoro and MindaRyn albeit they swapped places. MindaRyn now singing the opener, Way To Go which is a rock piece and personally I feel this is just weird having such a song for this kind of genre. I thought they should maintain a slow and calming song like last season. As for the ending theme, Drum-shiki Tansaki by Azusa Tadokoro, it has some elements of hip hop and a bit of rock. Again, personally it feels a bit out of place because I was expecting a slower and calming piece. Safe to say, both themes are not my cup of tea.

Overall, this season felt like a downer since there was nothing much going on and it bores and sugar coats you with Ryouma’s business acumen and kindness. To think that Ryouma also has some talent in performing arts, next time on this anime, Ryouma venturing into stage performance! I bet those slimes will do the trick. Also, the irony that Ryouma worked like hell and died in his previous life and now he is doing the same and even more! How is this kid not close to overworking to death yet? Oh right. He’s having so much fun and support from others he never had, he could hardly call it working. Yeah, flash those big smiles for us again, will you. It would be the biggest irony if Ryouma dies again by sneezing too hard! How many characters you know died this way???!!! Who are we to say since it is Ryouma who is living out his perfect second life. While we otaku losers can only become armchair critics the most and still gripe at the harsh realities of life. Oh well, can’t complain either because I still get to watch animes (and sh*tty) ones by the grace of the (anime) Gods. Thank you everybody because I’m ever so motivated to do my best to go watch more (sh*tty) animes!

Hyouken No Majutsushi Ga Sekai Wo Suberu

I have a feeling it would be something of this sort. Powerful young warrior boy with magic and skills that are unrivalled to none and feared by many, proved to be pivotal in so many wars, now needs to do something that he has missed out earlier in life: School life! Ah yes, but of course. And so this is the case too for Hyouken No Majutsushi Ga Sekai Wo Suberu. Don’t be fooled by the title telling us how this Iceblade Sorcerer wants to rule the world. Uh huh. Maybe that’s the case because it must be some requisite that if you want to conquer the world, you have to finish high school first!!! WHAT DA FAQ???!!!! Do you need a degree in world conquest or something?! Yeah sorry, I made that up because that’s what I also thought initially. Sighs… Sorry for that cold joke. Me, I’m just mainly here for the harem. At least that’s how the promotional poster seemingly baited me. Sighs…

Episode 1
Wow. Who died? Enough to make a young Ray White go berserk and cause everything to freeze over. Oh, they call this overheating? The irony. Now Ray enrols in Arnold Academy of Sorcery. He is despised by many for being ordinary. Yeah, only nobles and descendants of sorcerers can enrol here, huh? Just look at how Wanda Erika foam in the mouth after being rescued by him for slipping and then upon realizing he is an ordinary guy. Albert Alium is so mad he can’t accept ordinary folks like him. Could’ve started a fight had not Amelia Rose put a stop to this shameful behaviour. Who is she? One of the 3 great noble families that rule the land. Don’t mess with her. The induction ceremony begins with principal Abbie Garnet giving her speech before Amelia gives hers representing the students. Ray’s homeroom teacher is Helena “Gray” Grady. She talks about the highest elite sorcerer rank known as grand and only 7 of them exist at 1 time. Among them are Abbie and Carol Caroline. The other being the mysterious Iceblade Sorcerer who is the hero of the far east but vanished. The rest are unknown. So, if that’s the case how they know there is 7???!!! Considering Ray’s ordinary status, the guy he sits next to has no reaction, I guess he is an NPC… During practical lessons, Gray talks about the basic art of sorcery as well as some other technical stuff. The rest of the episode sees Ray meeting other potential characters (as they give their permission to address them by their first name). Like Elisa Griffith who is trying to find some anti-material code since she is a fan of some top sorcerer researcher. Ray couldn’t be more smooth as he comments her beautiful hair and elf ears. Yeah, she covers them up for fear people would laugh at them. Then there’s his roommate, Evi Armstrong. He doesn’t care about that noble crap but only 1 thing: Both guy strip their top to show off their toned bodies! Now they’re buddies! OMG! Is it gay time?! Then there is Rebecca Bradley who is one of the top 3 noble families followed by Claris Cleveland who sounds bratty and all but Ray gets a free pass after commenting her cute twintails. Sorry, don’t know much about her beautiful family. He’s from the countryside, you know. Ray goes to see Abbie. It seems both of them were in the military but retired. Then a mock battle between Ray and Albert. Time for the latter to take out all his anger. Cool Ray dodges it. Can’t fight anger with anger because Ray breaks his sword with a mere touch. Believe it. And if you haven’t guessed it by now, Ray is the Iceblade Sorcerer.

Episode 2
Trying to troll us with some gay sh*t!!! Because as you would’ve guessed it, it’s just Ray and Evi exercising in their room. But hold on. There’s more! Because Ray soon enters a room filled with macho men! OMFG! He wants to join this environmental research club. Is that a code name for a gay club?! Just kidding. After showing off his well-toned body, the thing that seals the deal is his gold hunter licence! Welcome to the club! Yeah, makes me wonder if this club has grown adult men as members because clearly, many of them are just so freaking mature! Before you get traumatized by all the gayness, now Ray goes to join this flower garden club whom Rebecca is the president. Yes, now it’s all girls! However Dina Sera opposes to his admission thinking Ray is after Rebecca. In that case, Rebecca puts Dina in charge of Ray. Do whatever tests she wants on him and if she deems him unworthy, he cannot join. Ray’s task is to clear the weeds on this plot of land and make a flower garden all by himself within a week. Well, he only did it all in 4 days so you bet all are impressed. Welcome aboard. Soon Abbie calls Ray and tells him to be wary as there is a spy from the empire who may already have infiltrated the academy. To show Ray did his studies, Gray has him recite all the different derivations of sorcery. For the practical exercise in the Kafka Forest, they are to form groups of 4. Evi wants to join Ray. Look at loner Elisa. Care to join? Okay. Hope she isn’t swayed because of Ray’s sweet words. Last spot taken up by Amelia because she wants to. Those who wanted her to join lucked out. She chose an ordinary… For this practical, they have to enter the forest, battle monsters and collect stamps to earn points within a certain timeframe. We see Ray’s group doing their usual. Because Ray is just too extraordinary for a plain guy, this makes Amelia suspicious. Can’t always use the countryside training as his excuse, eh? Ray remembers his master telling him to keep an identity a secret if he wants to enjoy an uninterrupted school life. Of course there is an exception to expose it only to those he fully trusts. Ray hears trouble ahead and it is Albert’s team facing off with a giant monster. Ray pulls off slick moves to kill it. There’s some gratitude shown by Albert after getting his ass saved. None. At this point, Amelia is really suspicious of Ray’s background. Just then, a shady person revives the monster. It’s more vicious now.

Episode 3
Well people, our worries are unfounded as Ray easily slices it down! At the end of the day, Amelia’s team scored the highest. Claris who saw the whole damn thing is happy to cheer for them but has to be mindful and stay quiet because looks like the other losers are not happy a withered is in Amelia’s team. So their hate for Ray is more than their admiration for Amelia? Ray then visits his master, Lydia Ainsworth who was the original Iceblade Sorcerer before passing the title to him. She talks about the troublesome movements of the group known as Eugenics. It seems they are committing taboo stuffs that no sorcerer should do by cutting up sorcerer’s brains and rummaging around inside it. They approached her to join too but she refused. According to Carol, they have also begun inviting other sorcerers. Then they talk about the upcoming magic sword tournament in which Lydia won 4 times in a row during her heydays. Ray could also follow that footstep but he prefers to lie low. She passes him a manual that might come in handy one day. Elisa is about to head to the library when Ray stumbles into her. Oh, he too wants to go there? Yeah, she dolls up for the occasion. Damn, Ray pretty smooth in commenting her beauty. Also at the library is Claris. Ray introduces the girls to each other. Oh, weird introducing your rivals! Then after that, he stumbles into Amelia just finishing attending some noble event. Apparently she noticed him hanging out with a couple of girls. Apparently he didn’t get the hint of her jealousy so she has him hang out with her. Hear Ray’s comments as she tries on different outfits. Smooth. Of course, a little spider doing a peekaboo and this has her scrambling outside to him in her undies. This guy doesn’t even flinch! I WANT TO BE THIS GUY! She runs back into the changing room, hoping that one day Ray will see the real her. Busy day for Ray as later he sees Gray. It seems she has her worries of being a teacher especially seeing those who wanted to really become a sorcerer but ended up leaving with their dreams broken. She regretted not paying attention to them. She hopes she can be a good teacher to Ray and if he has any problems, he can consult her. But looks like Albert is still having his own problems. You know, that jealousy issue. What forbidden training is he doing now to get back at Ray?

Episode 4
Dina gives a spare key to Ray to the clubroom. Since nobody will attend today except for Rebecca. That must be just some sort of excuse so that when Ray enters, he sees Rebecca changing! I guess this cliché is better than that macho gay sauna challenge in the beginning!!! Ray learns about the other noble, the Algrens don’t normally enrol at Arnold but at Diom Academy of Sorcery. With the Magic Chevalier tournament coming up, Rose requests to fight Ray to see for herself if those skills are real. Ray seems to be good at sword fighting until the final move, not sure what flashback he sees. He drops the sword and hands Amelia a technical win. This has his friends really wonder who he is. Ray just says that he has a master who taught him sorcery and the sword. Sorry to interrupt but looks like Albert is here to challenge him to a duel. Finally ready, huh? So in this duel, no rules except to make the other admit defeat. Obviously Albert is so angry and going all out to kill Ray but the latter just coolly dodges everything. Albert’s flashback shows he comes from a low noble lineage. His father has been humiliated many times so he took it upon himself to increase the family’s status. Is that supposed to make us feel sympathetic towards him? Not! Ray shows who is boss and this only frustrates Albert to a point he becomes a cry-baby. WTF? Yeah, I guess anybody would after seeing how Ray cuts through his fire dragon spell! Now Ray’s friends want to really know who he is. But before he can tell, everybody is suddenly pinned down to the ground. The culprit reveals herself as Gray. As Ray could quickly deduce, she is part of Eugenics and the forest test was part of her ploy to steal students’ brains. As she uses her magic to attack him, the last straw came as she targets his friends. Ray is forced to reveal his Iceblade Sorcerer identity. Now he is so powered up that it is making Gray scared like hell. Nothing can stop him. Still don’t believe he is the one? Well, the title was passed to him so he is legit. Gray begs for her life and all. Even if this is a ploy to trick him, it didn’t work. Is that it? Since he won’t kill her, she injects a serum right into her brain, turning her into a monster. Is this Ryuk’s lesser brother or something?!

Episode 5
As we can already tell, no powered up zombie punk is even this close in touching Ray. Ray even explains some technical stuff and rewriting the anti-material to basically turn the magic into void. Wow. This causes him to freeze and bleed all over but enough time for him to defeat Gray before passing out. He is glad there are no casualties. Let’s hope he doesn’t become one. Cue for flashback where Lydia picked him up as a sole survivor of a village decimated by war. She along with Carol and the rest of her military unit known as Astrals, took care of Ray temporarily. However a decision needed to be made about his fate. While some suggested he had to be taken to the orphanage, Carol was emotionally vouching to personally take care of him. Until Ray himself said he wanted to stay with Lydia. There’s your answer. As long as it doesn’t affect their duties, this was allowed. And so Ray became part of Astrals and learnt everything under Lydia for 6 years. Then the war escalated and became brutal. Many didn’t want Ray to fight since the going is getting tougher but he insisted since he is part of their family. And then one of them died. Ray overheated. The rest is history. Ray wakes up in the infirmary with Lydia and Abbie glad that he is okay. His friends are fine too. After Lydia leaves, Abbie tells Ray the truth she didn’t want him to enrol here because of the prejudices. However Lydia begged her since Ray had no friends of his age and should be in school rather than on the battlefield. That’s why Abbie hopes he lives out his school life to the fullest and finds his own happiness. That is their wish for him. Later his friends visit so Ray tells them the truth about his Iceblade Sorcerer identity. But Ray is in a dilemma because his hands has been stained by blood. Has he the right to stay with them? Of course they don’t care and accept him for who he is. He will always be the kind Ray they know. You’re not alone. There’s your answer. Later Albert visits. This guy is fully remorseful and apologizes for everything. But Ray doesn’t hold any grudges and even give advice on how he will become stronger. Wow. Hope he doesn’t call Ray his master now.

Episode 6
Amelia thinks how great Ray is but compares it all to herself. So, uhm, she thinks she is not attractive enough for him? Ray complains to Abbie about Carol being a teacher here. In fact, Abbie requested her help since she is very talented. However Ray very much opposes this. Something about her true nature he cannot stand. Too bad he has to since Carol is here to ‘harass’ him. Later as Ray observes the candidates for Magic Chevalier, he notices Amelia being flawless in her skill but her expression shows she is troubled. Indeed. She is under pressure by her father (why does he look like a felon?) to live up to the household name and must not lose to Ariane Algrens. Amelia qualifies for the tournament after beating Albert. The latter doesn’t look that all bitter and accepts his defeat. Later Ray approaches Amelia and intends to help her. Yeah, he is going to use Lydia’s manual to train her. Flashback shows how Amelia met Ariane at a party and soon they become friends as they grow up. But that ended when Ariane defeated her in a match. Thanks to pressures to live up to her noble standards, Amelia realizes she has changed but Ariane stayed pretty much the same. Next morning, WTF Ray dons a flimsy mask and is going to be her trainer!? Ranger! Dafaq???!!! And so begins Amelia’s hell to physically train and she has to do it all without magic enhancements. Hope he doesn’t kill her… So tough his training that Amelia has this weird vision of sexy Elisa and Claris flanking her before being hit by a dashing Ray. WTF???!!! Too bad, sexy yuri moment interrupted as hell returns. Oh boy, can’t blame Amelia for running away! Ray on the pursue! Then he stumbles into Albert who still has doubts about his strength. Don’t worry, he’ll be strong without even knowing it. Now you believe in yourself? Ray finds Amelia and drags her through more hell. Ranger! Ray then sees his macho guys to become Amelia’s cheer support. Yeah, I think that’s what we all need. Ray seems to take his next step as he dresses up as a girl to sneak into Diom! OMG. So pretty, so unrecognizable! As he sneaks around with a cardboard (?!), he stumbles into a crying loli.

Episode 7
Ray AKA Lily White helps Tiana to find her sister who is of course no other than Ariane. Lily talks to a grateful Ariane who knows Lily isn’t a student of this school and wants the truth. Well, can she handle it? Look at her face when Lily reveals her identity to be Ray! Never expect him to be a guy, huh? Yeah, disguise magic so good that he literally melted all the girls’ heart and made them faint! They spar and Ariane is superior. She thought it is a waste for Lily not to participate in Magic Chevalier but she claims there are reasons. Plus, she is helping her friend, Amelia to train. On the way back, Lily bumps into this troubled girl running away, Maria. Just because Lily saves her from falling, now she is smitten by her. As she is Rebecca’s little sister, whatever doubts of enrolling in Arnold, she’ll definitely be here next year. Soon, Ray brings his friends to see Lydia who help give some encouragement in the field they are in. Lydia’s maid, Carla then talks to Ray about the worrying movements of those Grim Reapers from Aywell Empire. It is unknown what those death squad is up to but it couldn’t be more suspicious they are moving at a time Magic Chevalier is happening. You know, an event will have lots of nobles around. So keep your eyes peeled. Lydia talks to Amelia to thank her about teaching Ray to have a human heart, something she herself couldn’t teach him and the reason why she suggested he enrolled in Arnold. After food, time for a swim. But too bad we get short-changed and don’t see the ladies in their swimsuits. Who wants to see those guys in trunks???!!! Amelia’s final day of training is here. It’s make or break. Magic Chevalier begins and before the round starts, Amelia meets Ariane in the back. They hope to meet in the finals. Gee, thanks for the spoilers. And so we fast forward to the semi-finals. Amelia takes on this unknown dude and beats him hands down. In the other semi-final, it is Ariane vs Albert. To see how much he has improved, we see him put up a good valiant fight before falling to his defeat. No regrets, right? Before the finals, Carol sings to the crowd. And flashback to that swimsuit moment (oh yeah, hot chicks in swimsuits!), Carol got drunk and stripped everyone with her magic! So now you know why the guys have a slap mark on their face.

Episode 8
As Ray snoops around, he thought he found something suspicious. Turns out to be Lex Hail, the president of the environmental research club as he brings him to see Abbie and the rest. Apparently, Carla’s family is part of the kingdom’s elite intelligence agency and Lex is her younger brother. They have receive reports about Grim Reapers infiltrating the tournament to kidnap or kill noble women so keep your eyes peeled. The night before the finals, Amelia locks herself in her room. Cold feet? A worried Claris and Elisa can’t convince her to come out so it’s up to Ray. Yeah. Who else? So he first talks about the fear he has of entering her heart because he might break it. That’s enough for her to let him in and pour out her woes. Basically she is tired and at a loss of playing this game to keep up what everybody expects of her. This also takes a toll on her confidence that she cannot beat Ariane. The meaning of life, she asks, huh? Well, Ray says there is none! But it’s up to them to find it because that what it means being alive. Wow. That’s so enlightening that Amelia cries like a baby! And cry she did to sleep as Ray holds her hand the entire night. Hope that did the job. Next day, Ray assures his friends Amelia is okay because he slept with her the whole night. BETTER PHRASING, RAY! BETTER PHRASING PLEASE!!! So he sees Amelia and gives her a big hug as requested for that much needed motivation. That should do the trick as the epic finals begin. Meanwhile, Lex reports Claris and 8 other students have gone missing. Ray investigates and finds them in strewn over in the basement. WTF do does baddies have better places to hide them?! Obviously Grim Reapers try to barricade the place as Ray takes Claris and run. Is Ray abandoning the rest?! Oh right, to show off how he can still kick ass while carrying Claris. Grim Reapers get so scared of his abilities that now they try to run but he freezes them over. Easy. Lex takes over so he can return to someone who truly needs him. Better hurry because Amelia is about to lose to Ariane. Don’t know what seemingly dark power she used! Amelia is about to accept her defeat when Ray calls out to her. Yeah. That voice. WTF some magic code activates and I hope it’s not that kind of Butterfly Effect I’m thinking of.

Episode 9
Wow. Amelia so powered up that not even Ariane can touch her! Literally, she can’t touch her! Not sure WTF this explanation that is allowing her to do so. Basically it’s like turning on the cheat code AKA God mode. Of course this mode is taking a toll on Amelia too and she is close to overheating if she is not careful. Both won’t give up and continue the fight. But in the end, Amelia wins. Because now it’s time for her Oscar winning speech by thanking all those she has met and especially Ariane who propelled her to go this far. Yeah, I bet the whole arena stopped to watch this emotional girls bonding moment before officially announcing the victor. Amelia recuperates in the infirmary with half her body bandaged. Ray of course sees her and once again she thanks him for everything. In short, thanks to meeting him, she is no longer a bird in a cage and can live freely as she wants. With Amelia winning the rookie event, now the main expert finals is at hand. Favourites Rebecca vs dark horse Lucas Forst. As soon as the match begins, Lucas is so freaking fast as he ends up defeating Rebecca. Did she know what even hit her?! And that’s it! What a boring finals. But everybody loves it somehow. As Lucas returns to the backstage and passes by Ray, it seems Ray knows he has the title of the Peerless Blade Sorcerer. I’m guessing he is one of those 7 elite sorcerers. Lucas also knows Ray as the Iceblade Sorcerer and hence his reason participating in Magic Chevalier is to show how strong he is. Because his real goal is to fight Ray. He hopes Ray will be cured of his overheating or he can’t fight him at his best next year. Meanwhile Carol tries to use her sexy hypnotism to get those Grim Reapers to spill the beans. However their heads explode! Fatality! I hope it’s not from Carol’s seduction! Of course, it’s the safety device implanted by Aywell. With the cultural festival near, Ray suggests to his class to do a maid café. You bet those noble b*tches oppose because they don’t want to serve others. Flashback shows Amelia talked to Ray about this and it is her wish to hold one. Because of this noble problem, she needed his help. I don’t see how because I thought Amelia’s word would be more convincing. Anyway, Amelia is my brethren as she sings wax lyrical about maids! Yes, sister! I AGREE! MAIDS ARE THE BEST!!! Anyway, the class is convinced after Carol shows off her cute outfit. I hope it’s not her hypnotic spell. Yes, maid outfits are another class of hypnotism of its own! Soon, Dina comes running to Ray with a big problem. Haven’t you heard? Rebecca is getting engaged! I don’t see how this got to do with Ray but I know why and can tell what’s going to happen. Time for Ray to play the saviour. Because, who else, right?

Episode 10
Rebecca’s father makes some blood pact with Evan Bernstein to keep her daughter safe. Now we see a couple of weirdoes from Eugenics claiming that Rebecca is almost in their hands because it is now certain that she is the vessel after her display at Magic Chevalier. Revenge will be theirs. Amelia tries to force Elisa to don a maid outfit. A little help, Ray? He too wants to see Elisa in her beautiful form! Me three!!! And just like that, Elisa relents. Now you jealous, Amelia? Albert couldn’t have said it better because there is no man in this world who doesn’t like maid outfits!!! F*CK YEAH!!! No wonder their class preparations are proceeding ahead of schedule. Can’t wait to see those heavenly beauties!!! As Ray goes to the student council to submit the maid café proposal, he notices that only Dina and Rebecca are around. As revealed, the rest are boycotting the meeting. Cornea who is the secretary was supposed to be Evan’s fiancée but Rebecca stole him. Others aligned with her have also boycotted the meeting. And of course, Ray wants to help. He goes to see Lydia for help and so she’ll get Carla to do some recon. Learning about Ray’s maid café, Ray goes on to praise Carla’s maid outfit. Lydia is so jealous but she thinks of donning one too. However Ray laughs this joke off as a gorilla cannot wear a maid outfit! He almost died!!! Apologize! And so they’ll be coming to the maid café. Be prepared. Meanwhile Rebecca has strange dreams of Ray and as a result is crying blood. Maria is concerned but Rebecca says nothing. Then goes to cry alone. Flashback shows Rebecca has always treated her nicely when others ostracized her for her fair white skin and hair. When she hit puberty, she rebelled by dressing differently since she can’t be as pretty as her. Now she wants to help because no one should be looking sad after being engagement but Rebecca isn’t saying. Now we get to see those amazing maids! YEAH!!! Infinite thumbs up!!! Later as Ray walks Rebecca home, Evan comes to pick her up. Soon Carla has some info on Evan. Turns out his mansion has no one living there for many years. Not even a servant. Though, Evan has been attending sorcery summits and aristocratic gatherings to deceive others and avoid being discovered. This means he is after Rebecca’s sorcerer’s eye and seeing he collects them, he is definitely from Eugenics. And as our Eugenics weirdoes further reveal, they will awaken Rebecca as Kreuz and open the gate to Akasa.

Episode 11
Rebecca once tried to resist Evan but he warned her about the deal he made with her father and if she continues with this, Maria will also die. What else is a sad girl got to do but cry more tears of blood? Oddly, she dreams of Ray during his younger days at the battlefield. Maria goes to see Ray (oh Ray, you don’t mean to compliment her beauty with those words, do you?) just to tell him how she is often compared to her perfect sister. Of course Ray vows to protect Rebecca. Rebecca sees this and gets the wrong idea but realizes it is not her place to say. She continues that dream and it’s like she could communicate with Ray? With that, Ray also cries blood? The festival continues and it is going to be rocked because here comes Lily as the maid! Gonna turn you guys into gays and girls into lesbians! Ariane in total shock seeing Lily. Oh my. Too much to handle? Yeah, Maria almost loses it. Ray even has time to go round the festival grounds with Rebecca. Wow, why does it feel like some last date or something? When Maria leaves, a similar white haired woman approaches her and scares her by saying Rebecca will die. Similarly, Ray is shocked to hear Rebecca’s impending death from Abbie. He hears the whole story from Rebecca’s father who pleads to save his daughter. Next day, Rebecca raises her death flag as she tells Ray to take care of Maria. The excuse is that she will leave her Bradley house so she won’t have time to be with her. Soon, Rebecca gets whisked away by Evan to some place where he tells her straight he is going to break her. Meanwhile Ray makes his moves as he fights hordes of monsters in the forests. He is not alone because his friends are here to help. Yeah, I guess they need some screen time to show off their chops and not useless characters. So while they handle these monsters, this allows Ray to go save what’s most important. Ray remembers Rebecca’s father revealing the cursed bloodline of the Bradleys. Some massive bloodshed revolving around Kreuz once every few hundred years. Yeah, it’s that time now. Although Rebecca is far from being a Kreuz, she can’t control her sorcerer’s eye and at this rate will die before she reaches 20. Maria being born like an albino is because of the after effects of Rebecca being born as Kreuz. Hence there may be some sort of effect on Maria too. But don’t you worry daddy, Ray is gonna save them both and more, RIGHT?!

Episode 12
When the Eugenics duo arrive, one of them reveals himself to be… Evan?! So the one we see all the time is actually that white haired woman, Lieselotte Eden who is the Fabrication Sorcerer. Evan hates Lieselotte so much and blames her for whatever. His goal is to kill her and then take Rebecca’s Kreuz to reach some Akasa whatever. He thinks Lieselotte has been pretending to be him to keep the house alive although she denies that is the case. She then locks him away in another dimension as Ray arrives. The other Eugenics guy, Paratrogo knows who Ray is and wants to eat him like how he did for other sorcerers’ engram. Before they can fight, Lieselotte puts up a barrier to explain to Ray things first. She is going to make Rebecca overheat and in doing so, Ray will then seal her. They are already connected so he can do it. It is a risky move and it sounds like Lieselotte doesn’t care for Rebecca. Well, she has her own objective and needs to use whatever methods to get it done since Rebecca’s dad has commissioned her to protect her. But first, Ray has to deal with Paratrogo as Lieselotte goes to deal with Evan. The dude now doesn’t care about everything else except to kill her. He transforms into a monster but as we all know, he gets killed off! He thought she is the strongest but she brushes that off. The strongest is the Iceblade Sorcerer and the one who shall rule the world. Roll credits! Meanwhile Ray’s friends are doing fine but now the adults show up so as to show off their exaggerated overkill magic. Not to be outdone. Just stare in disbelief all the destruction… Why are these people walking around so freely?! RAY IS LOSING?! Cue for Maria to blame Rebecca that because she never said things properly, that’s why they’re in this mess. Is this some sort of reverse psychology? But don’t worry. Ray uses his trump card to petrify Paratrogo who seems to figure out Ray’s true form. Too bad he won’t say so as to leave us guessing. Now we focus on the sisters quarrelling. Screaming at each other. Slapping each other. Crying. Can this get any worse? Uhm Ray, wanna get back up and stop this overheating? Yup, trolling us like they’re about to kiss but they don’t. And just like that, Rebecca is saved. In the aftermath, we see Rebecca and Amelia arguing in what I believe to be Ray’s lover. No harem going to stop true love in the end, right? Elisa and Claris won’t lose out either. Real battle starts now? Soon, Ariane sees Ray and wants him to join her in Magicks War. What?! And who this strong loli waiting for her onii-chan to come home?

The Ice Guy And His Cool Female Harem
They just leave enough room just in case they needed to make a sequel. I believe such series won’t get one but I could be ever so wrong because in the future when there won’t be any more animes to animate, they might just dig up trash like this and give it another go. After all, that isekai handphone one already did the impossible and surpassed my expectations beyond belief. Yeah. So whatever this Magicks War which could be another new tournament and I am speculating that loli could be Evi’s little sister (because isn’t Ray the only survivor of the war in his town?) and don’t even forget that Lucas guy, for now we just speculating. But thank goodness this season has ended. Yeah, last episode was pretty rushed and clichéd too. Plot twist of Evan not being Evan but some white haired chick pulling some confusing strings, killed f*cking Evan himself and most importantly, Rebecca is saved and can now be inducted to Ray’s official harem. Is it no wonder why the Iceblade Sorcerer will rule the world?

Just as expected, the story isn’t anything spectacular. I was a fool to think and hope to expect that there would be some major twist aside what was given in the synopsis. Hence a big chunk, in fact you could say that the entire series is about Ray living out his school life. Sure, there are subplots about the nefarious Eugenics and shady activities from Aywell but that felt secondary to Ray’s school life. Only because it somewhat threatens Ray’s school life, the reason why these became intertwined into the story. Otherwise the whole lot feels mediocre and underwhelming. I mean, it is an anime about school life so what else is there to showcase? Classes, exams, tournament and of course the much beloved cultural festival that all high schools must have. Wow Ray, must be having a blast of a time, huh? So how does the Iceblade Sorcerer rule the world and did the title mislead us? Well, when Ray builds rapport and support, with so many friends around, that is how he will ‘rule’ the world! Not via violence or dominance but via friendship! To even have a flimsy plot of not knowing the 7 elite ranks of high ranking sorcerers is the lamest excuse to perhaps shoehorn in some surprise characters later on. Hey, can’t do anything about it if you don’t know who they are, no?

Because a series revolving 100% school life would be somewhat boring, to help alleviate Ray’s status into harem master and give excuse why ‘high ranking’ girls would have a heart for him, that is why within these stories, we have those troubled girls facing their own issues and Ray is there to help free and save them. It’s the best excuse for girls like them to be inducted into Ray’s hall of harem. Whether it is helping Amelia liberate and break free from the burden of her family’s expectations or saving Rebecca from her fiancé with an ulterior motive that is so typical of a one dimensional villain, only Ray can do it because nobody else can. Gives the series a much needed ‘plot’ other than the school life. Because when you have a world set in fantasy and magic, got to somehow not let that go to waste too. Yeah. Too bad the series is not long enough to give the same treatment for Elisa and Claris whose personal issues were just quickly brushed over. Now I somewhat know the unofficial pecking order of Ray’s harem…

I’m pretty sure the series is mainly targeted for male audience (obviously) because of a few fanservice scenes here and there. They don’t permeate the entire series all the time but they do have a few scenes. I’m only saying this because the ending credits animation felt like a big bait and troll to viewers (like yours truly) into thinking this series might turn into some sleazy ecchi fanservice theme somewhere along the way. I mean, just have a look at the ending credits animation. Ray’s harem (the quartet of Amelia, Rebecca, Elisa and Claris if you’re still unclear of who I’m talking) all of them in their undies as they lie around sexily while teasing our libido. This is however only the raunchiest scenes in the entire series as those in the episode proper aren’t that risqué as this. Not even that cliché shenanigan of the changing room scene whereby Amelia came running out half naked because of a tiny spider. Heh. A tough badass woman like her who is unrivalled in the sword is afraid of a puny arachnid. Boy, if the enemies get info on this weakness…

So as not to make this pure 100% fapping material for straight guys, hence I figure they have to put in the weirdest and bizarre kind of group in this anime: The environmental research club guys! I don’t know if they intend to be inclusive but these people scream gay fest!!!! There are so many suspicious things about the guys in this club. One look at them, seeing how macho and muscle filled these brawns are, your guts will be ringing like hell if they are even students of this academy. Oh hell, it’s like some secret yakuza, mafia, triad or KGB club or something! Look at how tough and badass these guys are! I’m not even talking about their bodies. Look at their freaking face! The kind of gangster face that could make kids cry! OMG! Are they really students of this school?! Nobody seems to care because either they don’t know these people exist (not really because they were publically there as Amelia’s cheer team at the tournament) or they’re too scared to voice out. Hey, what are you going to do? They’ll pummel you flat! Not to say these guys would do it but you get the idea of how out of place these guys are. And so it’s like Ray is being so inclusive and has best of both worlds because other than his cute feminine girls, now he can also flex his muscles and be part of the macho gay club. CAN I JUST HAVE THE CUTE KAWAII GIRLS ONLY, PLEASE???!!!

Unfortunately and reluctantly I am forced to give this series more points because it’s like they know my obsession for maids and that’s why many of the guys in this anime are maid lovers. Hell yeah, there are no men in this world who hate maids!!!!! I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE!!!! I’ll say the maid café is the best part of the series since I’m so blinded by this obsession. Eventually I want to believe that maids will be the one who will rule the world. Yeah, Ray could do that as long as he becomes Lily. Of f*ck, Lily looking so cute in a maid outfit. Don’t care if it’s a guy behind that Façade! Must not discriminate cute looking maids!!! MAIDS RULE 4EVA!!!!!!! YEAHHHH!!!!! Sorry, went off tangent there…

Okay now, going back to the characters. Oh my, what else am I going to say? Ray is your typical main character and because he holds the Iceblade Sorcerer title, he is an overpowered character that screams he is not one to be messed with. True, other nobles hate him for his lack of pedigree but that is nothing when you can no jack sh*t about his overpowered abilities, right? Ray is also typically humble and helpful, one of the core ingredients why girls will start to like him. But there’s this other thing about Ray and that he is quite frank and straightforward. In the charming and suave department, that is. This guy doesn’t mince his words when he tells a girl how beautiful she is, etc. I’m not sure if this can be considered if he lacks tact or delicacy as the girl would obviously fluster (in which Ray is either oblivious to it or making a poker face and gets his kicks seeing such reaction) and that too helps in making the girl closer to liking him. Thank goodness Ray is good looking.

Sure, Ray’s girls are strong too but they have to have some sort of personal issues so that a stronger force AKA Ray could come to their rescue and give some excitement to this school life of his. Ray might be lacking that lineage thingy that nobles are so obsessed about but if he has high ranking girls like Amelia and Rebecca, whom coming from the top noble houses, that should shut them up a bit. Before Amelia’s liberation, she was so much subdued. But after she realizes she didn’t need to follow all that sh*t and just be herself, it’s like she is slowly becoming a bit of a joker character. Especially during the maid café, she’s like being so passionate about maids (which I wholeheartedly agree) that she seems like a funny person. I don’t know which Amelia to prefer now… But I suppose she can’t take that comic relief role away from Claris because that’s what I see her character as. She is after all blonde twintail so why the f*ck isn’t she tsundere! Then there is the shy but well-endowed Elisa as well as the cool and composed senpai Rebecca until she can’t because family curses are too big to be handled by a girl her age. Thank goodness for Ray, eh? Lastly, Evi as the only guy in the group so as to not make it obvious that Ray’s friends are all girls. At least he has a guy buddy to talk to. And also drum up some imaginary delusions of bromance between them.

The rest of the other supporting characters, I guess it’ll be too bloated to put the others into his circle of friends. Like Ariane who is Amelia’s friend-cum-rival, for now I don’t see her as taking interest in Ray (thank goodness she goes to another school because if she was at Arnold too, the rivalry for Ray could get even more intense) but she is more, how should I put it, surprised about Ray than anything else. Especially when he is in Lily mode. It’s like she can’t believe with her own eyes that he is both so damn good in both genders. Tiana is there for future loli potential while the same is said for Maria as future imouto potential. Then there is this Albert who is like a totally different character. At first, an annoying guy who can’t help stay mad all the time at the ordinary AKA Ray. Yeah, it’s like as though they wanted us to hate him. And then after that near fatal defeat and got his ass saved by Ray, it’s like he found Jesus and started to overhaul himself. This new but tamer look is way better than before, a repentant Albert is now part of Ray’s circle and even looking up to this master for advice. You know Ray and his way of words. Always stay positive. So when Wanda and her lackeys will be part of Ray’s group?

What a coincidence that the gang who picked up Ray and raised him all remain close to where he is. Abbie is now the principal of Arnold, slutty Carol is now a school teacher and master Lydia lives close enough so that when Ray needs advice, he can hop over in no time and visit this ex-Iceblade Sorcerer. Is this their way to keep watch over him? Because it’s like they really regret taking his youthful days away from him and now this is their only way to make it up to him. Just short of reversing time and take an alternate action. Or perhaps they are staying close to him because when it is convenient, they can rake him in for some shadowy operations that only his expertise can handle. He is after all the best soldier they’ve got, right? Last but not least, Carla is the best character BECAUSE SHE IS A MAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAID RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The action scenes are just mediocre and nothing spectacular. After all, Ray is so overpowered, I’m sure he has all the codes and lines that are not taught in school. On other words, boring. Even seeing the rest in action it’s like they’re spamming their trademark spell, put in a bit of magic special effects and voila! No tough monsters gonna ruin their day. Some antagonists may put up a fight but it’s all futile, within the script and expectations because nobody can best the current Iceblade Sorcerer.

Art and animation are pretty standard affair. Some scenes look like it lack details although it doesn’t break the entire anime. Okay, so it’s bad if you really want to be picky about it. I’m so used to such bad and mediocre quality, it has become so normalized for me. Characters look like your typical contemporary anime characters with lots of hot looking guys and girls. But why do some of the characters look like those from the retro anime, Happiness. Claris = Anri? Rebecca = Koyuki? Elisa = Saya? Ibuki = Maria? Yeah, I know. Weird. Somehow I find the design of those Eugenics pair in the final stretch to be looking different, like as though they came from a different anime. I don’t know, that beast guy I thought he came from a Jojo anime. This anime is done by Cloud Hearts, a relatively new studio and this is their first works.

The voice acting is pretty normal but I was surprised to hear Rie Kugimiya making her cameo as Lily. Not in her tsundere mode so it took me a while to realize this familiar voice was hers. The other one I recognized is Nobuyuki Hiyama as Lex. Also sounding in a quite subdued role here. The other casts are Junya Enoki as Ray (Nasa in Tonikaku Kawaii), Iori Saeki as Amelia (Menou in Shokei Shoujo No Virgin Road), Nana Harumura as Elisa (Dory in Ore Dake Haireru Kakushi Dungeon), Azumi Waki as Rebecca (Special Week in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby), Kaede Hondo as Claris (titular character in Tejina-senpai), Yuichiro Umehara as Evi (titular character in Goblin Slayer), Akira Sekine as Ariane (Princess in Princess Principal), Kouhei Amasaki as Albert (Haruo in High Score Girl), Konomi Fujimura as Dina (Natsuki in Hibike! Euphonium), Atsumi Tanezaki as Lydia (Anya in Spy x Family), Maaya Uchida as Carol (Rikka in Chuunibyou Demo Koi Ga Shitai), Nanako Mori as Abby (Dorothea in Sirius The Jaegar), Haruka Michii as Carla (Shunka in Shuumatsu No Harem), Shiki Aoki as Maria (Homura in Edens Zero), Yukari Anzai as Tiana (Momo in Release The Spyce), Haruka Shiraishi as Lieselotte (Asirpa in Golden Kamuy) and Atsushi Abe as Evan (Touma in To Aru Majutsu No Index series).

The opening theme, Dystopia by Sizuk, personally I find this rock song to be just noisy. Especially it’s like the singer trying to sing at the top of her voice and the whole thing comes off as weird. The ending theme is another noisy rock piece, Loudhaler by Maaya Uchida. Good or bad thing, I was more distracted by the fanservice offered by the animation than paying full attention to the song. Yeah. Another strange thing is that every next episode preview, a character narrates it but had to end it by identifying themselves. Yeah, helps a lot because for hell sure I don’t know who the f*ck is uttering the lines. Sarcasm.

Overall, this is another run of the mill AKA ordinary anime series. That’s right. You can find traces of its theme in so many animes before it such as Gakusen Toshi Asterisk, Rakudai Kishi No Cavalry, Seireitsukai No Blade Dance, Seiken Tsukai No World Break, Kuusen Madoushi No Kyoukan and much more. I am also noticing how there is a red head female lead like Amelia in many of those aforementioned series… Am I seeing a trend here? Yup, the trend of being ordinarily boring and disappointing! It’s just so lacking, lacklustre and generic, it makes me worry that such substandard anime series will continue to rule the world and the industry. Oh right. It is right now. Not even maids can save this one.

Mahou Tsukai No Yome: Nishi No Shounen To Seiran No Kishi

It feels like a really long time. Despite only having 3 episodes, Mahou Tsukai No Yome: Nishi No Shounen To Seiran No Kishi took about more than a year for all of them to be released. Talk about pacing but yeah. You got to be patient if you really want to wait for all of them to come out and then binge watch them in a flash. Like yours truly. Thank goodness for all the other anime shows in between to keep me company, RIGHT???!!! Not to say that I’m a fan of the series but since I watched the TV series and its OVA before that, might as well add this one to complete the collection. The weird things I do for some anime series…

Episode 1
Spriggan witnesses a pack of zombie horsemen emerging from the rock before all of them run into the forest. Uh oh. Forest in danger. Meanwhile Chise is getting her measurements for her uniform since she will be going to college soon. She is also feeling a bit under the weather. Elsewhere, Gabriel and his family moved into the countryside. His parents arguing about this move instead of staying in London due to their son’s health. While Gabriel hangs out in his tree house, he notices a smoke in the distance. It must be caused from last night’s lightning. He goes to check it out and finds a huge stone that he thinks it is part of a stone circle. As the day is getting late, he takes a chipped rock home. Spriggan visits Elias’ home. He has a favour to ask. This lost zombie horse, he wants Elias to look after it while he tends to the forest. It seems the Wild Hunt materialized last night but wandered into the forest without forming ranks. Because the Wild Hunt brings death wherever it goes, he believes the pack will run wild unless this one is reunited with its master. Of course with Chise not in the loop, Elias begins his explanation. Near the summer solstice of every 20 or 30 seasons, a band of knights that arrive with the storm AKA Wild Hunt appear to hunt horses. Though they leave death in their wake, this allows new life to emerge. This could be the reason Chise isn’t feeling well. They need to ask this horse for more details but unfortunately, nobody speaks horse language. Except Ruth. Doggie translates for them that this horse is separated from a knight who would be the pack’s leader. He needs their help to find his master and knight. Once reunited, he will repay them. Meanwhile Gabriel is polishing his rock when it starts to glow. Further startled, he sees a young boy behind him. Mom comes to check on him to see if he is alright since she heard a loud thud. Gabriel soon realizes that only he can see and hear this lad. Gabriel is ecstatic to think he is some sort of spirit but unfortunately, the lad is amnesiac. Thinking of letting him touch the rock to regain his memories, looks like snippets of their awakening from the lightning strike flash through his mind. Gabriel starts to feel ill when he touches the lad but thank goodness his medication did the trick. Seems he is tired his parents always restrict him because of his health. He thinks they can be good friends and lets him stay here.

Episode 2
Next morning, Gabriel goes to check on the lad. Noticing his knight figurines, Gabriel explains some knight fantasy but realizes his enthusiasm makes him sound childish. Embarrassed, however the lad plays along with him. Gabriel thinks of giving him a name. Think hard… Gigantes Messiah! Are you serious?! Gryphon Light! ARE YOU ACTUALLY SERIOUS?! Earth, Fire And Wind???!!! You mean Earth, Wind & Fire?! Oh well, I guess screw all that complexity and let’s go with Evan. It’s the name of a boy from this storybook. Yeah, one of those friendship tales. They both walk around the countryside as Gabriel pours out his lament he never gets to hang around friends due to his health condition. Meanwhile Elias and Chise begin their search. But it’s going to be like finding a needle in a haystack since the horse can’t smell his master nor remember where he came from after last night’s straying. But you can’t miss this one because of the trail of destruction left in the forest. Silky’s treats help the forest spirits give some valuable info and they even stumble into Titania and Oberon. Spriggan then hints to them to go to the old battlefield site where this first happened. They may pick up some clues. Gabriel rests as his condition is acting up. When a few boys come over to talk and invite him to play football, they quickly drop the idea after seeing his inhaler medication. They don’t want to get into trouble so they leave. This makes Gabriel mad. He thinks he doesn’t need his inhaler anymore and throws it away. He hates this place and wants to go back to London. Suddenly evil spirits surround him. Uhm, should Gabriel be running like that? Thankfully, Elias’ vines absorb the evil spirits. The horse comes into the picture as Evan recognizes this steed belongs to him. After blowing his horn, both transform into a white knight and his steed. Gabriel is not happy with it all and wants an explanation. Evan says he has no name and only his duty. Gabriel is not satisfied and is further agitated so Chise offers to explain everything. Ruth then tells another problem: Wild Hunt cannot be found. They may need to wait till nightfall for them to appear. Gabriel wants to say since he will be parting with his friend. Elias creates a golem of him to return home to fool his family. They return to Elias’ house to wait. Gabriel waits inside as he rues to irony he cannot be near Evan now for the sake of his health. It was like they were friends a minute ago. He notes about that story’s continuation. The angels were moved by Evan’s friendship and took him to heaven. And both of them lived happily together forever.

Episode 3
Gabriel dreams of leaving mom just for Evan. After dinner, Gabriel keeps his distance as he talks to Evan who returns his inhaler. He explains his role to guide the weather and bring a new season to this land. The gang then head to the stone site as Evan blows his horn. Wild Hunt reunites with him as they prepare to take off into the night. However Gabriel has been trance by them and wants to join them in their journey. Chise tries to stop him but Elias had to protect her from the deadly fog they emit. They go after the pack as Chise tries to call out to Gabriel to get out from this pack. Again Elias has to stop her otherwise the fog will engulf and cause her to die. Elias thought she should let Evan be since he thinks this is what he wants. However Chise reasons he has a family to return to. Okay then. Try again. Evan is ecstatic in this ride until he passes through the hospital where mom works. It is then he is freed from the spell and comes to his senses. He asks Evan where Wild Hunt is returning to. Evan doesn’t answer directly but indicating being with them means peace, Gabriel realizes that means death! He now remembers Elias’ words that being in this weakened state makes him susceptible to be dragged to the other side. Evan will be his eternal friend and will forever be together. Oh Gabriel, not so keen on this friendship thingy anymore, huh? Gabriel relates how all this wouldn’t have happened had he not have this weak body state and wished it wasn’t so. But despite all that, he still wants to go home. With Elias’ vines subduing Evan and Ruth stopping his horse, Chise calls for Gabriel to jump. She’ll catch him. At this height?! Can’t blame him for being scared. But it is Evan who pushes him off. Chise safely catches him as Wild Hunt disappears into the night. They accompany Gabriel back to his home. Next morning, new life sprouts after death. So the reward for this is a dead deer at Elias’ doorstep? Looks like we’re having venison feast. Gabriel returns to normal life and school, assuring mom he will be fine on his own. Mom trusts him. And that rock, Gabriel put it back in the stone. Chise’s uniform is ready as she is looking forward to college.

Gabriel Knight: Sins Of The Friendship
At this point, it is of no surprise any longer. Yup, this series is going to have a second season. So this could be the appetizer for the main course. Yeah, what a long wait to finish the appetizer in that case. So we’re done with this side story and perhaps we could get back to the main one. Because this OVA feels like there wasn’t enough Elias and Chise screen time and perhaps some viewers felt why it was a bit lacking. They’re just reduced to supporting roles while Gabriel and his friend hog the spotlight. After all, what is the second title of this OVA already? Yup. Too bad for those thinking it will have something to do directly with Elias and Chise but I guess it didn’t turn out so. Just a lonely kid trying to find some friends. He thought he made a supernatural friend but then didn’t like the idea of them parting ways so fast and tried to be a hero by going with him. Then he chickened out and realized life can’t be all that exciting if you’re dead. Uh huh. Even if Gabriel’s unfortunate body isn’t what he desires, he realizes the importance of being alive and that his parents still love him. So I guess in this case this is where friendship doesn’t take off and have a fairytale happy ever after ending. Humans and the supernatural don’t mix eventually. There are separate worlds for a reason.

If there is one thing that I am still impressed about the series, it is the art and animation. Especially the background and sceneries. Just like in the first season, they look absolutely stunning and beautiful to look at. Though, the characters are just rather okay and doesn’t those Wild Hunt people look like some Scottish Braveheart or something? Yeah, not really familiar with the European mythology and folklore. But if there is one thing that I don’t find appealing in this department, it is the CGI. Yes, it is also used but thank goodness very rarely. Personally, they look bland and unappealing. For instance, when Gabriel is riding with the Wild Hunt through London, you will obviously notice the CGI effects on the buildings and the roads. They look so bland and dead! Seriously. Hope they improve on don’t use it at all for the next season. The ending theme, Auro Now by Innocencia feels like an Enya song with all those strings and echo-y vocals although it feels more like some slow fairytale-like folklore touch.

In the end, this OVA feels just like a side story to the pass the time before the next season arrives. Just like a passing storm, huh? After all, this story takes place shortly before Cartaphilus took a nap and hence this OVA has that slightly sleepy and slow feel to it. Hopefully by that time I will be fully awake. Forget about that, I think I need to do a bit of refreshing up since there are many points of the series that I have already forgotten. And I don’t think I can blame the current monsoon season and the weather for that bad memory of mine.

Overlord IV

FINALLY! The pipe dream has come true! I’m talking about Overlord IV! Yeah! I suppose 4 years feels like a really long time to wait for another sequel and during those times, I actually thought they would never make another sequel ever again. Thankfully this series is too interesting and has too many potentials to be left unanimated. So it remained true to its words at the end of the third season that the story will continued. Indeed. It has continued after 4 long years later. And even more so, after being unceremoniously be trolled in the previous season about a certain skeleton knight from another world, now let the true skeleton mage from another world (who is back after a couple of seasons from that isekai crossover comedy which is just play-play stuff) to show us how it is done and awe us all with his amazing strategy and mercy. Sort of. All hail Ains-sama!

Episode 1
Fancy seeing Ains in a different outfit today? Taking care the first order for today, he stamps his approval on documents he doesn’t understand. I guess he’s the boss. Then he reads anonymous suggestions from his subordinates for discussion. Of course Albedo shoots them down at first until Ains thinks it is a good idea. Aura and Mare come in just to sit on Ains’ thigh? I guess it’s to lap up some b*tch rivalry and showdown with Albedo. Once we’re done with this shenanigans, they discuss the important issue at hand: Lack of goods in E-Rantel despite being a merchant town. Ever since Ains took over, there are hardly merchants visiting the city. Albedo gets his permission to go to Re-Estize personally and will leave things here to Pandora. Ains then goes to talk to Pandora personally. Basically he sees him as his own son and wants him to grow to surpass him. His goal is to see how he does things differently than how he was originally created for. Pandora accepts this but also asks how Ains will rule this kingdom. Because as he is impersonating as Momon, he gets lots of visits and questions by the people on what kind of country he will be leading. Will the people become slaves or be sent off for war? Ains then visits the local adventurers’ guild. He notes the lack of adventurers and even quests posted on the board. He speaks to the guild master, Ainzach about wanting to absorb this guild into his fold despite they stay independent in every country. Ainzach agrees to it since it is his wish. Ains thinks Ainzach has transferred other members elsewhere to hand over an empty guild. He also asks if the adventurers truly protect other races other than humans. Ainzach claims yes. Ains further adds about adventurers are those who explore the unknown. Now they’re just like exterminators and doing security. Something his personnel can do. Hence he wants the adventurers to take up the role of exploring unknown lands. That is why he wants to take the guild under his wing because if by posting a mere request, will the guild resolve issues when it comes into conflict with other countries? Under his wing, the guild will have his full support. Ainzach accepts this offer. Ains notes he cherishes the creations left behind by his comrades. That’s why he wants to make his kingdom a utopia. A place where humans and non-humans want to forever be ruled by him! Of course his goal is so that once he establishes his kingdom, he can proudly show to his comrades who may be out there somewhere.

Episode 2
Ains is in a dilemma. If Sorcerer Kingdom does become a kingdom of equality, it may lead to the same path he had with his previous comrades. If he told Albedo about his feelings, it might ruin their plans so he’ll leave it for now. And that’s so much about Ains’ appearance for this episode! We see Renner having an orphanage of her own. She talks to Evileye and Tina about doing this to scout and raise people for their talent. Evileye talks about some of their dead comrades. She praises her hero Momon while being disgruntled at Ains, unaware they are the same person. She is further baffled that Momon decided to work under Ains. Zanac laments the loss of Raeven and thinks he won’t come back. As the next in line to the throne, he needs to find a way to deal with Sorcerer Kingdom and perhaps send a tribute to them to deepen their relationship. When Renner says Sorcerer Kingdom will soon send a diplomat and suggests giving a tribute that is double the amount, Zanac thinks it’s a good idea. Brain trains under a retired adventurer, Vesture Kloff Di Laufen. As a commoner, he thinks he lacks the connections and that’s why is looking for someone to fill in Gazef’s position instead of filling it himself. Zanac greets Albedo as the diplomat. When he holds a ball, we hear this small time noble, Philip Dayton L’Eyre Monsterrat fuming that nobody respects his family because they are poor. When he sees Albedo, he is smitten with her beauty and feels the need to take this chance. Hence he boldly introduces himself to her. Back home, his father is mad that he blew this chance. He pulled strings to get him to that ball to remind everyone he is his heir. But Philip believes in aligning with Sorcerer Kingdom since their little village is sandwiched between both nations. He also believes Sorcerer Kingdom will aid them in supplies since it will be good public image for them. Because Philip requested to a hold a ball with Albedo, where is he going to get the money and place to hold it? He has arranged it with this rich commoner, Hilma Cygnaeus. Philip is not pleased with the third rate nobles Hilma invited. But she believes they will grow if he leads them. With Philip wanting to court Albedo and even asking Hilma for tips, she gets scared and claims it is impossible for them to even get close. Albedo can tell Philip is a fool but finds him useful in that since and it would be a waste to replace him. Later Albedo talks privately with Renner and rewards her with some box. She is tasked to open it before the invasion.

Episode 3
We see Ains sending off Albedo and warning her abut mysterious diseases she might catch. She suggests giving a kiss to solve it! Why, he pecks her cheek and Georgie Porgie makes her cry! She didn’t think he would do it! Meanwhile we see a few elemental cardinals from Slane Theocracy discussing about Ains. They think it is wrong for an undead to rule a kingdom. They talk some other stuffs which I don’t really get it or remember. Then we see Jircniv getting stressed out that Ains is an undead and wonders how to survive this. Can he curse him just to survive? He fears if Sorcerer Kingdom aligns itself with Re-Estize, maybe Baharuth should align with Slane just to have a chance against Sorcerer King. Then he is agonized that Fluder defected to the other side. Then in some coliseum, he meets a few adamantite adventurers. Jircniv is further shock to see that the opponent for Warrior King is Ains himself. The Slane side thinks he set them up so Jircniv is thinks Ains has it all under his hand from the start. With the Slane side still suspicious, Jircniv claims he is trying to warn them of any hasty actions since Ains is ruling benevolently but who knows who long this peace will love. If they have something to defeat him, please tell. So now he knows Warrior King can’t best Ains in his cunningness and he is just to do his best? Has he lost it?

Episode 4
Ains and Ainzach bypass the officials of Baharuth to enter the kingdom quietly since Ains’ plan is to scout for potential adventurers to be recruited for his adventurer institute. Ainzach then questions if that is the case, the adventurers here might not give up easily on what they have. Because the strong is always admired, he suggests scraping his scouting and start from scratch. Why not advertise himself by fighting in the coliseum? He is friends with a promoter, Osk and can arrange a meeting to have him fight the strongest warrior here AKA Warrior King. Ains then goes to see Fluder to get some info on Warrior King. Meeting with Osk, a sword with runes catches the eye of Ains since runes aren’t of this world. He learns the dwarves created it. Osk is surprised he wants to fight Sorcerer King and asks a few questions. Ains’ goal to fight the strongest is to see if he is stronger than Gazef. Because there are some rules, Ains cannot use magic or at least many of his magic options will be taken away. We now return to see Ains facing Warrior King in the arena. Ains learns he is a war troll but unlike his race, he does not look down on others and admires the strong. So they make a deal. If Ains wins, he will become his subordinate. If Warrior King wins, he will eat Ains and become stronger. The match begins and you can hear Jircniv crazily cheering for Warrior King to win. Noisy. Obviously Warrior King can’t stand a chance with Ains. With his magic weakening his abilities and all, eventually Warrior King realizes Ains didn’t even use a fraction of his true skill and wants to have a taste of that before he dies. Ains grants him that and then kills him. Then he makes an announcement to all of his plans and wants true adventurers to join his kingdom. He assures they will not be used as tools for war and with his proven strength, he can back them up for he has overcome death. He proves it by resurrecting Warrior King. He is about to leave when Jircniv has something important to say to him. Well, he pleads for Baharuth to become his vassal state! Since Ains doesn’t know what that means, he will have him officially write that. While everyone is in shock with Jircniv’s decision, but he reasons there is no longer a way to defeat Sorcerer Kingdom. But he is stumped he didn’t take the offer. Could it be something went in the way of his original plan? A panicky looking Jircniv thinks he will prove himself to be of value to manage a vassal state. He has resigned himself as the world’s most unfortunate person.

Episode 5
Demiurge returns but Ains is not around. Albedo says he is visiting the dwarven kingdom. She shows him the results of Ains’ visit to Baharuth and how the empire wants to become a vassal state under Sorcerer Kingdom. Ains has left them both to think on how to deal with this. Now we focus on Ains as his entourage prepares to head to the dwarven kingdom as he is interested in forging ties with their kingdom to learn their runes and weapons. He has taken Aura and Shalltear as his bodyguards while Zenberu will lead the way. Shalltear is taken for this journey because Ains wants her to grow and surpass even further than before. When they arrive, it seems the city is void of life so Ains sends his ninja scouts to survey the place. Indeed, there is no one living here although they hear some mining noises in the mines. Aura greets the lone dwarf, Gondo Firebeard mining alone. He freaks out at first but after being introduced and especially to Ains, he tells the whole story of what happened. Apparently all the dwarves moved to another city up north so this place is abandoned. Long ago, dwarves used to craft and infuse runes in weapons and items. Gondo even comes from a lineage of a runesmithing family. However, 200 years ago, a magic caster found a way to enchant items with magic at a faster rate with the same effect. Hence the traditional craft of runesmithing began to die out. Of course runesmithing has its advantages like it is cheaper since enchanting items need high expensive quality magic materials. Gondo still believes in runesmithing although he admits he is less talented. Despite all the problems they faced, he still believes in it. Ains then offers his support to hire all the dwarves to work with him. Of course he wants results in exchange. Gondo is willing to sell his soul to him if he is given that chance. Shalltear then reports the intrusion of many demi-human intruders known as Quagoa. They are the reason dwarves abandoned this city as they eat metals and their skin is hard as f*ck. Ains orders Shalltear to capture them all and extract info from them. She does so and then interrogates the leader, Yohz who reveals they serve the great clan lord, Riyuro. They have plans to destroy the dwarves in the north and this special separate troop is stationed here to kill any dwarves trying to escape in this direction. Even as they speak now, the main troops will be slaughtering the dwarves right about now.

Episode 6
The dwarven general and his army manage to stave off the Quagoa attacks. Soon, Ains meets with them and learns about the situation. He proposes an alliance because it will do his kingdom no good if the dwarven kingdom is no more. Ains sends a couple of Death Knights to slaughter the Quagoa. As the survivors scamper and run away, they are crossing a bridge so Yohz has to cut it down and sacrifice some of his men to save the rest. Thinking that the dwarves have gotten a powerful golem on their side, he proposes to retreat and report to Riyuro. Ains receives report that his Death Knights are eliminated. He thinks there is someone more powerful who can take them out together and could it mean there is another player? Ains is then taken to see the dwarven council who rule the kingdom in absence of a king. They get down to business discussing things. Ains wants them to send all their runesmiths to his kingdom to imbue weapons with their technology. And he wants to monopolize this technique. In exchange, he will help them regain their old capital. The council is suspicious at first but with time running out, they have to make a quick decision. They agree to send them all to his kingdom but in exchange they will send investigation teams to check on them in the future. Ains then goes to see Gondo and the rest of the runesmithing dwarves. He tells of his intentions and as they ask why, he shows him a sword imbued with 20 of their runes. They claim it is impossible because their dwarven hammer has the most 6. This means it could be forged from lost technology. Hence he wants them find and rediscover this lost technology. This revs them up and agree to follow him. Gondo feels sad because this decision means the dwarven kingdom has abandoned runesmithing. Ains assure him even if the dwarves don’t find it important now, his kingdom finds value in it. Ains will now head over to reclaim their old capital. Gondo volunteers to come since he knows the way. Ains disallows it since it will be dangerous. Gondo whispers there is a precious book on runesmithing he needs to get. After all, what use will it be for a kingdom who has abandoned runesmithing. Ains will close an eye on this ‘robbery’. The journey begins but with Ains having all the super powers, whether it is the lava sea or the poisonous labyrinth, it’s a breeze going through them. Now the final obstacle is a frost dragon…

Episode 7
Yohz reports to Riyuro about what happened. He will go speak to the frost dragon and have him fight on their behalf. This is to weaken both sides before the Quagoa crush them all. Meeting the lord of all frost dragons, Olasird’arc, Riyuro is willing to often a sack of gold to help them fight the dwarves. After confiding in his wives, he agrees to do it but they must get 10 times more the gold. Of course Olasird’arc will not go himself and will send one of his sons, Hejinmal. Since he is recluse in his room, papa has to break it down and force him to go deal with the matter. Hejinmal is more of nerd and lacks fighting prowess. So when he sees Ains coming, he gets afraid. He tries to act tough but when Ains is going to test his strength, he immediately prostrates and submits! What a joke! Ains then makes Aura his master. He will go deal with the dragons and wants Aura and Shalltear to take care of the Quagoa. When Hejinmal introduces Ains who will rule over the dragons, Olasird’arc is not impressed and will kill this skeleton himself. Ains uses a simple magic to crush his heart. So easy. Just died like that. Ains wants Hejinmal to point out his mother since he will kill the rest. All claim they are his mother! In that case, Hejinmal also says they’re all his mom. A promise is a promise. After summoning the other dragons, one cannot accept this and attacks. Ains use that same instant kill move on him. Now the mighty dragons have fully submitted. Aura and Shalltear meet Riyuro. They tell him to submit or they’re forced to trim his side from 60,000 to 10,000. In the end, Riyuro sends his men to attack. Yeah, what a great slaughtering day for Shalltear. Let the bodies keep piling up! Riyuro is agonizing that they didn’t show their true power at first and thus he need not resort to this. At least if they have surviving members again, they can rise up in the future. Riyuro and his Quagoa submit to Ains so he promises prosperity for their race. He also praises Aura and Shalltear for a good job. Shalltear is overcome with emotion, freed from the shackles of her past failure. With the old capital reclaimed, the dwarves hold a farewell feast for the runesmiths which also serve as a welcoming party to Ains’ kingdom.

Episode 8
Zanac and Renner talk about the Sorcerer Kingdom’s reputation that continues to grow. Even agreeing to terms Re-Estize has set for them. He thinks this is another one of their ploys so Renner suggests becoming a vassal state just like Baharuth. Zanac quashes that idea because the nobles will rebel against them. Meanwhile Philip is drunk, drinking out his sorrows. He complains to Baron Delvi and Baron Rokerlen how nobody listens to him and because of that his plans failed. When they say Sorcerer Kingdom is producing lots of food with their undead and hence able to sell them at cheaper price, this upsets Philip as this will affect the crop prices grown in his territory. But Philip comes up with a devilish idea… When Albedo receives report that a food carriage being transported to Slane has been robbed, she calls for Ains’ immediate return and initiates a meeting with the rest of the other floor guardians. She points out the culprit of a silly noble being the perpetrator of this robbery. With Hilma as the witness they summon her as a frightened Hilma gives her statement and swears she was unaware of this. After finding no lies in her words, Ains will not put the blame on her. This doesn’t sit well with Albedo since a superior should take responsibility of their subordinate’s mistakes. Ains points out while this is true, those words must be used to protect the subordinate as well. Because who was responsible for appointing Hilma? Albedo, right? Now who is Albedo’s master? See where this is going! So you’re not trying to say this is Ains’ fault, NO!!! Hilma is released and upon returning, she has become so infatuated with Ains being such a reasonable king, she wants to devote herself to him.

Ains and the rest then discuss about this carrot and stick plan. Some really technical stuff here that I don’t understand. As for the punishment, everyone at first thinks of killing everybody! But since Demiurge remembers Ains’ words of violence will sully Sorcerer Kingdom’s name, they have to give another punishment. So what I understand is that they’re going to employ this carrot and stick plan on an international level. They’re going to reward greatly Baharuth for their submission but give Re-Estize a more devastating punishment. I’m sure Ains is in total shock hearing all this. King Ramposa III of Re-Estize along with Zanac and other nobles have a meeting regarding this robbery case. They have received an official letter from Sorcerer Kingdom and its allies that this might amount to war. Zanac has found out that Philip is behind this and needs to summon him here fast. Zanac’s goal is not to fight Sorcerer Kingdom anyhow despite Ramposa disagreeing sacrificing an innocent noble’s life just to maintain good relations. A minister suggests Re-Estize becoming a vassal state like Baharuth did. Ramposa shoots down that idea because it is an insult to all those who died protecting this kingdom. But Ramposa has a good idea. With Albedo visiting, Ramposa first apologizes for his citizen’s actions and then asks if it is possible to gain forgiveness with his head alone.

Episode 9
Albedo laughs at Ramposa’s request. She never expected him to make such a decision. Nevertheless, the decision will still be the same. Sorcerer Kingdom declares war on Re-Estize and the attack will begin 1 month from now. The nobles think this is all part of Sorcerer Kingdom’s schemes but Albedo hits back that this came to a surprise to them so they too want to know what they’re thinking. Ains has a meeting with his floor guardians about the war. Preparations have been made like making Re-Estize think they have withdrawn into E-Rantel and that some nobles have defected to their side. The main objective of this plan is to prevent other countries from intervening so they have been going around destroying villages around Re-Estize’s borders. The next region to attack is the port town of E-Naeul and this is under Ains’ jurisdiction. The rest don’t understand how the plan works so Ains tells them to watch. In actuality, Ains is relieved this manages to buy him some time. Flashback he went to visit Pestonya and Nigredo (Albedo’s sister) who was banned from leaving Nazarick. Oh damn, she’s faceless and wields bloody scissors?! Perfect for horror movies! Nigredo pleaded to stop the senseless massacre but Ains rejected her idea. She claimed all humans have potential to create new things and can advance civilization in new ways but Ains thinks otherwise. Such progress is dangerous as the powerful stagnate while the weak get stronger. He wants to eliminate all possibilities of Nazarick being overthrown. Pestonya then suggested sparing some survivors to spread the horrors they’ve experienced. Ains will consider it. Now we see a group of undead marching towards E-Naeul. The count of the place is glad the Four Armaments (mythril class adventurers) to help out. They can’t run away anyway since it is possible Sorcerer Kingdom wants them dead and you can’t escape from those undead. A short distraction of the count trying to match make Lilynette Piani with his third son who is only 12 years old in exchange for some heirloom sword. Instead the shotacon priestess is drooling over this prospect. The war begins as the humans test out the undead’s strength by firing arrows and casting spells. Then real hell begins as a Death Knight rushes and breaks through the main gate. Four Armaments engage with all they’ve got when a second Death Knight rushes in to join the battle. Screwed? But woah?! Who this red mecha fellow dropping in to shoot his machine gun and reduce both Death Knights to ashes?! Then he flies away like nothing happened. He could be adamantite class adventurers known as Vermillion Drop. Despite the loss of the Death Knights, Ains expected this.

Episode 10
The floor guardians deduces Ains’ plan. Yeah, Ains just go along with it. Bait to lure the enemy out? Sure. Whatever. With this goal achieve, Ains decides to march on to the royal capital. This is to buy time so E-Naeul have time to escape. Zanac talks to Renner about Sorcerer Kingdom’s advancement gone largely unnoticed by them. Renner believes their own people may be behind this and it could be Raeven. Since his domain is around those areas, his son might have been taken hostage so he might be aiding Sorcerer Kingdom. Zanac has no choice but to go ahead and lead his people to war. It’s not about winning or losing. What has to be done, must be done. Renner views he has become a true king. Lakyus and her Blue Rose members go see her uncle, Azuth Aindra. At the same time, a group of strange people come in to see him. It is believed they are a secret unit from Slane, Black Scripture. They want to join forces to fight against Sorcerer Kingdom and help secure mankind’s future. He will not force anybody so Blue Rose declines. After they leave, Lakyus asks Azuth about his plans. He will wait here till Ains arrive. He tells them to escape on their own and won’t be joining them. There is no way they can defeat Sorcerer Kingdom but if he is alone, he knows how the escape despite being surrounded. As Sorcerer Kingdom approaches Re-Estize, Zanac wishes to talk to Ains. He asks why he didn’t accept their plea for surrender and wants to go ahead with this massacre. Although Ains’ goal is to find his comrades in this world, his answer to him is to find happiness. He reasons why it is his duty to bring happiness to those serving under him and hence Re-Estize will become an example of that. All their people will be sacrificed for his happiness. It is also to show the world not to mess with them for centuries to come. Zanac thinks a man of his calibre and power chose something close minded. Ains asks Zanac the same thing, would he tell his own people to forgo their happiness so that others could live? Then he asks who possesses Gazef’s sword. Brain has it and is in the royal capital. In that case, Ains will have no qualms using any magic to decimate his army. Zanac pleads to not make everyone suffer. Zanac also learns that it was one of Ains’ subject who killed his brother, bringing a closure to his whereabouts.

As Zanac returns to his camp, he laments he perhaps was never fit to be king. Back at his tent, he tells everyone negotiations have failed and everyone is going to be massacred. This does not sit well with some nobles because they want to live and thus think of pledging their allegiance to Sorcerer Kingdom. Zanac has his responsibility as a royal head so he dares those who rebel to fight him. Later those nobles go to see Ains and pledge their allegiance to him. As a gift, they bring Zanac’s head in a bag! Ains asks where his body is because he wants to give a respectable burial. When the nobles plead to spare their lives as well as their families, an indifferent Ains agrees to their wishes. Then he has Albedo take them to Neuronist! Oh sh*t! Fate worse than death! He also reminds aura remind Neuronist not to kill them unless they beg for it. Even so, a slow and painful death. Ains has lost interest in this battle so he puts Cocytus and Mare in charge. They are to freely use their strength and not let a single person live.

Episode 11
Ramposa knows the kingdom will fall now that Zanac’s whereabouts are unknown and it could mean he is dead. He relieves everyone of their posts and will have them escape the kingdom. He will stay here and face his fate. Hilma has taken Cocco Doll and some Eight Fingers to be part of her group. This causes Cocco Doll to be shocked since he never expected it and he thinks she is a demon in disguise. Shalltear is here to have them gather the rest to live in such place. Then she takes Cocco Doll to go see Kyouhukou. Yeah, this guy is going to have lots of trauma and fear. Ains and Albedo wait as that red mecha from Vermillion Drop pops up. Ains doesn’t want her to kill him but to get info. He attacks but after realizing they don’t work, he escapes. Albedo gives chase and after a distance, he attacks her. She predicted it all and none have any effect on him. Then she lets him rant about accusing them for being savages in using small excuses to go invade other countries and destroy villages. Meanwhile Ains is attacked by this powerful holy knight dude, Riku Aganeia. Ains offers Aganeia to be his subordinate and he will stop this attack since he is far more valuable than this massacre. Aganeia refuses and continues his attack. Woah. Ains being pushed to the limit?! Is this all part of the plan or for real?! After a few blows, Ains can tell Agneia’s weapons are part of his body and the real person is controlling this armour remotely.

Before Agneia can deal the finishing blow, WTF AINS PROSTRATES AND BEGS TO SPARE HIS LIFE!!! WHAT DA F*CK???!!! He is even giving petty excuses that this isn’t their fault whatsoever. Luckily Albedo returns and she is real mad about this. Ains orders her to stop so Agneia retreats. Although he refuses Ains’ offer again, Ains claims his door is always open for him. Agneia then meets up with that red mecha guy who turns out to be Azuth. Agneia is also a fake name and his true identity is Tsaindorcus Vaision AKA Tsa for short, a platinum dragon. Both deliberate they weren’t powerful enough to stop their foes and hence this kingdom will soon fall. Tsa further deliberates that because Ains seemed weak, could it be that Albedo is the player while Ains is the NPC? Fighting Ains gives Tsa a good idea of his strength and he finds it impossible to defeat him in a single blow. The will mind themselves to be careful as they have earned their wrath. They cannot slip up now as they make their preparations to fight against evil players. Tsa has thoughts that Azuth is also weak. It would be better to kill him and give his armour to another stronger person. However with resurrection magic existing, he must be careful on that. Ains and Albedo return to Nazarick. Oh my, the Ains we see fighting Agneia turns out to be Pandora! Now it all makes sense, eh? The real Ains has been watching and wants him to tell all about his interaction with Agneia.

Episode 12
Pandora’s act of prostrating is acceptable for Ains because if this is what it takes to drop the enemy’s guard, so be it. Ains is still dissatisfied that he does not have much info on Agneia. Because of the troublesome skills he showed, he could be using a world item. However as such, it should not decrease Agneia’s HP each time he uses a skill. Ains then realizes he must fight him one more time and lose. This is to obtain more info so as to achieve ultimate victory. Ains then thinks about how NPCs in this world can be resurrected but the same cannot be said about the players. So as long as he loses but still lives, it is an acceptable loss. Blue Rose meets Renner. It seems her comrades want to stay for tea since it would be a waste as this would be the last time they will see each other. But it seems they are being rude to Lakyus as they serve her tea and soon after that, they attack and beat the sh*t out of her! Once a spell is put on her, they brainwash and tell her to heal all her wounds. You see, Lakyus wanted to stay and protect this kingdom, something her comrades are secretly against. Even if they run away, she will stay back herself. As they care more about their own than this kingdom, hence this secret plan to knock her out and escape together. They offer Renner to come along but she will be staying. After they leave, Brain gives Gazef’s sword to Climb. He has no intentions to fulfil that late guy’s wishes and will go find Ains to challenge him. Why does this sound like his death flag? Cocytus and Mare march into the capital. Brain thinks how he should find and face Ains but he has to deal with Cocytus first. He prepares to fight and needs to end this in a strike if he wants a chance to survive. But alas, too bad he is dead instead! I guess all the powering up still gave him no advantage whatsoever. Yeah, Brain died again. Cocytus laments someone like Brain would’ve been a great asset to Nazarick. However he cannot embarrass his resolve as a warrior. He takes his sword as trophy and has his servants preserve his body in ice.

Episode 13
Ramposa wants Climb to take Renner and run. In exchange, he is willing to give her hand to him. Climb refuses since he only takes orders from Renner. She then has an idea to get a little revenge back at Sorcerer Kingdom. She wants to take father’s crown and hide it somewhere. When she confronts Ains, he can’t level the place completely because he needs the item that signifies authority over the people of the kingdom, right? She has Climb go to hide it in some warehouse and wants him to come back alive and not engage in any fight. Meanwhile Vesture confronts Mare who is willing to spare him and his samurais’ life if they let him have some magic item. Since he won’t, Mare kills him off and everybody before he finishes his sentence! When Climb returns to the palace, he is distraught to see Ains and some of his floor guardians in the throne room. Worse, he thinks he made Renner kill Ramposa with her own hands. Ains allows Climb to fight him but no matter how angry this kid, he cannot beat Ains. Then Ains talks about inequality in this world. One should not be in despair about it because that is life. Hence the only true justice for that is death! Because death is fair to all and he is the one who presides over it in this unfair world. Ains will kill him since he has no value. Even with this ring Gazef gave him that increased his abilities, Climb cannot win. Ains leave him in despair as he will not answer his question if he will kill Renner after this.

Climb is killed but subsequently finds himself alive in a room with Renner by her side. It seems everyone else is dead and she is the only survivor. This is because she has been turned into a demon after pledging her allegiance to Ains! Now that she will live forever, she will be lonely and hopes he can become a demon for her sake. What choice does he have? This leads to her revealing the reason he is still alive is because her allegiance to Ains in exchange for his resurrection. Later Renner goes to talk to Albedo and thanks her for going along with her plan. True shocking revelation that Renner is the one who planned 90% of it all! Including the fight with Ains and Climb! Albedo rewards her with this Seed of the Fallen, something Renner wants and was worth selling out her kingdom. Damn, girl so happy that she is starting a musical! Delusional, isn’t she. A short montage of Demiurge and Renner’s plan or whatever from last season. Supposedly putting the pieces of the puzzle together but I can’t remember so I don’t understand. A drunk Philip stumbles into a room and is delighted Albedo is here. He claims he worked hard for to do things he thought was right. Albedo will reward him. Here, heads of his family members! Philip freaks out as Albedo tells him his father begged her to show his foolish son the same experience that his people suffered. She is going to keep that promise. Nobody can hear you scream, Philip… In the aftermath of a devastated Re-Estize, Raeven and some of the nobles are summoned by Ains. He makes it short that he will destroy the remaining noble fiefs and return home so Raeven and the rest be sure to govern their lands as per set rules until further notice. Then he asks if anyone will now go against him after seeing this devastation. Raeven believes no one will. Thus Ains is very satisfied that all this was worth doing. Definitely satisfied with the results. Who are we to object, right?

Death Comes To All!
Oh well, it is no surprise at this point that there is going to be a sequel. However! It is in the form of a movie! Oh gosh. Why a movie? You know me and my dumb rules of aversion for movies, right? Sighs. I hope they will somehow adapt it into a TV series even if it is a few episodes short of a normal season to give viewers like me who missed it a chance. Yeah. Just like how Kimetsu No Yaiba did for its Mugen Train story. And of course this movie sequel came as a bit of a surprise to me either because this is the third movie under this series belt. I skipped the first 2 and never gave it much thought because it was just a glorified summary of the TV series. Uh huh. It’s like those who hate binge watching TV series, those recap movies were made just for them. Now hopefully the reverse can be done for people like yours truly. Yeah…

Initially when this fourth season began, I was jumping to conclusions and getting worried that this may not be an enjoyable season. Firstly, after the long hiatus from the third season, my memories are obviously shaky at this point. Even if they do not do any recap at all, suddenly having a few new plots made me anxious if this was going to get way more confusing. Because you know, suddenly we have dwarves, Quagoa and dragons to deal with. Very fortunately soon all those worries were blown away without even me noticing it as the series gets more interesting as Sorcerer Kingdom prepares its invasion and massacre of Re-Estize. Yeah, that’s the funny and enigmatic charm of this series. Despite they have compounded more plots and characters for this season, the rate of me getting confused and not understanding will increase. At this rate it has so many plots and subplots, unless you have a fantastic memory or a devout fan of the series, I think you’ll need to do some refreshing by doing some rewatching to keep up with it all. While the possibility of me getting confused and forgetful certainly remains true, the irony is that despite all that, I still find this series highly interesting and can’t wait to look forward for the next episode. Am I really charmed by Ains-sama? And now the ending of this season has left me wanting more already. Come on, make a fifth TV season already!!!

At this point, I don’t know what else to say because it is mostly the same thing. Everything still looks interesting and has a lot more potential and yet there are a lot of things that I have forgotten. That’s right. Trying to breeze though my previous blog on this series didn’t really help much either. But I have got to remember that all this is part of Ains’ plan to set the groundwork and roots to create a much better kingdom for himself and his people in the future. After all, you can’t just create a kingdom overnight and even more so when you want to leave some sort of legacy for generations to come that will be remembered until the end of time, there are a hell lot of things you need to do. Especially when there are so many other different countries and cultures all around. Eliminating a country isn’t just the only indication of absolute supremacy. Making others want to be ruled by you is another form of it because how are you going to rule over others if they are dead? Oh right. Ains is already an undead. That is why it is both interesting and frustrating to see that this season is just part of that small but important workings towards Ains’ greater goal. Happiness he says, huh? One man’s meat is another man’s poison. That’s life, people. Unfair.

As for the characters, the main ones are still great especially Ains who is of course the main character so he gets a lot of focus. After so long, Ains still manages to get away in the sense that he is clueless about the plans his floor guardians have come to deduce and he just goes along with it. More than often, being surprised at their conclusions and decisions. Thank goodness for using his greatness to cover for this and so his underlings have to figure out his plan themselves instead of being fed everything, eh? Works like a charm all the time. I suppose when you have people who admire you so greatly and believe you can do no wrong, definitely you can do no wrong. But of course Ains do not simply rest on that as he is merciful enough to let them say what is on their mind instead of absolute dictatorship. This allows him to come up with some new ideas or more excuses to cover his back. After all, who else dares to question the great Ains, right? Another interesting point to ponder after Tsa brought this up, could it be in actuality the real Ains is one of the floor guardians like Albedo and the skeleton dude is just a figurehead to troll us all?! If it is so, it could be one of the biggest deceptions ever in all of anime history!

His floor guardians continue to revere him and this season seeks to help ‘improve’ Shalltear due to her ‘failure’ that was from the first season. I think at this point, she’s as good as redeemed herself. Feeling mostly side-lined this season are Sebas and the Pleiades maids. Feels like they never exist at all but I guess that is better than other floor guardians like Gargantua and Victim who are nowhere to be seen at all. Like as though their very short appearance in previous seasons was just to quell our curiosity if they ever existed at all. More dilemma for me as I have said at this point, the characters have accumulated so much that I think we need an encyclopaedia to keep track of them all. With new ones introduced this season, we have to make provision for new ones that will appear later. So yeah, it is both good and bad thing because we see more characters pledge their fealty to Ains like Hilma, Gondo and Hejinmal. Otherwise, meet your demise! RIP, Olasird’arc. Hence old ones like Eight Fingers if they didn’t bring up this season, I would have totally and completely forgotten about it. It’s just too bad that once these characters are done with their role or Ains has gotten something he wants from them, they won’t appear anymore. At least for this season. At least for now. Yeah, better have a better memory as all the new characters keep piling up.

I am not sure if I should call Jircniv the most disappointing character this season. Or maybe my mind AKA failing memory is playing tricks on me. I always had this impression that Jircniv would become an antagonist or at least someone who will be against Ains. Jerk-niv, that’s what I would call him! . But shockingly and suddenly, he pleads to become a vassal state! OMG. Didn’t see that coming. I guess after seeing Ains’ power in the last season, he wise up and learnt his lesson to avoid the tragedy we have seen befallen on Re-Estize. Yeah, that kind of God-like power would make even God tremble in fear! Heh. What a knee jerk reaction. In case you didn’t notice, I made a pun of his name. Sorry, not a good one. Then there is the curious case of Philip. This guy is the source of why Re-Estize got into this deep sh*t. What happened to him after that brazen robbery? I mean, where was he the entire time during the declaration of war and the aftermath destruction of Re-Estize? I feel that something more than meets the eye to this fellow. Or is he just another pawn and a fool? Most probably the latter and in the final scene, it is left hanging about his fate because not sure if Albedo actually killed him and his scaredy cat screams making us think he is dead. Could also be trolling us and Philip is further kept and preserved as another pawn for future use.

Lastly, about Zanac. I never thought highly of this character and even if there was something I would have thought of, it won’t be anything positive. And it sure caught me off guard when he died at the hands of his own people. His final talk with Ains proved to be his own death flag and in some ways made me have a little respect for him. Even that Brain guy is dead for the second time. But who knows in the future? Because Ains can resurrect the dead as it is only a different state of existence, who knows he might resurrect the dead (including Gazef) and have a whole new zombie human army of his own. Not sure when that happens, I would like that character as that instead of their previous original state. Of course the shocking one comes in the form of Renner. I always had a hunch she was more than meets the eye but I didn’t think it would be this drastic. Hence if I should say, she is the most twisted character of them all because of her sly and sneaky behaviour. Being cute on the outside but she’s totally twisted and dark on the inside. If she can do this to her own kingdom, imagine the possibility she can betray Ains! I don’t know, seems like a far-fetched idea and because Ains is so overpowered and very careful, we may think it is impossible. But who knows with this crazy ex-princess now turned demon, better keep your toes on alert.

Art and animation remain consistent as in previous seasons as Madhouse continues to oversee this series. Just want to note the use of CGI this season. Well, I won’t go so far to say that they are bad but it is quite obvious. Especially those Death Knights. Well, I suppose it is okay since they are lifeless to begin with so their movements are one kind. Yeah, so CGI-like kind of movements. Oh right, those Quagoa pack. Yeah, how do you animate hundreds of those creatures?! Hence I think visual wise, this has got to be the lowest point of the series. Not saying that this is the worst CGI as compared to other series that employs even much worse quality, I’m saying that it could have been better if they put in a little bit more effort.

With the expanding number of characters, you bet the cast list is going to get longer and longer with many characters having a few lines and that’s it. While it is good that the old ones are retained especially the main and supporting characters, the new ones to note include Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Philip. Definitely trying hard to cast away his Kirito stereotype role, eh? And the other one I recognized is Kikuko Inoue as Nigredo. New ones to note include Yasuyuki Kase as Azuth (Kankurou in Naruto), Jin Yamanoi as Tsa (Dokugakuji in Saiyuki Reload Blast), Mitsuaki Kanuka as Gondo (Spiritreux in Delicious Party Precure), Yuuya Hirose as Hejinmal (Alto in Kinsou No Vermeil), Toa Yukinari as Hilma (Rin in Deatte 5-byou De Battle), Kanehira Yamamo as Ainzach (Rigurd in Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) and Hisako Kanemoto as Lilynette (titular character in Shinryaku! Ika Musume).

Just like in previous seasons, OxT once more sings the opening theme. Although Hollow Hunger maintains the same vibes as their previous songs and has a playful sense it, it still can’t beat Calattanoia or come close to it. As for the ending theme, this time it is sung by Mayu Maeshima. However No Man’s Dawn sounds pretty generic a rock pop and lacks any oomph. Honestly, I don’t think it fits the series well. They should’ve just stuck with MYTH&ROID style of music.

Overall, this season still rocks and doesn’t disappoint even though the plots are all piling up on each other and more characters are getting introduced into the series. Somehow this is one of the few series whereby I don’t mind seeing an overpowered main character easily overpowers his opponents and seeing them all weaklings struggling a losing battle against him. Must be some sort of charm Ains has casted on me since the first season, huh? I’m sure I’m good to be one his subjects. No, not as Neuronist’s experiment! Anything but that. Or that roach one either. I’m sure I’ll love to hear the return of Ains for another season. No, not the isekai one, please. All hail Ains-sama!

Kinsou No Vermeil

Sounds like your typical magic fantasy high school genre anime. You know, students of a prestigious magic school have to summon a familiar when they come of age if they want to progress further and get better in using magic. But what happens when the familiar you summon turns out to be one hell of a sexy and busty hot chick?! Oh yeah. Uh huh. I guess this is how many of us got baited into watching Kinsou No Vermeil (f*ck its long ass second title Gakeppuchi Majutsushi watchamalit sh*t…). And what’s this too? For this familiar to maintain her magic, some sort of deep kissing and bonding is needed?! Now are you really curious to see how this turns out?! Well, fortunately this series isn’t that pseudo hentai of the season but it’s going to have that ecchi fanservice targeted for a specific demographic. Are we ready to have a golden time?

Episode 1
Alto Goldfield is about to repeat a grade despite getting a perfect score in all subjects except for one: Familiar summoning. Failure to do so would mean repeating the grade year again. Who the f*ck wrote this rule for Royal Ortigia Magic Academy?! His childhood friend, Lilia Kudelfate is worried and would like to help out in any way. Sorry, using a rock against the teacher isn’t one of them! Alto tries to find a way for summoning at the library when a book drops on his head. Cue for plot progression. Back home, he uses it to successfully summon a hot smoking busty demon babe, Vermeil. The contract is completed and this naughty hottie hints he can do anything to her. Guess what he wants? Be his familiar! Oh well, there will be plenty of chances in the future. In exchange by being his familiar, she also has to suck some of his mana. Later she explains that she was trapped in this book for a long time but he freed her. Hence it’s a small price to pay by being his familiar. Because humans still despise demons, Vermeil has to hide her horns and tail and pretend to be human. When Alto presents his familiar to the teacher, he thinks he is desperate to pass and convinced a human to play the familiar. But Vermeil shows the contract mark on her boobs and I hope those aren’t the reason why he relents and passes Alto. Of course the one not pleased is Lilia because you know, who the f*ck this woman?! Even more so she is shamelessly all over Alto in class. Hey, a familiar can sit on her master, right? Lilia is so displeased with this that she challenges Alto to a duel. The loser must do as the winner says. Lilia summons her great wind spirit for some great damage effect. Well, did no scratch on Vermeil. Now it’s her turn. Vermeil just molests Lilia till she gives in! Based on her orgasmic face, it’s not hard to see why she lost. Lilia admits defeat and so what is Alto’s request of her? He wants the ladies to be friends. Sorry Lilia, nothing naughty as you thought it would be. But okay. Can’t help feel the ladies still hate each other, though… Back home, Vermeil claims Lilia is in love with him but that dense kid brushes it off because she’s just his childhood friend. That’s what they always say, right? Vermeil then sucks his mana as reward for today’s duel. She explains she needs to constantly do that or else she can’t retain her physical form as centuries of being imprisoned left her weak. Since his mana is very potent and special, it helps a lot. Normal humans cannot handle and will die. She claims a more effective way of draining his mana but I guess he is fine with sticking it via kisses. No fun.

Episode 2
Alto warning Vermeil not to stand out (how can she not with those boobs?!) but a dragon is seen rampaging their way. She takes care of it by flicking its forehead, sending it flying into the sky. Later some senior is mad as he brings his bro, Rex Forward to teach them a lesson for beating his dragon. Apparently these people think they own the world because of their Dragonrider class. Alto does a sneaky move to freeze them in his crystal from behind but Rex easily breaks out. Now he summons his T-Rex. Apologize or die. Vermeil uses yesterday’s mana to amplify his crystals to stop this madness. This forces Rex to admit his defeat. So why Lilia having the bragging rights? Back home, Vermeil learns of Alto’s dream of becoming the elite of all mages. Apparently there is a rank that outranks Gold Squares and that’s the Platinum Square. Vermeil agrees to let him achieve his dream. But to do that, looks like he’ll have to anticipate more nights of seduction! This the only way to take mana from him? Next day, fellow classmate Marx Parston proclaims himself as Alto’s rival. But it’s not him but his servant, Cheryl Iridesence who along with Alto and Lilia are called by the headmaster. This is to select who will become the class rep. Basically a race to see who can get the Fairy Flower first. Don’t they have elections or something? Anyway with Marx inviting himself to join in, he rushes in and gets trapped. Hence Cheryl have to get him out and retires from this race. The rest proceed to where this Fairy Flower grows and it is guarded by a sleeping Cerberus. Noticing that some of them have a stuffy nose and won’t be able to smell, Lilia has this idea to drink an invisible potion. Sure, she just have to completely strip naked. So why she still so embarrassed? You want to do this or not? Meanwhile Vermeil can easily put that Cerberus in place. Okay, you know the drill. That’s right. More Alto seduction. Don’t worry, nobody is watching, right? Lilia could have been a goner because a Cerberus head smells her and gets aggressive. Alto blasts it with his powerful crystal as distraction just for Lilia to go grab the flower. She returns and hands him the flower as it is rightfully his. Great timing as the potion’s effect wears off. Stark naked. So embarrassed she lets go of the flower in which floats and lands near Cheryl. Yeah, she became the class rep instead since the rest didn’t object to it.

Episode 3
A platoon of Dragonriders flying above them, so you bet Alto is feeling so awe. Mr Marx know-it-all explains Tanya Degurechaff Chris Westland is the leader of this group and is also part of the student council. She is also one of the 7 Gold Squares in this academy and 5 of them are in the student council. Impressive, no? More astonishment from Alto as he sees the student council just walking pass by. Yeah, everybody giving way to them. Sure they’re not scared? Soon, we see Chris beating up Rex for losing to an unknown. Rex realizes the trash this club is and quits. She beats him up further and is now interested in this Alto dude. Alto and co visit Rex in hospital. Thanks to his lackey blurting out everything. Because of that, Alto challenges Chris to a duel. You sure about that?! Battle starts and Vermeil is given a run for her money. I guess it’ll be boring if Vermeil shows off her most powerful moves first, eh? Besides, we have half the episode to go. So as both sides take pot shots at each other, Chris finally decides to get serious as she summons her dragon. So I guess this means you’re screwed? She further brags about looking down on everyone else and that is why dragons are the top of the food chain. She gives them a chance to beg for their lives to let them off the hook but you know their answer. So now it’s down to the final fire vs ice projectile. And the winner is…

Episode 4
Alto uses his ice to propel himself. This takes Chris by surprise and Alto holds his crystal at her neck. Alto wins, sending everyone into frenzy. Now girls are hounding all over him for his cool move. Oh Lilia, the competition is heating up. Professor Obsidian comes to talk to Alto about his bold move. He cautions what would have happened had he lost but since he didn’t, that’s that. Since Obsidian is such a hotter guy, now all the girls flock to him. Chris has been demoted and now as the same level as Rex, I guess they reconcile. Time to troll is with more Vermeil sexiness as she tries to flirt and kiss him. Alto giving excuses he only wants to kiss those he loves. Don’t worry, Vermeil loves him so kissing is valid! Poor Alto got so confused that he has to seek Obsidian’s advice about humans and demons falling in love. While he can’t give a definitive answer as there are legends that indicate so, he believes if a succubus falls for a man, it would definitely be for his mana. So is Alto screwed? That night, Alto tries to warn Vermeil about this but she gets cheekier and kisses him to prove she isn’t targeting his mana. Next day, he returns to talk to Obsidian and that guy jokes love isn’t an easy matter because all women are feisty little demons. LAME! Later Obsidian summons Emma Abelein and you can tell she is smitten with him. She’ll do anything for him. But soon she becomes the latest victim for some frozen coma incident. Ryuga Shinouji and Jessica Schwartz from the student council contemplate about this case plaguing their students. They find such incidents to be weird and it can only happen if someone else is behind it. Alto is forced to write a report on his familiar. Yeah, taking measurements and all so this is another great excuse for some steamy fanservice. Lilia will not approve of this unholy act and sneaks in via invisible potion (didn’t learn the last time, eh?) with a spare key she copied off Alto’s key (that’s illegal!). There are some moments that are too close to comfort since she is hiding at the bookshelf and Alto needs to look for a book. Face too close and did he touch her tits? Well, she’s in ecstasy now so forget about spying for the rest of the night. Vermeil thinks he is closer to his dream but Alto stays humble that defeating Chris is just one of many obstacles. Anyhow, now that he has her, he doesn’t want to lose. Yeah, it’ll be a shame if those tits lost to something else, no?

Episode 5
Alto and Vermeil out shopping in town. Vermeil isn’t shy to kiss him in public. Hey, she isn’t sucking his mana and so long as she loves him, it’s okay, right? Oh Alto, don’t go changing your words now. Suddenly Rex’s lackey comes by. Rex needs help. Turns out he transformed partially into some rock demon and is beating the hell out of Chris. Alto and Vermeil can’t do no jack sh*t because putting a stop to Rex’s rampage is the student council president, Elena Kimberlight. While Rex is recuperating in hospital, the student council is discussing this issue but Chris is not happy and storms out. Oddly, Vermeil not wanting to accompany Alto to study for his exam? Yeah, pervy Lilia is going to take this chance to seduce the hell out of him. So obvious in her face. Vermeil goes to confront Obsidian and accuses him of being the one behind this. But she warns if he touches Alto, she will not forgive him. Obsidian is terrified but also awed to see her true demonic powers on display. But WTF Vermeil let her guard down so he injects some serum into her neck! HOW?! Sorry folks, her boobs didn’t grow bigger but she turns into a rampaging demon. This terrifying mana resonates throughout the academy and you bet Alto knows something is wrong with Vermeil. Better go find her. Meanwhile some shikigami fights Elena to stall her. She will not let her get in the way of their plan. Obsidian is further awed at Vermeil’s true destructive power. One swing and you’re a goner.

Episode 6
When Alto and Lilia arrive, they see Obsidian controlling Vermeil. He continues to brag about the custom serum he made to cause demons’ power to run amok. He even has to spell out to Alto that he is the perpetrator behind it all. EVERYTHING! While he brags being Vermeil’s master, suddenly Vermeil breaks out of his chains and attacks him. He is about to get killed but Alto protects the professor. He doesn’t want her to kill. Oh sh*t. Alto dead?! You think this would revert her back to normal and regret but nope. She becomes angrier and turns into a more devastating powerful form. Obsidian looking real scared now. She tries to kill him again but Alto returns from the dead to stop her again. Like he already said, no killing, please. This time Vermeil reverts back to normal and is filled with regrets. Now Alto dies. She kisses him and uses her magic to resurrect him. Okay, Alto back alive again. Now Obsidian is so pissed at this that he injects the serum into himself and becomes some eyeball monster. Before he could finish his bragging, Vermeil finishes him off in one blow! OMFG! One Punch Vermeil?! Obsidian now is even more scared as he tries to escape to the skies but Chris shoots him down, allowing Vermeil to give him the beat down he deserves. She won’t kill him as Alto desperately tried to protect it. Late Vermeil reveals the truth of Alto’s resurrection. When she pierced his heart then, he actually died. Now the heart in his body is actually hers. This means if either one dies, the other will also die. Alto not taking this sh*t well as he breaks down but all Vermeil can do is apologize. In the aftermath, Obsidian is arrested by the police and all the students in coma have awakened. The shikigami who fought Elena got away and nobody has got any clues to this. In a reversal of roles, it is now Alto who needs Vermeil’s mana to function so you bet he has to kiss her. She also stopped talking to him and when he asks, she claims now that he has seen her true scary demon form, he must be scared of her and needs to stay away. This makes him mad so he kisses her to prove her wrong. He reminds her she is his familiar and that’s that. Oh, Vermeil getting flustered now? Especially when that kiss didn’t take any of her mana as she remembers her own words of kissing someone when you’re in love. Truly how the roles have changed.

Episode 7
Understandably, the girls are depressed because hot sensei Obsidian is no more. But why are the guys depressed too? Because Vermeil hasn’t been showing up in class. A day without those boobs is nothing! Lilia confronts Vermeil as she heard from Alto about her being a demon. So as not to look like a bully and show her mature side, she lets whatever happened between them slide and tells her that the most important thing now is her feelings for Alto and vice versa. Because Alto is her master so she should lean on him more. Vermeil then returns to talk to Alto. She acknowledges that staying beside him might put him in danger again but even so she still wants to be with him. Alto is relieved to hear that since he thought he wasn’t fit to be her master. And so he’ll try to become the best master for her. So can we prove all that with a passionate kiss? Yeah. Done deal. Vermeil now wears the school uniform. Not sure if this one or her previous dress was worse. But at least now all the guys can give their thanks for those huge twin peaks jutting out. Meanwhile we see a couple of shady Platinum Square users, Iolite and Heliodor. The former could be the shikigami and he berates Obsidian of being useless. Though the latter thought his research was interesting. Whoever those monks trying to take them out, seriously they got owned. The student council suddenly takes Alto and Vermeil into custody. Surprisingly, Elena apologizes for the inability to prevent the incident that injured them. She admits she doesn’t know who she fought and they can’t interrogate Obsidian now because he has escaped from prison. While Alto is happy to tell them anything that might be useful, he didn’t count on them suddenly getting hostile when they claim Alto is hiding something. Vermeil doesn’t want him to risk it so Alto admits Vermeil is a demon. Alto adds that despite so, she isn’t a bad demon and if they want to expel, just expel him. At first he summoned her to pass his grade but now she is an important person in school. He will find other ways to achieve his dream and if he can’t, it means he doesn’t deserve it. But if they harm Vermeil, he is more than ready to fight them. Elena clears the air she has no intentions in interfering with them or expelling them. They won’t even tell the teachers since a faculty member was the culprit so they don’t fully trust them. Besides, having Vermeil as a demon might work in favour for them. She trusts Alto that Vermeil is not dangerous because otherwise, she’ll just need to kill him to kill Vermeil. Elena then invites Alto to join the student council.

Episode 8
Alto thinks they want to keep an eye on him. True. But it is also because he defeated Chris so his skills are a given. Plus, with the recent incident, they don’t know who the real perpetrator is so it is best Alto can use his magic to help protect the school. With that, Alto agrees to join. Back home, Vermeil throws caution to him about Elena. She feels bad vibes for her. It could be just her overthinking but she can’t help feel if Alto turned her down, she would’ve killed him there right on the spot. Alto finds Elena’s words an eye opener. He thinks had he been strong enough, he would’ve protected Vermeil. In that case, she’ll help him get stronger. WITH SEX?! Is this one of the best ways to keep her safe?! All the student council members gather as Elena shows them a shikigami evidence from the police. It seems such magic is not recorded in any database and the magic formula in it is very complex that even Gold Square can’t decipher. Hence the only kind of people who can do this and possibly their enemy is a Platinum Square. Now we see Iolite and Heliodor returning to Kohakumiya, a Platinum Square and the real shikigami user. Not sure what monster they’re making in their secret lab. Kohakumiya gets her hopes up thinking Iolite managed to get the permission of the highest caster of all Platinum Squares. Turns out he killed him. Oh well, good luck in getting those monster parts on your own now. Because now he sets his sights on Alto and Vermeil. Alto wakes up from a strange dream whereby he sees a young girl (Vermeil) crying in a decimated place and some strange mage asking if he would be on the path of righteousness or destruction. Alto tries to study for the Bronze exam. Vermeil has a better idea. SEX!!! Oh boy, hope she doesn’t suck too much out from him. Next morning before they leave, Alto sees the book Vermeil was trapped in. Brings back memories. He wonders who sealed her in there. In the exam hall, the proctor is Colonel Pharanx of the Royal Mage Corps. He explains this exam is all about mana provision and examinees are to fill up this giant crystal that will measure their mana’s quality. That will also indicate their score. Sounds easy, right? Alto knows there is more to it than meets the eye.

Episode 9
Yeah, everyone is huffing and puffing but they can barely fill a tiny spot in the crystal. Then of course, our Ortigia students show it how it’s done. So easy. Alto is the last candidate as he has figured out the mechanisms of the crystal. Depending on where you put your mana, some parts have complex formula that makes it a hard conduit. This is the true purpose of this test as Pharanx notes he is the only guy who has noticed this. Alto finds the easiest path to fill the crystal is from the back but Vermeil reminds him that’s not the spot. So he heads over to the hardest part and starts pouring in the mana. So powerful that the flames turn silver! And then he shatters the crystal! Oh sh*t! Did he pass? Of course he did! Thankfully he doesn’t have to compensate. Phew. What a double relief. But the exam is only half done as there is the written one. Flunk this and you are as good as failing the whole exam. Cheryl notes that there is only one person in history to have gotten perfect scores in the written exam for all Bronze, Silver and Gold. Can’t give us a name yet and want to make us guess? Before the exam starts, we take a detour seeing Alto and Vermeil make out. Need to replenish his mana is the perfect excuse. Yeah, need more for the road so load ‘em up! Thanks to that, Alto is running late! Meanwhile a jealous examinee of Alto is grumbling to himself in the toilet. He can take that to his grave because Iolite kills him and takes his identity! Merciless. Now we take a detour watching Elena and Jessica talk about a human with a demon familiar. Yeah, bath scene trying to distract us, huh? Jessica wonders why Alto let Vermeil gave her heart so Elena believes he is in love with her. Others might call it miracle but Elena rubbishes of such convenience ever existing. As the exam is about to begin, guess who sits next to Alto? Iolite says hi.

Episode 10
Alto is shocked Iolite is sleeping throughout the exam. Can’t worry about others. Just when time is almost up, Iolite wakes up and blazes through the papers. Done! Then he goes to talk to Alto and notes today’s exam won’t be finished. Because soon an invigilator rushes in to stop the exam as a student is found dead in the toilet. It’s not hard to point out Iolite as the culprit since he isn’t wearing any particular school uniform! HOW DID THE INVIGILATOR EVEN MISS THIS BEFORE THE EXAM BEGAN?! Iolite begins his chaos as he summons his giant rook golem. Pharanx to the rescue and cue for him to explain that Iolite is from the organization known as Heaven’s Will. He is also the youngest mage to be promoted to Platinum Square. Yes, the guy who helped Obsidian too. Lilia and other mages try to enter the place but they keep looping and come back out where they started. Somebody is warping the space… When Vermeil gets injured by Iolite’s attack, Alto enrages. Nobody going to mess with his sex machine Vermeil! OMFG! Did Alto just go Super Saiyan?! Enough to free Vermeil but Iolite still holds the upper hand. Iolite then mentions his cliché plan that every baddie has: To destroy the world. For that, they’re going to need Vermeil and other powerful demons. Vermeil transforms into her true demonic form but that isn’t enough to even touch Iolite. Alto is mad but calmer Iolite prevails. Before Iolite can finish off Alto, the book Vermeil was sealed in protects him. A projection of that strange mage introduces herself as the Mage of Beginnings and the one who sealed Vermeil inside. Before Alto can blame her, she explains that it is Vermeil who requested to be sealed. The scars and traumas of her past memories are what keeping her chained down. They are imprisoning her. Since Alto is willing to shoulder Vermeil’s burden, she takes him into Vermeil’s mind. Don’t worry, time flows differently here. 550 years ago before Ortigia was even formed, we see a happy loli Vermeil running around.

Episode 11
Vermeil lived alongside a sister in an abbey along with other orphaned kids, Mielle, Lin and Cait. They weren’t blood related but she called them their family and home. She was truly happy. Of course sister is the only one who knew Vermeil is a demon and yet she sheltered her. Wow. The irony of a God’s worshipper taking care of a demon. Must be some super saint, huh? One day, kids found out she had horns so they pelted her with stones. Her family protected her but soon it went out of control as the whole town now knows about Vermeil’s identity and calling for her head. Can’t blame them as they think she is the source of a plague that is going around and has killed many. There is nowhere left for them to run as such rumours have spread to neighbouring towns. While sister goes to appease them and even ‘threaten’ that she won’t forgive them if they harm Vermeil even if God forgives them, but I guess they take it as sister > God so f*ck your forgiveness! Yeah, the people turning into demons to kick out the demon! The rest try to convince Vermeil to run away herself and reunite again someday. Vermeil does so but after a while seeing how relentless the people are in chasing her down and that she still loves her family, Vermeil thought she is done running. She thought giving up herself, everyone will be safe. But when she returned to the abbey, HOLY F*CK! SISTER AND HER SIBLINGS ALL GOT HANGED!!! I guess that’s when her belief in God died. What was it that sister said about God loves everyone? Yeah. God doesn’t exist. In this rage, Vermeil turned into a demon and burnt the entire town. Nobody survived. Mage further narrates that it will be 200 years later before Vermeil will be sealed but during that time, she will become known as the scourge who has devastated the land. Her troublesome powers that are hard to control is even hated among her fellow demons. Will Alto still love her? Alto goes down to hug her. Gee, did this happen or is he altering her memories? Anyway, the burden that Vermeil has been carrying is that she felt guilty of killing these people. For all this time, she is afraid to tell others about this for fear they will hate her for the monster she is. Alto replies that he and especially her family will definitely not hate her. Alto assures her even if the world turns against her, he will always be with her. Because… If loving you is wrong, I don’t wanna be right… With that, those chains shackling Vermeil breaks. Alto promises she will never be alone as long as he is around.

Episode 12
You know the drill. Say those few words of assurance and confession and that is all it takes to break the chains. Freedom! Now we’re back to finish our fight with Iolite. As he badmouths Vermeil and all, Alto tells him to STFU because he knows nothing about her. So he tells all he knows about Vermeil. You think Iolite cares for that too? I mean, he wants to destroy the world, right? Time to end this with an epic magic fight! Iolite has never worked so hard before but before he can get even more serious than this, Heliodor drops in to tell him to stop this futile match. This has been prolonged and it won’t do them any good. Iolite being a good boy and listens to her. He gives Alto this free win. Alto might want to go after him but Vermeil has had enough for today. Mage pops up and Vermeil recognizes her as Fatima. After Alto assures he will protect Vermeil even if the world turns against him, Fatima is confident Alto can take care of her best friend. So is this goodbye for good? Yeah, here’s a rainbow before they return to reality. Realizing how weak he is, Alto takes some sparring lessons from Jessica and Chris. Yeah, best punching bag ever. Especially Chris who is ready to give back twice, thrice oh heck, 100 times the favour. Greatly shows how weak Alto is physically but he hopes to train more from them. But enough of that because it’s the part that we’ve been waiting for as we see Alto being aggressive as he makes out with Vermeil. Are you hurting her? Well, her heart hurts. Dense kid took it literally and wants to see her boobs?! I guess they can go for another round. Vermeil a satisfied demon. She thanks him for loving her despite for who she is. Yup, the love is real as they go for another round! Damn, this guy really has the stamina for this!!! HAHAHA!!! With the Bronze exam rescheduled, our usual suspects pass of course. Wondering why Alto isn’t with them to celebrate his success too, yup, he is busy making out with Vermeil in the alley! I guess get a room is too dull for them now? This time Vermeil being aggressive. Hey, if your familiar wants love, then it is the master’s duty to provide it! Not a bad deal…

Magical Boobs, Golden Boobs & Platinum Boobs!
Well, they could’ve made almost half the entire final episode about Alto and Vermeil making out. It feels like a long troll to make us wonder if it will ever turn to hentai. Sorry folks, we all know better. It’s not. Oh well, keep those love making coming. Because theoretically if this powers them up little by little, they’re going to need all that power to eventually have their rematch with Iolite and the rest of his merry gang. Yeah. They’re going to need it. So keep on kissing and caressing in the name of powering up and maintaining mana. Oh right. Adding a lot of touch of true love in it goes a long way. I’ll bet by that time that final battle for the world’s fate comes, they’ll be so overpowered and overflowing with love! LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY! Then I can quip, IT’S OVER 9000!!!!!! YEAH!

Unless this gets another season, this one feels just pretty introductory. I mean, there isn’t any solid storyline yet except for the fact to establish Alto and Vermeil’s relationship as well as the direction of their fate as a master-servant pair. Because of Heaven’s Will being the antagonistic group introduced quite late, obviously I could see from a mile away that this isn’t going to be covered much and would just set up the next direction should some people get any ideas of making a sequel. Otherwise it is just your typical high school story of Alto trying to slowly achieve his dream of becoming a Platinum Square and at the same time trying to juggle his relationship with the promiscuous Vermeil. The latter is what most of us come here to see, no?

Obviously the series puts the big focus and limelight on Alto and Vermeil and while on the outlook this might look a bit draggy, I think in this way it helps flesh out their relationship better. Because if they whizzed through the whole thing, we will not be invested or inclined to feel how close they are and growing even more so as the season draws to a close. By the time this season ended, at least we can see how deep the bond they have built after all the shenanigans they have gone through, thick or thin. It makes their pact looking very well a lot believable and legitimate. Though, the obligatory sexy scenes of Vermeil trying to make out with Alto once in a while because that is what the series is trying to sell to us, right? Either you love those scenes or they’ll soon be annoying to watch. For the latter, you can pretty guess how it will turn out since sexy Vermeil trying to suck some of his magic but she’s being ambiguous with her actions. Meanwhile shy boy Alto will try to resist so I guess this is where the fun and sexiness comes into play? But so sorry folks, even with those enormous jugs and humongous twin peaks for eye candy and viewing pleasure. No actual sex scenes.

I suppose having one side being embarrassed makes this whole flirting thingy look more exciting because after Alto and Vermeil started sharing the latter’s heart, there are times when Alto suddenly becomes a man and takes on the lead to seduce Vermeil. Such scenes may confuse us a bit sometimes because we’ve always known Alto as that shy and meek boy but suddenly woah! He became so manly and this throws Vermeil off her balance. Now she is the one cornered and reduced to a shy girl. Such moments give this whole fanservice thingy a different variety so it makes you wonder if we prefer the original seme Vermeil and uke Alto. Whichever as long as we can get our fanservice, no? Yeah, it won’t be much fun if both of them consented to make out. That would be so boring. I suppose that is also why until today, Vermeil’s trademark tight fitting short dress is what she still wears. I mean, I thought Alto at this point would’ve bought her some decent clothes to cover up but I figure it would be a waste to hide those delicious parts. Hey, if you have it, flaunt it! Don’t want to anger fans and viewers who came for this!

Vermeil’s past has shed a lot of light on her current behaviour and as I would have guessed it, her jovial and flirty personality was perhaps a big distraction so that her tragic past will not come to light. I mean, when you distract guys with those boobs, there is no way they would be thinking about other stuffs, AM I RIGHT?! So yeah, it was indeed a tragedy but I guess back in those days, people were not so educated so fear got the better of them. You would think that Vermeil has been with Alto for quite a while (more than a year in the context of this anime) and that she would know him better. Because after so many constant reassurances from the kid himself that he will never abandon her, this is the biggest secret that continues to shackle her heart. I mean, Alto is still human and what if he changes his mind? Thankfully Alto is main character ingredient so you bet he will never let those boobs, oops I mean Vermeil be alone ever again. Now that settles it, can we get back to more making out? Hence it is quite fortunate for Vermeil to meet another human who does not hate her for who he is. Imagine a demon being blessed. Is this God’s working somehow? NAH!

I don’t know how I should feel about Alto as the main character because well, he is boring and bland as f*ck! But I guess this beats your typical amnesiac character with a hidden power that will turn him into some overpowered overlord or something. I suppose his shy and meek character is necessary so that we can enjoy seeing Vermeil being bold and flirt with him. Don’t we all want a buxom and flirtatious gal like Vermeil? Grrr! Alto you lucky bastard! But otherwise Alto is also as cliché as other main characters because you know, sticking to his core principals and not abandoning the ones he loves. Yeah, if it was me too I won’t let anybody else get their hands on those giant ungodly racks! Oops, uhm, I mean nobody dare bully the one whom I share my heart and soul with. Literally. And don’t get me started on the debate of some finding their love inappropriate because of their age gap! LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS!

As for the other characters, it is unfortunate they are not very memorable nor do they make any sort of significant impact. Perhaps they don’t want to distract us from the Alto-Vermeil relationship. For instance, Lilia. You would think her character would be some sort of love triangle to the pair but I see her more of a comic relief character and a pervert. Yup, it’s okay when girls are casted as perverts because they’re cute and funny as opposed to male characters who would then be just creepy. So with Vermeil being #1 in Alto’s heart, Lilia is soon reduced to that supporting side character role. Though, her perversion is still #1 and funnily that is how I remember this character. Then there is Marx and Cheryl who are even more forgettable. Sure, Marx is your comic relief character and idiot but he feels so insignificant and that’s why I feel Lilia fulfils that role. So I suppose these people are there to prove that Alto isn’t a loner or a guy who scores with the ladies (any guy would kill to have bombshell Vermeil and cutie Lilia to be in their group) and he has a group of friends. Regarding Fatima, looks like it will be another story if we want to know how she became friends with Vermeil. Otherwise I personally feel she is just for plot convenience.

As for the student council members, oh well, I guess they needed some really powerful people in school so that Alto can flex his skills. Alto joining them might be a stepping stone to achieve his dream but the same can be said for the student council members as I believe they are also using him to get theirs. Especially Elena who might look elegant and polite but you know what they say about still waters running deep. She could be the most dangerous one among the group compared to the more brutish girls like Chris and Jessica. As for the antagonists of Heaven’s Will, nothing too much about them too but I guess we need to have clichéd and typical crazy baddies like Iolite to spice things up. Because only then can the fight be epic as mages with great power clash with each other. Even Obsidian feels like a forced one-dimensional lackey so as to force the plot of strengthening Alto and Vermeil to become one in their hearts. Literally. So now that he has escaped and his whereabouts unknown, this gives more leeway should the producers feel they ever want to spring some surprise and bring this motherf*cker back for another plot convenience.

As for the battle scenes, they’re just okay and it’s not like I’m having my mouth agape while watching them. Well yeah, people just throwing magic at each other and in later stages, Vermeil doing a badass Pokemon evolution by turning into a very powerful demon. Yeah, mages having familiars in their fights feel like a magic fantasy version of Pokemon. And why do school battles take place on a platform high above the clouds?! Nowhere to run? Hey, if you’re thinking of running, you’re not fit to be doing such duels. Or maybe they don’t want spectators to be too close and get hurt or interrupt the sacred fight. Shouldn’t they have a special arena with barriers where they can use devastating magic to their heart’s content? Oh well, I guess a sky battle looks cool.

Art and animation are pretty standard and okay. It just boggles me that I know that this is a fantasy world, how come the skies are filled with runes all over? Don’t know about you but it still looks weird to me. But the biggest thing that baffled me is the design of Ortigia’s school uniform. When I first looked at the promotional poster, I thought Koi To Senkyo to Chocolate was having a sequel! Oh, it’s not that anime? Wow. But their uniform sure looks close to identical. Heck yeah, I thought Lilia was Chisato. Speaking of character designs, you bet I have this feeling I have seen them from somewhere. Most obviously Chris looking a lot like Tanya from Youjo Senki while I thought Elena could be a reincarnation of Angel Beat’s Tenshi. Don’t forget Cheryl looking like Mio from Little Busters. And why does Iolite remind me of Flan from Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn? This is by a long shot but I thought at first Alto is a timid version of Todoroki from Boku No Hero Academia! Oh sorry, Isana from K rather. This series is done by Staple Entertainment and this is their animation debut.

Voice acting, nice to hear some recognizable seiyuus like Kana Hanazawa as Elena, Sayaka Ohara as sister, Youko Hikasa as Mielle, Takehito Koyasu as Obsidian and Nobuhiko Okamoto as Iolite (just almost a step away from sounding like crazy Accelerator). The other casts are Yuuya Hirose as Alto (Takuma in Val x Love), Maaya Uchida as Vermeil (Lily in DanMachi), Wakana Kuramochi as Lilia (Cuff in Shinigami Bocchan To Kuro Maid), Yurina Amami as Chris (Tamaki in Kiratto Pri Chan), Riho Sugiyama as Jessica (Rosalie in Slime Taoshite 300-nen Shiranai Uchi Ni Level Max Ni Nattemashita), Kazuyuki Okitsu as Ryuga (Nagare in K), Yuu Okano as Marx (Tadanaga in Basilisk: Ouka Ninpouchou), Kaori Ishiara as Cheryl (Avrora in Strike The Blood), Tetsu Inada as Pharanx (Gamagoori in Kill La Kill), Ikumi Hayama as Heliodor (Sayaka in Strike The Blood) and Miyuri Shimabukuro as Kohakumiya (titular character in Yuragi-sou No Yuuna-san).

The opening theme is Abracada-Boo by Kaori Ishihara. Sounds like your typical and lively anime song. But the only thing that I liked about it is the fast paced piano finger drill in some parts of the song. Might make the song sound a bit frenzy and chaotic but I find it quite catchy to listen to. Only this part. The ending theme seems to take a darker and sombre path. But the problem with Mortal With You by Mili is that the singer’s voice is quite soft so I don’t know what she’s singing. Heh. Oh heck, without the subtitles, I couldn’t have made out that the entire song is actually in English! Yeah, she singing Engrish style. Partly also the violins or strings drowning out her voice and even more so as the song gets more dramatic and picking up its pace. The simple light lines, dark colours and sketches of this animation make it feel a little bit creepier although it perfectly reflects on Vermeil’s dark and tragic past. Yeah, this what you call abstract art?

Overall, this anime just feels passable. It’s like many came and stay for the fanservice (which also feels average) rather than the story, characters or even magic. Because if you want something of that sort, I would recommend going back to that retro anime, Zero No Tsukaima. To be fair, that retro series had a few seasons under its belt (although the ending pretty much sucked). But otherwise no matter how much boobs and tits this one has to offer, whether they are bronze boobs, silver boobs, golden boobs and even platinum boobs can only do so much. Even so, everything else much is just mediocre. So summon another busty demon babe and add more boobs to the fray? Oh yeah. Now we’re going diamond!

Ruin Explorers

It’s that same ol’ story back in the 90’s. You know when they do a show on fantasy and magic, sword and sorcery, it always has to be one that fights against a villain that is hell bent on taking over the world, right? Well, I won’t say it is the same for Ruin Explorers AKA Hikyou Tanken Fam & Ihrie but that kind of similar vibe is still there. A pair of explorers racing against time to find artefacts to get some ultimate power before it falls into the wrong hands. Yeah, what could go wrong? Yeah, it’s the 90’s. Back to more retro anime adventuring for me, that is.

Episode 1
As narrated, men was once at the peak of their civilization until war broke out over magic energy sources. After the war the destroyed the entire world, survivors slowly rebuilt their civilization. As there were countless magic and fortunes buried in ruins of the old civilization, hence adventurers called Ruin Explorers search for remnants of the bygone era. Ihrie and Fam are such adventurers as they are exploring a ruin. However thanks to Fam’s clumsiness, they get into a lot of traps. A LOT! They couldn’t get much artefact but hey, getting out alive in one piece is an achievement, no? Heading back to town, they try to trade their treasure for a night’s stay at the inn but the innkeeper views it as not enough. A travelling merchant named Galuff offers to pay for them if they are willing to sell those artefacts to him. As they sleep comfortably in their room, Ihrie has a dream whereby her master put a curse on her for being a mischief troublemaker. Next morning as they eat breakfast, Galuff once again talks to them. Although claiming he has no ulterior motives, he continues to tell of this Ultimate Power. Legend has it that 500 when Ludark was at its peak, King Orcus suddenly lost his wife, Lilliana. War then broke out but Orcus discovered some power that restored Ludark to its former prosperity. In order to control that power, Orcus practised a ceremony alone in some tower every day. But this drove him crazy and into despair and eventually sealing himself off with the power inside. Now, Galuff has the map of its interior and thought if someone could make good use of it. Ihrie seems interested and buys it with whatever money she has. Together with Fam they head there and as expected, get into more traps but survive! Blaming the map didn’t tell them about traps?!

Finally they enter a room where knight golems are protecting. They ask for a password but since Ihrie answered wrongly, attack! The duo soon find out they have been tricked as they were being used by Galuff to guide the way and ‘disable’ the traps. He has joined forces with another pair of adventurers, Rasha and Migel. They steal their idol and head into the main room while trapping the duo outside. When they place the idol on the altar, a projection of Lilliana pops up. However she claims she does not have Ultimate Power and was merely supporting her husband. As for the legend, that said power must be gained from 3 enchanted items: Sword of Sargus, Mirror of Truth and Proof of Royalty (this idol). Orcus called upon these for power and by placing 1 of those items here, under the pretence he came for it, was just here to visit her. The trio feel their efforts has been wasted but as they leave, Ihrie and Fam have got control of a golem and are hell bent on revenge. Although they put up a fight, they still lose. Outside, Rasha and Migel get duped by Galuff as he puts a sleeping spell on them as he runs off with the idol. Luckily Fam and Ihrie see the swindler running away as Fam uses her magic to bring him down. He tries to beg for mercy but Ihrie isn’t going to believe his lies. She takes back the idol and her money. Now the duo have a new mission to find the other artefacts as Fam is happy they can adventure more together.

Episode 2
As Fam is still not good in her magic, Ihrie trains her. Because she is so harsh that Fam is being slow, Fam decides to leave. Well, be my guest. Soon, Fam stumbles into a guy lost in the forest after being sold a fake map (I think we all know who), Lyle and ends up partying with him. In the next town, Ihrie sees Galuff trying to swindle others. She captures him and needs a favour. However she is hungry and with no money, is forced to work as a waitress in a bar. Guess who is in the table she is serving first? Why, it’s Rasha and Migel! Soon a fight breaks out. The owner tries to protect Ihrie but ends up in a fist fight with Migel. Rasha is hot on Ihrie’s tail. Ihrie is forced to use her magic. While this also breaks up the fist fight, we learn that each time Ihrie uses her magic, she turns into a mouse! Rasha gets scared and runs away. Ihrie then sees Galuff rummaging through her stuffs but luckily she turns back in time to catch him in the act. Trying to help reorganize, eh? Galuff seems to know where the next artefact is and it is in the underground city of Salehim. She has him guide there while Rasha and Migel are tailing them. Looks like Fam and Lyle are also inside Salehim. Fam is amazed this place has lots of spirits (which are essential for her to do magic). Lyle talks about this place how the people rebelled against the tyrant and in an attempt to settle everything quickly, Ultimate Power was used and hence Salehim was decimated in seconds. He laments the loss of this once prosperous city as he advises Fam to make amends with Ihrie. Suddenly they are attacked by monsters. Lyle knows they are puppets controlled by magic and knows the one behind this.

This time Rasha activates a trap and sends everyone crashing and reuniting. They fight the puppets but it seems their swords are useless as they can revive. Ihrie apologizes to Fam for being harsh on her magic training. But Fam is too late to use her magic as Rasha hogs the spotlight. Too bad she went overboard and cracks the ground, sending everyone crashing to the bottom. Don’t worry, they’re alive. But WTF Rasha and Fam trying to fight over Lyle? I know he is a handsome and nice guy but can we move on? They enter the room where the Sword of Sargus sits. Before them is the mastermind of it all. He is Rugudorull as he exposes Lyle as a prince. Lyle admits that and accuses him of killing his father the king and destroyed his nation of Rehbart. He then blames this archbishop for betraying everyone because he was supposed to mediate peace but got blinded by greed and ambition for conquest. Lyle fights him but is no match and gets injured. Rugudorull finds them amusing and will give this sword to them in hopes they can meet again next time. After he escapes, the rest try to do an Arthur and Excalibur and pull the sword out but it zaps them. It seems because they have temptation so they cannot draw it. Fam tries and suddenly she hears the spirit of the sword talking to her. It likes her because she is not greedy and will assist her. When Fam returns, the sword then becomes Lyle’s owner. This is because Fam asked it to assist him. Rasha trying to lap up to the prince now, huh? As they exit the ruins, everyone agrees to join force on a journey to get Ultimate Power.

Episode 3
The gang are hitching a ride on a sailor’s ship to an island where the Mirror of Truth is supposedly located. Galuff trying to bluff the sailors with his tales (not that they’re buying it) while Rasha and Fam quarrel over making dinner for their prince. In the meantime, Lyle talks to Ihrie and tells her about his nice kingdom. A place of peace. Everyone was happy and of course Lyle fell in love with a girl. But Lyle soon had to travel as part of his princely duties to expand his horizon. During that time, Rugudorull seized power and decimated the kingdom, even killing his loved one. By the time Lyle returned, his kingdom was in ashes. He then saw a subject of his alive. He is only so because Rugudorull let him live to tell what is happening. After that he perished. Hence it became Lyle’s mission to stop Rugudorull before he obtained Ultimate Power. However he isn’t sure why he wanted that power despite being a successful archbishop. Perhaps the magic drove him insane, the reason his father kept it sealed in the depths of the castle in the first place. Sorry to interrupt this storytelling as Fam and Rasha get jealous thinking Ihrie was trying to take Lyle from them under their noses since she is happily talking to him alone. Then they usher him for dinner. Looks marvellous but Galuff’s dog almost choked on its spiciness? Rasha soon realizes Fam tried to sabotage her perfect cooking. Don’t worry, nobody dies or gets food poisoning after that.

Next day, Ihrie pleads to Migel to teach her and Lyle swordsmanship to fight against Rugudorull. She also hopes Rasha can teach Fam some magic. Because Lyle also pleads the same, Rasha would gladly do that and forces uninterested Migel to participate. We can see Ihrie’s skill so lacking since she loses so easily. Migel has her fight the sailors instead but they’re uninterested in fighting a tomboy. She gets mad and starts swinging her sword. Galuff is forced to do other duties like cleaning and cooking. Can’t have this old geezer slacking off, right? Not sure after how long, Ihrie finally defeats Migel. Suddenly the sea freezes over. Yup, it’s Rugudorull and looks like he already got the Mirror of Truth. Too bad you slowpokes! He starts attacking them as our heroes try to counterattack. Migel thought he had cut through him but obviously he regenerates. Ihrie uses her magic that is similar to his to let Rugudorull have a taste of his own medicine. Yeah, he never felt such pain before so he is going to return the favour by inviting them to his castle where they will all die! He steals the sword and the idol and vanishes. Gee, why not just finish them off here now since they’re so weakened?! With Ihrie in mouse form, the truth is out. But the bigger issue is that Fam feels betrayed the sword went to Rugudorull and did not help Lyle. However Ihrie looks at it from another point of view. Rugudorull might have taken the sword but its spirit is still with them. In that sense, he has not truly become the sword’s owner. With that, everyone is motivated for the final showdown.

Episode 4
When the spirits won’t respond to Rugudorull, he gets upset. Even more so when they call him weak. Not sure how Ihrie and co arrive on land. Yeah, the ship was badly destroyed the last time. Oh well. Whatever. Lyle wakes up from a nightmare he failed to save Meria his fiancée. He regrets it and Fam feels sad for him. The gang then venture into a ruined church and see some stone that magicians embed their oath in it. Yes, allowing us to see Rugudorull’s past. When he was an archbishop, he visited the other parts of the land and found there were poverty and sick people all over. He became despair he couldn’t do anything. That’s why he sought that forbidden power to change everything but the power consumed him instead. Ihrie remembers this stone as she too had one when she was granted magic, the reason why her magic is similar to Rugudorull. But unfortunately for Rugudorull, despite his earnest wish to help the people, that pureness led to tragedy. Even so, Lyle cannot forgive the atrocities he had done to his people. He thinks this is his personal fight but I guess the rest too have a bone to pick with him. Yes, we’re already in this ride together so we’re going all the way. The gang storm into the dilapidated castle as Rugudorull sends his puppets to attack them. Galuff of course has no fighting skill so he does what he does best by sneaking around to find any treasures. An armoury chamber. Still treasure to him. Migel decides to become a hero as he stays back to fight the puppets so that others can go ahead to face the big boss. Well, it is proven his sword can do no damage to him. After a while, Migel thought he is going to die since his sword broke and the wave is relentless. Galuff throws him a lifeline since he raided the armoury and has some weapons to spare. For once he did something good.

Facing off with Rugudorull, he throws the artefacts back to them. He claims he just collected them for fun. Just like how he is going to fight them. Is he sore because they won’t respond to his wishes? Rasha gets taken out after trying to use her magic. Fam tries to go next but Ihrie has a plan. Using the same magic as Rugudorull, they let their giant familiars fight each other. During that, Lyle charges up and strikes him down. Rugudorull is still standing but it seems his mind is conflicted as he is caught between the desire to save the people or obtain greater power. Lyle is defeated since he cannot draw Sargus’ true power. Fam feels sad she cannot help him and that she cannot hear the spirits anymore. Don’t look now because the spirits are reacting to her. As Lyle struggles against Rugudorull, he pleads to Sargus for power but is told that doing so will drive him insane like Rugudorull. Meria’s spirit materializes before him. Fam claims the spirits are taking on the form of his memories to help him fight. But Lyle cuts her down! However this allows Sargus to give him the true power and a power so badass enough to disintegrate Rugudorull to bits! OMFG! This is so because Sargus explains about casting aside all your desires, anxieties, hatred and everything. Only so can the true power be drawn out. This is the path that lonely kings tread. Lyle says goodbye to Meria and everyone else survives the night. In the aftermath, Lyle believes Sargus didn’t respond to Rugudorull’s wish is because his heart wasn’t’ completely tainted with evil. Spirits are not concerned whether you are good or bad. As long as you are pure, they will respond to you. Since Rugudorull still had some desire to save the people, this is why in this sense he isn’t pure. Hence it is his own heart’s weakness that destroyed him. Lyle decides to rebuild his kingdom even if it takes a long time. That’s his duty as a prince. Oh, so Fam not joining him? Yeah, an emotional goodbye because I guess it’s better for her to be an adventurer as she returns to Ihrie. I wonder how Lyle is going to rebuild his kingdom since all his people got killed. Oh wait. Where those poverty stricken people pop out from?! Okay. These will do for a start.

Ruined Explorers But World Saviours
It is a shame that this didn’t get more episodes but I suppose it is best that this series is left like that. After all, this could be the entire story itself as this series was based on a very short manga of the same title. Yeah, it only had 2 volumes! Perhaps it was just some one shot or one off idea as the author tried to experiment with the story and characters. He probably didn’t have favourable views after that so he just ended it as it is. It’s a shame because it seemed like it had quite the potential and development. But alas it is only easy for us to say because you know how hard it is for an author to create and come up with concepts and all. So for better or worse, this is all we’ve got so be grateful for it.

So yeah, with only 4 episodes to boot, there is nothing much to flesh out and everything gets straight to the point. Whatever side stories or explanations were just something minor to help give some sort of disclosure. For instance, the magician’s stone oath is just to provide some flimsy explanation why Ihrie has the same magic with Rugudorull. That is all. Nothing else far beyond that. So if you are interested to learn more about the world’s setting and all, you’d be disappointed since everything here is just scratching the surface.

Hence we are told the setting right from the start about the job of a Ruin Explorer but then the story soon turns into one of that saving the world. Nothing to do with exploring ruins or going tomb raiding at all. Yeah, they tricked us with the title… Should this series take that route, I am predicting it will be like standalone episodes that are independent of each other. Fam and Ihrie getting into a lot of misadventures while they explore many ruins and barely escaping by the skin of their teeth. But instead we have a very old fashioned and straightforward and predictable plot of good versus evil. Fam and Ihrie turning into some sort of heroes and helping a prince get his revenge. In fact if you binge watch all the episodes in one sitting (like yours truly), it definitely feels like watching a 2 hour movie! Sheesh…

This means that it is also unfortunate that there isn’t much character development and especially the titular characters. It would have been interesting to see how the pair meet, why Fam sucks at magic or that curious flashback of how Ihrie got cursed by her master to become a mouse! And how does she turn back? Oh don’t worry. Some pill medicine. How or who made that? Dunno. Looks like she has not much left. Oh who cares, right? Yeah. That. But like I have said, they just tell us what is only needed for us to get along with the plot and nothing else. So you will have to draw your own conclusions and (dumb) theories about them if you’re really every so interested or have too much time on your hands.

So for our titular characters Fam and Ihrie, it is also unfortunate that I don’t really see them being close enough as a team. Because well, Fam is more like a clumsy girl and a bit of a retard since she is weak in her magic while Ihrie acts a lot like a tomboy. They get into a fight once in a while but being the straightforward series this is, they will eventually patch up. Oddly I have this feeling that the series is centred around Lyle but it is not surprising since the plot revolves around him too. Making this weird sentiment of thrusting Fam and Ihrie into secondary characters? Rasha and Migel being a livelier pair than Fam and Ihrie and I suppose this partly helped spice things up as Rasha is more bold and outspoken and while Migel seems disinterested in stuffs and is only being dragged into it because Rasha said so, not sure if it is his running joke because he likes to exaggerate how great he is by defeating hundreds of thousands of enemies but it’s all just a bluff. But still somehow a better swordsman than Ihrie. Yeah, I’m confused if Ihrie is a swordswoman or magician or both. I surmise she has to be a swordswoman because of her curse if she relies on magic.

They trying to troll us with Rasha and Fam trying to get his heart but this is only for comical effect than anything serious. Because in the end, is Rasha not interested to be his queen? Yeah, no fun building the kingdom. Probably she’ll just drop by and be his queen once everything is rebuilt! For now she continues to adventure with Migel. More fun this way. Good thing Lyle is loyal to Meria even though he made his peace with her but you can’t make the dead as your queen. Oh well, that’s another story for another time.

Then there is this shrewd character, Galuff. Ah, this opportunistic guy will not hesitate to backstab you if he can profit and get away from it. Fortunately, karma is a b*tch. You can call him a snake as he changes his face and tone whenever the tide is against him in a matter of seconds. Even trying to lap up to you. But that is not all that bad since this is his survival skill. Swindling might be bad but it’s your dumbass fault for believing in him, right?! Of course he isn’t totally bad and does some good. That of course is rare. The other amusing thing is his pet dog. I believe it is the series pet mascot (honestly, Ihrie in mouse form feels more pet mascot than this) but I see this uncanny resemblance of this duo as a discount version of Dastardly and Muttley! OMFG! Even a moment there I spotted the dog closely sniggering like Muttley’s trademark! Makes me wonder if they are based on this infamous classic cartoon duo.

Finally Goo Goo Doll Rugudorull feels forced as the main antagonist and was written so that the series would have some sort of reason to exist. AKA the plot. It boggles my mind that he is obviously way more powerful than all our heroes put together and yet he doesn’t kill them off and instead give them a chance. Maybe he is bored and wants some sort of entertainment, huh? Or maybe he just wants somebody to stop him seeing he still has remnants of good in him but it’s so miniscule it is negligible. Of course to prevent him from being 100% one dimensional evil character, hence that short flashback as the reason why he turned to the dark side. But still, that doesn’t clear him of his sins. This just gives us something to think about but not too deeply about it because this series is simple so don’t need more confusing twisted plot over plot for that. He is just a bad guy who had experienced some tragedy but wasn’t strong enough to overcome it and in the like all cliché scripts say, he dies. Period. That’s how it should be, right? Either you have such character as simple but cliché or deep but confusing. You can’t have both.

Art and animation reeks 90’s era style. Despite looking very dated, I would say compared to today’s standard of most animes, it is still quite good. The character designs are tell-tale signs that the series do indeed came from that era so don’t be too surprised to see shades of 90’s anime like Slayers, Outlaw Star and Mahou Senshi Louie in it. Though, Ihrie really looks androgynous and lives up to her tomboy character while in her mouse form, why does it remind me of those mice in Disney’s classic Cinderella? At first I thought this series was going to have some bare tits nudity fanservice. However the short scene of Ihrie bathing in an early scene of the first episode is the only such scene. Too bad if you want to see more because there is none of that ever again.

Voice acting, I only recognized Kikuko Inoue making her cameo as Lilliana. The rest not so although some veterans like Michiko Neya as Ihrie, Hekiru Shiina as Fam, Hikaru Midorikawa as Lyle, Rica Matsumoto as Rica and Kouichi Yamadera are still in the voice acting industry today while those like Iemasa Kyumi as Rugudorull and Chikao Otsuka as Galuff have long passed on. RIP you guys. The opening theme is Magical beat by Rica Matsumoto. Typical 90’s style lively anime pop. Sounds okay to me although I find her voice slightly not fitting in some parts of the song. Like as though she’s a bit out of tune. Dear Myself by Kumi Konno as the ending theme sounds a bit weird. Not sure how to explain it as there are some parts of this slow, relaxing and simple song sound weird (is it the tune of verses sound flatly the same?). Hear it and tell me.

Overall, this series had some potential but despite being far from perfect, this is still quite an enjoyable little retro OVA. If you love some old fashioned and simple fantasy genre anime, you can add this to your list. So am I a Ruin Explorer like them because I seem to have this habit of mine to once in a while to go dig and scour the internet for some hidden retro anime gems. Some are a miss and some totally worth it. In today’s world of anime where it doesn’t seem a lot more fun than before and with sequels and remakes everywhere, sometimes doing this kind of treasure hunting can be a lot more fun. The irony that such retro series bring a lot more joy than contemporary ones. Too bad they are finite and one day I will run out and have watched them all. Then will contemporary ones become the classics? Who knows? But I know I will have more fun unearthing and watching these hidden gems for now. Yeah, saving the anime world (and keeping my anime passion alive) by going back to watch the retro.

Strike The Blood Final

OMG! It’s finally here! The moment that I have been waiting for a long time has finally arrived. Not that I am a big fan of the series to be honest. Really. With Strike The Blood Final coming and going back in 2022, I can finally put an end to my wretched misery of all the dreaded confusion, hard to understand moments that made me go, “HUH?! WTF?! I DON’T GET IT!” that have bugged me ever since the series’ inception. Yeah, why am I still watching this then? Nostalgia? Got to finish what I started? Or is it the harem? Maybe. Oh yeah. But it feels like a long road thinking back where I come from when I started watching this series. Uhm, more like a long trip that I didn’t remember a damn thing! Yup, the case of where the destination is more important than the journey. That’s right. I came in watching this fifth and final season with not much recollection of all the twisted plots and storylines in my head and hoping some sort of miracle will happen (not going to go back and f*cking read my old blogs either! Because I was probably winging it as I wrote the episode synopsis! Hell yeah! And also not going to rewatch the entire thing!). The miracle of the series finally ending! Yahoo! My final season has begun! No senpai, OUR final season!

Returning With Glory Arc

Episode 1
Avrora meets Glenda. Now that her memories are clearer, she has seen this world’s true form. She summons a familiar to destroy some barrier. And beyond that is Mogwai who welcomes her. Meanwhile Radori Ren leads a fleet of warships to attack some giant relic called Shito. It is the last of the relic left by the Tenbu clan. Of course those warheads can do no sh*t as the giant familiar is shooting Dantou that contains vampire familiars in it. If all that is too heavy, then let’s get distracted as we see Yukina trying to have sex with Kojou! What is this excuse of the need to suck his blood and power up her Sekkarou? Only, Nagisa catches them in the act! Busted! But! When Nagisa thinks it is her brother’s blood she wants, she will gladly support her. Huh? How? She is going to stab Kojou! OMG! She’s really going to kill him! Is she jealous? This farce is put a stop by Asagi who explains how Nagisa came to this conclusion. When Kanon was in comatose state, it was deduced that if Kojou sucked her blood, this would prevent her from becoming an angel. Kojou then has Castiella stab him because of some weird reasoning that when an organism struggles for survival, its libido increases. WTF I don’t understand but yeah, it worked. And that is why Nagisa was trying to do the same. Back to serious business they are now having an audience with Radori who introduces herself as the admin of MAR and of course Shafriar’s sister. She shows them the clip of them fighting a familiar using Dantou. Though, she assures them that these are artificial vampires synthesized and have no will and emotions of their own. Since there are 6,452 of them and Shafriar has took them to Node, they can literally level the surface 3 times over. Of course this is not only Shafriar’s goal and is only a stepping stone for something much bigger. Now this is Radori’s goal: She wants to negotiate and buy Itogami. Sell everything including its citizens to MAR. This is to ensure their safety as well as the rights to be subjects of Tenbu. Agreeing to these terms will avert a war. So don’t take too long on the decision. As Radori leaves, Aladar and Zana are here to arrest her. Of course she won’t go down without a fight.

Shafriar still thinks Kojou is trying to interfere with his goal and orders his men never to let him enter Node. Kured talks to him about not fulfilling his bargain yet but Shafriar explains the Fourth Progenitor has the ability to open a portal to Node which is the only passage to Else, the land of the east. Now that Avrora is the Fourth Progenitor, they must find her. Since she is not in this city, she must be in the sky thanks to Glenda. He hopes Kured can help search for her if they are to achieve their goals. Meanwhile Kiriha would gladly take a ring that would make her a familiar of Kojou. Sayaka vehemently protests this so Kiriha believes she is in love with Kojou. Of course she denies this. But then news comes in as MAR is having negotiations with the Japanese government to avoid deaths of millions. However this would give MAR a free reign to do whatever they want. Suddenly Glenda comes in. She is panicking and needs Shio and Yuiri’s help to save Avrora. Since time is of essence, she forces them to come. Kiriha unfortunately gets sucked into her portal too. Asagi and Motoki talk to Shtra and Broodt. They are told about the Shito Carena City which belongs to the Ren family, a fortress where Tenbu lived for thousands of years. It cannot be hit by any attack and its other half remains in Node. Although it can be attacked from the inside, they have never heard anyone coming back alive from it. Shtra and Broodt also explain their hostility against dragons because they deem them as invaders who came from another world to investigate theirs. As they are in no shape for revenge, they hope Asagi can pass the message to Kojou to kill Shafriar for them. Asagi takes this responsibility and also notes MAR made a mistake by trying to negotiate with Kojou. Obviously that guy will not accept whatever terms they proposed. Kojou sees Aladar and Zana turned into stone. La Folia arrives to tell them how Radori used the same technology on how they sealed the Dantou. If she can seal the familiar of an ancestor, it is not possible to do the same to a vampire or a Progenitor’s blood servant. Oh, and she’s here to get her ring too.

Episode 2
Wow. Looks like Yume and Yuuma are snapping up those rings too. Yukina getting worried and trying to get them back?! Isn’t Kojou the one who is supposed to be in charge of who gets it? During this petty squabble, looks like Aladar and Zana are gone. Snatched right under their noses! Reporting this to Natsuki, she also notes that a dozen Dantou have been taken from Node and who knows where they will appear in this world. Plus, the Japanese government has made a deal with MAR. So they’re abandoning Itogami? Maybe. But for now she can’t have Kojou use his familiars to destroy Shito since its huge debris will rain down. Back at Kojou’s house, because Sayaka is acting suspiciously, Yume uses her powers to make her tell the truth. Aside her hate for Kojou and wanting to do perverse things on Yukina as well as somehow she finds Kojou attractive, she reveals the big decision by her organization to destroy the Kaname stone to sink Itogami. Doing so will destroy the gateway to Node. Later as Kojou ponders about regretting letting go of Avrora and they would never have come to this state, Asagi talks to him that his decision allowed everyone to be still alive. She also wants to claim a ring and confesses she loves him. Just like she loves this island, she won’t let it sink. She doesn’t care if he loves others, she’ll try to win his heart no matter how long it takes. Just give her a chance. Well, can’t argue with that. After taking the ring, he sucks her blood. As Yukina is in a dilemma to destroy Kaname stone, Paper Noise is willing to do it on her behalf and take the blame. This resolves Yukina to do it herself but oh look, here comes Kojou with Astarte. As lord of this domain, he wants to protect it and won’t allow them to destroy the stone. He has Yuuma and Castiella as back up to help him fight against Natsuki, Shike and Paper Noise. Yuuma trying to convince Natsuki she can’t destroy this island because she made a pact to protect this place. Hence Itogami is where her dreams came true as both humans and demons live together in harmony. With Lydianne and Sayaka coming in as reinforcements, all that is left is Yukina. She is still confused but wants to destroy the stone or else there will be casualties. She is left shocked when she sees Kojou powering up to stop her. Then she realizes Asagi has made a pact with him.

Yukina wakes up in Kojou’s house. She is still confused. Why is he treating her so nice when she is the enemy and the one who betrayed him? He believes she did nothing wrong. Her job to observe-cum-kill him and sink Itogami were orders from her superiors. Hence there were no betrayals nor does he have a grudge against her. Since Paper Noise and Shike have been captured, Yukina will have no reason to follow orders from her superiors. She is free to do what she wants. Yukina is still not convinced as she is still confused because if Kojou doesn’t agree to MAR’s terms, many will die. She fears Kojou will be blamed. So this is the reason she tried to destroy Itogami? So it’s basically love, right? It’s so like Kojou to assure that he’ll take care of everything and that includes making sure Shafriar will not get what he wants. The question is what does Yukina want to do? Oh look, now Kojou has to go meet with Radori. So we see the rest dressing him up nicely. Kojou leaves Kanon and Yume with an important and dangerous mission so in return they want an adult date with him. I guess this is excuse for Yukina to continue to observe him till the end. Yeah, the moment she looks away, girls are flirting with him. Everyone is glad that Yukina has made her decision.

Episode 3
Shio, Yuiri and Kiriha are now in Node. They meet up with Glenda who brings them to Avrora and Mogwai. Mogwai has them here because he wants them to protect Node from Shafriar as this place is the central management system that sealed the Dantou familiars. As magic cannot be used here, this is why they have to protect this place from dragons as they are the ones capable of standing up to the Progenitors. Don’t look now but Kured is here. Too bad the girls can’t stand up to Kured’s might as Avrora still has trouble controlling her familiars. Kured wants her to join him. But then Nagisa possesses Glenda and then powers up with Avrora to turn Node into its true form. Kojou now negotiates with Radori. Before he accepts her deal, he wants to know how strong a Dantou familiar is. She brings his entourage back to Shito to witness themselves as they are going to destroy Tokyo with one. Soon they receive news that La Folia is leading a fleet of allies to attack Shito. Radori orders to launch a Dantou to destroy them. However after launch, it does not activate and falls into the sea. La Folia then launches an attack on Shito. This is thanks to Gajou’s info when he told her that when a Dantou is launched, Shito must materialize in the real world, making it susceptible to attacks. This is where Kanon comes in to attack and ground the Shito to prevent it from disappearing back to the other world. With Chaos Bride and Fall Gazer seen preparing to attack, the high priest surrenders!

Radori is upset that Asagi planned all this but she digresses and this was all part of Cain’s plan as he foresaw people like them trying to misuse the Dantou. So even if they launch a Dantou, it will be useless as all are neutralized. Now for some technical sh*t explanation that I can’t understand. What I get is that for the Progenitors could tame the Dantou but in exchange for that power, they are cursed to immortality. But the Dantou don’t have the blood memory to control familiars. That is where past memories of people all over the world being uploaded to the net and forming a virtual world to create fake memories for the Dantou. As long as they continue living, they can create new ones. The Ren siblings are upset they have danced into Cain’s palm as all the Dantou familiars are useless. Now that negotiations are over, Kojou has Castiella guided by Motoki to destroy the inner structure of Shito. The siblings escape but Shito is going to fall. No worries, Kojou summoning a familiar that negates gravity to prop it up. Receiving news that MAR is trying to make a move on Itogami, the rest will handle it and leave it to Kojou and Yukina to save Avrora from Node. The duo are alone together as Yukina gets a bit upset about Kojou’s bluff. She thought he wanted to destroy Itogami for good. Well, they’re even since Yukina tried to do the same without telling hm. So keeping her in the dark was just to convince and fool Radori. So no more lies? The others rendezvous with Natsuki on Itogami as she explains MAR is trying to attack Itogami to cover up its failure. Yes, Radori trying to get Keystone Gate even if it means sinking the island. Kojou explains to Yukina the truth behind Node: It is actually a space colony made by Tenbu to travel to other planets if anything happens. That’s right. Node is in space! So… Magic doesn’t work in space?! They meet with Glenda who will bring them to his daughter.

Episode 4
See the obvious difference how Kojou treats Avrora from his other girls. When Kojou sees Mogwai, he can tell he is Cain himself. In Itogami, he exists in binary form as his personality is engraved inside a tomb. Kojou knows his entire goal: To free the Dantou familiars. Although the Fourth Progenitor was created to kill him, he took advantage of it. By being killed, he sealed Node and then divided himself into many parts by creating 12 familiars. After some time, he resurrected as Itogami’s AI and created this country and have been making preparations for this day. Kiriha and the other girls squabble to get Kojou to suck their blood because they want power to defeat the dragons. Kojou then becomes enraged when Yukina takes a direct hit (although not fatal). Shafriar is back and he is hell bent on getting his revenge on Kojou. Although Kojou can summon his familiars, they cannot last long. Hence Shafriar controls Avrora and forces her to summon her familiar. As Kojou tries to go save her, this is what Shafriar has been waiting for as he fires directly into him. OMG! Kojou dead and turned into dust???!!! Avrora picks up the final of Kojou’s ring. She is crying blood and as it drops onto it, Kojou’s harem start to have that orgasmic feeling. Now that Avrora has become the final familiar of Kojou, he revives! Back in the flesh! This means all his harem familiars also power up as they fight back. The tables turned on Radori as Motoki has called the JSDF to join in the attack. Even Aladar and Zana have revived. Even Kii is back to give Radori a taste of her own medicine. Poor girl wants to surrender but too late for that. Get wrecked!

Before Yukina fans can feel left out, Kojou wants to suck her blood. Calling her cute and all, even promising to take responsibility of not leaving her, there you go, one bite for the road. No matter how angry Shafriar is, we know his days are numbered. After Kojou defeats Kured, he now turns to Shafriar and is going to make him pay for doing all this sh*t just to dominate humanity. So yeah, this final fight is going to be his. Correction. Our fight, senpai! But wait! Shafriar still has an ace up his sleeve. He is wearing an armour designed to destroy Progenitors. It seems he is able to control zombie dragons who were tasked to monitor the Tenbu when they came to Earth but got killed. This infuriates Kured but Shafriar cuts him down. Shafriar is in for a surprise because familiars other than Kojou’s pop up. Who do they belong to? Vatler! Can’t have a finale without him, eh? Kojou and his girls then break Shafriar’s armour and send him to his defeat. The day is saved. These events are watched afar from Reina and Moegi and they are glad papa Kojou is victorious since he protected their possible future. In the aftermath, we hear Kojou and co talk about the Dantou familiars are sent to various Demon Districts across the world. Hey, can’t house all 6,000 of them in Itogami, no?! As students, they won’t be treated as research subjects. Shafriar and Radori are undergoing trial. Vatler has headed for Else with Kured as his guide. So he has run away from Earth since he has too many enemies here? They joke about him returning with a possible army from Else for revenge. In that case, Motoki suggests Kojou to increase their strength by creating a second generation of stronger vampires. Oh yeah. You know what that means, right? The real fight over Kojou’s seeds will begin when?

V Strikes … And You’re Out!
OMG! We’re done with it! YAHOO! But oh well… I know this is very unfair of me to say that the final season and arc is nothing much because firstly I do not remember much about the convoluted plots from previous seasons. So if I said I was expecting a lot more and then they start to spam all those previous plot devices from previous seasons, you bet I am going to blow my top and my brains explode from all the things coming together in the final season. Yeah, too much for me to handle. So with everything as I have seen being minimal (in my opinion) and just getting straight down to the point, I think in this context this finale was the best possible way for a dumb person like me to at least watch something out of it. Hey, I have to admit although it was not as freaking confusing as previous seasons (because mainly I FORGOT!), somehow I still manage to eke out that little sense of enjoyment for this final season as they sufficiently tie up what is necessary. That itself is a big achievement for me and as this is the final season, it makes it all the sweeter. Phew.

I am also not sure if I should be happy or not (of course I should!) because the other shocking thing about this final season is that it has only 4 episodes! OMG. What?! Only 4 freaking episodes?! Here I thought it was going to have a dozen more considering the trend this series has ever since it decided to adapt itself into a OVA format from the second season. The second season had 8 episodes. Then the third had 10 episodes. When the fourth one had 12 episodes, what would a normal person deduce the final would have how many episodes? 14, right? Yeah, for me I thought it was going to blow back up to 24! I was even prepared for the long dreaded fight that would last for several years! But what do you know?! Holy sh*t! Only 4 episodes, dude! Wow. That saves a lot of my time and brain power! So for better or worse, I guess this is fine.

As I have said, this finale gets down to the point and tries to avoid any detours or distractions unless it has something to do with Kojou’s harem. Heh. What I’m trying to say is that from the past seasons, the series has a lot of characters appearing in it. So with the finale with only 4 episodes to boot, many of them felt like making their few seconds cameo and that’s it. Once again, it is that dilemma of mine after finishing watching this, to wonder if it was anything much. And of course once again in conclusion, it was for the better for people like me who were already so confused and all so it’s better for these characters to just have a few seconds of appearance than none at all. I guess I’m sad Polifonia didn’t make the cut, huh? Poli-who? Don’t know. But I know Mamiko Noto voiced her character. F*ck. So I guess other characters like Ibliss and Nina who don’t appear here at all, don’t really matter, huh?

Just want to note that for this season, Yukina felt a lot like a worrywart. In the sense that she seemed like she is confused, lost and uncertain. Heck, I was going to make some joke that this is the only season where she does not say the trademark line combo. Oh you know, when Kojou says it is going to be his fight, then Yukina would interject and correct him that it is our fight. Yes. That. Until of course that single scene. Otherwise, it seems Yukina is spamming more often the lines of that she is Kojou’s observer. It’s a roundabout way of saying I love you and want to be with him forever but whatever. Considering how things have turned out, I guess now she still can’t rest easy because his harem is out for his seeds! The real battle begins! By then, will it be OUR battle?! Every woman for herself! For Kojou! It would be mind blowing to see Kojou having f*ck all of them and having daughters that look so much alike like their mothers. Next generation of Progenitor fighters of the Empire Of The Dawn! Yeah! I hope that won’t happen so I won’t be sticking around to get more confused!

Oh well, I have come a long way since this series’ inception. I don’t know what else more to be said because at this point, it also feels weird that I am also leaving a series that I have a love-hate relationship with (more towards the latter because of its confusing plots and terms!). From the action bits to the harem fanservice that was the main motivation for me sticking through thick and thin for the series, oh man, I don’t know how to explain this strange feeling welling up inside me as I type this. The final farewell. Just like the light novel did back in 2020. Unless they adapt another side story sequel from it! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NOOOO!!! The fight is over. My fight with this series is dusted and done. No senpai, our fight… Has only just begun! That’s right. This series might be over but there are many other animes out there whose fight have yet to finish! Now we go Strike The Other Animes!

Mahoutsukai Reimeiki

At first there was something that felt familiar to Mahoutsukai Reimeiki but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Turns out that it is actually a spinoff sequel to Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho. So that’s why. Well, I suppose it is better than keeping that Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho title because it once confused and trolled the hell out of me back then. Yeah. With new characters and plot, old ones like Zero and Youhei will only make cameo appearances and become secondary characters. Not sure if I am okay with that (since Youhei was ultimately a pretty cool character in my books) but I shouldn’t jump into hasty conclusions first without watching the whole thing.

Episode 1
Saybil is summoned by the headmaster of Wenias Royal Magic Academy. Many think he will be expelled for he is the worst student and the one with the lowest grade. Outside the headmaster’s door, he sees Loux Krystas trying to force her way in to see Albus. She tries to threaten Saybil’s life to get her to open up but Holdem puts a stop to this charade. Albus finally opens up and is shocked to see Loux here. A bit of history how the Church and witches were at war until 5 years ago. Though, there are still witch hunts in the south these days. But the main war happened 10 years ago when Thirteen tried to end persecution of witches and created a place for them. It led to the world being aware of magic and the world’s view greatly changed on witches. Thirteen would eventually be executed by Albus herself. Although magic is being integrated into everyday life, in the south Albus has created a village for witches where they are still not treated equally. Hence she is sending Saybil there as a mage. If after 3 years he is deemed as unfit, he will have his memories erased. Loux will gladly accompany Saybil there. Oh, the witch that was supposed to accompany Saybil? Loux swapped jobs with her! Loux’s goal is after all The Grimoire of Zero. Albus will not allow her to get her hands on that text although she can arrange to meet its author. Before Saybil and Loux begin their journey, they are joined by Hort, a student senior who will be accompanying them on their journey. There is also Kudo but he is not travelling with them and escorting a couple of their mages himself just to avoid his grades getting docked. Saybil and Hort learn about Loux’s living staff, Ludens. It eats anybody’s magic who touches it, causing them to die eventually. Loux is immune due to the pact she made with it so when her magic is fully depleted, Ludens still keeps her alive.

The journey begins and somehow Saybil has motion sickness in this slow carriage ride? They camp for the night as Hort prides on her smile because she claims it is easier to get people to like her. Saybil reveals he has no memories prior to the academy. That is why he must succeed in this task for having his memories taken away, it means he’ll be left with nothing. Also, he cannot cast proper magic. Well, he can but he cannot control them and it will go berserk. Meanwhile a couple of witch hunters sighted a certain lizard and plan to crush him just to give warning there will be no peace between the Church and witches. Next morning at their inn, Loux and co hear Kudo’s escorts complain how he ran away by himself after they were attacked by bandits. But Loux smells something different. Nothing of theirs got stolen and yet they would fetch a higher price than that lizard. It could mean Kudo sensed witch hunters and drew their attention away from them. Loux will go rescue him herself and wants the rest to stay put since they are weak and will likely be a deadweight. Of course the duo will not stay put for long as Hort uses her tracking magic to track Loux down. As for those guys, they’re not willing to risk expulsion for a lizard. Jerks. Saybil thinks they would’ve agreed had Hort flashed her smile. Then they troll us as she smiles and confess that she likes Saybil. As a friend. The duo then stumble into Kudo’s tail. A fake one, right?

Episode 2
They also notice footprints. They recognize those belonging to Kudo and Loux. However the third one as Hort believes could be an Arbiter from Dia Ignis, death row inmates hired by the Church to hunt down witches. She has a trauma of meeting one when she was small. She went to a nearby village to visit a friend but an Arbiter killed them all for being witches. Hort lied that she isn’t one so she could escape. While the logic is to turn back, Saybil thinks it is only right to save a friend. He believes Hort wouldn’t have run had her friend was still alive. Kudo has stumbled into many traps while escaping. His luck runs out when he stumbles into Tyrant. Finding him an amusing creature, he wants his men to bring the cage. This traumatizes Kudo as he doesn’t want to go back there again. From young he was treated as a freak show, his limbs chopped off just because it can grow again. He laments he cannot protect others if he cannot protect himself. When Albus suggested an escort, he declined one. Albus assured him that as long as he is a student of this academy, she will not abandon him. Kudo wonders if he had gone with Loux, would she have protected him. As Kudo tries to resist, Tyrant gets fed up and will just kill him instead. Just in time, Loux is here to save the day. He recognizes Ludens and is now super cautious. He is out of options until he hears Saybil and Hort’s voice looking for them. Trying to help but now they’re dead weights. Tyrant grabs Saybil and threatens to kill him. Although Loux will kill him if he kills any one of them, he wants Loux to give Ludens to him in exchange for Saybil’s life. Since she disagrees, he is fine with everyone dying together. Loux then changes her mind and drops the staff. As Tyrant forces Saybil to get it, he sounds out to Hort and tells her to drop the act. He reveals she is a spy for the anti-witch faction.

Hort goes into trauma mode. Short flashback on her young life. She grew horns on her head and others thought she was a child of a demon. Against her will, they sawed it off claiming it was for her own good. She was then made to work for the Church and then a mission to infiltrate the magic academy. Because Albus treats her nice, she really wanted to graduate as a mage. Then she was put on this mission and had a bad feeling. So she tried to delay their travel and throwing off their schedule and hoped Kudo’s group would get attacked. But she never imagined Tyrant would be here and it jeopardized everything. In the end, she betrayed everyone. Of course Saybil doesn’t blame her. Confused at how he can smile at a traitor like her, Hort then uses her magic to attack Tyrant but it proves futile. As Tyrant is about to kill her, Saybil decides to grab Ludens even if it costs him his life. Against Loux’s wish, Ludens goes out of control. In the aftermath, the surrounding vicinity is decimated. Saybil is still alive. Loux very mad and scolds everyone. Even Ludens is not spared. It seems Saybil has unlimited magic. This is the reason why he has trouble controlling it. Since Saybil’s magic exceeded what Ludens could siphon away, hence that.

Episode 3
Hort feels weird that nobody is mad at her for being a spy. She tells Saybil about her horns and why she is working for the Church, supposedly to cleanse her tainted soul. They talk about how if a beast warrior and witch die and the former’s soul has nowhere to go, it will enter the witch’s bloodline and become her descendent, a part-beast and part-human. Over time, that power dilutes so the beast soul’s influence weakens while taking more of a human form. Hence Hort and Kudo are beastfallens and she is glad for Saybil because he doesn’t speak ill of them. As thanks she gives him a little kiss. It is discovered those guys Kudo escorted were the ones who leaked info. Now they will face the consequences but it doesn’t matter to our little gang. Loux will have Kudo regenerate his limbs and with Saybil’s unlimited power, that is possible. Trolling us they have to kiss to do that? No to gay beastiality! The healing is a success and after a little party, they continue their journey. Stopping by at the next town, Saybil learns from Kudo why he wants to become a mage. The Church Knights have been rebranded as Church & Mage Army after peace was made with the witches and a beastfallen unit was created. But only the top of the cream can join. Kudo being a weakling, his only shot at it is by becoming a mage. He is adamant of becoming one because during his days as a freak show, when a crazy witch appeared to destroy the world and caused destruction, he was trapped in some rubble but a knight found and saved him when he was not obliged to. Kudo wanted to be like him and made the army his goal.

The journey resumes and it went smoothly since Loux knows the people at the stops and the best places to camp. She even teaches them some hunting methods for fun. As this journey is going to end, Loux lets them know her excitement to meet the owner of the Grimoire of Zero. As a witch who has lived so long, as she does not need food, sleep or even love/romance to produce offspring, all that is left for her is to seek thrill and have fun. That’s why she relishes seeing all sorts of events even if one puts the world in danger. Of course recently she learnt it is fun travelling with others and doing so with them was really fun. Suddenly a young boy, Laios tells them to hide because somebody will kill them if they find them. Using his magic to shield them, but this is only temporary as that guy, Youhei sniffs them out. Seems he knows about the trio in the field programme. Loux handles him and has her students escape with the kid. Youhei will not go after them because turning his back on her would be a mistake. However he won’t fight her either as he knows he cannot win. Loux is surprised Youhei knows about Ludens and the field programme. He just needs Laios to return to the village, that’s all. He tells her to go after her students and is confident they’ll meet again.

Episode 4
At the village, they meet the priest, Shinpu. He claims the control of this village changed hands 2 years ago when the previous witch surrendered to an invader without a fight and vanished. Ever since, no one has been able to oppose her. Then they realize they are all troubled students who got sent here and it could mean going back to the academy, expulsion awaits. Kudo thinks of getting help from the Church & Mage Army but Shinpu believes they’re not going to risk losing 1000 soldiers over a strong witch. Especially if this is just trouble in a witch village. Shinpu and Loux engage in some suspicions talk as she suspects him of sharing info from the Church with the witch. Shinpu hints about the best way is to kill anything suspicious but Loux has other ideas. Laios returns to his father, Uls. Laois explaining he is the only kid in this village and a witch casted a spell on him so everyone would like him. As Uls guides them to the house they’ll be staying, there are life sized straw dolls hanging from the roof for those who lived here. This is to stop people from trying to run. Later Loux thinks they should go kill the witch and Albus while at it since she lied to them. Because of there’s no supervising witch, her job can’t end. Hort thinks of getting the Church & Mage Army to help but Saybil thinks they should do it themselves to prevent the whole place from turning into a battlefield. He is confident with his unlimited magic, the rest can cast as many spells they want. Kudo is not happy because he is implying to die fighting in a losing battle. Saybil notes during Tyrant’s attack and when he touched Ludens, it made him realize he was not afraid to die. This does not sit well with Hort since she was trying to tell him not to die. She runs away in tears so Saybil gets a lecture about friendship. Hort just doesn’t want him to die like a dog simply because they’re friends.

As Hort prays at the church, a little girl Lilly tries to comfort her but with Shinpu back, she is sent scurrying back home. Hort realizes too late from the symbol of Shinpu’s stick that he is from Dia Ignis. He doesn’t blame her for betraying the Church since she spent 4 years at the academy. He traps her and is going to have a long talk. When Saybil cannot find Hort, he goes back to get Loux’s help to trace her. Looks like she is in this cave. When blood is spotted on the ground, they know it is a trap but Loux will still push forward. However Kudo will not take this risk and leaves. Despite Loux’s motivation to be brave and valiant, Kudo knows his limits. He is not strong and doesn’t want to die a stupid death. He doesn’t care if he gets expelled. But on the way out he bumps into Youhei who thinks he has deserted his comrades. Care to join him? Because he can also get him into the army and can even enter a witch’s blood contract with him. But when Kudo asks about Hort, Youhei claims he killed and ate her. Kudo rejects him so Youhei goes off to kill his buddies. But Kudo will not allow that and is going to fight him. Loux asks Saybil why he want to save Hort. Because she’s his friend. He’ll do it even if it goes against Loux’s orders. Oh heck, he’ll save her too if she’s in the same position. Saybil and Loux are ambushed by Shinpu. After he takes Ludens, he locks them in a room. So that witch before them is Zero?

Episode 5
Zero mocks Loux as an amateur witch. Zero claims in order to take them from Albus, she has gone great lengths to take this village for herself. She wants Saybil to join her and nobody will hurt him. However he refuses to do so and doesn’t accept Zero as part of his memories. Loux kisses Saybil to absorb some of his magic. This allows her to fire back a great one at Zero. Too bad she neutralizes it easily. Remember, all magic were created from her! Now Zero will unleash her payback. And uhm, paper confetti? Zero claims she is the witch who will supervise them in this field programme. Since Saybil is slow on the uptake, Loux tells him they were tested. Here is Hort, happy that Saybil has passed. Seems she was tested too. Had she crossed over to join the witch, she would’ve failed. It seems everyone in the village was just pretending and part of this test. The mastermind behind it all is of course Shinpu. To complete the good news, Youhei brings in Kudo who also passed his. Loux knew it all along because the place they were staying, everything is too brand new despite claims of not being occupied for years. Albus receives a letter that her students have passed. She is overjoyed with this news because last year not one passed. Now she sets her target to capture Tyrant alive since he hurt her students. Over the village party, Zero explains this test is to see if students were virtuous or not. Failing ones will be expelled and that is what they sought of them since their powers are too great. An exceptional mage who is swayed to the path of evil will destroy the world. Zero can see the greatness they will become if they continue their practice their magic. As part of the training, they are to open a store each where the villagers can seek their help. They have a few days to think what kind of store they want to open. When Saybil asks Zero if she took him into the academy, she tells him it’s alright if he doesn’t remember.

That night, a knight on a white dragon, Heath arrives to give letters to Saybil, Hort and Kudo. It seems the letters approve them of using their full magic powers without any restraint. This feels like full authorization to engage in battle. Kudo goes up to Heath and wonders if he still remembers him. As one who saved him from that trapped cage, of course. Kudo wonders if he has a chance to join the army. Heath sounds pessimistic. Only because he isn’t in charge of recruitment but views him a possible valuable asset to his squad. So keep up the good work. When the trio get back, they feel sad thinking that Loux will leave since her escort mission is over. While that is true, she will only do so after reading all the books in this village. That will take about 3 years. Hence she will be staying for the time being and will help them get better. As long as it entertains her, she’s up for it. Time for a big group hug! Later Loux talks to Zero alone and can tell she is suffering from some magic depletion disease. That is why Saybil is like God sent. Zero continues to reveal bits of Saybil’s past. Because of his exceptional power, a witch targeted him. His mom was killed before his eyes but the witch perished via magic overload. This trauma caused Saybil to seal his own memories and led to him experiencing all sorts of oppression. Seeing how deep this goes, Zero thought it would be best to give him a new lease of life at the academy. After all, he has no memories so he can make a clean start. However with his great magic being unstable on occasions, the reason she also sought his expulsion. Loux wonders why she is trying to control his life. That’s because Saybil is Zero’s nephew. And this means his father is Thirteen! We all remember the guy who started to war on the world just to create a world for witches? Yeah, that same guy who also stole Zero’s grimoire.

Episode 6
It’s been 2 months. Saybil is running a magic supply shop and he hardly leaves the house. This doesn’t impress Loux because at this rate he won’t learn anything and will fall behind. Worse, she finds it appalling that he is doing Hort’s laundry. She gets agitated and furious of how dense he is, not knowing the implication of it all. Loux then forces Saybil to go pick some tea leaves in the forest. He meets Laios who will help gather some. But they get lost. Luckily Laios recognizes mice that belong to Lilly so they are guided back to the village. Shinpu invites Saybil into his chapel and has Lilly make a decent meal for him. Saybil then sees Lilly’s true form, a mouse. Shinpu also lectures Saybil of heading somewhere dangerous without knowing it because he almost went to some bees’ territory. After Saybil leaves, he stumbles into Hort whose clothes is a bit bloodied. She explains it belongs to Youhei. They were patrolling the forest after receiving reports that monsters were trampling the vegetation. They were attacked by wolves but since Hort was too slow in her incantation, Youhei fought them off and Hort’s magic hit him. Hort feels useless and doesn’t think she deserves to be a mage since Youhei was mad at her. Loux then brings Saybil to Zero trying to heal Youhei’s wounds. Zero kisses Saybil to suck some of his magic to completely heal the wounds. While Hort won’t be expelled, Youhei being mad at her as a lesson because there’ll be a next time. Because he isn’t such a nice guy who will lecture those he won’t intend to pair up again. Loux is worried that Saybil might be falling behind but Youhei doesn’t mind. He is fine the way he is and if he doesn’t want to study magic, so be it. Zero adds that even if Kudo and Hort are advancing, it doesn’t necessarily mean Saybil needs to run at the same speed. Later Loux privately talks to Zero about just taking just a little of Saybil’s magic because if he is running a shop providing magic, it will not be a crime. Zero doesn’t want to exploit Saybil and even though his magic is unlimited, who knows one day the well will dry up. Loux notes at this rate she will wither and rot away. Zero does not mind it and prefers this way. To age and die with the one she loves than the opposite. Holdem is on his way to inspect the village and looks like a captured Tyrant is being brought along too.

Episode 7
Kudo also has his fair share of problems. He was trying to heal several people with an infectious disease but collapsed halfway and had to be brought back. The trio reflect on their abilities and what they must do. They go to see Zero but she will give Hort a special lesson to learn to control her magic. But during that lesson, Zero runs out of magic and collapses. Saybil tries to transfer his magic but it is not working. Maybe through the lips? As he brings her home, Zero notes the medicine book he is holding. Despite being effective if you follow it exactly, yet to the author they’re still defective. She hints it is his father who wrote it. Later Saybil joins Laios to gather herbs in the forest. Suddenly WTF this Corona virus ball thingy starts shooting spikes?! Both get injured but Laios gets a fatal one through his chest. A weakened Saybil carries him back for help. However he thinks he can’t go on further and desperate calls for Loux’s help. Her voice tells him not to give up and trudge on because Zero and Youhei are on their way. Once Loux also arrives, she gives her blood to Zero as requested as Zero starts her healing. Laios is healed but both witches collapsed due to loss of magic. Then they discuss about that monster believed to be called Remnants of Disaster. The spikes it launches will suck blood and then sprout more while awaiting more prey. It was created during the disaster in the north and even with the demons gone, they continue to multiply. For one to apply here in the south, it means somebody let it loose here. As Youhei goes to see Shinpu, he stumbles into Holdem. They discuss that there might be someone catching and selling the Remnants of Disaster. They’re going to leave the village to find more info. But wouldn’t this leave this village defenceless? I guess those witches aren’t enough for the time being. Youhei dares Holdem to stay back as defence. However Zero wants to come and despite Youhei’s protest, the rest agree so hallelujah to democracy.

Episode 8
Holdem will now be in charge looking after the village but Saybil and co are just suspicious of him. Of course Loux believes there is another reason for all of this but Holdem changes the topic to have Loux take care of the Remnants of Disaster. Doing so, he’ll see to it that Loux will be allowed to borrow the Grimoire of Zero. Uls talks to Saybil and despite knowing it is not his fault, wants him to stay away from Laios. Saybil promises to become stronger so they can hang out again. Suddenly Saybil gets kidnapped by Tyrant. This prompts traumatic memories of his mom’s death. Before she died, she told him to stay away from the witch with the same eyes as his as she’ll take away everything he has. Then the witch came in to look for Saybil and threatened to kill mom. Saybil came out of his hiding but the witch still decapitated her. Then she tried to steal his magic but he overflowed more into her body, causing her to melt and die in the most grotesque way. Hort and Kudo are haphazardly riding their way to save Saybil. They manage to free him but all still lose since they are indecisive about killing him. As Loux picks Remnants of Disaster, she finds Holdem passed out on the ground. She hears from him that Uls was telling Hort and Kudo about Saybil being kidnapped. Before he knew it, he passed out. Loux isn’t so surprised, though. Isn’t this whole thing a trap set up by him?! The only thing Loux didn’t count on is that Tyrant is in on this.

Before the young ones get decimated, Tyrant gets sliced by Shinpu. Don’t worry, he won’t kill and all this dismemberment can be restored via magic. With the rest arriving and Holdem being busted for knowing Tyrant, time for him to spill the truth. It seems the academy made a deal with Tyrant to spare his life if he could bring back a student to the academy. Hence this isn’t a test for the students but an inspection to see if the village is able to protect them. This forces them to admit the village has serious defence issues. This means it will be impossible for them to protect every inch of it when it comes down to it due to lacking manpower. Holdem then suggests using Tyrant as extra manpower if they so needed. However Hort is against this because if he can betray the Church, there is no telling that he may betray them too. Uhm, did Hort also betrayed the Church? Zero explaining about witch hunts and all, she understands those who want revenge. As Tyrant has been ordered to serve this village to atone his sins, she has Hort consider his execution. If she goes ahead with it, Shinpu says she must also execute him for he has killed many under the orders of the Church. Even Loux as well since Ludens has taken many witches’ lives. Now it has come to this, Hort will have Tyrant live in Youhei’s bar and she will keep a constant watch on him. Oh well, better than having him killed, right?

Episode 9
Saybil talks to Hort despite he has his memories back, he feels nothing has changed. He asks about love. Because Loux says she likes him. What do you expect her to answer?! So as she tries to give advice, she asks the first person he thinks when he is dying. Loux? Then he must be in love with her. So is Hort going to be his advisor for love? Saybil then goes to talk to Zero about his regained memories. She reveals more about her brother Thirteen who is also Saybil’s father. He is the kind of person who would burn the world for her. Thirteen must have realized the potential of obtaining a child with unlimited magic. That’s why Saybil’s mom took him and ran. Though, she blames herself for many of the misfortune that he has suffered. Saybil is also worried about supplying magic now in fear that he might overload his clients and kill them. Zero trains him how to control it. Loux and Hort arrive too late as Kudo’s place has been attacked. Hort thinks Tyrant is the cause and to unhand this young kid whom they found infected in the forest prior. Upon releasing him, the kid attacks but Loux anticipates this and captures him. It is believed he is a pawn used by the Church. They are visited by Lady Hearthful who runs a school in town. They weigh in on his role, because the anti-witch faction doesn’t know much about this village, they sent him in to see how he is dealt with. Hearthful also advises Tyrant about his behaviour because it is better to learn some manners and etiquette to make less enemy. She also warns acting fearsome will get him nowhere since nobody in this village will fear him. Youhei suggests torturing the kid for more info and since Kudo and Hort are against this, the only way left is to get Shinpu to do the interrogation. He asks the questions and despite the kid doesn’t answer them directly, because of his body reaction and all, Shinpu has his answers. Now that they have some info, Shinpu also cannot exclude the possibility that he was supplied false info. It is very highly likely that someone at the top of the Church who is presenting themselves as a peace faction but is actually supporting the extremists. While it might seem no movement has been made, it is believed the move is already made in secret. They think to postpone sending this kid back to Wenias. Hort sees Tyrant helping kids make fish traps at Hearthful’s school. Despite he is being honest being a killer, the kids don’t fear him since he says he won’t kill them. Hence insufficient grounds for them to fear him. Hearthful wants Hort to accompany them on a fishing trip tomorrow but she still has trauma of Tyrant killing her best friend.

Episode 10
Kudo takes Kady (that traitor kid) to have a meal with Lilly. Kady laments he can’t die a hero and his name go down in history so Kudo tells him off about his criteria on what he views as evil. Since Kady considers witches and beastfallens as evil, Kudo surprises him that Lilly is a beastfallen. Her cooking is delicious, no? Feel free to puke it up if you think otherwise. Later, Saybil confesses he loves Loux! What gives?! So, love as a teacher-student? Nope. Love as in he wants to marry her! Definitely gave Loux the biggest surprise of the day. Hort has to tell him about love being a negotiation game. But sorry, you can’t tell someone you just confessed to to forget it. We see Kady’s flashback that he has been brutally trained by the Church to kill their enemies. Kady is invited by Hort to join Hearthful and the kids at the river. He is amazed they can still interact with Tyrant like normal despite being a traitor. They talk about trust like Kudo who still doesn’t trust anybody especially Hort. Basically, trust being something that is earned. Saybil tests his magic potion on Ludens before telling his reasons why he likes her (as advised by Hort). I don’t know, it sounds cringe but kudos to Loux for keeping her composure. Saybil then tells her about Kady joining the rest at the river. Now we see a flashback on Tyrant. Damn, he looks so mature even for a kid?! His father told him to make traps but was beaten up for it. Because of his skills in making them, a noble hired him to make traps as sports for slaves he released into the wild to be hunted. Those who escaped will be freed but those caught will be killed. Ever since hiring Tyrant, his success rate has been 100% and it has been no fun. But soon Tyrant is captured by the Church and given a deal to die now or live in agony. Tyrant talks to Hearthful about coming to a witch village despite a witch destroying her home. She puts it that even if a hunter kills her child, she will not hate humans. She might even become one and teach her child how to hunt without killing. When Kady starts acting weird, he soon turns into a monster. It is believed he didn’t bring a single Remnants of Disaster. Tyrant holds him down while Hort chants her spell to seal him. It worked but Kady breaks free. Tyrant tries to hold it back but gets killed. Hort then uses all her magic to burn Kady. Once Kady dies, Kudo heals and revives Tyrant. But out from Kady’s corpse are little bug monsters. Feeding time. They have to run but Tyrant can’t since he lost too much blood. Oh, they don’t have too. They just need to duck and lie low since Loux is here to feed Ludens snacks. A clean sweep.

Episode 11
The trio lament they can’t save Kady as they pay their tributes at his grave. Soon, Heath arrives to tell the trio they have orders to return to Wenias since this village will turn into a battlefield soon. They then go talk to Zero about not wanting to leave because if there is going to be a war, they’ll need all the help they can get. Zero warns of expulsion but Saybil would rather drop out than follow such orders. He even has a plan to make this war a defensive one. His plan is to disable the enemies than kill them. He has made some magic potions although it is still unfinished. With Loux making a fuss that she likes this village too, Zero will call Albus and see what she has to say about this. She is impressed with this idea of a war where no one dies and gives them the green light. Saybil reveals to Hort and Kudo that his father is Thirteen but they don’t care about that and treat him the same. The children are treating Tyrant to their treats as thanks for saving them. Tyrant then talks to Hearthful. Despite sounding he wants to torment them, she believes he is in love with her. She doesn’t find it surprising because when you’re in love, you’ll find the importance of protecting it. Then he goes to talk to Hort and hints that he can kill those he loves even when ordered to. That is how he is trained. She acknowledges that scums like him can protect others and this messed her perception of him. This might have him suffer his whole life under the weight of everything he took but if living makes him suffer, then keeping alive is worth it. She will even protect his back.

Loux talks to Shinpu about the Remnants of Disaster that ate through Kady’s stomach. Had she not destroyed it, it would have multiplied infinitely and continue to consume others. This raises the question if the Church extremists intend to take themselves out along with the witches. Since no one is foolish enough to spread a plague without a cure, then whoever knows how to stop it is also the one who spreads it. Cal reports to Faeria about the Church extremists marching down towards Zero’s village. She is worried many will die and wonders if things will be okay if she leaves a single medic here as proxy in her absence. She writes a letter for Albus. Albus is talking to Torres about the Remnants of Disaster seeds found in dead bodies. They were taken back to the Church who then passed them secretly to the extremists. The question is when and where they will use them. With Cal arriving to hand over Faeria’s emergency message, Albus wants him to head to the north to call back the mage commander. Cal is worried since he still wants to live. Albus assures him that he will be protected. Final briefing after setting up all the traps that won’t kill. Worst scenario is that they may end up massacring. Saybil then requests Zero to take in as much magic from him. He wants her to protect the future of all mages even if his own future is ruined. Saybil transfers so much magic that even Zero can’t handle it and pulls out. But Saybil now know what it feels like to have less magic. Zero then bestows him the name of the Abyss Witch. While his friends are happy for his achievement, Zero reminds them if they fail, all of them will get expelled. What a way to rain on their parade.

Episode 12
As the soldiers march on, they fall into various traps. However soon after, they get healed completely. They soon realize that this is a warning from witches. Hence they decide to make good of this blessing and retreat. However those continuing to soldier on are beastfallen mercenaries. When Shinpu and Youhei realize Lilly is not among them, they hurry to her rescue. Thank goodness they are fast enough before the beastfallen boss kills her. So while the duo make a massacre out of the pack, another group of beastfallen mercenaries have reached the village. But thanks to Tyrant’s traps, many experience the pain before being completely healed. They are given a choice to evaluate their next move. Youhei is having trouble fighting the beastfallen boss and requests Zero’s help. Thus she unleashes a horde of zombies to finally take down the mother. With the beastfallen mercenaries retreating with their tails between their legs, nearby Albus and Torres have organized it all as a big show for rich people and nobles to watch. A great success. Suddenly Remnants of Disaster attack the place and start eating up everyone. The big cardinal, Ideamor claims he has a ward to keep everyone safe. But this could all be a ploy to smoke the perpetrator out as Albus points out how he could create one without knowing the enemy’s source. The Remnants of Disaster then eats everyone but as you would come to expect, they’re all eaten away by Ludens and they are just models created by Loux. She can tell his plan that he has made his soldiers eat seeds of Remnants of Disaster. So that when they flee, they will be unleashed and he can blame it on witches. He forces him to eat one that was in Kady’s stomach. Do that and she’ll forgive his sins. Wow, Loux more powerful than the pope now? In the aftermath, this incident became a farce as the people laugh at how they couldn’t subdued a single village despite being a large scare military operation. Saybil, Hort and Kudo finally graduate as Albus gives them a new mission. But first, they return to the village and say goodbye to everyone. Zero giving Thirteen’s book to Saybil. So aunty not coming along with them? Now the trio head north to the Forbidden Library to bring back more info on the Remnants of Disaster.

Season Of The Witch
Basically it just took 3 outcasts of an academy to turn the anti-witch faction into a laughing stock for generations to come. Yeah. Best joke ever. Those motherf*ckers looked down upon this puny witchy village and look how hard the door hit them in the backside on their way out of history? Weird. I doubt that those extremists will end here or let this embarrassment slide, but for the time being, they’ll lie low and lick their wounds. This also gives our freshly graduated trio some time to do and explore something else. So, next season when? Not that I am counting on it at any point. Hopefully not. Hope you guessed my sentiments from that one already.

I have mixed feelings for the overall story. The first half of the series seemed interesting. Probably everything was new and were being introduced to the new main characters as well as the predicament they are in. It was all pretty fine and dandy, while I’m not saying it was totally absorbingly interesting that I had my eyes glued to the screen for each passing second, at least it was interesting enough to hold my attention. Then almost at halfway point after Zero and Youhei made their cameo and turned out the whole thing was a trial for them, that is where it started to go downhill. There was really nothing much to it after that, save for the trio doing their internship in the village. Which feels as boring as f*ck if you ask me. So they throw bits and pieces like the revelation Saybil’s past to keep things interesting but I hardly find that would have an impact on my overall sentiments for the series. So for the final stretch, the war feels like a rush because they need to showcase how much our internship trio have grown. Honestly, I don’t see any difference although I’m not supposed to have unrealistic expectations that will achieve some God-like power overnight. Yeah…

Hence I can’t see the direction and plot for this series because like I said, it is mainly the main trio playing internship in the village and that’s basically the main focus for the rest of the series. There isn’t any outright war going on despite there are lots of secret movements and espionage kind of stuff from the Church. It could have been interesting but that would have taken the spotlight away from Saybil and co. Which makes it a lot more confusing when the series reaches its final stretch. So they make it easy with some big war that has the witches losing no casualties and the only thing the enemy lost was their ego and pride. If that isn’t the passing grade with flying colours for graduation, I don’t know what is.

The characters don’t really impress either. I know Saybil is unique and different from many other main characters. Oh wait, I take that back. He is the same like almost any main character if you view him in general. Has a tragic past, possessed some super power and is a dense person. Yeah. Only difference is that he sounds weak and depressed, which makes him look like a pussy and weakling. Can’t blame him after what he went through. But sometimes it gets annoying after a while. While I don’t expect him to change overnight into somebody different, at the end of the day, I still have the same perception of Saybil as he was in the beginning. Then they try to distract us about him being in love. Imagine a person who doesn’t understand the concept of love trying to dish out an emotionless confession. I’m sure Loux is more shocked of this deadpan display than the confession itself. So yeah, Saybil’s only worth is because he has almost seemingly unlimited amount of mana and that’s about it.

Loux is particularly interesting at first because of her lively and spunky nature. Not to mention that accent of hers. She is living life at her very own pace and does what she wants. Sometimes sounding like a spoilt brat and this could become annoying after a while. She sounds like miss smarty pants but then again, this is what she sounds like to a simpleton to me. Why do I have this feeling that she is designed to satisfy lolicons? Yeah, keep trying to peak at that sexy panty crotch area… Then there is Kudo and Hort to round up the main characters. Kudo being a very realistic lizard dude and he just doesn’t want to be seen as weak, that’s why he sometimes acts like he doesn’t care but eventually he does. It must be his running joke each time he gets embarrassed, his face will obviously change colour. So is he a chameleon now? Why do I feel that Hort is there to provide some big boobies fanservice? Was her design taken after a cow? Anyway, I can’t make head or tail about her character. Because they trying to confuse us with some pseudo love with Saybil whatever. In order to give her some sort of purpose, that is why she somewhat becomes Tyrant’s new owner. Also to tell us that she can be a nasty b*tch if she wants to. Don’t mess with those tits.

Speaking of Tyrant, I figure why this series is somewhat disappointing because for one of this genre, there is no main antagonist. It was interesting when the ragtag students encountered a very brutal Tyrant in his hunt. I thought they really killed him off and that’s a shame. Oh well, maybe he wasn’t to be the main antagonist but somebody else who will be more brutal. Then they had to bring him back and now he is all docile and under a leash. Uhm, I don’t know about you but that feels boring? Imagine a merciless killing machine suddenly using his power for good. Well, not that I’m saying that it is a bad thing since people are bound to change if you give them a second chance. But it just feels that he has turned soft ever since he returned. Whatever the case for him, the choice is clear for him if he wants to live. Who the f*ck that Ideamor guy in the end? Feels like he is just the scapegoat needed to bring this season to a closure. It feels so rushed they managed to pinpoint the culprit just for the sake of plot convenience so him being the big bad villain pulling the strings from the shadows, it all feels so meh now. Thirteen is gone so deal with it. Unless somebody resurrects him as a zombie. So this leaves the Church extremists as the baddies but since we don’t see any faces, it feels like they’re fighting an unknown enemy or at least some very generalized foe. As cliché as it may sound if some big boss’ face was known to us so we know whom the heroes will have to or eventually have to deal with, but that’s how it is.

As for the other characters, they don’t fare any better to. Even Zero and Youhei felt quite negligible as it is understandable that they are the main characters no more. Oh heck, even I find Youhei’s tough love policy that makes him a pretty likeable compared to the rest of characters. You may think the Church might be one sh*tty place since we have quite a few Church defectors. Even Shinpu talks in funny riddles although there is some sort of tinge of sadness in what he says. Lilly, uhm, animal mascot fanservice. Laios, uhm, shotacon fanservice. What else more can I say?

Art and animation are pretty standard affair. Looks pretty okay in my books and nothing much to complain. Oh right. That damn bad CGI. Luckily they are reserved for the Remnants of Disaster (not sure if they were employed elsewhere). The only reason I’m going to say that its CGI doesn’t come off as terrible is that perhaps we don’t know how these monsters actually move in real life. Heck, there are none! So I’ll give them the leeway that by watching them move so CGI-like is because that is how they naturally move. Otherwise still terrible CGI. Also, there are some very gruesome and bloody moments. The one taking the cake was Saybil’s mom’s killer melting to death. That was truly haunting.  But otherwise, all those limbs dismemberment and blood gushing out, those are pretty standard affair to veterans like me. Unlike the original series which was done by White Fox, Tezuka Productions (Black Jack, Kanojo Mo Kanojo, Dororo) helmed this spinoff sequel. Not that I can remember or tell the difference at this point.

For the voice acting, I am intrigued with Miho Okasaki as Loux. She gives that brattiness spell to that loli watch. And to think she is the voice of Rimuru from Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken. Come to think of it, she sounds almost like Rimuru, only brattier. Then there is Rie Kugimiya as Laios. Not my first time hearing her voice little boys’ role but certainly it’s rare. Feels like her character is sounding hard trying not to sound tsundere. The only other seiyuus I recognized are Kana Ueda as Faeria and Mai Nakahara as Saybil’s mom. Also, I thought Youhei sounded a bit different than before so true enough, they changed his seiyuu. Now Masaaki Yano helms this white tiger beastfallen. But don’t worry for Zero and Albus as Yumiri Hanamori and You Taichi were retained for their roles respectively. The other casts are Shuuichirou Umeda as Saybil (Izumi in Kawaii Dake Ja Nai Shikimori-san – now I see why both characters sound so weak and gay), Sayumi Suzushiro as Hort (Kei in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Taku Yashiro as Kudo (Ryuuji in Darwin’s Game), Takuya Satou as Tyrant (Alvin in Kono Healer Mendokusai), Masaaki Mizunaka as Shinpu (Diablo in Isekai Maou To Shoukan Shoujo No Dorei Majutsu), Manaka Iwami as Lilly (Teresa in Tada-kun Wa Koi Wo Shinai), Saori Oonishi as Hearthful (Aiz in DanMachi) and Masayuki Katou as Holdem (Demiurge in Overlord).

The opening theme is… OMFG! IT IS ONLY MY RAILGUN! Only it is not!!! Oh damn. That was too close a call. You see, you can definitely tell that Fripside sings Dawn Of Infinity with their typical chaotic techno beat permeating all over. But of all the Only My Railgun spoofs that I have heard (since many of the songs I heard have this similar trademark as well), this is the closest that I have come to identify. Heck, I might not be surprised if this is actually the same song and they just tweaked a few lines and voila! A seemingly new song? I don’t know if I should call it a blatant copycat-cum-rip-off because this one doesn’t impress at it is mostly noisy. Hence, Only My Railgun still remains my favourite till this day. Sorry copycats, you got to do better than that to impress me other than just borrowing a tune. As for the ending theme, Imprinting by Trinity is more of a rock piece. Didn’t like this one either because it is also noisy.

Overall, not a very good sequel spinoff as the plot is all over the place and the main characters feel pretty bland. This makes the original Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho look way better than this. I might not remember much about that series at this point but my guts tell me that the original definitely fared better than this recent one. Yeah, my brain may have forgotten but the body has not? Weird. Maybe there is some kind of sorcery or magic that eats my memories, huh? Well, you do remember there is a difference between sorcery and magic in this fantasy world’s setting, no? Oh heck, not that I care at this point. They all look the same to me. The choice is clear.

Shiijou Saikyou No Daimaou Murabito A Ni Tensei Suru

Oh God. Not another one of those animes. Is this going to slowly become a trend? You know, the one whereby a decently powerful main character who isn’t satisfied with his current situation, goes to reincarnate himself in the distant future for better prospects. And of course with the future being so far ahead, lots of things have changed and how everything else has become weaker. Well if you think of Maou Gakuin No Futekigousha and Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja, I don’t blame you because Shiijou Saikyou No Daimaou Murabito A Ni Tensei Suru has very similar vibes. So similar that you wonder if people are running out of original ideas. Sighs. And just like the title says, the most powerful Demon Lord in the land is so powerful that he is bored so he reincarnates himself as a nobody in the future. WTF… But hey, still not that spiteful isekai trope, right? Or is it?

Episode 1
Demon Lord Varvatos has reached the pinnacle of his life. So strong that nobody could defeat him. He longs for such so that he could be recognized as a human again but all those who could challenge him are gone. Hence the only way is to reincarnate! Technically not isekai, dammit! Now he has been reincarnated as Ard Meteor, the only child of a very normal family. With magic level on the decline, it is easy for Ard to master them all at his young age. By 10, he decides to finally make his first friend. Yeah, too creepy or scary for anyone to approach. Especially with girls. I don’t think this is how friendship works… Then talking his problems to the mayor, Olhyde who is good friends with his parents, Ard thinks he has got what it takes to make friends. I guess he didn’t let him finish his sentence about trying to talk to his reclusive daughter. Anyway, Ard continues to fail. Yeah, he is even creepier trying to be friends. Please don’t destroy the forest for your failures. He then sees Ireena trying to fight a monster in the forest and she manages to defeat it by herself. He praises her and even wants to be her friend but apparently she doesn’t appreciate it. She runs back to her father who is of course the mayor. And just as Ard returns to complain to Olhyde that his methods didn’t work, Ard realizes this is a small world and from this day forth, continues to bug her! Can’t give up on this friendship! Basically, no strategy works and as he racks his brains, the town is suddenly attacked by goblins. Olhyde worries that her daughter is still in the forest and Ard realizes it is his fault since his constant harassment has her run in that direction. Ireena is being surrounded by goblins. It seems she has given up on life and wants to die. No fun. But before any loli rape can happen, she screams for help and here’s your hero, Ard to the rescue. He easily destroys the goblins but WTF Ireena doesn’t appreciate his help and wanted to die? Why was she screaming for help then? After he hears about her loneliness and awkwardness, Ard can relate the same. He promises never to betray or hurt her despite she spelling out all her negative traits to turn him off. With that, they become best friends forever. Yeah, Ard swearing it on the name of Varvatos. Demon Lord with legendary God status… A few years later, now grown up into hot teens, Ireena suggests they enrol in a magic academy.

Episode 2
Enrolling into Laville National Magic Academy, Count Golde the headmaster is pleased to have children of 2 heroes enrolled here. 2 heroes? It seems both pass their entrance exam. But what’s this? Ard scored zero but yet he passed?! Golde explains that his answers are all wrong from a textbook point of view. In fact they are divine answers! Is this like Mahouka’s case? He has everyone be thankful that they will be studying with the child of the great mage, Jack and his wife Carla who defeated the resurrected evil god and protected their royal capital, Dycaeus. Some ordinary parents Ard born into, huh? So you bet everyone wants to be friends with them. Of course a few jerks won’t. In fact, Elraldo Spencer is bullying Ginny Fin De Salvan because she is his servant. Ard wants him to apologize so Elraldo challenges him to a duel. Ard is shocked to learn their teacher is Olivia Vel Vine. She was one of Varvatos’ generals. She’ll have his head if she learns his identity. She allows the duel. Elraldo spams his greatest magic but Ard finds them all so weak that he’s not even acting playing dumb. In the end, Ard teaches him what real magic is, made him so scared that he apologizes. While this settles the bully case, Olivia is interested to know about him. In fact, she is suspicious because he can use Lost Skills and does not have common sense about the current times. Olivia’s field training has everyone in groups of 3. Everyone wants to be in Ard’s group obviously. But since nobody wants Ginny, guess who is going to make it into his team? Everyone is in for some tough training as Olivia sends them down the dungeons to fight some tough monster wolf. Easy for Ard of course since he uses his own magic he created. Yeah, he even teaches the girls how to use it. Training progressing fine and it’s time for their graduation as they face off with a minotaur level boss. I guess it is to help Ginny overcome her fears and move forward so she splendidly destroys the monster and passes with flying colours. Back on the surface, Elraldo mocks Ginny for having it easy, thinking she relied on Ard. But she beats him up and warns him not to badmouth her friends. Ireena also does the same since he badmouthed her friend. Yeah, just STFU then. Beautiful girly friendship monologue by Ard ruined when Olivia really wants to have a long talk with him. What’s this script magic he taught the girls, huh?

Episode 3
Golde wants Ard to participate in a battle tournament in hopes of securing funding for the school. Of course Ard doesn’t want to participate but will think about it. But first, Ginny straight asking Ard to date her! What?! Ireena wants in too and Ginny agrees. She doesn’t mind Ard having a harem. If only Ireena knew what that word means… Oh now she does. NO WAY! Anyway, they agree to both date him. Ard is sandwiched between both lovely ladies, trying to restrain his dark desires as they watch a play on Varvatos’ life. Does this sappy romance even happen in his life?! Of course not. Because Lydia isn’t the kind and gentle woman but a bloodthirsty tomboyish brute! Damn, they really adapted his life wrongly! After the play, the trio overhear a group of shady people trying to ambush the queen. Damn, these people discussing their evil plans in an alley?! Not even a room?! WTF?! You bet Ard and his girls are going to stop this. Tailing them, turns out it was a trap to lure them in. Ard thinks they want them alive. Well, only the ladies. They burn Ard but we all should know by now, nothing kills this dude. So he fights back and surprises them how tough he is. The leader turns into his true form, a demon. He escapes to the surface and takes a girl hostage. Why do they always have to do that? Ard takes control of the panicking crowd as he introduces himself and vows to slay the demon. Somehow some illusion magic has the demon realize he doesn’t have a hostage anymore. He runs but Ard blasts him away. Crowd rejoices their hero. A few days later, the trio have an audience with the queen, Rosa. Because Ireena is her good friend, she can be informal with her. Nobody can censure her. Rosa wants to reward Ard for his bravery. That is, he will become her husband! She even puts it crudely she wants him to impregnate her! Oh damn, that was just a joke? Trolled everyone good. On a serious side, she will raise his rank to pentagon. This seems too much so he seeks just an increased funding for Laville. Impressed of his selflessness, she will grant him that as well as the pentagon rank too. Oh heck, she’ll give that same rank to Ireena (also giving a higher but lesser rank to Ginny) and they’ll be in her special forces known as Shadow. Hey, who is to stop her, right? Meanwhile more shady baddies believe they have measured Ard’s strength but are confident he will be no match for a certain monster who wants to destroy this world.

Episode 4
Jessica is disappointed Ard won’t participate in the tournament as Golde thinks of making Ard a teacher here. Of course this is widely opposed and Golde thought if Ard participated in the tournament, this would help increase his name and shut his criticizers. Jessica has a plan. It must be a pain for Ard that every day some girl goes to confess to him, huh? Don’t worry, with Ireena nearby, none dare to make a move. Too bad this makes Ireena jealous and mad too. That night, Ginny sneaks in and tries to seduce Ard. Ireena thinks of apologizing to Ard and sees this. Your guess is as good as mine of what comes next. So as both girls descend into petty argument of dares and challenges, Ard puts a stop to this because no harem of his is going to fight each other. After making them apologize to each other, Jessica heard it all and suggests the girls participate in an event in which if they do well, Ard will be made a teacher. Now, they don’t want to flaunt their powers for entertainment but after Jessica notes Ard will wear a new uniform, the girls are all for it. So the event is some boring generic battle, huh? Only girls participating? We breeze through the matches as the finals pit Ireena against Ginny. Before it can begin, demons among the crowd start to wreak havoc around. I guess this saves the trouble to decide either Ireena or Ginny camp, huh? As they all split up to fight the demons, Olhyde jumps in to show off some of his coolness and protect his daughter. But after finishing, Jessica kills him! It is revealed she is Elzard and some dragon king. Her goal is to kidnap Ireena alive. Ginny tries to protect her but gets taken out. Ireena promises to go with her in exchange her friends are spared. Ginny watches helplessly as Elzard takes Ireena away.

Episode 5
Olhyde is still alive and recuperating. So it doesn’t matter if Elzard is some terrible dragon who tried to destroy the world aeons ago. All that matters is that Ard is going to save Ireena. Better be quick because Elzard is going to feed Ireena to this monster, Orphan of Chaos as part of the ritual to sacrifice her blood so that she can summon all the evil gods from the dimension they are sealed and destroy this wretched world. She tries to get psychological with Ireena that Ard will stop becoming her friend once he finds out the truth about her lineage. Of course as you can predict, the ritual won’t start as Ard signals his arrival by destroying Orphan of Chaos. Then he fries all the lower demons and frees Ireena. All that is left is to deal with this vengeful b*tch. Elzard thinks she can turn the table as she reveals Ireena’s true origins. In fact, her true name is Laville and her family is actually the true rulers of the land. However the dark secret they have been hiding from everyone is that they have the blood of the evil gods and are their descendants. This is why they rule via proxy (Rosa). Of course Ard doesn’t care about that. He knows Ireena is the kinder and more courageous than anyone and he’ll never forgive Elzard for that discriminating remark. As Elzard tries to pummel Ard, it’s time our hero normal villager boy summon his true form AKA Varvatos and his sword-cum-assistant, Lydia to give Elzard a taste of death. Elzard gets more and more furious and even trying to tear their friendship apart but Ard isn’t buying it. He isn’t alone now. While he doesn’t care about the world once forcing her into solitude and hence her quest for its destruction, he will not forgive her for dragging his friend into this. So you may die now. Yeah, that ultimate blast should do it. How does it feel like to die? Never mind. We don’t care. More importantly, will Ireena still be Ard’s friend? Of course! May I suggest future wife to boot?!

Episode 6
Sylphy Marheaven has trained for 3 years in the dungeons to become strong. But when she returns to town, she is shocked to see how much it has changed. To her further shock, this masked guy actually reveals 3000 years have passed! Time flows differently in the dungeons, you know. He also states the Demon Lord is dead but reincarnate into somebody else. For full details, please go bug Ard. Golde talks to Ard about their school’s upcoming 100th anniversary and many visitors from far and wide will come. He won’t force Ard to partake in that tournament but hopes his class can put on a play. But here is another problem: Although it is not unusual that every year there is a threatening letter to cancel the festival, this year’s is different. The letter is written on human skin and signed by Lars Al Ghoul. Golde hopes Ard can also help keep the festival safe. Suddenly Sylphy barges in to look for Ard. Only stop dead in her tracks by Olivia. However she can sniff out Ard and tries to force him to spill the beans. He plays dumb but she doesn’t believe it. Hence the only way is a duel and Olivia allows it. Ard can tell Olivia is trying to use this chance to ascertain he is Varvatos. Hence his only option is to play along and lose. Since Sylphy has been training, her moves are now stronger and faster. Ard tries not to get riled up by her bait but eventually he got serious and defeated her. Sore loser won’t accept her defeat and summons a sword that poisons the air around. She is reprimanded by Olivia but that still didn’t stop her. Not until Ireena puts her foot down to tell her off to apologize if she has done wrong. Since Ireena has a splitting image like Lydia, Sylphy gets scared, cries and apologizes. You bet Sylphy is now a fan girl of Ireena. Because as Ard chairs his class to delegate roles for the play, Sylphy insists Ireena play the role of Lydia. Nobody else! Then she herself volunteers to play the evil gods that nobody wants to play so as to get her rematch on Ard. Then discussing they have to make money from this (and make those arrogant noble class eat humble pie), Ginny comes up with this maid café idea. Not sure what she’s explaining but I approve! But those maid outfits… Is this a slut festival? While the girls are in disagreement on this, Ginny then points out doing so they can flirt and seduce with Ard with all they want. Just like that, they all agree. Sylphy wants to strip down and help too but that smirk on Ginny’s face says she doesn’t have to. Did somebody lose again?

Episode 7
Ard and Ireena are patrolling the school grounds in case of any attacks. Oh well, Sylphy accusing some old man to be a demon… This is going to be sticky… Luckily Olivia vouches for the man’s identity so nothing untoward happens. Olivia then tells Ard that she has taken the liberty to put Ard’s name for the tournament. But what about the play? He can do both, right?! She threatens if he doesn’t show up, she’ll take things into her own hands on a certain matter. Ard visits his class’ erotic maid café. Yeah… Oh my, Sylphy beating up a customer who swiped her butt? After Ard cleans up this mess, Ginny and the other girls want to serve him. Jealous Ireena won’t allow that so she too gets into the maid getup. Then the announcement that the prize for the tournament is a replica of the holy sword, Vald-Galgulus. Sylphy wants in. Ginny wants in. Ireena wants in. Yeah. The preliminaries begin as we can tell who our finalists of each block will be. Yeah. So predictable. Ginny having trouble with hers and just a little encouragement from Ard, she wins. So easy. When Ireena gets called back to the maid café for help, Ginny takes this chance to take Ard to the beauty contest that she has entered. While the participants strut their stuff on stage, Ard spots Elraldo in the crowd. Damn, this guy is fatter now?! Must be from all his depression. We hear Elraldo’s lament as he notes Ginny has changed. Because he was brought up as a noble and thought to treat everyone else below as ants, that pressure got to him and he bullied Ginny. But thanks to Ard beating him up, he somewhat set part of Ginny’s heart free and changed. As for himself, he will probably live with this guilt for the rest of his life. Until he has the courage to face Ginny and apologize to her, which he is still afraid to do. Ard knows what he means because he too has something he needs to do for Sylphy. In the end, Ginny wins the contest. With Ard’s words of encouragement, Ginny now has more confidence in herself. This win also helped advertise their maid café so it’s teeming with customers. Now we return to the tournament. Ard vs Olivia. He can’t put up an act to lose or she’ll get suspicious. Eventually, he uses a forbidden magic to block and this sends Olivia flying like Team Rocket. He gets disqualified and Olivia went MIA. So the finals pits Ireena against Ginny. Got to settle the score. I’m just curious to know who the f*ck Sylphy lost to! Anyway, the girls making Ard embarrassed as they argue about him and his harem. What a pain to watch. In the end, Ireena wins. This gives her bragging rights to be with Ard but Ginny won’t accept it. So the score’s not settled?

Episode 8
The play is here and Ireena is a nervous wreck. As the play proceeds, Ard feels embarrassed to play a glorified version of himself. But this brings back memories of one of his fights. Varvatos and Lydia were to charge into the enemy’s stronghold. Sylphy wanted to help buy Lydia told her to STFU. That night Sylphy talked to Varvatos and wondered if she was useless but he told her otherwise and that her sister was just looking out for her. So when the gang resumed battle the next day, Sylphy has planted trap bombs everywhere. Not only it took out the enemy but their own side as well! Because she can’t remember where she planted all of them! Yeah, it was harrowing for Varvatos and he was not amused. However Lydia was more lenient and forgiving. So much about Varvatos saying he would take responsibility, eh? The play ends well and despite Sylphy forgetting her lines, Ard managed to adlib. But after that, Sylphy starts to act strange. Worried sick about Lydia? And wow, another sword competition? Because Sylphy wants Ard to meet her at the legendary tree after she wins. Yeah, the sudden final pits Sylphy against Ireena in which the former just instantly knocks her out! So easy?! That night as Ard goes to see Sylphy, it seems this is not a confession but she wants to kill him! She summons the holy swords including one from the tree to get him. Ard can tell she is brainwashed. Indeed. When Sylphy confronted that masked man, Alvarto Exex, she came to a conclusion that Ard isn’t Varvatos. Since that won’t do, he hypnotized her and showed her memories of Ard seemingly killing Lydia. Sylphy thinks she has slain Ard. And because a world without Lydia has no right to exist, yup, she’s gonna destroy the world. Ireena and Ginny try to stop her but they can’t do much. Ard returns to save the day and I think he let the voice of Lydia in the sword speak to her to break the spell. Alvarto is not pleased with this and beats up Sylphy. His goal is to revive his master by sacrificing Sylphy but first he needs to eliminate Ard who is the biggest obstacle. If you want a job done, do it yourself. Of course he is no match for Ard as he gets eliminated. The spirit of Lydia consoles Sylphy and tells her not to blame Ard as he is not at fault. Also to go live your life and hopefully to meet again someday. Someday? You mean in the afterlife? HAHA!

Episode 9
During a field trip, suddenly time stops as Ard and his girls are whisked away to another dimension. They meet a little kid who proclaims he is God. He mentions about the infinite parallel worlds and its past and future repeating indefinitely. Some being is trying to transcend those laws and alter the world. Meeting that being will surely vanish that world. Hence he wants Ard to eliminate that being. When they are thrown back to reality, Ard realizes they have gone back to ancient times in the past because the sky still has 2 moons. Knowing a certain Demon Lord is alive at this time, he believes in making contact with him to have a chance of eliminating that being. After saving a girl from a giant monster scorpion, that girl turns out to be a subordinate of Olivia. She wants Ard to join her army. She explains about people from space known as Outer Ones are attacking. Ever since, the demons they gave birth to have been fighting with humans. Because Varvatos is developing magic for humanity, they still have a chance. That’s why she needs all the magic talents she can get. Ard has 2 requests: Ireena and Ginny are to join too and they are to put under Verda’s forces. Of course Ard’s reason for that is because under this magic scholar, his girls will have little chance to be exposed to danger. Don’t look now but her lab just exploded! Yup, crazy Verda at it again. Believe it girls, this loli is that genius magic scholar. After fixing up her lab, she is excited hearing Ard and co are from the future. Aliens and Gods and now from the future?! Yeah, it’s getting f*cking messy. She will take them in but has a condition. However the Sylphy of this era is looking for Verda and won’t let her get away. Lydia then comes in to demand her side send in more of her subordinates. Lydia shows her crude side as she tries to sexually harass Ginny but is stopped by Ard. Don’t mistake sex crime for romance, please. Not pleased, the duo take it outside to fight. Yeah, the power punches lasted the entire day. Safe to say, it ends in a draw. Both faces butchered and swollen. So have they clicked? Because now Ard requests to meet with the Demon Lord, knowing Lydia is on good terms with him. Of course Lydia will put a good word for him but Ard must still do something to earn his trust as he will only open up to those he trusts.

Episode 10
Ard’s side is at the back of the battlefield. He knows this Battle of Aralia Plains and how it takes place so they’ll be safe here. But when the enemy general ambushes them from the back, Ard has already prepared a trap and easily crushes him, surprising Lydia and Sylphy whose side didn’t find much resistance at the front. This success allows them to have an audience with Varvatos himself. How does it feel like to meet yourself? Ireena and Ginny even fawning over his majesty. Jealous? Alvarto ambushes them to test their skills. This does not please Varvatos because that is how promising recruits get crushed. When Ireena and Ginny refer to Varvatos as the Demon Lord, Varvatos isn’t fond of that nickname. They become scared but Ard claims this is what they hear on the streets and could be a misunderstanding. Ard feels weird because this nickname should have taken root at this point. Instead, Varvatos claims there is another being calling himself the Demon Lord. The rest of the audience, there is nothing much so Ard and co return to Verda. They tell her what happened so she deduces that this dimension’s history may differ from theirs. Ard then remembers God’s words and might have misinterpreted what he said. It could be that the Demon Lord and that being are referred as the same existence. Ginny suggests meeting Varvatos and telling him their true circumstances so he can help out better. Verda doesn’t think it is possible because when the other Demon Lord mysteriously showed up 3 years ago and started conquering the lands, Varvatos tried to fight him but couldn’t beat him. This means Varvatos would be more reserved in trying this again. Hence Ard thinks they need more achievements to earn Varvatos’ trust. Just in time, Lydia wants Ard to join her in the frontlines because this time they will fight a very high ranking demon known as Mevilas. Ard fears that name because he is the reason why he was forced to kill Lydia after the curse he put on her. When they lay siege on his castle, it seems somebody already beat them to it and even decapitated Mevilas. Not surprisingly, it’s that Demon Lord. He leaves a message for Ard to tell Varvatos he will be conquering all the lands he wants and if he wants them back, take it by force. Basically a declaration of war.

Episode 11
Varvatos and his aides have a meeting. Basically, in 3 days they will storm the Demon Lord’s castle. As Ard ponders the different direction history of this realm has taken, he is visited by the Demon Lord who unmasks himself to be… ARD! Why am I not surprised? From what I understand, they’re both born in different worlds but end up here. Unlike Ard, the Demon Lord has experienced hardships all the way and has everything taken from him ever since he was reborn. It was also God who sent him to this era and he agreed in order to save Lydia and atone for his sins. Although God gave him a mission to destroy this world, how can he save Lydia if that’s the case? As he blamed himself for causing Lydia’s death and got turned into a threat to the entire world, he couldn’t bear the guilt and killed himself. But then he got reincarnated as Ard and things continue to go downhill. To end all this, he will become a hated threat to this world and let Lydia kill him. He wants Ard to join him and it looks tempting enough for him to do so but he hesitates. The Demon Lord will give him time to think and hear his answer on the day they fight. So when Ard returns to his harem, everyone can tell by the look of his sad face that something is wrong. Lydia takes him out to town but it looks like she is the one having fun. They both end up fighting. WTF. Then she takes him to some ruins in which the dead spirits who have grudges on her try to kill her. She explains long ago they attacked this place and sacrificed the people because otherwise they would be sacrificing their allies. She tells him of her goal to continue fighting until demons are no more a threat and then will die a miserable and pathetic death. Hence she isn’t someone who is worth bending your ideals or sacrificing to save. She hopes he won’t change the way she dies. We see the force of the battle in full swing. Ard confronts the Demon Lord and says he won’t save Lydia because that isn’t what she wants. They both fight and since they’re both equally powerful, this will most likely end in a stalemate. But the Demon Lord seems to have prepared a trick up his sleeve.

Episode 12
Ireena and Ginny pondering if they’ll be of any use when Latima calls them for a secret mission from Ard. He has found out about the Demon Lord’s immortality by separating his soul from his body. Thus he is keeping that in the castle Varvatos is attacking now. Hence their mission is to destroy that vessel while the big battle that rages on is only a distraction. But the moment they step inside and are about to destroy it, they get trapped. The perpetrator is Latima herself and she’s a loyal fan girl who will do anything for Lydia. In light of this, the Demon Lord wants Ard to join his army. Failure to do so, well, nothing will happen to them either. He rants about it is natural for them to wish for Lydia’s happiness. So to keep Lydia alive, he is willing to destroy the world? It is all part of his plan to put the vessel there. But there is no telling what will happen to his girls when Varvatos’ army reaches there. Ginny manages to use her magic to break free. Latima sets demons upon them but looks like Lydia is here to save the day. She can’t allow Latima to destroy the world just to save her. She talks about her role as a hero and by doing all those heroic deeds, she has to die like one too. That’s why she’ll bear the responsibility of their sins. She destroys the vessel. Ard wonders if his alter ego wants to truly save Lydia when he is just running away and wanting to save himself from the guilt of killing her. Instead of being selfish, they should honour her wish. Both transform into their ultimate form to fight. Wow. Such flashy lights. The Demon Lord still regrets the last words they had. Varvatos wanted to accept a ceasefire with the enemy but Lydia was against it. Since he remained stubborn and blamed her for never knowing his feelings, he told her to go fight herself. The Demon Lord laments not saying those words to her and should’ve said his true feelings. That’s why he is gonna save her! Too bad the spirit of Lydia stops him from killing Ard. I guess this means the victory is clear. Ard is forced to kill him as the Demon Lord warns he is repeating the same mistakes again. Once this is done, Ard and his ladies start disappearing back to their original timeline. Lydia want to know about the future so the girls tell her it’s a great place. Technically not the whole truth but not a lie either. God is impressed with Ard’s success. He cannot describe what he is and at best, his ally. I wonder if that term is used loosely. Best not to meet again? Ard and co return, just waking up in their field trip. Ireena telling him Lydia’s message that no matter what happens, they’ll be friends. And with Lydia’s spirit giving Ard the final push, that’s all he needs to move on in life.

Nobody’s Fool…
Uhm… Erm… I don’t know what to say but I’m glad the anime ended. Not sure if I could take any more of that weirdness of Ard trying to reason with himself over the fate of Lydia. Save her or not, she’ll still be dead in 3000 years! Hahaha!!! Oops. Oh well. Feeling even weirder as the trio returned to their future like as though it is no biggie. Hell, it’s not like they changed the past, right? So nothing changed?! Assuming everything is still in order. So what the heck they went back there for? Oh right. Different parallel world. Still, how the f*ck would it change a thing for the future? I don’t know but here’s a bit of good unrelated news: Because the manga source also just recently ended too. Good grief. I hope they don’t make a sequel for its remaining chapters.

Definitely I am not impressed with the story because as already said, this reincarnation thing is already getting stale at this moment. In fact, the story and plot feel like it is all over the place and nothing really concrete. Unlike Maou Gakuin No Futekigousha and Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja in which the main characters have a goal to achieve, be it for everlasting peace or become a stronger version of himself, this one really falls flat because well, he just got bored after being at the apex of the pyramid. With no challenge or natural enemy to challenge him, he decided to reincarnate to something less powerful and live a normal life. Like, WTF???!!! Sure, might sound a bit refreshing considering in many stories, the goal is to level up and become stronger. But in this case, it is not so. Although Ard still maintains many of his power ups so he is still the same overpowered character as before. So yeah, does it not feel so f*cked up or not?

As I have mentioned that the story is all over the place, it is indeed chaotic since it is obvious Ard has no goal in this reincarnated future except to live a normal life. And he did not get his wish since fate decided to play a prank on him and get him into troublesome circumstances. Well, well, the kind of thrill he has finally sought for? Can’t say from his unimpressed face. But yeah, the stories for this season are baffling and it feels like there’s no solid satisfaction to it. Firstly, the high school theme feels WTF because I don’t know what’s really going on except it feels mostly like filler. Just so that we can have some action and antagonist, did you see that Jessica/Elzard thing coming? Boring! Then the high school shenanigans continue because they need to introduce another character as well as another baddie. Still feels so out of place and what’s the deal of this series having quite a few tournaments? Not like they are of any prominence either. Because it’s like they breeze through it and show us only the ‘important’ ones. Thank goodness that doesn’t last long. Phew. Don’t they have anything else exciting to show us except these useless tournaments?

Finally, to throw everything off our balance, suddenly Ard and his girls are thrown back in time! Woah! So unexpected! I never would’ve seen it coming in a million years! Read, sarcasm. But holy sh*t, is this considered isekai now?! It feels even more out of place than the high school setting because now WTF, Ard goes back to the past and meets himself. Would have been screaming about all the time travelling paradox thingy but it was mentioned that there are alternate worlds. So yeah, different pasts. Don’t worry about me making memes and jokes about Ard meeting his old self now. Uh huh. Because if this was actually the same history in Ard’s timeline, should his past Varvatos self have memories of someone from the future named Ard visiting him? You see what I mean about this time paradox thingy? So that’s why I suppose they saved all this mess by just slapping in the alternate world theory and everything is good to go. Though, storyline and all still sucks. Yeah, imagine in this timeline now we have 3 versions of Varvatos/Ard! Definitely multiverse of madness! I don’t know, I have a feeling they try to copy this God character (at least his role and vibe) from the one in Mushoku Tensei. Anyway his character feels so out of place, especially his sudden appearance and all just for this final past thingy twist. Not impressed to say the least.

It goes without saying that the characters themselves are disappointing and hardly anything exciting. You can blame me for trying to compare this with Maou Gakuin No Futekigousha and Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja and having hopes that this would somehow be different. For the umpteenth time I do not learn my lesson and so I deservingly fall harder when the disappointment sets in. To put it shortly about this Ard character, he is like the inferior version of Anos from Maou Gakuin No Futekigousha. Seeing the first episode as the supposed obligatory foundation of his young life and how he became friends with Ireena, it just feels more like cringe. The thing that bugs me about Ard is that he is already into his teen years, he claims he still doesn’t know much about this era’s common sense. So like, what have you been doing for the rest of your reincarnated life?! Sure, things will be different than it was when he was Varvatos. But to see him fumble his way and not know the social norms at his age? It feels a whole lot suspicious. So much for his life as a nobody, huh? Considering he mastered all the magic that feels like a convenient device to show bullies their place. Really came in handy, huh? So, still thinking of the normal nobody life?

Ireena and Ginny feel like forced characters because they only exist to be part of Ard’s harem. I can think of nothing else than that even if there is one. Sometimes when things get too boring or we need some sort of funny harem distraction, you bet Ireena and Ginny will be there to satiate your harem needs and fight all over Ard. With Ireena wanting to possess Ard and keep her all to herself but Ginny wanting every darn girl to be Ard’s concubine, it’s the eternal battle of whether a guy should stay faithful to a single girl or have loads of girls flanking him as a show of power! I’m sure Ard is the one who still suffers in the end, right? Funny or annoying? But it’s still cringe, right? It’s the best that I remember them for. Uh huh. Because they’re basically useless when they travelled back in time with Ard. I can see they’ll get in the way and that’s why Ard I believe had the same thinking as I had, putting them in groups or missions that they do not see much action so as to keep them safe. Uh huh. The final time travelling story arc is so confusing as it is boring, we don’t need harem hijinks to further complicate matters!

Sylphy could be the third girl in Ard’s harem but I doubt it since her onee-sama love is so strong. Basically she’s got a sister complex and I don’t see her as part of the official harem unless it is for something ulterior. Oh, like you know, maybe Ard and Lydia got married so she is forced to be one of his girls just to play nice? Something like that. After all, Ard already has both his hands full with Ireena and Ginny so unless he grows a third arm… Hahaha! So Sylphy is like in between a brute and cute because if Ireena and Ginny are the latter, Lydia takes the cake as the former. Yeah, Varvatos’ former lover. He killed her. Strong woman. Whatever. Does not impress me much either. Trying to throw us off with some past romance but remembers, Ard has Ireena and Ginny. Lydia belongs to Varvatos and that’s that.

And it feels like Lydia is an overlapping character with Olivia (brute mature female characters) because Lydia has more appearances towards the end. Speaking of Olivia, she feels so weird. Not sure if Varvatos’ aides can live this long but it just feels something weird that Olivia is still looking so young and energetic. Did she reincarnate too? Sometimes I feel Olivia might be like that obscure joker role because it’s like she suspects Ard of something but doesn’t go all out to expose him. Just waiting for that big chance. It’s just like she is there threatening him so as to remind Ard to toe the line. Don’t act too out of place. Because showing off too much of his powers will get meanie Olivia hot on his ass. So is this a joke or what? Then there is Verda the mad scientist… Oh well, what more can I say about her? Feels a bit out of place when everybody is using their old fashioned swords, weapons and sorcery. And then here she is riding her giant robot golem and firing laser beams! Wow. Am I watching the correct anime?

The action bits are mediocre. Not really impressed seeing all those flashy magic symbols and all. Yeah, Ard so powerful and has mastered all the magic and in the end I know he’ll come up tops. There is never a moment when I think he would be in danger even if the scene shows us that for some dramatic effect. There might be a few blood spilled but I’m sure even those blood averse won’t faint at the sight of such paltry bloodsheds.

The animation is also mediocre with many parts feeling inferior and lacking quality. Like as though they want to rush the scene and hence you can see the drop in quality. After all, it’s like they perhaps know this anime was going to be a mediocre and huge dumpster fire, so why the heck should they put in more effort, right? Though, I find the cuteness of the girls to be somewhat one kind. Oh, I don’t know, somehow they remind me of characters from Hachigatsu No Cinderella. This anime is jointly done by Silver Link (Masamune-kun No Revenge, Kokoro Connect, Maou Gakuin No Futekigousha) and Blade (Iwa Kakeru! Sport Climbing Girls).

Voice acting, I only recognized Takehito Koyasu as Alvarto, Yuki Kaida as Lydia and Tetsuya Kakihara as Elraldo. I thought Ai Nonaka was behind Sylphy’s voice but turns out it was Ayaka Ohashi (Saaya in BanG Dream). Yui Ogura must have grown up too so I didn’t spot her trademark loli voice when she is voicing Verda. The other casts are Toshinari Fukamachi as Ard (Hajime in Arifureta Shokugyou De Sekai Saikyou), Wakana Maruoka as Ireena, Hina Yomiya as Ginny (Mokuren in Kunoichi Tsubaki No Mune No Uchi), Mie Sonozaki as Olivia (Hazuki in Happy Lesson), Kouhei Amasaki as Varvatos (Kirill in Double Decker! Doug & Kirill). If there is one thing that is absolutely an eyebrow raiser, it would be the opening theme, Be My Friend by Ayaka Ohashi. When the song starts off, we are greeted with this chaotic and loud blaring of some techno music that would make the weakest minds go crazy! Not kidding! It’s like they want to distract us from how bad this show is and hence put a frenzy hard punk death metal rock music as the opener. Believe me, this is more noise than music! The ending theme is more bearable. Though, Reincarnation by Choucho doesn’t feel any more exciting in my books. Just your ordinary anime rock music.

Seriously, this anime is bad and disappointing. It’s like they have nothing else better to animate and since they have to fill up the quota of animes to be animated for this season, this series got unluckily picked. Bad story and characters already tell you a lot and it could be just me because after watching Maou Gakuin No Futekigousha and Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja and hoping for something better or different but turns out it did not, because of that I am considering this series to be the worst of the lot in this genre of main character who reincarnate into the future. Yes, even worse than Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja which is so cliché and unimpressive in its own right. I’m not sure if there is some sort of subtle brainwashing that this might be the next trend once the isekai one dies out when we get bored of it (at this point it doesn’t seem like it) because it’s like they’re trying to regurgitate and perfect this reincarnation genre slowly. Well, I hate to break it to you but no matter how many reincarnations you do, as long as you still give us the same crap, the reincarnated product will still be crap. As bad as doing reboots and all. So the only solution? Leave it alone and let it die a natural death! So please, nobody reincarnates this series with a sequel, OKAY!!! Let it stay a nobody forever!!! Don’t repeat the sin! Ard gets his wish, he wins, we all win! Yay!

Machikado Mazoku: 2-choume

The time hath cometh… For a sequel! Oh man, I never thought this would get a sequel but I guess in today’s time, anything is possible. So Machikado Mazoku: 2-choume came to me as a surprise since I wasn’t expecting it. Uhm, maybe I did but I forgot all about it. Heh. It was 3 years ago since the first season came out so I suppose it is about time. Better than waiting 10 years down the road for one, eh? Before many like yours truly start to really forget what is going and worse, don’t even remember the anime itself. Extreme worse case of amnesia. So thankfully the sequel is timely since I still generally remember (barely) what happened the last time. Uhm… What was it again? Demon girl and a magical girl trying to be friends and enemies at the same time, or something like that?

Episode 1
Shamiko trying to write a challenge letter to Momo but since there are lots of stuffs she doesn’t know, her teacher guides her to write it. Sure, it turns out looking great but Momo doesn’t understand all that stuff and thinks Shamiko want to just hang out! So when they both meet, it’s like the biggest WTF face they put up to each other. So they hang out in town until Momo learns the truth behind the challenge letter and becomes depressed! Oh really! Don’t fall into darkness now! Worried Shamiko hangs out with her to bust away those blues. At the end of the day, they both feel pretty good about it. As for the challenge, just let her know when she’s ready, okay? Uhm, is it supposed to work like that? On another day, Mikan is seen looking around Shamiko’s place. Turns out she is renting a place on her own and looks like she will be Shamiko’s new neighbour! I hope Momo wasn’t being annoying. Maybe her weird training routine is… Also, Mikan owes a lot to Momo and Sakura so she doesn’t want to further stay indebted to them. The topic then changes into finding clues about Sakura’s whereabouts. Of course Lilith would love that as a top priority as Sakura is the only one who doesn’t torment her. She is a top dog of her area so having her back will be very assuring. She might also know about curses and can help lift the one befallen on Shamiko’s dad, Joshua (he turned into a box, remember?). And of course, if Lilith has the chance, she’ll turn Sakura into her vassal, hahaha! Don’t look now but Momo is here! Lilith teasing her she got lonely and as a result, Momo tosses her out. Whatever her reason, Momo claims she is also going to stay here for the summer vacation and hence Shamiko will be sandwiched between 2 magical girls for the holidays! Is this a blessing or a curse? And both magical girls show their hospitality by showering our poor demon family with gifts. Oh wow. Momo giving some meat! You’re supposed to cook and eat them, not worship it like God! Since Momo won’t allow Mikan to add citrus to every cooking, she has her go shopping with Ryouko. Wait, she still picking citrus ingredients? Well, Momo herself looks like she is bad at cooking and this has Shamiko observed that she tries to do everything herself. So yeah, please rely on others more. They have a great party that night. Well, Shamiko wondering if Momo’s cooking is ‘out of this world’. Because, weird depictions of what it tastes like… And Mikan trying to add citrus to everything to taste better. Trust her…

Episode 2
Mikan brings in a bunch of boxes that is similar to Shamiko’s dad. Drunk Seiko thinks of mixing it up to make a guess! Oh no you don’t! Anyway, Momo theorizes that with the similar looking packaging, could it be that Sakura sealed Joshua in it. Since they come from the ruins of where Mikan once lived, they decide to head there to find some clues. While waiting for Momo to get the key, Mikan talks to Shamiko about her past. Her father owned this factory and when times became desperate, he summoned a demon to keep the factory. But it went awry and ended up cursing Mikan. It was also about the time she met Momo. Flashback 10 years ago when Mikan was all alone living in this warehouse, Momo was sent by Sakura to help her. Mikan feared her curse would hurt her but since Momo was strong, she wasn’t hurt. Hence Momo gave her the encouragement not to shoulder this alone. Too bad anything more, Momo prevents Mikan from leaking anything embarrassing. Inside, Mikan is shocked to find the entire warehouse gone. Momo notes it was already destroyed when she came shortly after Sakura went missing. Looking for clues, they see a familiar Sakura attack pattern on the destroyed wall. It could be traces that Sakura left behind before disappearing. Mikan then asks Shamiko about Momo because she hasn’t been smiling lately. She used to do that a lot in the past. As they look among the wreckage, Shamiko finds a magic wand. But as she tries to show it to them, it turns into a fork? What the fork?! They think she’s hungry and hallucinating. Back home, when Seiko draws the wand, Shamiko recognizes that is it. She knows it was something that belonged to Joshua. An ancient object from Mesopotamia that can multiply the power of their clan. Unfortunately she can’t remember its name. So does Lilith. They allow Shamiko to keep it as it is an important family heirloom. But soon they discover that whatever Shamiko thinks off as a toll, the fork transforms into it. Shamiko then thinks of using this to cheer up Momo and make her laugh. So she turns it into a giant fork and makes a lame pun of it. CRINGE!!! Momo being considerate as she claims she didn’t hear it. Oh well Shamiko, it’s your fault this time so don’t go blaming magical girls.

Episode 3
Momo sets up internet in Shamiko’s place. And you can tell Shamiko being an internet noob as she butchers all the terminologies. Momo also lectures her about some internet lessons so as she won’t get scammed by the dark side of the web. Shamiko then tries to learn the web herself. What a daunting task. Yeah, be prepared to learn that millions of people have access to it and not just mere 50 people! She then sets up a social network account, thinking she could spy on Momo this way. But how to know which account is Momo’s? Guess it’s time to seek Momo’s help. Too bad she still won’t share her name. But that night Shamiko gets a request to join and she soon finds out it is Momo. Now they’re connected. Great. Until Momo trolls that she accepted her request to keep tabs on her. Don’t think you’ve won just yet! With Mikan joining the chat, it’s getting noisy at night so Momo thinks of cutting off the internet… Later Momo asks Lilith if she has seen Sakura. Because Joshua carries her around in the past, there might be a chance she has seen her sister. Too bad Lilith doesn’t remember a thing! Hey, there’s some truth in that because ever since she was sealed 2000 years ago, her powers continually grow weaker. She was cut from the outside world until hearing Shamiko’s voice brought her some joy. Feeling bad now, Momo? Because Momo feels bad for hurling Lilith sometimes, Shamiko has an idea. She’ll let Lilith borrow her body for a day for them to work things out. But first, Momo drilling off the adhesive she put on Lilith. Here comes the surgery pain! With Lilith borrowing Shamiko’s body, she’s acting so high and mighty that it annoys Momo. Normally Momo wants to beat the crap out of her but she doesn’t want to hurt Shamiko’s body. Even more so, Lilith bragging how she bought clothes via internet and thinks it is free! That’s not how the internet works! Momo is trying hard to restrain herself with Lilith being a dick. Since she wants to go to a real hotspring and there’s no time, Momo brings her to the same one they’ve been before. And makes her work out to pay for her share! When a short blackout occurs, Lilith becomes scared. The irony that the mistress of darkness is afraid of the dark… It reminds her of how she was sealed for the first time. The electricity comes back on and they resume their hotspring enjoyment. Once Shamiko gets her body back, Momo whispers to Lilith and plays back that cry when she was afraid of darkness. Yup. Blackmail. Do anything stupid and she’ll spread this recording. Don’t want your precious Shamiko to find out who’s afraid of the dark, eh? Do magical girls play dirty?! And Shamiko thinks they’re getting along fine. Trouble not over for Lilith as Seiko dries her out for the debt she owes from the internet purchase! Shall we auction her off?!

Episode 4
Shamiko is tasked to find the hidden demon in town for clues about Sakura’s whereabouts. Of course the magical girls cannot go along with her since a magical barrier may obstruct their mission. Where to start looking? Shamiko asks Anri. Do you think she would know- OH SH*T! SHE KNOWS?! She claims there is a demon running a café named Café Asura. As Shamiko makes her way in, she meets this fox demon, Lico. But she is not the owner. This tapir is, Shirosawa. Uhm, did he escape from Animal Crossing? Anyway, before Shamiko could ask for clues, Shirosawa begs her to work here. Because he is injured, he is short on manpower. Please try it out at least for 3 years! Shamiko tries to escape but they capture her and with Shirosawa telling more sob story, you bet gullible Shamiko is going to help. She is shown the ropes on what to do. Shamiko thinks of working long enough and then find the right time to ask the questions before leaving. But as you can see, she gets pretty hooked on her job. Also, she gets to eat here for free! Is that the clincher? So when she goes home, you can see her reporting all about manual labour and tasty food. Clearly she has forgotten… As Shamiko looks forward to her waitress job, the magical girls and Lilith knows something has gone wrong. They know demons are at Asura but their priority is to take back Shamiko. So at a faraway hill, the plan is for Mikan to snipe an arrow through the café’s barrier. Using Lilith in a doll’s body riding a magical wand. This method allows them to break through the barrier in a split second because a counterattack gets triggered if an outsider tries to mess with the barrier. If this fails, don’t worry, Momo has prepared 10 extra ‘spare lives’ for Lilith to retry. Oh sh*t. 10up… I guess all the lives were used before Momo can successfully barge in. She sees Shamiko in a daze in the staff room. She accuses them of brainwashing her. While it is revealed that Lico’s food is so good that it makes one forget their stress, Shirosawa claims that even if this is true, this means the ones putting the stress on Shamiko is no other than Momo, right? Shirosawa thinks he has the upper hand asking for compensation when Lico reveals for the first time that if one eats her food 10 times, one will really forget. This is the case for Shamiko as she has been bringing back leftovers and eating them at home so as not to go to waste. This is the reason why she is spacing out and getting high right now as it takes you at least a day to recover. I guess Shirosawa has to apologize now. As for the negotiations, Momo will take it another day as she’ll bring Shamiko back to rest first. On the way back, Shamiko seems to somewhat remember her real mission: To make Momo smile. Okay… Maybe she needs more rest.

Episode 5
Shirosawa and Lico are at Shamiko’s place. Shirosawa bolts the moment he thinks Momo who lives next door is Shamiko’s bodyguard. Yeah, his injuries are going to get even worse. Anyway, the duo are here to apologize as well as take the initiative to answer Shamiko’s questions. Shirosawa apparently met Sakura before but the last time was Christmas 10 years ago when he opened his store. It was that same time when Sakura left Lico in his care. Lico talks about cores running all over the place and she has seen many in animal forms but none that indicates Sakura. Interestingly, Momo has seen cores too but they are mostly motionless crystals. As Shirosawa still wants Shamiko’s help to work at his place, this is met with great opposition from Momo. She her mom now? Well, Momo doesn’t want Shamiko to be further dragged into this complicated search for her sister. However Shirosawa who is the original design of this character called Tama Sakura whom Momo is a big fan off, after bribing loads of memorabilia, Momo bites the hook. It seems Momo is fond of it because it reminds her of Sakura. At least her accessories. This has Shirosawa explain how he drew inspiration to arrive at this design. After opening his shop and doing errands, he spotted this strange cat with white and red collar. They both acknowledge each other before it disappeared through a wall. Ever since, his business boomed so he got his inspiration there for luck. Suddenly Ryouko hits an idea. She has him describe when and where he saw that cat because she believed that is Sakura’s core. She traces that wall to a hospital where Shamiko was often hospitalized when young. Of course she doesn’t remember anything but Seiko points out that Shamiko often talked about a cat. Momo can’t stop bugging Shamiko for details she can’t remember… Lilith then suggests using Shamiko’s power of diving into such dreams. Sorry, just like Shamiko, I don’t actually understand how it works! Long story short, Shamiko must dive into her own dream to find out. The magical girls can’t come as they will get kicked out. Only Lilith can accompany since they are related. Shamiko goes to sleep and pops up at the hospital. Past trauma coming back to haunt her in the form of living syringes and IV drops! As they sneak around, Lilith loses contact and gets kicked out. This makes Shamiko panic. But a voice tells her to use the fork and imagine it as a giant weapon against those pesky enemies. Well, it’s her imagination so it works. The voice then tells her to keep focusing and voila! Sakura now materializes before her. Shamiko in shock.

Episode 6
Shamiko is so delighted to see her but she must calm down and not get too excited or else Sakura cannot maintain this form. She tells her how to control her powers and focus. Then it’s time to delve into a little flashback. When Sakura first met Shamiko, she was in an even worse condition than this. The curse was ravaging her to almost nothing. So when Sakura eventually ran out of magic and was in her cat form, she went to see Shamiko for one last time. Noting Shamiko as the kind girl who took Momo’s share of curse, Sakura decided to become a core inside her. This will help sustain Shamiko’s life. Thus if she is taken out right now, Shamiko may not survive. But Sakura notes that Momo doesn’t need her or the city right now. One day Shamiko will become a super strong demon and only then perhaps Sakura’s core can be removed. Before Sakura disappears, she whispers a favour of her. Meanwhile Momo gets desperate to go save Shamiko that she is even considering using her own blood! Stop her! With Lilith having some suggestions, they hit an idea. Shamiko is trying to find her way out and is surrounded by those dreaded needles! Luckily Momo to the rescue! What’s this? She’s in her dark demon outfit? Cool! Shamiko excited to see her but they’ll have to leave that for later as they must make haste to the exit Lilith has created for them. Shamiko wakes up in Shion’s lab. Basically they explain the idea of temporarily turning Momo into Shamiko’s vassal to enter her dream (via drinking Shion’s yucky elixir!). This means she is part demon now. But to avoid her drifting into the dark side, Mikan blasts her with light magic to turn her back. Too bad Shamiko, can’t make Momo stay your vassal even if it’s for good intentions. After that, a host of bad luck occurs due to Mikan’s magic but luckily they manage to escape the lab before being crushed. Later Shamiko tells Momo about her find and she feels bad about having her core inside her. But Momo doesn’t mind because as long as she knows where her sister is, it’s okay. After all, they’ll just have to wait for Shamiko to become stronger, right? She might not complete her goal to find her sister but her focus now is to keep Shamiko happy and that is to protect this city. Wow. Shamiko in tears because Momo smiled!!! OMG! Oh sorry, shedding eye juice! Heh. Shamiko remembers Sakura’s favour to look after Momo and of course she will because she is her arch enemy. So the duo commemorate their rival-cum-friendship with this frozen icicle treat. Yeah. As long as they’re together, right?

Episode 7
The story so far… EH???!!! How come I don’t remember this?! WTF Shamiko awakens in a deserted hospital and being besieged by zombies! Rambo Lilith rescues her and brings her to the mall where the survivors gather and hole up as they fight against the zombie apocalypse!!! Turns out it was just a trolling dream so Shamiko has to give us the real recap in seconds. Too bad she sucks. Why does she have to make it sound like rap? Now that summer vacation is here, WTF Shamiko doesn’t know what to do? May I ask how has she done it in previous years? Asking Lilith won’t do any good as back in her days, summer vacation wasn’t even a concept. Heading down to Asura, she knows better than to ask Shirosawa because to him, summer vacation is all about manual labour from students! Lico suggests the fireworks festival and lends her a yukata. While Shamiko has her fun there, it feels she feels something amiss. Is it because she is alone? Then an announcement calling for her. Yeah, making it sound like she’s a lost child, eh? Embarrassing. Turns out it is Momo and Mikan. They dropped by Asura to ask about Shamiko and they were lent yukata for the festival too. So as they have fun, another announcement asking for Momo this time. Definitely Lilith requesting her help to leave her wallet with her! Momo feigns ignorance and pretends not to hear. After the festival ends, Shamiko returns the yukata to Lico. Turns out it is just a leaf and Shamiko is horrified to know she went walking about in one. Shamiko trying to do her homework and forcing an unmotivated Momo to do hers too! Momo of course doesn’t see the need to do this illegal unpaid study time as she paid attention in class. Wow, since you put it that way… Then she tries to scam Shamiko into doing more physical training instead. But after Shamiko borrows Sakura’s name and is doing this to look after her, Momo relents and starts doing her homework. Shamiko thinks of brainwashing her but Momo isn’t buying the bait. Since they’re noisy, Seiko kicks them out. Back in Momo’s room, they continue their homework. But Momo in her magical girl outfit? For better concentration, huh? In the end, Momo completes hers while Shamiko is stuck at maths. Come on Shamiko, finish what you start. And Momo is here to make sure you do that! Gonna have to pull an all-nighter if you have to! Don’t think you’ve won this time, magical girl…

Episode 8
Momo teaching Shamiko martial arts. But it looks like the latter is getting abused. And since magical girls don’t fight this way, feel free to forget about it. Onore… Shamiko can’t cook decently but she needs to do it to impress Momo. Hence she heads to Asura for help. Lico will gladly teach her but be warned on what kind of ingredients she puts into her food. Yeah, the onigiri is sparkling in rainbow colours! I wonder if this has the same effect like drugs… We also hear Lico’s story of how she likes cooking but before she came here, her cooking caused lots of trouble and she had to move around before ending up here. Then they talk about magical girls whom are normal humans who forge a pact with the Light Clan. Since they don’t know much about it, Shamiko’s best bet is to ask Momo herself. Momo thought it would be a happy outing with Shamiko at the zoo. Turns out the Asura duo and Mikan are here too. Can Momo hold in her anger? Especially Lico in cutely irritating mode? So as they start their zoo picnic, Mikan wonders if she doesn’t like them. On the contrary, she thought she won’t get along well with them after crashing into their café. And there’s this weird part everyone is more impressed and wants to pet Shirosawa than the real tapirs in the zoo. Yeah, zookeepers almost caught him but let him go scot free since he is a foreign tapir! Like, huh?! Later Shamiko wonders what Shirosawa said about this picnic having an important mission. Soon Shamiko approaches Momo and claims everyone suddenly left for home. As they spend time together, Momo then beats her up for using this underhanded trick. Turns out to be Lico in disguise. Shamiko specialist knows this is an imposter for every reaction from her body, posture and talking manner, a direct opposite of Shamiko! The plan was to make Momo eat some herbal leaves that would stabilize her unstable magic power in which they sensed. It is perhaps that time she gave herself to the darkness that caused this unstableness. There’s no way Momo is going to eat all that raw leaves… Then Shamiko reminds her of her true intent coming here: Petting some fluffy tiger. Too bad she’s too late and the petting session is over. Lico offers herself. She’s fluffy too, you know. No choice, Momo does so but doesn’t look happy… A rare moment as Momo quotes Shamiko’s trademark line. Don’t think you’ve won yet…

Episode 9
One morning when Momo wakes up, suddenly she transforms into her dark side. In this form, she cannot regulate her strength and you’ve guessed it that she’ll destroy anything she touches so she needs to revert back to normal ASAP. First, they head next door to forcefully wake up Mikan so she can shoot her magic through her in hopes of reverting her back. It didn’t work. All that rude awakening for nothing and it’s making Mikan grumpy! Then they try calling Asura but of course Lico’s reassuring attempt has an opposite effect so better not risk it. Now that Momo is being transparent and there’s a chance she might disappear, the only ‘hope’ left is Shion. Speaking of the devil, she is here! She knows because she has been stalking them and waiting for a chance! Due to her research, she theorizes that the reason why she changed into this form is because of negative emotions. Due to her delicate situation, she needs to re-establish her link with the Light Clan again. With Momo being depressed and fine with fading away, Shamiko acts quick as she feeds Momo her lunch and in no time, Momo is back to normal. Everyone is happy. Including Shion who has got some valuable data. Hoping for a next time for more data? But soon Momo is feeling very weak after using up most of her magic in her dark form. Don’t worry, once again Shion has the answer! Not sure about her dramatic explanation about a mythical hotspring that can rejuvenate magical girls but they’re going to try it out. She knows about it thanks to deciphering Sakura’s notes. As an indoor person, Shion won’t come with them and will have them extract its water for her experiments. The duo head over there and after some weird warning of traps, Momo falls into some of them. But don’t worry, they all have some sort of safety. She tries to bait Shamiko into the traps but somehow Momo ends up in them. Feeling like falling to the dark side? Then there is this weak guard trying to get them. Shamiko sure panicking all the way to deal with it but with lots of luck, she finally defeats it. She gets a pink stone from it and considers it her treasure. Momo then stands under the waterfall (was it not a hotspring?) and soon the effects come in and Momo gets her strength back. Back home, Shion is delighted with the bottles of water Shamiko has gotten. She thinks the pink stone is some souvenir and takes and grinds it into powder. Poor Shamiko… Oh well, the real treasure are those memories that live in your heart forever, right?

Episode 10
Mikan is panicking. She seeks Shamiko’s help. Apparently while cleaning up her place, she stumbles into those scary little bugs. Oh you know… COCKROACHES!!! Of course Shamiko isn’t afraid since as a poor girl, she is used to their presence. Plus, she’s making us feeling guilty for killing those innocent creatures minding their own business! I DISAGREE! NOW GET RID OF THOSE ROACHES! And don’t scoop them up! While cleaning up her room, Mikan brags about being friends with Momo for a long time. This has Shamiko think about the stuffs she doesn’t know about her and it somewhat makes her feel frustrated. Somehow all this has put a bad luck on Momo and she’s in some bad luck streak. She suggests putting some magic barriers to keep those roaches out. But why is Shamiko the one who has to infuse her magic into this paper barrier? Oh, part of her training to be strong, huh? Yeah, won’t last long. Keep up the training then… Since it is a nice day to air the futon, Shamiko uses her fork to become a rod for it to hang. Momo is not impressed since she is supposed to treat an important object with respect. An object that is meant to protect her. Since Shamiko claims she can only transform it into some stick shape, with Ryouko they brainstorm for ideas to have Shamiko transform it into other forms. Unfortunately it returns to a fork every time she is conscious so it is better for her to stay dumb? Is that an insult?! Since all the ideas didn’t work, Lilith believes to train inside her dream as Shamiko might be subconsciously restraining herself. Ryouko joins Shamiko in the dream world and she meets Lilith in person for the first time. Lilith manifests 30,000 clones of hers in which Shamiko must defeat them all. Since this is taking time and Shamiko’s attacking is inefficient and wearing her out, Ryouko gives some advice like turning her fork into weapons she uses in video games. This did the trick as Shamiko destroys all the clones in no time with various weapons. Ryouko takes a photo of Lilith for commemoration and as they return to the world and Ryouko going to print it out, the photo turns out to be a haunting one. I guess Photoshop and editing can’t make this one better, huh?

Episode 11
With the new school semester, Mikan is now a new transfer student in Shamiko’s school. After a nervous introduction and also a warning not to surprise her because it will activate her curse, looks like many wants to be friends with her and spam her questions. As part of the school rules, everyone must join a committee. Let’s see… Anatomical model polishing committee… Spinach planting committee… Zombie survival committee?! Wow… Does this school have any normal committees?! Learning Anri is on the sports committee, Mikan wants to join this one. Now that she is in, they get started to plan for the sports festival. Too bad time is running out and they’re not close in finishing it. Shamiko is roped in to help. Even Momo. Though, she wished she wasn’t here doing this… Before they set the sports standards based on weak Shamiko, better get Mikan to stand in for the new standard. Then an accident causes Mikan to spill paint on the beautifully painted festival signboard. Although it is not her fault, Mikan blames herself. Even when everyone remains optimistic, Mikan continues to wallow in depression. She thinks her curse has caused everyone trouble. It didn’t get worse only because Momo was around. She needs time to think for herself and would hate to see others get hurt because of her. She’s going to summon the little devil residing inside her. Of course Shamiko and Momo will not leave their friend alone. They’re going to help her by barging into her heart and talk to that demon. Well, since they’re so adamant, I guess Mikan have to divulge some secrets like how her family calls this demon Ugallu and is more power than the myth portrays it to be. It started out as a simple familiar but then turned into something complex with its own will. Soon they lost control of it and it uses Mikan’s magic as nourishment. With Mikan’s permission, Shamiko and Momo dive into Mikan’s heart.

Episode 12
Wading through the darkness, they arrive to where Mikan is sealed in some dark force. However the force attacks them and seeing it has no reasoning ability, Shamiko remembers Ryouko’s words so she summons a legendary spear. Turns out to be a giant egg beater. This manages to have the darkness take a form of a little girl who is of course Ugallu. With Mikan tired out, it is all up to Momo to do the talking. Can she? We’re worried… Yeah, she is more inclined to use her fist as the easiest form of communication! Ugallu claims she is Mikan’s protector and won’t leave. Of course she is under the wrong impression that she did a good job. Once Momo manages to get that through her, Ugallu feels that she has no more purpose and will disappear forever. Can’t have that, right? At that point Mikan wakes up (because Anri visited and propped up her sleeping head?) and she is not pleased about Ugallu’s conclusion. Mikan explains how friends in this town accepted her despite failing big time. Because Ugallu came to be because of a bad summoning ritual, the next mission is to re-summon her in the real world properly. So they wake up and start brainstorming for ways. I bet Shion is waiting for this moment to share her expertise. Yeah, from Sakura’s notes, she knows a way. Basically they need some supplies. They need someone who can provide high grade meat (Anri) and someone who can do magic cooking (Lico), some fur of a mythical beast (Shirosawa) and some soil for the vessel (that dirt Shamiko got from the waterfall). Wow. How convenient. After getting them all (I bet Lico showing her true colours as she plucks all tied up Shirosawa’s tail), the sports committee completes the finishing touches to draw the magic circle. With Shamiko casting her magic from the rod, voila! Ugallu is now properly materialized in this world. Now that Ugallu has become such a complex being, Mikan doesn’t need her as a familiar anymore and wants her to be free and do as she wishes. However since she is still new, Mikan will continue to be her master until she gets a hold of herself. This means living with her because we’re like family, right? And that is how we get a new ally as Ugallu now calls Shamiko her boss because Mikan said so. Momo to follow suit? But she notes thanks to Shamiko, somebody found a place to call their own. It is proof her way of doing things is working and it’s pretty similar to how Sakura operates.

The Great Shamiko Will Not Be Defeated!
Does the end seem a bit too rushed? It’s like everything was so convenient and falling into place at a rapid pace so that we can have a new character in the final episode or something. A feel good ending so to speak. Oh heck, it doesn’t matter because as long as everybody is happy and living a peaceful life, it is all that matters, right? Life has just getting started and going to get a little bit noisier with newcomers into the fray. So carry on, Shamiko. Don’t give up! The fun has only just begun!

This season seems to have pretty much solved the mystery of Sakura’s whereabouts. Well, I have a hunch of where it was although I didn’t accurately guessed it was inside Shamiko herself. Okay, okay. So I still missed the mark by a mile. I suppose my prediction that it would be somewhere close to them, somewhere right underneath their noses wasn’t close enough an answer. However sometimes it feels like there was nothing much to tell this season and that’s why Sakura’s mystery was resolved halfway and then for the remainder of the season, it felt like filler episodes. The gang having fun and all and ending with a mini arc that puts Mikan in the spotlight. So yeah, once we all pretty know where Sakura has been and the circumstances underlying why she came to be, there’s nothing else left to tell. Even if they dragged this mystery revelation towards the end of the season and spam filler-like episodes in between, I guess it won’t make any difference. So they just want to get this Sakura’s mystery out of the way first, allay our anxious hearts and minds, before having the final stretch as mostly something fun for our main characters.

I feel that whatever problems between the Light Clan and Dark Clan in this series, that isn’t the main driving force of this series. I always feel that it is about Shamiko and Momo trying to become each other best friends (or frenemies) and that’s the whole point of the series that only matters. Whatever bone their respective clan or ancestors have to pick with each other, all that is irrelevant. Because yeah, with the duo spending so much time together, doing things for each other, whether they like it or not, whether they get on each other’s nerves or not, you can’t deny the fact that their friendship is solid is as solid as a rock! Do you not agree?! Sure, the occasional squabbles and all but that is part and parcel of their dynamic friendship. Heck, with Momo moving in close to Shamiko’s quarters and practically they’re neighbours, do you not see this as the next level plot to bridge closer their friendship? Now the series can live up to its name as the demon girl next door! Yeah. While we may not see their friendship as near perfection but I think this is THE perfection of their friendship. I can’t see it any other way. The moment it starts to change, I have a bad feeling the world is gonna end! HAHAHA! So yeah, Shamiko please continue remaining as the cheerful, helpful and naïve poor demon girl while Momo please continue to be the emotionless and pessimistic good natured magical girl. We all love you just the way you are.

To add more spice this season, that’s why we see Momo having a dark side and hence a transformation and outfit to match this. So she’s like having the best of both worlds? Yeah, somehow I feel this dark version fits Momo’s nature more than her magical girl persona. Now we wait and see if Shamiko has a magical girl version too. Oh never mind, she’s given this special fork so I’m pretty sure it’ll be something of use once she masters it. Otherwise, WHAT THE FORK?! HAHA! Can’t resist in wanting to make that pun! Yeah, I’ve been waiting to do that!

It also feels that they don’t want to leave Mikan out but because she’ll be like the third wheel in between Shamiko and Momo’s friendship, I am heavily speculating that is why they give her the spotlight for the final couple of episodes this season. I mean, not only Momo is the one who is having problems, right? Now that Momo knows where her sister’s whereabouts and all that is left is to train Shamiko to become stronger, who else is there left with her unresolved past? And since we have a few episodes left… Yup. That’s right. So yeah, Mikan may not be memorable in the first half so now they have her face her inner demons so that Shamiko and her magical girl neighbours can continue living a happy simple life together. Is that not what they’re striving for eventually? I even almost forgot about Metako. Who? Oh. Momo’s pet cat familiar. Making very sparing appearances this season, it feels like it almost never existed at all. Maybe it’s a good thing Momo didn’t bring it to come live with her in the poverty quarters and left it behind in her big mansion.

The other recurring characters don’t do much either and they don’t change much from what we know from them the last time. Like Ryouko who still looks up to her big sister and still has ambitions to serve as her advisor. Well, at this rate it’s going to take a long time not because Ryouko is the incompetent one… Get what I mean? Seiko still the cool mom getting by but at least they are not heavily cursed by poverty now although they are still living in poverty. Just not as bad as before. Lilith, the smug ancestor who feels like she wants to have more fun in this era than bringing back the glory and revival of the Dark Clan. Yeah, we’re living in peaceful modern times with so much amenities, freedom and choices. Why go fight centuries’ old of stupid wars, right?! Can’t say about the other cities and Light Clan and Dark Clan members, though. Shion and Anri have very minimal screen time in the first half. That’s why I felt that in order to have us remember them, that’s why in some episodes, there were unrelated short segments about them doing silly stuffs just to fill up time. Well, I guess it’s not funny because it wasn’t memorable to me. Heh. Now looks like it is a new running joke for Shion to be some sort of stalker because there’s a permanent trapdoor in the apartment she specially made where she can bust out from her hiding whenever she is called.

Then we have a couple of new characters especially the pair from Asura. They breathe some new spice into the season. As expected, they’re a bunch of oddballs and are fun in their own ways. For instance Shirosawa isn’t exactly a bad person nor is he exploitive. But he feels that he always needs that manpower his café lacks and hence the pressure to not let that precious manpower slip away. That’s you, Shamiko. Are you gullible enough to work there for the rest of your life as an eternal intern?! Otherwise he is quite a nice and reasonable tapir. His personality is of course better than Lico who seems to always do things at her own pace and even stepping over Shirosawa’s authority. Be it using his name or doing stuffs with lots of liberty, it’s like as though she’s the boss and the one calling the shots. Yeah, she really takes the liberty in doing them that sometimes to a certain extent, shocking her boss. If you have this kind of staff that do as she wishes, your business is definitely on its way to ruin.

With last season’s seiyuus retained, the new ones joining are Ayasa Itou as Lico (Arisa in BanG Dream), Takashi Matsuyama as Shirasawa (Saizou in Samurai Deeper Kyo), Ai Fairouz as Ugallu (Takechiyo in Hanyou No Yashahime) and Hisako Kanemoto as Sakura (titular character in Shinryaku! Ika Musume). Hats off to Ayasa Itou playing Lico because she sounds very cute in her Kansai accent. It makes her sound dreamy and lovely. Oh boy, falling in love with her cute way of speech? I bet I’ll be convinced with whatever ruse she sells to me. This season, our Shamiko and Momo pair reprise their roles in singing the opening theme. Tokimeki Rendezvous sounds a bit better than their first season stint since it has this jazzy tune to it and its fanfare gives this grand Broadway feel. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the ending theme. Machikado (the quartet behind Shamiko, Momo, Lilith and Mikan, if you remember) despite reprising their roles for the ending theme, Yoikagen Tetragon is a huge mess. Oh boy. Where to start? The frantic pace of the song can cause people in their deepest slumber to have a rude wakeup call! To put it bluntly, this song is more noise than music. It’s like the just throw whatever cacophony they have into this piece and what comes out of it is this WTF mess. Making it even worse, not sure what some of those weird looking creatures are in the ending credits animation. Did they run out of ideas and decide to go with whatever pops up in their head?

Overall, the second season is still as fun but it feels like it lacks that oomph to surpass that and be better than the first season. It’s basically more or less the same thing. Super diehard fans may only love the sequel but for casual viewers like yours truly, it’s just pretty okay and ordinary. Nothing that super special that would make me want to yearn for another season. Oh gosh, will there be one? Hard to say with this day and age. So this so called magical theme series would lie in between darker ones like Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica and Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaki, as well as super boring and peaceful ones like Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desu Kara. Better to have some friendly spat filled with sugary smiles and huge twinkling eyes than seeing magical girls blow each other’s head off, right? Middle ground the better alternative? Well… Don’t think this means this anime has won just yet!

The time hath cometh…

Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden Final Season – Asaki Yume No Akatsuki

Alright. I guess the final stretch is now here. But WTF?! Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden Final Season – Asaki Yume No Akatsuki is only 4 episodes long????!!! WTF???!! Why did they not combine it with 8 episodes from last season to make it one full season instead of splitting it up like this and made us wait???!!! Albeit just about half a year but WTF???!!! Why didn’t they just finish it off in one go?! Do they really like keeping the suspense?! Because people like me who aren’t exactly fans (and yet I still watched this) can’t exactly remember the details of what happened and too lazy to go back to refer to my old blog! And they released all 4 episodes together at one go?! Oh well. I guess this way is still much better than turning the finale into a movie, eh?! Uh huh. If it was done so, you bet I won’t be watching a 2 hour long movie but damn I’ll do it if it is split into 4 half hour episodes. Damn. How considerate they are, huh? Must really want me to watch the final season, eh? Oh. Where was I? Right. Anyway, time to finish this series and finally put an end to all the rumours that I’m tired of this series. WHAT RUMOURS?! Because… It’s a fact!!! HAHAHA!!! Oops…

Episode 1
We see Ui, Touka and Nemu as ‘permanent residents’ in a hospital. Their only ‘access’ to the outside world is Iroha who often visited them and wowed them with gifts. The innocent trio decided to make rumours and spread them throughout Kamihama with the thought that even if they are dead, as long as one finds a rumour in the city, they’ll be remembered. In that case, Iroha would also love to make one and that is for all of them to be reunited under the base of a sakura tree. One day, Iroha is met with Kyuubey who can offer to make her wish come true. At first she brushed it off but soon Ui’s health takes a turn for the worse. Hence Iroha had no choice but to plead to Kyuubey for help. And just like a miracle, Ui is soon cured. But subsequently, Iroha rarely visited them and even if she did, it was for a while before she rushed off somewhere. The curious trio then decided to tail her to see what’s going on and were shocked to see Iroha in a magical girl outfit fighting wishes. Seeing her in a pinch, you bet that little Kyuubey is going to offer them a wish to help save Iroha. After a few questions, they deduce that Ui’s disease was cured thanks to Iroha’s wish. This makes Ui sad that her sister suffered because of her. She became desperate to make a pact with Kyuubey to save her but Nemu and Touka are still sceptical and don’t trust that thing. First, they did some research on how to defeat witches and investigating missing people in the city. Unclear of its connection, they go see Kyuubey and have a Q&A session with it. As for the final question if magical girls would be able to live normal lives once all witches are gone, Kyuubey says that if all witches disappeared, so would magical girls. This has them realize that magical girls = witches eventually. This means Iroha will eventually become a witch. Touka’s answer to stop that? Just take away that destiny! WTF?! It’s like rich people telling the solution for poor people to stop being poor! At the same time, Alina is also hunting down Kyuubey because she heard of this magical girls becoming witches eventually.

The trio then decide to make a wish on Kyuubey. They want to steal its power. Ui will have the power to collect, Touka the power to transform and Nemu the power to manifest. Magical girl transformation scene! Ui uses her power to gather impurities from Soul Gems. This is followed by Nemu to transform it into magic for magical girls to use before Nemu manifesting to give that magic a physical form as energy that will be used to expand the range of the automated purification system. This system will prevent impurities from building up in Soul Gem. While it worked like a charm at first, however Ui starts screaming in pain as she is taking in too many impurities at a rapid pace. The duo try to save her but this was only possible because Alina casted her barrier around Ui. Even so, her Soul Gem is falling apart. Needing a vessel to keep it stable, Nemu puts it inside Kyuubey. But Ui’s body has completely turned into a witch. Her wish is to save Iroha and the magical girls. Touka thinks they were successful and believes this witch was artificially created by them. She gets disillusioned of creating a perfect system where magical girls don’t become witches. However despite Nemu’s best efforts to say that they have failed and that this witch is Ui, Touka rubbishes that and doesn’t remember Ui. Touka then invites Alina to join them and hasten this revolution. Nemu deduces after isolating Ui’s soul inside of Kyuubey that was transformed by Touka, Ui was cut off from this world. In order to save all magical girls, Nemu decides to call this with Embryo Eve, the beginning of hope for magical girls. As part of Touka’s efforts to make their dreams come true, she’ll get rid of all the Kyuubeys. It’s time to liberate the magical girls! But only Nemu is the only one grounded in reality as she realized there is nothing left for them to take back as they have failed.

Episode 2
We return to current time as Touka now remembers Iroha, she is distraught she had tried to kill her. Though, Iroha doesn’t blame her for it. Nemu further reveals that it was them who used Embryo Eve to reach out to all the suffering magical girls to come here. They didn’t think that all of them were this weak! Touka then took it upon herself to save them all but it drove her crazy. While Iroha and Touka reconcile, now Touka turns to Nemu and wants to know why she never told her the truth. Damn, Touka looking like a yandere… In short, Nemu saw hope in what Touka was doing under Magius (because she was doing it so well despite having losing memories of Ui). Had she told her the truth, Touka may have given up on the plan. Well, that earned a slap. But she realizes that Touka was true should she remember that. Now that they remember Ui, they still won’t give up because they want to prove her soul existed. Looks like they are going to complete the imperfect Doppel system to save all magical girls. From what I understand, they’ll sacrifice themselves since they started this. They whisk Iroha away in a barrier. Now they begin their liberation as they awaken Embryo Eve to fuse with Walpurgisnacht. This activation causes all the other magical girls to be taken over by their Doppel due to system overload and this is causing lots of pain to their unstable souls. The only ones not affected are Yachiyo and Mifuyu. Mifuyu lets Yachiyo go ahead to go after Touka and Nemu while she stays behind to handle to magical girls. Don’t worry, when it gets too much for her, Momoko comes to support her. They’re going to dive in and touch their souls and rip it away. Mitama would want to help too but since she is the Coordinator, she is told she will be needed to take care of things afterwards. We see all the magical girls coming to terms and making up with each other in one big hand holding ceremony. Yeah. In the end, all of them are saved as they return to reality. Okay, not all of them. Mifuyu and Momoko’s Soul Gems are destroyed.

Episode 3
We hear Kyuubey narrate how Alina’s barrier kept it out from interfering. Kyuubey also finds it baffling that they are wasting their souls by trying to escape. Because by doing so, they’ll harm their own human society. Yachiyo is trying to catch up to Touka and Nemu who tell us that once Embryo Eve and Walpurgisnacht merge, a huge explosion will occur that will take out the entire city and how the f*ck does this prevents s any magical girls to become witches again?! Don’t tell me dead girls are the answer! More Kyuubey’s narration on how the universe will soon become extinct but a solution was found to extend its life via this magical girl and witch thingy. Hence Kyuubey disagrees with Magius’ ideology because becoming a witch isn’t a bad thing as one helps contributes to keep the universe in existence. Then there’s this interpretation of justice in which depends on which ear you live in. Hence in this era where magical girls are put on a pedestal, that’s why Kyuubey does its best to accommodate their desires. Hence Magius might just be contemporary and a reflection of the current trend but Kyuubey thinks their perpetual growth and prosperity system is better in the long run. Meanwhile Iroha realizes she is inside of the mini Kyuubey. She is reunited with Ui but looks like things won’t be the same again as Ui says she has changed after becoming a magical girl. Since they have failed in what they were doing, she hopes big sis can stop Embryo Eve. Stop Touka and Nemu. She says nothing when Iroha asks if she’ll turn back to normal once this is over. That speaks volumes. Iroha is let out and now find herself in the midst of a partly destroyed Kamihama. Before her is Kuroe who is already in her Doppel version. Iroha tries to save her but Kuroe remains pessimistic that she is weak. Flashback shows her magical girl life. It didn’t get better and she remained weak. There was another weak magical girl she befriended but then got scared and abandoned her. She laments she is not strong like Iroha and can’t be anything. Kuroe has reached the deepest point of her despair that she has turned into a witch despite Iroha’s optimistic attempts to save her. You know, we can do this together! Yeah, that not going to cut it. Such platitudes only make Kuroe feel like sh*t! Relieved that now nobody can save her and that she can stop being a magical girl, Iroha is forced to take drastic actions that breaks her promise to Ui.

Episode 4
The look on Iroha’s face after she has killed Kuroe. And she isn’t too pleased to hear from Kyuubey what she did was right. Basically, her hope drove Kuroe further into despair. Worse, her Doppel is trying to blame her for acting like she knew everything but in fact she knew nothing. Of course, thanks to her friends, Iroha is snapped out of this. She regains her composure to join them in stopping Touka and Nemu. With the other magical girls lending their hand to restrain Embryo Eve, Iroha jumps in to give her sisters a big hug. Wanna guess whose argument will win at the end of the day? Yeah. Basically all you need to know is that Iroha will always be their onee-chan and this is more than enough to break down the duo because that is what they want most too, right? With their case resolve, here comes the true antagonistic b*tch AKA Alina. She is going to continue with their plan. However it is not to save magical girls but turn the entire world into magical girls! Because normal people don’t have Grief Seeds to recover, their Doppel will hijack them and turn them into instant witches. By sharing the same fate as magical girls, they will all know how true the sufferings of magical girls. To her, this is more exciting than the liberation of magical girls and she views it as a form of art! Sick. Alina sacrifices herself by fusing with Embryo Eve to get the ball rolling.

Looks like Touka and Nemu give Iroha the slip again. Uh huh. Again they’re going to sacrifice themselves to stop this. Hey, they started this mess, right? Yeah. Goodbye onee-chan. In that instant the clash and explode within Alina-cum-Embryo Eve, Yachiyo is transported to some Galaxy Express thingy and meets with her dead friends including Mifuyu and Momoko. What’s this they’re talking about her carrying their hope? When Yachiyo invites them to live at the dorm after this, WTF all of them want to stay in the living room to watch them?! Are they going to haunt the living room?! Anyway, chat is over, back to reality. Similarly, Iroha has another chance (but the last one) to talk with Ui. I guess it’s goodbye for real, huh? Iroha now has become enlightened or something, uses Ui’s collecting powers from all the magical girls and with that power saves the day and humanity. In the aftermath, life returns to normal and all humans think the city’s destruction was due to the simultaneous occurrence of earthquake, typhoon and some terrorist attack! You think so?! We hear the magical girls narrate how all their achievements and failures, their feelings and the things they have done are not known to anybody simply because records of them never existed. Kyuubey has only them to thank for as the existence of magical girls and the truth of what happened shall never be known. Iroha giving Kyuubey the angry look. But what can she do, right? Nobody knows but she will never forget.

Salvation, Salvation, Salvation Is Free!
Uhm, wasn’t the ending a bit rushed? Or what do I really want? Dragging out a so called proper ending for another episode?! I think it is pretty fair to have such a bittersweet ending because you know, the day might be saved especially that of humanity in general. However lots of sacrifices were made and ordinary people will never know about it. That is the tragedy and irony of being a magical girl. Hence from this context I can understand why they would want to avoid a very happy, satisfying and generic ending because it would have just spoiled and sullied all the magical girls’ doing for the past couple of seasons, whether for better or for worse. After all, we know the bittersweet ending that was in the original Madoka Magica series, right?

One of the reasons I felt this final season was rushed was because of how they decided to do away with any other distractions and head straight into resolving the conflict. This means no detours or other side diversions that would end up looking like standalone filler moments that don’t bring anything to the actual plot and would just add to more confusion. So whatever questions that we mostly had dangling and unresolved in the past couple of seasons, this finale is here to answer most of it and then dive straight into putting an end to all the chaos and mess. So that’s why in a way it feels like there weren’t so much of magical girl fights either. We already had our fair share in the previous seasons so it’s time for the big revelation to put the pieces of the puzzle together and end it all. No frills whatsoever.

Iroha as the main character takes a huge chunk of the final season and all she needed was to just accept reality and move forward. That’s basically all there is to it because you know, your usual ingredients for a main character like her to have hope, faith, friendship, etc. So it was a pretty sad thing that the sisters she wanted to save all turned out dead in the end. Of course their deaths weren’t in vain as they took responsibility to end the mess they started. Most important of all, Iroha at least will not forget about them and whatever the things they have done will forever stay in her heart till the day she breathes her last breath. Even if the tragic cycle of magical girls and witches will continue until the universes burns out its essence. The world might not remember, history might not have recorded it but as long as Iroha does, they’re not entirely dead for sure. So I guess there goes my conspiracy theory that Ui is just a figment of Iroha’s imagination, huh? And a whole lot of other conspiracy theories I had, all put to rest…

As for the other characters, it feels like they’re barely there and doing the bare minimum. My biggest disappointment was perhaps Kuroe. I was thinking she would be holding an important turning point role in the finale since her character was very minimal in the previous seasons. But it turned out that she’s just another sacrifice. The whole series could actually be done without her now that I think about it but I guess she had to play the role that would force Iroha’s hand to decide and realize that life is not always sunshine and roses. Even Yachiyo, Felicia and Sana felt negligible except for that brief moment of using their power of friendship to help bring back Iroha. And I certainly don’t see how Mitama as the Coordinator do anything. Last season saw the cameo of Madoka and her friends but I’m not sure what happened to them here. Did they return to their own city after Mami was saved? Lastly, Alina revealing her true colours here feels like a short-lived purpose so that the whole series can end with some sort of bang. Yeah, the flashier her final moments become the flashier and more magical Iroha’s efforts will be. Yeah, see such great magical effects that saved the world! Too bad Alina did not live to see her art. Heck, I guess we too will never know the art she tried to bring forth to the world. And is Kyuubey the real baddie of it all? You decide.

The rest like the visuals remain constant and high quality like its previous seasons and since this was produced by SHAFT, the few SHAFT trademarks like eye zooming in and head tilt are still there. Yeah, I thought for that moment when Touka did that, she would turn into some ghost from The Ring! A reason why I thought this was just an extension of the second season is because they used the same opening and ending themes from there. Only the final episode we have a new ending theme, Orgel by the duet of both groups, Claris x Trysail who have been singing the opening and ending themes of this series. Not my kind of song but I guess the happy and calming tune is fitting for the bittersweet ending.

Overall, this final season brings a sense of closure for the series since its inception 2 years ago. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll definitely love the intriguing plot and characters. Then there is of course the unique art style and visuals that may come off as strange to some but hey, at least it is still way better than badly done CGI! So I’m not sure if there is going to be more spinoffs and side story from this franchise and I won’t be surprised if they announce another one (oh heck, I think I will still be surprised) because gotta milk the series dry just to satiate hungry fans who want to see more dead magical girls! Whoops! After all, it is already said that there are no records of all the actions and exploits of the magical girls. Hence there could be more of such stories in other cities and this one in Kamihama is just one of those many untold stories! Or maybe they are all just unfounded rumours…

Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja

Oh no. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about a main character who reincarnates and become a stronger version of himself? An isekai crap, right?! Well, sorry folks, but Shikkakumon No Saikyou Kenja isn’t exactly isekai. You see, the main character needs to obtain a greater power and the only way for him to do that is to reincarnate himself into the far future. Wow. It’s like taking a huge gamble on something so iffy. Good news: He got that power. Bad news: Magic has declined and this so called ultimate power he obtained is now labelled as the number 1 failure and worst kind of power. Something fishy going on. So, the strongest sage with the weakest crest = the irregular at magic high school but only magic replacing sci-fi and we’re in a fantasy world and not high school. Oh boy.

Episode 1
Mathias “Matty” Hildesheimer heads to the royal capital to take an exam to enrol himself in Second Academy. He hears Alma Lepsius arguing to a blacksmith that she needs a new magic sword fast for her friend. However he claims it is impossible. Matty claims he can do it. She puts his trust in him. So while they wait for the blacksmith to forge the sword, they introduce themselves. Alma then introduces her friend, Lurie Abendroth. Matty smitten by her cuteness starts to fluster. The sword is done so now Matty uses a magic stone to enchant it. Everyone is stunned when he did it in such record time and even without chanting. At Second Academy, they take the test and Lurie passes with flying colours thanks to the new magic sword. Matty gets ‘special treatment’ and fights the head of the knights, Guile. So proud of himself that he didn’t see himself losing to Matty. During the casting exam, Lurie aces as her first crest that is suitable for magic combat. Matty has the fourth crest known by many as the Crest of Failure. But he manages to overdo it and blasts a crater in the ground! Eduardo the headmaster gives his short speech for the successful candidates and also has Matty come to see him at his office. Will he be expelled? Turns out he needs his help to teach his staffs and students how to use wordless casting. The only thing stopping them is their sister academy, First Academy whose policies state that all magic must have incantations. Second Academy is forced to follow their curriculum. The only way to prove it is to beat them in the next inter-school competition. Matty trains the staffs and students. Even transferring some of his magic to Lurie if she ever runs out of them. A month later, Matty is selected to represent Second Academy at the competition. His opponents are cocky and looking down on him, especially his crest. But Matty can detect this dude is a demon in disguise. The match begins and Matty shocks all when he uses his wordless magic. This has his opponent panic and accidentally reveal himself to cast a spell without chanting. Now Matty is certain. Demons were responsible in making wordless casting into decline so as to make humans’ spells as weak as possible. They must’ve infiltrated First Academy a long time ago and convinced everyone the fourth crest is a failure. Matty reveals his opponents true form. Everyone in shock he is a demon. With a name like Devilis, HOW CAN THEY NOT SEE THIS???!!! After striking the demon down, Matty now ponders what went wrong. In his previous life as Gaius the Sage, he drove them on the brink of extinction.

Episode 2
Gaius narrates that in order to seek greater power, he induced his own reincarnation. A thousand years later, he is born as the third child of the Hildesheimer family. Of course he noticed something went wrong in this era. Despite getting the strongest crest he desired, it has now the reputation as the weakest. Matty is taken to the king who will give him any reward. Because a public proclamation will cause a panic, he will give him something else. Matty desires access to the kingdom’s dungeons as he very well knows it has great resources. Of course nobody in this era knows its true worth. The king also wants Matty’s opinion. Since that incident, all the magical chosen ones of the kingdoms vanished. This includes Erhard who is the previous captain of the mages. It could be that they are demons and have long infiltrated their kingdom. Matty deduces that a few survivors may have infiltrated the humans and caused their powers to wane over time. Seeing their cover is blown, Matty thinks they will organize an all-out war to destroy this kingdom. That might take place in 3 months. Hardly enough time for humans to reorganize, huh? Don’t worry. All Matty needs is to create a barrier by that time. Hence he is appointed as the leader to fight against demons. Matty goes through the treasury. Looks like he still needs to hit the dungeons for materials for the barrier. Then he notices a powerful sword that nobody has used. Yup, it’s that sword he created in his previous life. And that accessory too. What convenience. Realizing he needs a party to enter the dungeons, he invites Alma and Lurie into his harem party. They are hesitant at first, thinking they might slow him down. But after demonstrating how they can enhance their abilities, they’re in. First off, they practice killing easy monsters at the easy dungeon levels. Once they have gotten used to it, they can move on to lower levels and fight stronger levels. To show they can do it, look at how the girls kill that monster dog without Matty’s help. Then he advises them to camp here while he goes to recce the lower levels as far as the 25th one (the lowest one has gone is the 23rd). His goal is to clear the way to make it easier for their descent. Then he fights the giant serpent floor boss and of course kills it. Then he returns to his girls and shocks them with his kill. Yeah, it took up all of his inventory space.

Episode 3
Matty tries to sell the serpent’s head at the guild. You bet the receptionist is going to be in shock. Even more so, a giant magic stone! Can the guild even afford to pay for that! Eventually they get paid and when they leave, Matty detects a couple of demons scouting the kingdom. Matty goes to intercept them and of course those demons look down on him at first. They’ll soon learn the hard way that he can intercept any spell they make as well as he has a greater firepower than them. We see Matty analysing stuffs while taking them on. Eventually he takes them down with Alma and Lurie’s help. Even with one trying to flee, no chance at all escaping. With the townspeople gathering and possibly getting jealous a guy like him has got hot chicks, Matty takes his girls and fly away! What a way to get even more jealous seeing the way he carries them! But here’s the nice sunset view as distraction! The king is once more impressed with Matty and will give him anything. This time he requests for access to all dungeons. As for the ladies, they want money! Sure thing. Matty then interrupts the conversation because he detects a demon using some long range device to eavesdrop on them. He uses a spell to destroy the device and causes him some minor pain. The king recognizes that voice as Erhard. Wow. Matty’s magic can even detect the exact location of where Erhard is?! However it is in a very faraway ruins of a village decimated by demons so normal travel will take them 6 months! Since Matty’s teleportation is unavailable, he needs to find another way to travel. He goes to see a legendary kingdom destroying dragon, Iris. In his previous life, he tamed her and they’re like best friends. Of course Iris doesn’t recognize him and attacks him! Only for her attack to be easily dissipated. Then she realizes who he is and starts grovelling and apologizing. Wow. A legendary dragon begging for mercy, huh? Once she knows the details, she would love to give them a ride but her wings are torn. Due to some magic reactor explosion that sent the human world regressing (that’s why everything is so primitive), her wings have taken a toll. But don’t worry, Matty will heal it! It’s not 100% healed but enough for her to fly. And off they go! Alma and Lurie must have experienced the most shocking day of their lives, huh? Meeting a dragon and then hearing it talk…

Episode 4
The trio barge into Erhard’s base. Noticing that Erhard has used some cloaking device to hide himself, Matty also uses telepathy to communicate with the girls to form strategies. Yeah, saves work on animation too! After smoking out Erhard, that demon is confused how his stupid cloaking got busted. Then he thinks this is a fake Matty because he won’t be able to reach here from the capital very fast. Hence he attacks Matty but the girls provide him with backup. Desperate, Erhard uses all his magic to make himself stronger and faster although this means he will use up all his life force and die. Even so, he still can’t beat our trio. Now Matty has the ladies stay with Iris as he goes smoke out a stronger demon in hiding, Ayrias. Long story short, whatever tricks Ayrias throws at him, Matty is able to counter it because of his analysis magic whatever. Matty then uses a spell that forces Ayrias to absorb all the magic till he explodes! Brutal! Damn Lurie so worried that she jumped down from that height just to hug him?! Could’ve killed him! Anyway, the explosion reveals a Dragon Vein Pillar. Matty can tell from its spell casted on it, it is supposed to summon thousands of high level monsters to attack the capital. Before pressing the panic button, Matty foresaw this and hence that explosion to delay the horde summoning for now. As they head back, Matty wants Iris to transform into a human and become a transfer student in their academy. Yeah, his ulterior motive is to keep this free ride. After Matty reports to Eduardo about Erhard’s defeat, he then introduces Iris. Eduardo will accept Matty’s request to let her enrol here but she must undertake the entrance exam. Matty requests to invigilate her not to cheat or help her cheat but rather to keep check on her power since she is still not stable in this human form. Written exam… IRIS TASTES THE INK?! Oh dear, I can see the failing grade coming… Sword exam… She fights with Guile and although clumsy with her sword, she uses her super strength to lift him and then hits him away like baseball with the sword! Sword broke… Casting exam… Despite all her shots are powerfully devastating, she misses! Finally she destroys the entire place but I guess it still qualifies because the targets are destroyed, right? And so Eduardo is in disbelief… Can’t fail her… She’s weird but very strong… Alright, you’re accepted! One more weirdo to the team.

Episode 5
The materials for the barrier is going smoothly. But it is noted they need the Crest of Glory to help perfect it and many of them are from First Academy. Eduardo needs to see the headmaster of First Academy’s help, Facus (f*ck us, what?!) but that f*cker thinks he is superior and all to them. Eduardo tries to be rational but he just won’t listen. So Matty suggests to redo the inter-school competition and the loser must abide the loser. Any number of students can enter. Facus agrees but also has a condition for Matty not to enter. No monsters, please! So the rematch is here, Facus has almost all his students participate. Second Academy? Just 5 meagre unknown students? Thanks to their wordless chanting, they defeat First Academy in a flash! Even so, Facus still refuses to acknowledge this! Because they’re monsters?! So he wants his students to go up to Iris? Until he sees her bend a sword. Monster! Eduardo brings up the issue that First Academy is still reluctant to use wordless chanting even if the king has ordered it. Facus claims he must keep the tradition going even if it means disobeying the king. Too bad the king is here and heard it. He arrests Facus for treason. Good riddance. This dude was just angry all the way!!! With the king making his orders clear, First Academy will now learn wordless chanting and cooperate with Second Academy to make the barrier. Matty then takes his girls to go look for materials to make the barrier’s core. This means they’re going to the lower levels of the dungeon to summon monsters. This is also partly to see if Iris can join their party. After summoning a dragon, they have to take it down since it has the biggest magic stone core. Yeah, Matty telling Iris to throw dragon insults! While making her the bait (or was it diversion?), Matty sets up magic traps everywhere and once the time is right, uses it to create a huge explosion. The mission is a success and although clumsy Iris just borderline passed, he offers her to join their party. She agrees and this means more training for her so she can get used to her human body. Matty also has Lurie chant layers of several magic into her sword. With Lurie and Alma’s weapon receiving great power up, Matty gives Iris a spear to fight. Final training is for all of them to fight him at once! Eek! Once done, Matty notes once everything is done, he’ll have no more reason to stay here and will leave this place. Really? Lurie looking worried…

Episode 6
Preparations are well underway to defend against the invading demons. Because Matty is having his hands full in creating the barrier, he leaves it Alma and Lurie to handle some of the small portals that have opened and take care of the vanguard demons. Thanks to all their training, you bet those demons underestimate our girls. Eduardo and his Second Academy manage to defend a powerful of demon popping up above the school. It’s that time where Lurie feels she is useless without Matty’s guidance but with everyone placing their hope on her, you bet she’s not feeling useless anymore. When a larger wave appears, it is Matty’s turn to show who is boss. Yup, death in a flash. Matty’s barrier is complete and covers the entire kingdom. But this still leaves the outside and nearby villages vulnerable. Time to show how much Second Academy has grown as we see the students use their wordless magic and traps to take those lower level monsters down. With stronger monsters in the field, it is Matty’s party turn to take the lead. Then the demon boss using a Void Eater eats and absorbs all the monsters. Yeah, saves Matty and the girls to destroy them. But won’t this make the monster too strong to be even defeated? Nah! Leave it to Matty to use his magic items to do the trick. After a lot of hard work and fighting, Matty defeats it. As Matty wants to explore dungeons elsewhere, this gives him the reason to leave the academy and kingdom. Of course Eduardo still wants his name attached to the roster and won’t just expel him. Hence he puts him on scholarship and the school will also have greater freedom for more effective growth. Lurie looks sad to see Matty leaving but Eduardo notes they can follow Matty if they want and be put on scholarship too. A chance of a lifetime. You bet they’re going to take it! And so, Matty and his girls leave on a journey as Eduardo and his students bid them farewell and will always welcome them back here.

Episode 7
The gang is going to explore the Melkia dungeon. But Matty is shocked to learn a city is being built over it. And that dungeon is one of the most dangerous dungeons ever in his time. The girls thought they may take a few more days to reach Melkia but Iris points out they can get there in a day if they go through this forest. This makes the girls scared because they know it is filled with intelligent monsters. Oh dear, Matty is interested now. So through the forest they go and what do you know? Even the smartest of monsters loses to Matty. Heh. No big deal. They reach Melkia only to find it is underpopulated and decrepit. They nearly got killed by an exploding magic lamppost. A vendor tells them that the current lord, Dokiel decided to use inferior magic stones and the better ones to sell. Also, the lord rules with an iron fist, sending veteran and greenhorn adventures to the dungeon to fight monsters. Matty’s first move is to join the guild to get a permit to enter the dungeon. But the receptionist says that only Dokiel is allowed to issue such permit. She will have to start the process of application if they really want to enter the dungeon. Then an emergency is called. Loads of adventurers have retuned and many are seriously wounded. Help! We need a healer! Guess who. Even Matty is shocked to see a town hall filled them. Of course, we expect Jesus Matty Christ to save them all! Even the pessimistic doctor thinks Matty shouldn’t be fooling around because of his weak crest. Watch and learn. Because of this crest, Matty saves them all. Of course with the help of the rest but in the end, no casualties! Who is your God now! Matty learns that there are not enough healers because Dokiel finds them expensive and do away with them. Also, the previously lord suddenly died in his sleep and there is nothing more they know. This makes Matty suspect that Dokiel is a demon and is doing all this to cover up his tracks, including building a city on top of the dungeon. That night, Matty writes a letter to Eduardo. Of course it is fake and the real one imbued with magic and hidden. Yeah, I hope the mail inspector is that dumb. Then some detour as Lurie and Matty can’t sleep as they’re being too conscious sleeping in the same room. Alma and Iris they’re in sync sleep talking!!! Next day, the gang enter the dungeon and slay the most dangerous monster. Shocking, right? Even more shocking, Matty did nothing and this is all thanks to the girls’ doing. They sell it to the guild but of course the receptionist says once Dokiel verifies it, they will only be paid. Once Dokiel gets wind of this, Matty can tell he has taken action as shady people are seen tailing and observing them.

Episode 8
Matty and his girls cloak their presence to throw the goons in disarray. Then they pop up from behind to ask directions to their hotel. Since they do so, it only shows they know where they leave. The baddies take Matty hostage. His acting so bad, the girls trying hard not to laugh! Of course Matty gives Iris permission to beat them up. But without using weapons. In a flash, they all get knocked out. Next day, they meet up with Eik who is the king’s aide sent to help them. Matty has been given orders to arrest Dokiel on his majesty’s behalf. As they go raid his estate, it seems they detect all the defence has been solidified inside. Like as though they know their plans beforehand. But no matter, we see them get easily defeated. Matty and co surprise Dokiel by showing up in his room. As usual, Dokiel underestimates him and sends his goons to attack and once more Matty singlehandedly defeats them. Dokiel still refuses to back down and warns something bad will happen to Melkia if anything happens to him. With a snap of a finger, Matty turns him unconscious. Then he searches around and finds a burnt letter embedded with magic. It tells in advance about Matty’s plans and he is certain a demon is behind this. He believes the demons are targeting a Dragon Vein that is far bigger than in the capital. Don’t look now because monsters are popping up around Melkia. Hence Matty and co need to get the demons away from the Dragon Vein within 2 hours or Melkia will be overrun by them. While Alma and Iris keep busy with the horde, Matty goes to find a lone demon tampering with the Dragon Vein. Taping into his communication, it seems he has a boss who is guiding him on how to fight Matty. Strategies that are designed to fight his Crest of Failure. Matty is kept on his toes but the demon wonders if he is a reincarnation of Gaius. Demon boss says no because otherwise he would already be dead. Thanks to Lurie’s prior spell castings, he manages to break the demon’s stride and finishes him off. All the demons disappear. Melkia is saved. Matty tries to communicate with the demon boss but he is told to come and get him. Matty realizes this demon is of a different level than others and could be an ancient one since he knows pretty much about Gaius.

Episode 9
Matty discusses with his girls in how to find the demon boss’ hideout. He has an item that can do it but is careful not to reveal that he was the one who created it. However since the demon boss is located in another kingdom, they have to head back to the capital to get royal clearance to cross borders. They return to Second Academy but what’s this? It is undergoing renovations? So currently all classes are being held at First Academy. They see Eduardo for their request so he immediately writes a proposal to the king for it. Once done, they head off to the lands of Radinia Alliance. Although they have the king’s pass, they still have to respect certain local rules. As there are some places restricted to high ranking adventurers only to prevent magical calamity, they have to join a local guild and rank up. They do so and the guild receptionist will arrange a proctor for their mock fight. To his horror, it is Giluas who will be invigilating them. Because this fighting maniac is the strongest fighter in the land and he has never passed anyone under his watch. Surprisingly, he passes the girls but wants to fight Matty, which is his intentions all along. He heard of Matty’s achievements and that’s why he wants to test him. Despite Giluas’ strong magic aura, he claims he won’t use it (although he only uses it for physical enhancement). Matty finds him a formidable opponent but eventually defeats him. Giluas for the first time admits defeat and wants to know how to get as strong as him. Here, read this textbook he wrote. Basically if Giluas knows how to use magic, he might even surpass him. Too bad Giluas isn’t the kind whose brains are for reading so he is having a headache already! Yeah, read this healing spell at this page. How is he going to do that if he can’t get into reading?! Once they have ranked up, Matty and co will now head to Etelis Plains in the Folkia Region. Giluas warns them because that place has gotten stranger lately with strict checkpoints and parties suddenly disappearing. After passing a checkpoint, Matty notices a secret code in the pass. Although the hidden contents seem to aim at warning bandits about their group, Matty is more concerned with the magic coding technology because it is the same as the demons. This means the city might be under demon control. Noticing the bandits waiting to ambush them, Matty has Lurie and Alma put them to sleep from behind while he and Iris distract them. The plan works. Only, Lurie and Alma got caught in their own sleep trap too.

Episode 10
Iris having fun drawing on Alma’s sleeping face… Arriving at Folkia, they can detect demonic magical signature all over. Safe to say, this town is overrun by demons. Although demons work alone, these are demidemons, a rare offshoot of the demon race. Since they lack powerful magic, they work in groups. Matty and co won’t go through the front door but infiltrate via sewer. So, there’s this just 1 demidemon on guard?! No wonder Matty can stupefy him and move on. In town, they see humans in a trance and looks like they’ve been stupefied too. They learn the demidemons are using humans to mine magic stones and then refine them into explosives. Matty’s plan is to take down all the demidemons and use their teamwork against them. First, Matty will unleash Iris’ magical signature that he has kept hidden since entering the town. This will distract all the demidemons to encircle and trap her. While they do that, the rest will bomb them and Matty finishing them off from behind with his sword. This works like a charm as the demidemons are confused that there are traps laid across town when there isn’t any. So when the leader notices something amiss and checks out a corpse of his brethren, he can tell there is a hidden assassin and all this is a decoy. He summons his remaining brethren to purge the entire city using the magic stones. He doesn’t care if it destroys the whole place because humans are replaceable. Suddenly some of his goons get slashed. Giluas reveals himself and they think he is the secret assassin. Giluas followed his guts and he was right on the money that something is wrong with this place. While he takes out the survivors, Matty also helps in the shadows. Ultimately it is a showdown between Giluas and the leader. Giluas has improved himself with some spells but he has taken some damage too. In the end, Giluas wins by a whisker. Though, his body is numb all over and can’t move. Matty and co praise him but don’t count your chickens yet. Somebody is going to get a revival…

Episode 11
The demidemon leader still gets up to launch an attack but swiftly disposed of. However this is for the demon boss to send a message to Matty that his seal will soon break and his full resurrection is inevitable. After parting ways with Giluas, Matty and his girls head to some device in the ruins. Underneath this pyramid, Matty is going to use this strange device to track down the identity of the boss demon. The girls find lots of great weapons here and this reminds Matty he made many of them and stored them here. Using a tool from Folkia, this convenience allows them all to see the demon boss’ identity: Zardias. Upon seeing this dude, Matty knows this is one badass motherf*cker he can’t beat. Oh sh*t. If Matty can’t beat him, it’s the end of the world?! Actually, Matty is also right on that! Zardias intends to destroy all of humanity and the last time humans fought him, they barely sealed him. The only plan Matty can come up is to train for hundreds of years and then it would just be barely to defeat him. By that time, humanity has already gone down the path of extinction. Oh man Matty, you really paint this in a very negative light, are you sure you’re just being overly cautious? With Iris noting about special weapons, this reminds Matty of the many magic weapons he created. If he could only find that magic sword and he’ll have that chance. Great. How convenient. Because it is detected that sword is back in the royal castle’s treasury! Who the f*ck put it back there?! So as they race back, too late as the seal is broken. Zardias will be on his way here. Matty and Iris will prepare to face him while the duo head to the treasury to get the sword. You think they should’ve dropped closer or directly into the castle but nope, they had to run all the way from the middle of the kingdom. In the treasury, WTF the guard doesn’t recognize them and think they’re bandits trying to steal treasures?! I thought they were heroes!!! Luckily the king is here and understands the urgency and gives orders to let them in. Thank goodness. Meanwhile Matty prepares to strike as Zardias breaches open a portal. Failed. Zardias shows why he is a badass too beat as he puts Matty on the edge and even taking on some damage. Oh sh*t. Matty meeting his match and doom? To paint a further gloomier picture, Matty deduces that if he has to win this battle, he must give up his life! Oh Matty, you really want to dramatize it all for us?!

Episode 12
Oh yeah, you can’t miss that magic sword over there since it’s reaction to the magic tool is strong. Matty finds himself defending against Zardias’ attacks. The demon is trying to target the barrier and forcing Matty to go on the defensive. But Zardias has another trick up his sleeve. Although the barrier protects demons from outside from getting in, what about those already inside? Yeah, remember those demons they fought before who died? Zardias reanimates them to fight back! Magic sword delivery delayed. Of course with the help of Eduardo and Second Academy, this makes Lurie and Alma’s job easier. After disposing of the demons with their tricks learnt from Matty, they make way to give him the magic sword. But once Matty takes it, Zardias stabs him through the heart! Gasp! Oh no! Matty is dead! But… He revives! WTF?! Apparently the condition of using the powers of this sword is that he must die. Doing so will allow him to resurrect with more magic power. Oh damn, you mean Matty just gone Super Saiyan?! He might be more powerful and fast but this means he cannot control it and if not careful, will wipe the entire area out. Safe to say, Matty dominates until he kills Zardias. But Zardias isn’t worried. He hints there are stronger chaos demons out there… Oh f*cK! Don’t tell me he is the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings or some sh*t like that!!! Lurie can’t help give Matty the biggest hug when he gets back. But be careful, he is still bleeding from the stab wounds. Good to know he won’t be using this magic sword trick again because after all the powerful magic, it gets destroyed. Well, will he make another one?

After healed up, the king once again rewards them. Take anything from the treasury you want. Matty notices this adamantite arrow he made as Gaius. There should be a bow that came with it. However it is rusted and sold off to some company. When they visited the company, the staff remembers it because it was a weird metal they couldn’t make out of. Hence they mixed it with other metals and now it is a scrap of block metal. Oh well. Matty will buy all the block metals here. Shopping interrupted as Eduardo needs them to come back for an emergency. Guile has retrieved a wooden golem. It was reported attacking near the border of Syhill Empire. Matty traces the power source to be of a human. Don’t worry, a human wasn’t killed to animate it. In fact, it steals little amounts of human life force. And you would’ve guessed it that demons are the ones controlling Syhill because it is their typical tactic to make humans wear each other out by fighting themselves. Looks like it is a job for Matty to save humanity again. That night, Matty sees Lurie and gives her a pendant he made from the jewel he bought at the store. Sorry folks, no confession. You bet Lurie gonna treasure it. Next day, Matty and his girls leave for Syhill. Matty still wary about Zardias’ words and that there are a lot about the demons he doesn’t know. Oh well. That’s why it’s going to be a fun adventure.

Crestfallen… Strongest Cringe With The Weakest Plot…
I just want to know who the f*ck delivered the magic sword in the treasury? It wasn’t there when Matty was around and somebody must have put it there while they were away to other kingdoms. Yeah, smells like freaking plot convenience! Worse, it could be Matty from the future coming back in time to place that magic sword so as to alter the future and give humanity a fighting chance! HOLY SH*T! I HOPE THIS WAS NOT IT! Otherwise, it’s going to be the usual of Matty and his girls starting an adventure a new and beating whoever that cocky overpowered demon is. Same story, I know. Extremely powerful demons, you say, huh? Well, they don’t know what Matty can do yet! The secret strongest magic crest known of plot convenience! Hahaha!!!

The plot seems like it needs to setup the main character as an overpowered hero because when you have him sent to a timeline (in this case the future) where the most powerful crest is now more popular known as the weakest, this is cliché definitely sets Matty up to be that said character. Because with the dumb humans getting brainwashed and not even testing that Crest of Failure themselves, in a way humanity has set them up to become failures. Sure, magic has been on a steady decline. I think that is because nobody bothered to practice and hone their skills. Unless you’re a prodigy, you won’t be able to be a top spell caster overnight. Hence this is where Matty as your typical overpowered main character comes in. He surprises almost everyone with his seemingly overpowered moves because well, nobody least expects it. So there you have it. Basically Matty being the genius spell caster because everyone’s thinking has regressed.

So the plot of him trying to find out how and why magic deteriorated during his thousand year absence seems to be side-lined as we see Matty and his girls taking on missions to fight against the invading demon forces. Yes, also to showcase Matty’s awesome power and awe-cum-remind everyone why he is not to be messed with. Yeah, how convenient of him to have left behind weapons and knowledge of other stuffs because after a thousand years, you think that these won’t be around due to deterioration and depreciation (because things don’t just last forever, duh!) at least not in super good condition but somehow they are for his convenience and the plot’s. I don’t think he took them especially those magic weapons he made, along with him when he reincarnated into the future.

The characters feel pretty average too and if you’ve seen dozens of such genres, you’ve probably seen them all. Therefore I can’t see any reason to be excited with this Matty character because he falls in line with so many generic main powered anime characters. It’s not a bad thing for his character but at this point this kind of genre has become so saturated that it is impossible to find anything that stands out. Like I’ve said, Matty is overpowered because almost everybody looks down on his crest. This gives rise to a situation for him to make them eat their words because yeah, no sympathy for those who look down upon others. Matty can just go all out and shove it to their face and prove them wrong. Easy.

Then there is his set of girls who feel like a pseudo harem. Matty is strong enough as a lone wolf so the only reason why he needs to have a small party is to troll us with this harem bait. Yes, yes, learning about teamwork. Whatever. I can’t help feel that Alma and Lurie are pretty forgettable and sometimes they feel like yes (wo)man to Matty. After all, Matty is the brains and knows what to do so it is only right for them to do what he says. So as not to make them entirely NPCs or robots, hence we see them do some thinking sometimes but even that feels forced. Lurie is there to troll us with the potential of having feelings for Matty because that is what I basically remember her. With that, Alma exists to support-cum-tease her friend about it. Does she have feelings for Matty too? Not that I care. Completing the group is Iris who is probably slightly better than the duo. This overpowered dragon (only second to Matty) is a slacker who wants to have some fun and perhaps her character is written as a comic relief. She acts like a retard due to her dreamy and blur outlook. Her running joke is using too much of her strength and some minor mishap happens. Or she takes a hit but it has no effect on her and she’s like putting on that dumb looks. Funny girl but there’s only so much I can take before I start to realize this is becoming old and cringe. The other characters just play supporting roles like Eduardo. The rest became forgettable once their roles is over like Eik and Giluas. I think there’s this running joke that Guile is a forgettable character since Matty can never remember his name. Jokes on me too because I too can’t remember this dude!!!

In order not to make us feel complacent because Matty is your wonder boy who can do everything, hence the antagonist of the series, Zardias who will give Matty a run for his money. Yup, time to put us on the edge of our seats because we’ll start panicking if it doesn’t follow the narrative when an overpowered gets defeated. Oh gosh, what’s this that humanity will be destroyed with this demon around? Be afraid! Maybe that’s what happened over a thousand years ago but look humanity rebuilt itself. Oh right. Still backwater somehow. But we all know better. This is just transitional. The hero must overcome his greatest obstacle before emerging victorious. So instead of boring us with all the easy wins we have seen, it gives us something to cheer about and somewhat acknowledge Matty’s victory when he finally defeats Zardias. So too bad for you Zardias, no matter how badass you are, you’re just a stepping stone for Matty to become an even more powerful overpowered character. And possibly other stronger chaos demons too. Yeah, now that we know the formula, next time if Matty faces off with a tough opponent, don’t sweat and panic yet. Just remember that it is Matty and you’ll be alright.

The art and animation is pretty standard with conventionally designed anime characters and mostly bright coloured hues. But there are certain scenes especially the fight scenes in which the action looks stiff. Like as though they did not put enough frames into that animation so the scene comes off as somewhat rigid. This anime was done by veteran studio, J.C. Staff and so I thought there would at least be some sort of quality like DanMachi, Little Busters and Shokugeki No Souma. But I guess you can’t have hit series all the time. And since this is going to be one of those little known titles that will eventually fade away into obscurity once the season is over, don’t pour too much resources into it. I’m just speculating that but I can’t help feel it’s like that. So this series gonna have BD versions or what? Not that I’m going to buy that anyway!

Surprised to hear Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Giluas. Not that I have anything against him voicing in such series but it feels like they hired him to pull in some audience. Here, he sounds like a cross between Kirito and Inosuke so I guess that’s that. A few recognizable seiyuus include Takehito Koyasu as Zardias, Tomokazu Sugita as Dokiel, Rikiya Koyama as Eduardo and Daisuke Ono as Gaius. The other casts are Nina Tamaki as Matty (Nina in Blue Reflection Ray), Haruka Shiraishi as Alma (Asirpa in Golden Kamuy), Sayumi Suzushiro as Lurie (Takemoto in Bokutachi Wa Benkyou Ga Dekinai), Shiori Izawa as Iris (Tanpopo in Witch Craft Works), Kousuke Toriumi as Eik (Nozel in Black Clover) and Nobuo Tobita as Facus (Gus in Saihate No Paladin).

The opening theme is… ONLY MY RAILGUN!!! NOT!!! Oh well, Leap of Faith by Fripside almost trolled me into thinking that but this feels so much like an inferior version. Oh heck, I should know by now that this is their kind of music trademark. The blaring techno beat here feels even way more frantic and chaotic and I just didn’t really quite like it. Thus making Only My Railgun still the best and personal favourite Fripside song of mine at this point in time. The ending theme is Day Of Bright Sunshine by Yuki Nakashima and is a slow anime pop. Nothing really special and just generic.

Overall, this is largely disappointing if you have seen too many of such genres. It brings nothing new to the table (except reincarnated into a different form – just like Gaius became Matty but they’re largely the same entity) and it regurgitates the same ol’ clichés and tropes. Yeah, I guess dumb guys like me just love it because I keep coming back to watch them, huh? Wanna bet Matty and his girls are the only ones up to task in saving humanity because everyone else is just useless? What the f*ck you have First and Second Academy for… Are there no students graduating in time? Didn’t Matty fast track teach them how to do wordless casting? Yeah, these people might have the best crests but they’re a failure in terms of character. Even if you put this anime to sleep and reincarnate it in a thousand years, it will still be the same crap. Some things never change. At least when one is weak, one can learn to become stronger again. But when one is crap, it will always be crap forever. No matter how many reincarnations it takes.

Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu

Okay. Time for yet another isekai anime. That’s right. Let’s tick off the checklist on what Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu has that makes it so special as an isekai genre. A typical loser in his previous life. Check. Got killed. Check. Reincarnated into a fantasy with special powers and a prodigy. Check. Retains memories of his previous life. Check. Going to be some sort of hero or at least live a better life than his previous. Check. Wow. I can see why this isekai anime is so special! Heh. So why do I want to see it after my many experiences and stints with the same even though this genre is starting to wear me down? Because the main character is a pervert and since he brought over his perversion lust to this new life, he’s gonna try and make his move on women that he did not have the chance in his previous life. Yeah. Sex sells.

Episode 1
Some hikikomori dude just died in an accident. Yup, his only regret is dying a virgin. But what’s this? He notices he is still alive and some buffed elated dude kisses him! Eww! But look at that hot mama! Yeah! Those tits! Let me grab ‘em! Wait… Why are my hands so small!? Holy sh*t! I’m a baby?! Rudeus “Rudy” Greyrat a healthy little boy born to Paul and Zenith. It seems Rudy maintains his memories of his former life as he grows up in this countryside. Damn, this little pervert trying to sexually harass the maid, Lilia?! One day he falls down and although he didn’t cry, he thought mommy will put on a kiddie spell to make the pain go away. Turns out she actually did some healing magic on him! Rudy realizes this is an isekai with magic! Rudy then finds a few books containing how to use magic. With dad reading to him sometimes, he gets the gist of this world’s language and starts reading. In no time, he is able to perform simple magic albeit just making some water balls. Of course he finds it strange that despite there are incantations, he can actually make them by skipping it altogether. He continues to practice and one day he thinks he has done enough and should move on to a more intermediary magic. Why, the water ball blasts a hole through the wall and perhaps water the entire fields! Not sure how far he shot. When his parents find out, Rudy thought he is in trouble. But mom is so happy that he is a genius and they should call a magic tutor right away. But Paul disagrees since it was agreed Rudy will be a swordsman if born a boy. They end up arguing until Lilia suggests to train both. Back to loving parents again. As Paul is a knight, he can train his son. They thought the magic tutor they hire would be an old beardy dude. Turns out to be an awkward young girl, Roxy Migurdia. This girl right up your alley too, Rudy? At first she thought this is another one of those cases whereby the parents think their child is a magic prodigy but you better not let mom hear that… So as Roxy teaches the basics and demonstrates, she soon has Rudy try out. He got distracted by her pantsu and skipped the incantations. When Rudy admits to that, Roxy realizes he is worth training. Then everyone goes inside to have a feast as Roxy’s welcome party. This gives Rudy hope that even if he was a jobless and reclusive bum in his previous life, he can still get a chance at life and get serious about living.

Episode 2
While the family attended a funeral, a shut-in stayed home and watched porn! It’s no surprise when they return, they beat the sh*t out of him and kicked him out. Lost and wandering, he spotted a truck going to crash into a group of students. We can see what happened when he tried playing the hero, right? Rudy is mastering earth magic. But I guess he got bored and rather go interrupt his parents having sex! Yeah, the walls are thin. However he sees Roxy masturbating outside! Time to go to sleep. Rudy also receives night lessons from Roxy. Not of the sexual kind, mind you! It is here he learns Roxy is a demon. But there is the fearful kind known as Superd. During the Laplace War many centuries ago, they slaughtered everyone including women and children. They became so hated and when the war ended, were banished from the continent. Hence it became some tale to scare children not to stay up too late or the Superd with emerald green hair and red gem on the forehead will come and eat you! Rudy continues to study under Roxy for 1.5 years. This world only celebrates birthdays when a kid reaches 5, 10 and 15 when he/she becomes an adult. With Rudy turning 5, it’s a big birthday bash. Paul gives a sword, Zenith a magic book and Roxy a wand to amplify magic power. With that, she will hold his graduation exam tomorrow. But since it will be outside, this evokes a past trauma. In Rudy’s previous life as that shut-in, he was bullied, stripped naked and tied at the gates and nicknamed a limp dick. Hence his trauma of stepping outside ever since. Rudy’s fear shows as Roxy puts him on the horse as they head outside. But after passing the gates, Rudy now fears everyone who looks his way. For the record, everyone is being friendly and looking at Roxy. This builds up Rudy’s confidence. At a faraway plain, Roxy demonstrates a powerful magic that could kill and harm had she demonstrated it in town. Oh sh*t! The storm killed the horse! Healing magic, thank goodness for it! Now it’s Rudy’s turn to replicate it. Safe to say, it is a much bigger show and with nothing more she can teach him, she graduates him. Of course everyone is sad that Roxy will be leaving since her duty is done. Rudy is grateful for everything she has taught him but the biggest one was helping him go outside and overcome his trauma. For that, he will always respect her.

Episode 3
Now Rudy can go outside whenever he wants like a boss. Great outdoor nature study. One day he stumbles into bullies throwing mud at a boy named Sylph. When they start to throw stones, that is when Rudy pelts his water magic at them. The bullies give up and Rudy quickly becomes friends with him although Sylph continues to remain shy. Rudy offers to teach him his water magic. When Rudy returns home, Paul is not happy because the bully’s mom came to complain to him and looks like he is under the impression that Rudy punched him. Because Paul gave him no chance to explain himself, Rudy became confrontational and stands by his decision to not apologize. He knows he will win this argument because he has done nothing wrong. Eventually Paul gives up and has Rudy explain what happened. He feels like a douche afterwards. 6 months down the road, Sylph’s mana has grown and he is able to perform a bit of magic. One day it suddenly rains heavily so they rush home. They have to bath quickly to avoid catching a cold. With Rudy already bare naked, Sylph remains reluctant. Rudy thinks he has got a small dick too like him. However Rudy went too far as he forcefully strips Sylph naked. Oh sh*t. There’s no dick there! Poor Sylph. Inconsolable. Chance for Paul to talk to his very depressed son and amend things as he advises him on what he can do. As long as he sincerely apologizes to Sylphiette, she’ll forgive him. Rudy blows his first chance as he panics while trying to explain himself he didn’t know he was a girl. This makes her cry more! More father-son bonding and talking. Here’s his next chance. Well, he panics again and tries to say she is cuter with long hair. Well, she doesn’t want to grow long hair! Oh dear. Now what?! Think fast. Rudy then apologizes and Sylphiette doesn’t hate him. Just act normal like they use to and everything is okay. Rudy hopes to build a good relationship with her in the future as a man. But for now, it can stay as it is.

Episode 4
Zenith is pregnant! Hooray! But wait. Lilia also announces she is pregnant. OH SH*T! With that, the family is now going through weird estranged times. Zenith looking for distraught on what to do next. Paul has no right to say anything. Hence it is up to Rudy to save the day. Learning that Lilia’s plan is to return home with her child after delivering theirs, since her home is about a month’s journey, definitely mother and baby will not arrive in good shape. He talks to mom that Lilia should not be punished for dad’s wrongdoings. He doesn’t want to say goodbye to Lilia yet. Hence, mom allows Lilia to stay since she is family. Now it’s up to scumbag Paul to be a smooth operator with Zenith… Good luck… With the situation saved, we hear Lilia asking herself why she has been saved when she viewed it as her fault who seduced Paul. Apparently one night she was bathing and left the door open and Paul couldn’t resist… Also, Lilia never liked Rudy as a baby because he was always staring at her chest. Like as though he is some devil kid. But now she has been saved and will serve him for life. If her child is born, she will have that child serve Rudy. Soon, Rudy will have sisters, Norn and Aisha. Rudy and Paul talk about the need for Rudy to go to school. I mean, he can already read, write and count, right? They also talk about women. Yeah, men never change. Of course with the big lesson learnt, it is best for Rudy to stick to 1 woman. We all know who, right? As Rudy ponders about school, this has Sylphiette think he is going away so she becomes emotional and begs him not to go. Rudy receives a letter from Roxy that she is tutoring a prince of some kingdom. Also, she has improved in her magic so if Rudy doesn’t buck up, he might fall behind. Rudy then talks to his family about wanting to attend Ranoa Magic University. Not just him but Sylphiette too. But since she is from a poor family, he hopes Paul can pay for both of them. Of course he rejects because as a father he cannot shirk his parental duties and since he is training swordsmanship under him, he cannot let him go. Rudy suggests he finds him a high paying job so that he could cover for Sylphiette. Soon, this Amazon fox woman, Ghislaine Dedoldia comes to their doorstep. Rudy is confused the ladies saying goodbye to him. Suddenly Paul fights Rudy. Little kid no match for experienced knight so he gets knocked out. When he comes too, he is on Ghislaine’s caravan. They start work tomorrow.

Episode 5
As Ghislaine is illiterate, she has Rudy read Paul’s letter detailing the stuffs. Aside from mocking Ghislaine is some muscle brain (as well as how he only defeated her in bed!!!), Rudy’s job is to tutor a young illiterate lady in Roa. Ghislaine is her bodyguard. Rudy will spend 5 years tutoring Eris and will not return home, write any letters or any form of contact. This is because he has become dependent on Sylphiette and that won’t be good for her. Rudy meets Philip who is the mayor of Roa, Eris’ father and Paul’s cousin. Rudy only knows that if his tutoring job goes well, he gets paid 2 pax worth of enrolment. But he wasn’t told this… You see, Eris can be summed up as arrogant and violent! She slaps him. He slaps her back. Then she punches him! Multiple punches! He runs away and hides while a mad Eris is hot on his heels! Of course Rudy can’t give up or he’ll be a laughing stock. Philip is impressed since many tutors have given up at this point. But how to make Eris interested in studying? Rudy has a plan… Yeah, they’re both kidnapped in a dungeon. As she throws a tantrum, a ruffian comes in to beat her to a pulp! Woah. Great acting? Rudy uses his magic to half heal her. She should learn the rest herself. He plans on escaping himself and makes Eris promise not to be loud or get violent if she wants to come with him. Feel like swallowing your pride or will she let those men get her? After escaping, it looks like she intends to break her promise. But as the men look for her and she is illiterate, she has to depend on him till they get home. After all, he is not hired yet so he is not really obliged to save her even if she demands it. So they have a transport service in the middle of the night?! As they return home, they are greeted by Philip’s worker. However Eris is soon kidnapped. Rudy chases after those men who then hold her hostage. Looks like that worker is the mastermind. So it wasn’t an act. He wants to get rid of Eris for all the misery she caused him. He wants Rudy to join him and he’ll earn a handsome cut. More than enough to pay 10 pax of enrolment and have leftover. Tempting. But he has learnt from his dating sims that some things are worth more than money. He uses his magic to trick those guys to save Eris. But in the final move when the guy throws his sword, Rudy thought he is about to die but Ghislaine luckily jumps in and kills them! Bloody. The sight of blood has Rudy in shock. When all return to the manor, Rudy thought he has failed. However Eris still with that arrogant tone accepts him as her tutor.

Episode 6
Rudy meets Hilda who is Philip’s wife. Damn, those boobs. Well, it’s no wonder she gives him that piercing looks. Then there is the loud grandpa Sauros who is the mayor of this town. He wants Rudy to be Eris’ tutor but Rudy wants Eris to ask herself or else she won’t learn. I guess even Eris can’t disobey grandpa’s words so she sheepishly does some cat pose to ask?! WTF?! While Eris is enthusiastic in sword and magic lessons, when it comes to reading and writing, she just runs away. It follows this pattern: Rudy tries to get her, she beats him up, she runs away. Rinse and repeat. One familiar cycle, he finds her sleeping in the barn. He takes this chance to grope her boobs and then gets ahead of himself by trying to take off her panties! Too bad she wakes up. Beat down time! In order to make Eris motivated for his classes, he ropes Ghislaine in to tell her ‘sad’ story. Because when her party broke up, she almost died of hunger as she couldn’t read or count to get food. Wow. This is enough to get her studying! One day the gang visit the town’s market. Rudy noting down prices of things. Eris demanding to know what he is writing? Your fault for not knowing how to read! He also tests them some simple buy and sell arithmetic. Ghislaine way better than you Eris! You can tell how spoilt she is since if Rudy wants to get anything, she’ll just put it on grandpa’s tab. Time to teach her the meaning of money. Rudy won’t accept any gifts from her until she makes her own money. But he’ll talk to Philip to give her some allowance. Rudy notices a floating island in the sky so the ladies tell it is the flying fortress of Perugius, one of the 3 heroes who slew Laplace who tried to destroy humans long ago. Rudy remembers his parents telling this fairytale to him. Rudy would love to visit that place but wonders if he is still around living up there since 400 years have passed. Eris’ mood for studying improves when she is given an off day. To his surprise, she buys him an aphrodisiac medicine! She thought he wanted it so much as he was looking at it at the market. Oh sh*t! She doesn’t even know what aphrodisiac means! A struggle happens and that expensive medicine breaks. Then they ‘torture’ him to make him spill the beans. He got a hell of a time explaining his way out of this but finds comfort that his education is paying off.

Episode 7
Eris getting so good at her swordplay that this mock fight with Ghislaine looks like the real deal! Soon, Edna Rayrune visits Rudy and talks to him about Eris’ upcoming 10th birthday. As nobles will be attending, the party will have Eris dancing. Yup, you’ve guessed it. She’s not good at it. So Edna wishes to take some of Rudy’s lesson time to teach Eris dancing. Rudy is more than glad to do so because it means free time! He tries to learn another language, particularly the beast language since perversion runs in the Greyrat’s blood. Yeah, gotta love those animal ears and tails, right? Too bad it is tough as hell. Soon, Edna seeks Rudy’s help again. Eris as expected shows not motivation to dance. Yup, time for him to try convince her. So he goes talk to her and from experience, despite she is saying she doesn’t want to do it, he knows she’ll regret it later. Eventually she gets back to dance lessons but Rudy is her dance partner. Woah, Eris so fast that she throws him off! This is going to take a while. Time passes and soon Rudy gets a letter from Roxy. She received his letter and heart about his intention to learn beast language. It is not easy so she has made a handwritten book for him to get started. With the birthday bash here, Sauros announces those who want to curry favour with him, to dance with Eris! First kid tries but Eris panics and fails. This has everyone whispering a dumb girl she is since she can’t even do a simple dance. Eris is obviously holding it in so Rudy has no choice but to offer to dance with her. She also fails but he learns she is nervous because her family is looking at her. Thus he has her close her eyes and react to his commands. This works like a charm and they’re dancing beautifully. To prove this isn’t a fluke, they do it again but this time with her eyes open. The dance so splendid that everyone applauses. Later Rudy reveals to Edna about how he incorporated some sword fighting feints to match Eris’ rhythm. Rudy so good that some girls are interested in him! Well, this is Eris’ birthday so no girls are going to usurp her! That’s the end of that. Later Rudy gives Eris and Ghislaine a wand each as part of the tradition. Ghislaine gives Eris a ring talisman passed down by her people. Next morning, Sauros points out to Rudy of some weird floating thingy in the sky. He doesn’t think it’s a bad thing so Rudy offers a prayer.

Episode 8
It has been 2 years and things are progressing steadily. Rudy sees Eris trying to prepare a surprise birthday party for him as he will soon turn 10. He thinks that they can’t be too public about this birthday bash due to some family branch thingy. So on his birthday, Ghislaine keeps Rudy company while the rest make final preparations but he is fully aware of what is going on. But he is still surprised when everyone is here to celebrate his birthday. As Eris has prepared a surprise for him, Rudy thinks she invited his parents. That’s not it. Suddenly Hilda hugs him and accepts him as her son. WTF?! I thought she hated him?! She even wants Eris to marry him! She had to be thrown out. Anyway the big surprise is a huge expensive looking staff for him because it would be strange for a mage not to have one. After the party, Philip explains about the family tradition, how sons are taken to live in the main family. Eris has an older brother taken away for that due to Philip losing a succession dispute. It was a reason why Hilda hated Rudy because her child was taken away but somebody else walking around here like he owns the place. Philip then hints he can arrange for Eris to marry him and even leave her in his bed tonight. Well, looks like that has set in motion as Eris is already waiting in his room. So the excuse is he won’t be lonely tonight? With Eris seemingly giving him the green light, Rudy wastes no time in getting physical with her! OMG. Too fast! But I guess he crossed the line so she gets very embarrassed and beats him up. Hope his goods isn’t damaged. Luckily for him, Eris forgives him and wants him to wait for 5 more years where he’ll be an adult. Rudy has no qualms in waiting. But soon he realizes… Oh sh*t. Sylphiette! Now we take a detour seeing Rudy’s family. Sylphiette makes frequent visits. Norn and Aisha are now cute lolis, though Norn is very much a cry-baby. Paul is stumped that the monsters are getting more aggressive. Then we see this bratty demon loli, Kishirika Kishirisu claiming she’ll lead her demon race to glory. She may be a mental patient wandering the wastelands alone… Perugius detects something trying to undo the seal on Laplace so he sends Almanfi to investigate and kill anyone suspicious. Rudy is trying out his new staff. Uhm, is his magic so great that it is turning the sky ominous? Think not. Suddenly they are attacked by Almanfi who thinks Rudy is the source but Ghislaine protects him. After making known of who she is, Almanfi believes her word. He leaves but the sky takes a turn for the worst as some beam engulfs them.

Episode 9
Looks like Rudy is in another dimension and in his old otaku form. There is this weird being known as Hitogami who talks to him that he needs help. Rudy being sceptical of everything that has happened, doesn’t trust him and thinks he had fun watching over his tormented life. He needs Rudy’s help. Apparently the demon continent is a harsh land and there’s lots of monsters and lack of food. Rudy got suck up by some mana and thrown there. When he wakes up, he will be next to a man. He is to rely on him and help him. Rudy now wakes up and he sees a Superd next to him. Naturally he gets scared but after learning he is a nice guy, those legends really painted the wrong picture, huh? Ruijerd Superdia explains he found both of them falling from the sky and saved them. There is nobody else. Since they are in Beigoya, the north eastern of the demon continent, it is very far from the central continent they are from. As he will not abandon children, he will escort them back. When Eris wakes up, she becomes very scared of Ruijerd. But eventually she too learns he is a nice guy and talks normally with him. Ruijerd takes them to the village of the Migurd tribe. Rowin the guard won’t let them in since they are suspicious so Ruijerd tells him to call the chief, Rokkus. When he notices Rudy’s necklace and Rudy says it is from Roxy, Rowin becomes surprised. Because Roxy is his daughter! She left the village 20 years ago and hasn’t been in touch. Ruijerd tells of his goal to escort the children back since he has an affinity for them. Rokkus warns he cannot enter cities because of Superd’s reputation. After all, it is going to be tough if Ruijerd is going to fulfil his goal of repairing Superd’s reputation. Ruijerd then explains the dark truth that their tainted reputation was due to Laplace’s betrayal. When Laplace unified the demon race and won rights from humans, he managed to convince Superd to take new spears. Superd view spears as their life and won’t easily trade them. In the end, many went crazy and started killing everything in sight including their family. Ruijerd’s spear belongs to his son who died while saving him from this curse. Rudy understands his misery and regret and agrees to help him. Ruijerd will protect them outside cities and they will protect him when inside. As they leave the village, Rowin gives Rudy a huge sword. Give this to Roxy as it’s a sign that her parents are well.

Episode 10
Eris is really loving this new sword. Hack and slash everything! After trekking through the wastelands, they arrive at the cliffs. Beyond it is the city of Rikarisu. There are many guards at the entrance because they heard rumours of Dead End being spotted. That’s Ruijerd’s nickname. But Rudy has a plan to get them in without kicking up a fuss. Looks like he dies Ruijerd’s hair blue and just like that, nobody suspects him as a Superd and lets them in. Even at the guild hall, Rudy acts tough and tries to show off his bro as Superd. However everyone laughs their ass off because this guy has blue hair and cannot be a Superd. Safe. Then they register as adventurers and name their group as Dead End. As they start from the lowest rank, they can’t take higher paying jobs for higher ranked adventures. Hence Nokopara mocks them to take this lost kitten job. At the inn, a group of young hunters led by Kurt want them to join their side. Because they accidentally rip Eris’ clothes that Rudy just bought for her, she beats the sh*t out of them! Rudy had to stop her and then heal them. But sorry, still can’t join them. As Rudy sleeps, looks like Hitogami visits in his dream again. Rudy is not impressed and wants to get over this fast. He is here to tell him to take up that kitten job and his troubles are soon over. Next day, Ruijerd’s third eye easily tracks the kitten to a cave that houses other animals too. Uhm, this kitty… More like a panther! They hear others coming in and ambush them. As Rudy tries to interrogate for answers, Lohman kicks him in the guts. Ouch. But soon Ruijerd decapitates him! Rudy in shock that he killed someone. He shouldn’t easily kill even if the person is evil. Lest he not cares about Superd’s reputation. Ruijerd disagrees because Lohman attacked a child and is evil. Rudy then asks the rest about this. Seems they kidnap pets and when someone posts a reward job, they pretend to find and return it. After learning how to level up their team’s rank, he wants them to cooperate if they want to continue living. Ruijerd agrees with working with the evil but this time Eris throws her tantrums and tells him off Rudy is doing this for his own good. He should leave it to him to work things out. Otherwise he can just leave and they’ll manage this on their own. Ruijerd is forced to accept this as he will keep his word to bring them back. After getting a reward for the kitten and this team (P Hunter) levelling up to the next rank, Rudy tells them to find a quest and they’ll trade it. He also wants them to advertise about Dead End and make them look good.

Episode 11
Roxy breathes a sigh of relief as she does not see Rudy’s name on the deceased list. However she is shocked to read a nearby message from Paul. Turns out Zenith, Lilia and Aisha are missing. He is organizing anyone who will help him to look for his family. For now he has started his search in Zenith’s homeland. Rudy’s group is to investigate a mysterious monster in the woods. They see Kurt’s group arguing with another party about their overlapping jobs. Hey, first come first serve. Ruijerd wants to protect the kids so Rudy has a great idea. When Kurt’s party is surrounded by monsters, Rudy wants to wait for the very last moment to save them. However one of the boys dies. Instantly Eris and Ruijerd go in to kill the monsters. After the fight, Rudy is left in shock and Ruijerd almost losing his cool when he hears Rudy’s plan to make them look good at the expense of a child’s life. But Kurt only has themselves to blame as they knew the risks. As Kurt’s party leave, Rudy’s side continues with the search. They find a giant cobra decimating that earlier group. There’s your mystery monster. Seeing Ruijerd is confident they can win, Rudy wants to rescue the party. They put in all their might and finally kill the cobra. But too late, that dude’s dead. When they return, they see P Hunter devastated. Apparently Nokopara knows about their job switch and if he rats on them, they’ll lose their licence. So to keep his mouth shut, he wants half their earnings every month. Rudy thought of paying him and run to the next city. But that means nothing if their licence gets revoked. Playing dumb and sacrifice P Hunter won’t do either. Hence Rudy thinks of killing him and even betraying Ruijerd just to return Eris. But before he can do that, Ruijerd washes off his hair. Everyone sees the Superd and runs for their lives. Ruijerd threatens Nokopara. They’ll leave town but if their licence is revoked, you know who’s gonna die, right? Ruijerd escapes the city before the authorities arrive. Later Rudy and Eris find him outside. Both apologizing to each other for not thinking through enough. But Ruijerd understood Rudy’s will when he sensed his readiness to kill Nokopara. It meant he had something precious to protect. And that makes him a warrior. A warrior is one who protects his loved ones and comrades. Even if Rudy can’t restore Superd’s reputation, he will still protect him. Of course Rudy will still do that as repayment. Next day, Ruijerd shaves his head as he realizes how much others feared his hair. Rudy gives him a cloth to cover his third eye too. Rudy admits he failed because he was trying to think about everything himself. From now on they should talk and decide together. Their next goal is Asura Kingdom.

Episode 12
Rudy is happy to see Eris stripping naked in the sea! Until Ruijerd tells her to stop because there are monsters. BUMMER! Looks like Roxy has also landed in this port city with a dwarf (Talhand) and elven lady (Elinalise Dragonroad) as companion. However she just missed Rudy since his side are trying to get a ship to cross the sea but looks like it’s going to cost a lot. Yup, money issues. Oh Eris, you don’t really mean for Ruijerd to run all the way on water, do you?! That night, a dream of Hitogami again. Yup, it’s been a year. He had so much fun seeing the decisions Rudy made so he’s going to give another advice. Buy food from a vendor and walk through the back alley. So Rudy does just that and sees a smelly girl being ignored by others as she is begging for food. So this must be it, huh? After Rudy feeds her, she revives! Oh dear. She is Kishirika and the Demon Lord! After all that flashy intro, Rudy is not impressed but decides to play along thinking she is a lonely person. For saving her life, she will grant him a wish. Money and half the world she can’t. She even trolls him with her body. So what does Rudy get? She gives him a demon eye of hers. Just hang on a bit, this is going to hurt! After she leaves, Rudy sees weird double visions in his right eye. He accidentally bumps into a ruffian but beats the hell out of him. Returning to his group, it seems Ruijerd confirms that Kishirika’s existence is real and her ability is that she has a dozen demon eyes hidden within her body that can see through anything. Rudy takes a week to get used to this new eye which is foresight. It lets him see a few seconds into the future. The more mana he pours into it, the longer he can see into the future. He tests it out by fighting Eris. He sees through all her tricks and bests her. Eris not taking this loss very well… Rudy so happy he wants to fight Ruijerd! Got his ass kicked! Still a long way to go… That night, Ruijerd catches Rudy trying to go out by himself. He can tell he wants to sell his staff to pay for their fare. It seems Rudy is willing to sell his important possessions depending on the situation. Ruijerd is not happy with this because it means he does not trust him. Ruijerd reminds him that they’re supposed to work together as a team and that his pride will not allow him to solve this problem by selling his staff. Because doing so will also fracture their party. He promises to turn a blind eye to all evil until they’ve crossed the sea. They realize that ruffian, Gallus Cleaner has been eavesdropping on them. But he isn’t here to fight but to give his thanks.

Episode 13
Roxy and her companions continue to find Paul’s family. But Elinalise is only thinking of f*cking with any hot men she can find?! They discuss about Dead End since they have received conflicting rumours about that name as both a Superd nickname and a party name. Roxy still has her bias fears towards Superd and wonders if both are connected. One day she sees Eris and Ruijerd sparring at the beach. She thinks they are Superd and flees for her life. How can she form that conclusion if they don’t even have green hair and a third eye? She returns to her base only to find Elinalise taking on 5 men in bed!!! Explosion! Sex, interrupted. Soon they move out to the next town. Gallus has a job for Dead End and it seems it is to liberate smuggled people at a smuggler’s hideout. Ruijerd becomes the bait as he is captured and taken to their hideout. Rudy and Eris make their way there as Rudy fantasizes some Castaway fantasy with Eris. Too bad she is having seasickness. Rudy heads down alone into the hideout to ‘buy’ Ruijerd. Along the way, he sees lots of tortured beast people. When he gets to Ruijerd, he is told that there are 5 kids here. 1 has already died for being too noisy. He wants to rescue them all and kill the smugglers. Rudy is in a dilemma because it will ruin his reputation. But the smugglers are strangers, right? Rudy will do it himself but Ruijerd tells him those hands are to protect Eris. Hence Ruijerd breaks free and starts killing the baddies. WTF, did his hair grow back so fast? Or is there some mistake because the next scene shows he is bald again. Yeah, maybe it’s to scare those smugglers to realize they’re dealing with the real sh*t before they die. Once the beast kids are out, one of them remembers a dog left behind. Rudy will go get it and has Ruijerd escort the kids to safety. After Rudy frees the dog, grateful doggie licks him all over and he likes its fuzziness. Suddenly a couple of beast people think he is part of the smugglers and doing something strange to their sacred beast. Their howl paralyzes him. WTF can’t they see the doggo is happy?! Can’t they not see other smugglers dead too and they even smell those kids’ scent are heading outside? Yet they bring Rudy back to their village for punishment.

Episode 14
Funny Rudy. Trying to narrate his caged prison as some real estate potential! Looks like he is in the village of the beast people that looks a lot like the Amazon. He tries to vouch for his innocence but they’re not listening and continues to cage him up. He could break out from here easily but doesn’t want to risk getting lost in the jungle. For 5 days he waits and his comrades didn’t turn up. Something is wrong. Then a new prisoner comes in, Geese. Looks like he got busted for cheating in gambling. That night, he asks if Geese knows the way to the port. Geese doesn’t want to risk it and won’t join him. Suddenly the entire village is on fire! Rudy breaks out to see those smugglers killing the adults and kidnapping the children. Rudy thought he should let these people get what they deserve. But he decides to let them owe him so he and Geese help out. Rudy uses his magic to put out the fire and this enables the warriors to regain their sense of smell as they counter attack the smugglers. Of course the ringleader is no other than Gallus himself. He set Dead End up to distract the beast people. He wants Rudy to join them but of course he isn’t willing to turn Dead End into a villainous group. You thought Gallus is easy picking. Damn, he defeats all the best warriors with his North God style! Thankfully, the doggie comes to aid in the fight. Rudy uses his eye to predict his movements. Too bad he cannot react fast enough and gets a bit injured. But thanks to doggie and Geese’s intervention, Rudy is able to blast Gallus for good. He faints after that but wakes up with a happy Eris and Ruijerd by his side. The beast people apologize for the poor treatment as they weren’t aware he rescued their children. Eris explains after Rudy left, Ruijerd stumbled into Gustav (the village chief). A fight almost broke out with Ruijerd being bad at his choice of words. But they soon realize that he was the one who took out the smugglers. Then he had a rough time at the port as the officials were trying to frame him for the smuggling. Meanwhile Eris stayed out of it and guarded the kids. Happy Eris wants to tell grandpa this story. But looks like that will never happen as Sauros has been accused for failing to respond to the mana disaster in an appropriate manner and will be executed. His servant, Darius takes over his role. Sauros is then decapitated.

Episode 15
Eris having fun with Tona and Tersena in the water. Rudy having fun peeping on them until Gyes warns him if he touches his daughter even though he saved the kids… But start apologizing now. When Gyes notices Eris’ ring and she mentions it is from Ghislaine, looks like he is not happy that she is alive. To put it shortly, he viewed her as one who abandoned her duties to guard the forest and sacred beast. However Eris gets emotional to deny all that because Ghislaine is her beloved master and she respects her. So after things calm down, Tona further tells Eris about Ghislaine who is Gyes’ younger sister. After learning how much Ghislaine has trained Eris, Tona also was once like Ghislaine who hated sword practice. She wants Eris to train her like how Ghislaine did. So while Eris does that, Gyes is further in shock to learn from Rudy that Ghislaine is his magic student and she has learnt to read, write, etc. She certainly has changed. When Eris notes that they will leave once the rainy season is over, Tona wants her to stay here forever instead. This leads to the girls getting into a brutal fight! Could’ve been worse had Eris not hold back but eventually they are separated. As Tona sulks, Gyes talks to her about how Ghislaine was a troublemaker in the forest and acted a lot like a ruffian. So when she was taken away by a wandering swordsman (Gallus?), he was relieved he didn’t have to associate with her anymore. However he thought he should’ve helped her then. Now he regrets not doing so. So does she want to part with Eris like this? Soon, Eris and Tona reconcile and they’re best friends again. Next day, the girls have an emotional goodbye and Eris spars with Gyes. They leave and the beast people will always wait and welcome them here again. As they make their way to the next country, Millis, Geese manages to escape from his custody to ride with them. He talks about the legend how Millis was formed as well as the supposed 7 strongest fighters in the world.

Episode 16
Arriving at Millis, Geese parts ways with them. Rudy is glad to reach a human civilization since 1.5 years their journey started. He has a plan to help improve Superd’s reputation. After helping someone, they’ll reveal Ruijerd’s identity and give them this figurine of him. Yeah, I’m sure that will work. Rudy also has this idea to write to everyone to know that he is safe. He plans to mass produce the figurines so Ruijerd will accompany Eris in goblin slaying. As Rudy writes his letter, he sees a child being kidnapped. Dead End rules say a child must be rescued no matter what. So he tails the kidnapper to their supposed hideout. As he fidgets his pocket to find something useful, WTF he pulled out panties?! This gives him away so he has no choice but to wear it over his face and claim he is Ruijerd of Dead End! Won’t this tarnish his image?! Rudy tries to save the kid who seems familiar as he fights a skimpy lady (Princess Leia level of skimpiness?) and if he could only keep his eyes off her bouncing boobs… Finally when the boss comes in to fight him, Rudy finds him familiar. Until his panty mask gets cut off, the boss is in shock. Guess what? He is Paul! Damn, he looks so haggard! Father and son sit down and talk as Rudy tells everything from his teleportation up till the beast people incident. However Paul is not amused. Because it sounds like he is having fun adventuring. Rudy admits he never thought about writing back until recently. Apparently arguing that he has it rough on his side isn’t enough to convince Paul either. They ended up fighting as Rudy overwhelms Paul and keeps punching his face. It only ends when Norn tells Rudy to stop bullying her father. Of course she doesn’t recognize her brother and Rudy realizes it really looks like bullying. He decides to go back to the inn when Paul reveals that everyone in the village also got affected by the teleportation. This means Sylphiette, Zenith, Lilia and Aisha are also missing. That is why Paul is so mad that if Rudy is an adventurer, why did he not see the posting that he was organizing a party to look for missing people. Many ended up enslaved after being tricked so they’re here to free them as well. Rudy then recognizes that kidnapped kid as Sylphiette’s bully. Rudy returns to the inn and looking very desolated. Eris is shocked to learn what happen and wants to kill his father?! Ruijerd tells her to comfort Rudy instead. Eris may not be good at hugging and saying she’s here for him but at least it’s a start.

Episode 17
We see snippets of Paul and Norn suddenly appearing in the middle of nowhere after that incident. Paul worked hard to get home as well as saved those who were exploited, hence the very weathered looks on his face. Seems he also knows Geese and when the latter learns what happened, Geese gives him a pep talk about how great Rudy is because despite having a Superd’s help, for a boy his age, he managed to cross the harsh demon continent. Basically, Geese is telling him to be happy that father and son get to reunite in one piece. Or would he rather see Rudy with missing limbs? Paul thinks hard about this and even has nightmare visions of what could have become of his son. So he cleans up himself and the next day goes to see Rudy to apologize. Eris not pleased and won’t allow it but thanks to Ruijerd to let father and son have some time together. Paul learns of Rudy’s goal to send Eris back to her town and then go look for his family. But Paul tells him Eris’ hometown has vanished. It is not there anymore. Even more so, he still has to bring her home. When Rudy takes a good look at Paul’s face, he realizes he has seen this sadness before. He remembers in his old life, a friend came over to play video games and envied his otaku life. But this made him made and he got rough. Next day when he calmed down and thought of apologizing to his friend for just wanting to cheer him up, he never came. He never saw him again. Stupid pride. Now Paul has come to see him. Hence Rudy suggests to forget that fight ever happened. They both re-enact an emotional reunion hug and naturally all is forgiven. Paul then apologizes to Eris and Ruijerd (though, Eris still in disbelief because Rudy was so down yesterday). Rudy tells Eris they will leave tomorrow but warns her hometown is gone and that Philip and Sauros are missing. Eris is not cowed and has prepared for this. Next day, father and son part ways. Norn still afraid of Rudy but Ruijerd tells her to cherish her siblings. Paul has Geese to thank for and seeing how things turn out, he too will be getting his act to shape.

Episode 18
Warriors want to fight Ruijerd just to test their strength? Okay. Yeah, they get owned. But here is a figurine of Ruijerd as consolation. Rudy’s group is taking a ship that is sailing towards the central continent. They’ll soon be home. If only the kids can stomach the bad weather that is giving them motion sickness. But the rest of this episode focuses on Roxy. We see her talking to her old friend who is Nokopara. It seems this horse dude has changed ever since he got his lesson from Dead End. Roxy almost losing herself to fear when she hears that name. Nokopara is now a family man and advises Roxy to see her own family whom she has not seen in decades. She listens to him and returns to her village. It might look like everyone is ignoring her and this invokes some unpleasant memories as well as some old childhood ones. But the biggest trauma invoked is that she cannot communicate telepathically unlike the rest of her Migurd tribe, the source of her alienation. She returns to her parents’ home and they’re delighted to see her. She doesn’t want to stay despite they insist. But after seeing her old toys, time to remember those childhood memories. She could’ve been a happy child had she not realized one day she cannot communicate telepathically. She blamed herself and thought her parents were heartbroken because of that. That’s why she ran away from home thinking the people would be happy if she was gone. But seeing her mom crying in tears of joy, this also infects Roxy so she too gets emotional and apologizes for running away. Roxy stays for the night and learns that 2 years ago a boy named Rudy came here. She gets fearful after learning he teamed up with a Superd. But after calming down, she puts the pieces of the puzzle together and has only respect for Rudy to make an alliance with a Superd and going around with that Dead End name. Now that Roxy knows Rudy is fine, she will continue to travel to other cities to look for his missing family members.

Episode 19
Oh. Hitogami again. Rudy is forced to show some gratefulness in order to get the next hint about his other family members. Of course Hitogami will do so if he will trust him next time. Okay. It depends. Hitogami shows him a scene of how Aisha will be found. Then use an alias when he meets up with her. Next, send a letter to someone he knows in the royal palace of Shirone. Follow all these steps and he shall rescue both Aisha and Lilia from the palace. Rudy and co finally reach the central continent and enter the Chinese-lie kingdom of Shirone. Rudy is stumped if Lilia and Aisha were here, Roxy should’ve found them ages ago since this was last tutoring the prince here. As Rudy walks around trying to look for that scene, he notices someone following him. Although he gives that stalker the slip, he soon learns it is a loli maid and the guards are trying to steal her letter. Since she pleads for his help, he uses his magic to get them out of here. So this loli maid is Aisha as she is grateful to, uhm, Shadow Moon Knight! She reveals she wanted to send a letter to her father to rescue them imprisoned at the palace. He asks if there were others she can rely on. None. Not even her brother. She relates stories of how he stole panties and peeped at women in the bath! A PERVERT! Thank goodness for the alias, eh?! So I guess he wants her to call him Kennel Master for now. Next morning, Ginger York calls for Rudy and she wants him to accompany her to the palace to see Roxy. Of course Rudy jumps on that chance. It has been a long time. But upon entering a room in the palace, he gets dropped into a trap. The perpetrator is Pax, the 7th prince of Shirone and Roxy’s tutor. Rudy cannot get out since this magic barrier he created nullifies all magic. That was how he captured Roxy. Pax tells him that Roxy is not here. He kidnapped Lilia and Aisha in hopes of baiting her back here but that wasn’t enough. Now he will use Rudy as that bait. Pax goes on to brag about his dreams of f*cking Roxy and raping her in front of Rudy before killing him. Pax then orders his subordinates to continue looking for Aisha. Rudy is left to ponder he did everything Hitogami said and yet he got caught in this predicament. Could it be he tricked him?

Episode 20
When the strange light hit Paul’s family, Lilia immediately rushed to get Aisha. The next thing they knew, they surface from a pond and outside Shirone. Lilia knew this was where Roxy was and went to the palace to see her. Unfortunately for them, Pax was there and seeing they knew Roxy, he imprisoned them. While Rudy is making funny jokes about this rent free room, Zanoba who is the 3rd prince, enters to ask about this Ruijerd figurine. Rudy lies about buying it from somewhere in the demon continent. Zanoba then shows the Roxy figurine. Then he goes on ranting about this masterpiece. Yeah, you can take off its clothes and reveal her embarrassing pose, right? Rudy then notices the mole on her boobs missing. Zanoba cleaned it thinking it was some dirt mark. Rudy not pleased. He enlightens the prince about this as he achieves some sort of enlightenment. Now Zanoba wants to call him his master! Meanwhile Ruijerd and Eris have been brought in by the palace guards. It seems they have their families held hostage by Pax and they hope they can rescue them. Ruijerd agrees to free them first. When Rudy agrees to make Zanoba his disciple if he gets out of here, he takes it he needs to do something to Pax. Oh no. Soon, the palace is alerted as guards try to calm down Zanoba as he drags Pax by the head towards Rudy’s cell. Zanoba has very strong grip and can crush skulls with just the palm of his hands! He forces Pax to dismantle the barrier but Pax remains stubborn as Rudy is his only bait to lure back Roxy whom he has scared off after countless sexual harassments. Pax tries to get his guards to do something and threatens their family but Eris mentions Ruijerd has done something about it. Relieved, they now do not follow Pax’s orders and Pax is forced to undo the barrier to save his own skin. In the aftermath, Rudy learns that the guards knew he was Roxy’s student because of his wordless chanting and wanted to talk to him to save their families. Ginger gave Zanoba that figurine so he could see him. Lilia gives Rudy his treasured box. Those panties bring back memories? Inside is also a pendant. It is from Sylphiette and meant to be given to him on his birthday. Aisha then wants to travel with him because she doesn’t want to serve the pervy brother of hers. He gives her his headband and holding onto such memento of someone can be assuring. Rudy parts ways with the maids as Aisha says goodbye to her brother. So she knew all along? Clever girl sure had Rudy fooled! Also, Pax and Zanoba were held responsible for the incident and were exiled under the pretext of studying abroad.

Episode 21
Eris has improved a lot and despite losing another bout to Ruijerd, he now graduates her to a warrior. This means he won’t treat her like a child now. As the trio trek through the snowy mountain pass, suddenly Ruijerd and Eris stop dead in their tracks in fear. It seems the Dragon God Orsted and his companion, Nanahoshi are passing them. Oh sh*t, their bull ride got so scared that it committed suicide by jumping off the cliff! Orsted then recognizes Ruijerd and Eris but not Rudy. Against Ruijerd’s advice not to move a muscle, Rudy then asks Orsted how he knows them. He isn’t saying but doesn’t recognize Rudy. When Rudy says he is the son of Paul, Orsted dismisses it because Paul has no son but 2 daughters. Rudy asks about the mana incident but Orsted says nothing. When Orsted asks if he knows Hitogami and the moment he says yes, Orsted launches into attacking mode. If not for Ruijerd and Eris jumping in to save him, he would’ve died. Ruijerd fights Orsted but eventually loses. Then he takes out Eris and injures Rudy. He wants him to give Hitogami a message before he dies: Orsted will kill him. Rudy tries to fight back with his mana but with his weakened state, Orsted just kills him off. Rudy is now with Hitogami. A hole in his chest. What a fine mess. Time for some answers. Hitogami claims Orsted is evil and being the good guy he is, that’s why he wants to kill him. Unfortunately, Orsted’s curse means Hitogami cannot see his present or future. He also has other curses like having all living things fear him. Since Rudy is from another world, it doesn’t have an effect on him. This is also the case when Rudy first met Ruijerd. Hitogami clears up that Ruijerd isn’t cursed but his spear since it was Laplace who cursed it. But ever since meeting Rudy and shaving his head, the curse on Ruijerd has lessened. Rudy doesn’t care now since he is about to die. He thinks he got lucky to have a second life. But Hitogami tells him the good news that he isn’t dead yet. Rudy returns, much to a very relieved Eris. It seems Orsted healed him. Funny, a guy who wanted him dead healed him? Both kids get emotional. Just happy they’re still alive.

Episode 22
Not sure about this nightmare Rudy has but thank goodness it is only a dream, right? He talks to Ruijerd about Hitogami and that the Superd’s curse was transferred from Laplace. But the good news is that the curse has been fading since he shaved his hair and his name can be cleared as long as he puts in some effort. This makes Ruijerd happy. As they continue their journey, they finally return to Rudy’s hometown. Nothing but a barren wasteland. With Ruijerd completing his mission, it’s time to say goodbye. Ruijerd thanks Rudy despite the latter claims he did nothing at all. Ruijerd claims otherwise because it was him who helped him greatly. He also puts in a good word for Eris and can tell her talents will surpass his someday. He pats their head before leaving. Rudy lets him keep the pendant. Rudy and Eris then make their way to the latter’s homeland. The place is now like a refugee camp. Eris is glad to see Ghislaine there. Also there is Alphonse who is the family’s butler. He cuts to the chase as he says Philip, Hilda and Sauros are all dead. The husband and wife were teleported to a disputed land and died there. Ghislaine can ascertain that. Rudy is shocked to learn of Sauros’ execution. Alphonse then wants Eris to consider to become the concubine of Lord Pilemon Notos Greyrat. Ghislaine is not happy in selling out Eris but Alphonse will sacrifice her even if it means protecting the people and land. Eris tell all the STFU and get out. She wants to be alone. Rudy then sees the list of missing people. Sylphiette’s name is there and strike out. Is she dead?! Nope. Not on the dead list. So she must be alive somewhere. Where? Don’t know. Then who the f*ck ascertained she isn’t missing but fail to say where?! That night, Eris visits Rudy’s tent. She reminds him her 15th birthday just passed. Too late for a present? Well, she hints she wants a family. Not of the sibling kind. Okay… But Rudy reminds her of her promise but she doesn’t care. Rudy really wants to f*ck her but is having reservations. Isn’t this just taking advantage of her depression? I guess the clincher is when she says she wants his kittens. You mean kids? Oh heck, let the sex session start. Uhm, is this considered child porn?! Since we can’t see that, here, see snippets of Rudy’s time with Eris instead. Next morning, Rudy is the happiest man in the world! Oh yeah. But what’s this? Eris is gone. A clump of her hair on the floor. She left a note saying they are not compatible and has gone on a training journey with Ghislaine. Rudy tries to get more info from Alphonse but Eris instructed him to tell. Poor Rudy is left confused and wonders if he got dumped. All he can do is cry. Post nut clarity? Okay, I’ll stop with the stupid sex jokes…

Episode 23
While everyone is working their ass off, Rudy continues to sleep in and be depressed. Post nut clarity still in effect? STOP WITH THE SEX JOKES ALREADY! We have a clearer picture of his previous life. It seems when bullies jumped the queue, he told them off. This lead to him getting bullied and ultimately that humiliation. He started holing up in his room and attempts and promises by his family members to bring justice were for nought. He never recovered from it. Alphonse tries to talk to Rudy and that he needs to help around since they are facing shortages of all sorts. No response. Until he mentions he wanted to make it official that Eris died in the teleportation but is putting that announcement off for now. A little response but Rudy still doesn’t care. Speaking of Eris, we see her telling Ghislaine how smart and talented Rudy is. She always relied on him and never crossed her mind that he would die. She realizes she loves him and that’s why she wants to become stronger and protect him. Well a little too late but better than never, right? We also see Ruijerd saving a few guys from a monster. However they are not afraid of him despite he introduces himself as a Superd. They even want to touch his third eye and all they have are gratitude for him. We also see Zanoba still pining for his master and Geese crossing the desert. A drinking contest between Talhand and Kishirika. The latter wins! Because she has no money to pay, Roxy bails her out. As thanks she will give one of her demonic eyes. No thanks. Instead she wants her to use it to look for somebody. With that, she assures Roxy that Paul has reunited with Lilia. As for Zenith, she cannot ascertain her exact location but knows she is somewhere on Begaritt Continent in the labyrinth city of Rapan and alive. That’s where Roxy will be heading next. She also finds out Rudy is in central continent but depressed. Rudy continues to sink into depression and having the same mentality as his otaku version. He doesn’t think people can change and wants to stay in his fantasy forever. Then a dream about his happier times when this new family of his was a whole. Great times. That is when Rudy picks himself up and sets off on a journey to find Zenith. Lastly, Ariel Anemoi Asura hears about an impressive young magic who can do wordless incantations and wants to recruit him. But she finds it hard to believe this is not fiction. However the one vouching for Rudy’s greatness is hinted to be Sylphiette. Because he is the person whom she respects the most.

Episode 24 (OVA)
Eris the goblin slayer?! Not sure if she’ll be taking on that moniker… Anyway, taking place when Rudy plans to write a letter to everyone and went on to encounter Paul, Eris happily strolls about in Millis until she reaches the guild where she is happy to take on a goblin slaying job. She sees a boy, Cliff Grimoire, proclaiming himself to be some prodigy mage, trying to force himself to join a group of adult adventurers. Of course they won’t. When they’re about to get rough on him, Eris intervenes so the adults give up. Cliff doesn’t appreciate that and tells her off. The last straw when he calls her ugly! How many punches can she throw at his face?! Later he apologizes and wants to join her and claims he can support her with his great magic. Of course she reiterates there is no greater mage than Rudy. She allows him to help as we see Eris take down the goblins. However Cliff ultimately uses his magic to burn them all to a crisp. This doesn’t sit well with Eris as she needs to bring their ear back as proof for the reward. Yeah, Cliff continues to brag and all… She punches him again and claims he will not be any of use to her. He still insists he can prove himself if they fight more goblins in the forest. Eris refuses since they won’t make it back out by night fall. But after he thinks she is afraid, let’s go in. But soon they get lost. Eris wants him to fly up and see the direction of the city. He can’t do that???!!! Eris then uses her senses to detect a few humans nearby. It brings them to see several assassins from the pope of Millis trying to assassinate a young girl that a lone Temple Knight, Therese Latria is protecting. While Cliff is scared, Eris dives in to attack despite knowing their presence is busted. Woah! Eris being so skilful she kills them all but one who got away! After the situation calms down, Eris introduces herself as Ruijerd of Dead End. Looks like Therese decides to play along. As thanks, she will let Eris follow them back to the city. After they leave, Ruijerd confronts a dying assassin to question his intentions in targeting a child. He claims the Temple Knights want to drive out all demons unlike the pope who wants to coexist with them. Back in town, Cliff immediately proposes to Eris! Instantly rejected! Thinking it is because of this Rudy guy, Eris continues to praise how great her teacher is. At that point, Cliff realizes he is out of her league and leaves dejectedly. Back home, his servant tells him that his teachers have died in battle, rumoured to have fallen prey to wandering demons. It is hinted they are those assassins. This is bad as this will escalate the conflict with the archbishop’s supporters. Not sure if Cliff pays heed to any of this because he starts writing some letter and wonders about this Rudy dude.

The Faraway Horny Reincarnation
It is to no surprise that with the popularity of this adaptation, an announcement of another season has been made. I found out that the original story which started off as an online web series in 2012, already ended back in 2015. Its popularity has this series spawned into a light novel series which is currently still ongoing. Of course there are other spinoffs as well. So this means the main story has ended and we’ve all the materials and resources for another season, right? After all, this anime adaptation adapts the first 6 chapters of the series and there are 25 in total. But I’m not sure if the light novel re-release is basically the same story but under a different media or if it is a retelling or a continuation. Heh. You know me. Not really into reading. But from what I gather from the internet (read: Lazy Google searching), there have been changes to what the original author wanted on certain characters and this led to the revision of some story arcs. But it’s good we’re getting a sequel so we’ll see how it goes from there.

Honestly when the story first started out and we see Rudy growing up in his new family household, that was the most boring arc ever and therefore I dreaded that this would actually be the tone set for the rest of the series. I know, it’s supposed to showcase Rudy’s growth and I can’t help this introductory part (including his task to tutor Eris) was the most boring arc compared to the rest of the series. Not until the first turning point, the teleportation incident that threw Rudy and Eris right across the ocean to another continent, did the series started to sound more interesting to me. Perhaps it was the journey and the various different places that took them that made it interesting. Because if Rudy was to continue just tutoring Eris, it would’ve continued to be a big yawn fest. Now with the strange incident that threw everybody off their feet and into the unknown, maybe that is why it got a lot interesting. It popped up a lot of possibilities and developments and you could say that I was interested to know more about the rest of the continent and the world that Rudy reincarnated in. So I’m going to use the excuse of not wanting to spoil myself to read ahead! Haha! So please adapt the next parts, okay?

The character development is quite good and I can see why many find this series to be one of the better animes and of the isekai genre of the season and heck, could be one of the best animes of the year. Remember that I said this double cour anime adaptation only adapted the first 6 chapters out of 25. On the surface it sounds like a long a boring drawn out draggy affair, right? Yeah, really going to drag and flesh out the characters and stories from 6 chapters to 23 episodes x 24 minutes. But I suppose they did it the right way and it didn’t even feel boring (except for the introductory episodes for me) even when there are parts that are slow. Thus for the entirety of this anime, it is basically one big journey for Rudy to discover himself and to a certain extent, having some effect on those around him.

We can pretty much be assured that Rudy is now living a much better quality of life in this fantasy world compared to his previous life. That’s the case of every main character in the same shoes and roles. Given a second chance, would you not want to better yourself? So for Rudy, despite being primarily the same pervy little kid, he learns from his past mistakes and tries harder to make things better. Obviously. That’s what the second title of this anime says, right?! While Rudy has got talent in magic, perhaps the biggest factor is how he tries to use his brains to solve things rather than brute force. Not to say that it always works out 100%, but it’s better than having no plan since Rudy is comparably physically weak to the rest of his groupie and needs to get out in 1 piece. Not being the perfect guy either, I suppose the final episode needs to have him undergo yet another test of strength. Of the heart and mind, that is. Will he return to his old ways or step forward to chart his own destiny? Seeing he has broken out of his shell again, we know he has grown a little stronger although he might not look like it. We’ve seen him come back from the brink a few times so it is one of Rudy’s better traits. After all, there is no failing in trying. Only when he stops trying.

Then there is Eris who also has changed a lot but primarily still the same. She’s a tsundere character, right? While still being hot-headed and itching for some action, at least she is not so much as of a loose cannon the first time Rudy met her. We’ve grown fond and familiar with this temperamental Eris, it is hard to imagine her if she really becomes feminine. Therefore that part when she made out with Rudy, it just felt awkward. Was there something more than meets the eyes? Was she just testing Rudy on something? On his manhood? Something feels so off. And perhaps she got disappointed with herself and left, leaving that poor kid all alone. Rudy, alone again, naturally. Hah. Sighs. I thought they would be inseparable ever since they started travelling together. It felt unthinkable they parted ways like this but yeah, perhaps it was one of those twists I never see coming. But yeah, it was great to see her realizing her feelings for him and the important things she learnt while she was a b*tching brat when he was around. I guess that’s how some people change.

Same goes with Ruijerd because I was thinking once his mission ends, he would like to extend the contract by following Rudy to find Zenith or something. Therefore it felt anti-climactic when they just parted ways like that. He lived up to his promise. Now it’s time to go. Bye. But my guts are telling me that it won’t be the last of him and that in the future, Rudy will definitely chance upon him again. After all, he too is part of Rudy’s party and has journeyed with them from his demon continent back to the central continent. So it’s no doubt that he too has experienced some change himself and in a way, the reputation of his Superd tribe. Now he learns to control his emotions and think properly because previously, as long as you are bad to children, you bad guy and must die. Basically that was his simple line of thoughts of operation that was uncompromisable. Now he at least gives some space for compromise because you know, negotiations do wonders sometimes.

I believe that there are many other characters who will converge in later story arcs. So while their minimal appearances and roles may leave more to be desired, there is a high chance Rudy will meet these characters again in the future. For example, Roxy. There is no way they highlight some of her scenes if she was going to be some unimportant character, right? The same goes for Sylphiette. It’s good that Rudy still keeps her close to his heart but sometimes it feels that she is on the verge of being forgettable because we have Eris and Roxy who are being more prominent in physical proximity and the mind or heart for Rudy. Oh well, there goes Rudy’s plans to pay for her university feels. Plans in disarray, huh? Yeah. Reminds me how Corona virus did that to many of us in real life! HAH! I sure want to know who Rudy is going to choose. Childhood friend, teacher or student? Place your bets! Sylphiette’s final cameo hints that she may have ended up in some military school although that’s me just speculating. Yeah, she looks tougher now. At least sporting a pair of cool shades. Not sure if Ghislaine was affected from the teleporting incident and with her absence for a great deal of Rudy’s travel, there could be a chance she is dead. But thankfully she’s not but before we’re warmed up to Ghislaine’s reappearance, she disappeared along with Eris. Bummer. I’m sure that one shot with Cliff won’t be the last time we’ll see of him. I can smell a love triangle coming up. Boy, this is going to get a lot more confusing and complicating the more characters come into play.

Do you remember that Kishirika girl? Yes, that chirpy and flamboyant self-proclaimed Demon Lord came and went like a whirlwind. Don’t tell me her only role is to give Rudy that demon eye. Otherwise I bet she’ll pop up before Rudy again somewhere in the future. Too good to waste a weird character like her. I know, I know, she met Roxy in the last episode but once again it feels like she came and went like a whirlwind. Just to perhaps assure Roxy and point her in a fresh new direction. Sounding like a broken recorder already, hence I need to remind myself that the many other characters Rudy meets on his journey will most probably have that same kind of role. From Geese to the furry Amazon tribe to the Migurd tribe to those twisted princes of Shirone and did I almost forget Perugius, I bet they’ll meet Rudy somewhere, some time. Zenith being the only family member whose existence is not confirmed, the turning event has really turned Paul inside out and a weather-bitten. Feels almost like a different character altogether because that carefree Playboy is now a desperate husband-cum-father trying to find his family and play saviour to his people. You only know the value of something when you lose it. Most importantly, he didn’t lose his fatherly role to Rudy. That tension could have went the other way but thankfully they didn’t have to lose more than what is unnecessary.

Of course the biggest and most mysterious entity is Hitogami himself. Nothing much is known about this gay sounding character render model except he gives Rudy hints on what to do next. Although they are mostly technically true, he left out a lot of details in between so you wonder if he is a sadist who love to see Rudy going through some suffering before being rewarded with a ‘better’ outcome. Definitely more to meet the eyes on this character because chances are that he may be using Rudy as a pawn for his own ends. Oh you know, he needs somebody from another world to defeat somebody. An irregular. With the appearance of Orsted, the mystery thickens even further. Not to mention the 7 ancient powers who represent the 7 greatest warriors. Oh boy, this is going to get messy.

While this series is tagged as ecchi, sorry to disappoint you that this isn’t going to be anywhere close and near to the levels of Kaifuku Jutsushi No Yarinaoshi or even Shuumatsu No Harem. Aside Rudy’s wisecracks, sometimes he gets perverted thoughts and that’s the most you’ll get. Visually, perhaps in the early episodes of how he steals panties and that’s about it. Even the sex scene with Eris, so much is not shown so I don’t even know if that should be considered that. Speaking of which, so many characters here are just pervy at one time or another. From Paul to Zenith to Lilia, even Roxy and Ghislaine, who can forget about Pax’s extreme sexual harassment over Roxy, and now you have this Elinalise who loves taking on 5 men. In bed. Not a fight. Holy sh*t. Where can we find a woman so sexually active and hard up for sex?!

While there are some action bits too, they are not the main driving factor. After all, Rudy himself isn’t a great fighter when compared the the more experienced Ruijerd and the talented Eris. This means that there are some blood and gore to go with. It can get pretty violent and bloody in some scenes. If you can’t stomach this, you’re worse than Rudy and Eris getting seasick. Yeah… Of course I’m a ‘veteran’ so no such great effect on me. Heh.

On a trivial note, one of the many languages spoken here is the beast language. Now, it all sounds like gibberish but I read somewhere that they actually crafted a new linguistic language just for this. Not sure if that source is just an opinion because if that is true, then it is one really mighty and impressive feat. Although when the characters talk in this language, they sound clumsy and like an amateur (you know, how Japanese are with their Engrish), I have got to remind myself that perhaps the language makes you sound so. I mean, how proficient am I in other languages? Basically nil, right? For instance, you might think French sounds really romantic and all but at a normal and daily level of conversation, it can also sound crude and unpolished to the untrained ear. Hence it’s the same for this beast language here. Still sounding very alien to me in the end.

Art and animation are pretty good. It’s a fantasy land so it’s nice to see some of the fantasy-like backgrounds and wonders of nature. Character designs are also okay, though I am still trying to get used to Ruijerd and his bald head. Somehow I still prefer him with his green hair but I guess this new look means and signals a new direction and change for his Superd reputation. There is also some CGI employed but this is mostly in the background and not very noticeable. You won’t notice this very much unless you purposely look for it and even so, it blends smoothly with the 2D animation without distracting you. This anime is done by Studio Bind, a relatively new studio and this series is their first full fledge work. Good job.

For the voice acting, it is one of those rare moments that the main character gets 2 different seiyuu (the last I can think of is Ranma 1/2). So while we have Yumi Uchiyama (Erika in Mahouka Koukou No Rettousei) voicing the reincarnated Rudy, Tomokazu Sugita is the voice of Rudy’s previous otaku persona. It’s like he sounds like the polite version of Gintama’s Gintoki when giving his wisecracks and all. So instead of hearing the child-like voice of Rudy all the way, sometimes when he goes into monologue with his inner thoughts, this deep manly voice will take over so it’s a nice balance to hear both sets in between. At first I thought it was Rie Kugimiya behind Sylphiette’s voice. That very shy and soft spoken character, she’s not a stranger to voice such characters. Turns out I was wrong since it was Ai Kayano instead. I thought Elinalise sounded familiar. Oh, it’s Rie Tanaka once more. Others I recognized include Yuka Iguchi as Kishirika, Daisuke Ono as Philip, Rikiya Koyama as Perugius, Kenjiro Tsuda as Orsted, Houchu Ohtsuka as Talhand.

The rest of the other casts are Ai Kakuma as Eris (Rossweisse in High School DxD), Daisuke Namikawa as Ruijerd (Waver in Fate/Zero), Konomi Kohara as Roxy (Chika in Kaguya-sama Kokurasetai), Megumi Toyoguchi as Ghislaine (Revy in Black Lagoon), Toshiyuki Morikawa as Paul (Ubuyashiki in Kimetsu No Yaiba), Hisako Kanemoto as Zenith (titular character in Shinryaku! Ika Musume), Lynn as Lilia (Medhi in Okaa-san Online), Yuuki Takada as Aisha (Aoba in New Game), Saya Aizawa as Norn (Castiella in Strike The Blood), Kujira as Hitogami (Otose in Gintama), Youji Ueda as Geese (Rempart in Code: Realize) and Ryouta Ohsaka as Cliff (Gyutaro in Kimetsu No Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen).

All the opening and ending themes are sung by Yuiko Oohara. Tabibito No Uta and Mezame No Uta (first and second opener respectively) have this medieval-fantasy-fantasy like theme but infused with some Celtic-like tunes. They both sound the same to me, though. Well, pretty okay, I guess. Inori No Uta (fourth opener) feels more like some Christian prayer song because of the hymn-like background voices and the organ accompaniment. Keishou No Uta (fourth opener) plays to a faster beat but with some Chinese instruments. The same for Tooku No Komori No Uta (fifth opener) but this one is now to a slower beat. One thing different from many other animes is that there is no fixed opening credits animation. Reminds me of Aria The Animation. This is nice as you can sometimes appreciate the background and sceneries during Rudy’s journey. But because of that, it’s hard to pay attention to the music too. Honestly, all the openers sound almost somewhat the same, like they’re a spiritual successor from each other. The ending themes sound different with the first one, Only and the second one, Kaze To Iku Michi both sounding more like anime soft rock.

Overall, this is quite a good isekai genre anime and only a few to have such good reputation. It might follow some cliché ingredients but they managed to weave an interesting story and characters as well as some beautiful animation to give a very different viewing experience. I can see why many are singing praises of it and how the anime production team has handled very carefully and well the adaptation of the author’s works. It is one of those under this wretched genre that I wouldn’t mind having another season and would definitely look forward to it when it comes out. Yeah. A job for another reincarnation. Yes indeed. So thank you for having seriously tried to have another season.

Shamanic Princess

After my stint with Mahou Tsukai Tai, it referred me to Shamanic Princess and I wondered if both series were somewhat related as both OVAs came out at the same time and they even had a subsequent short crossover OVA that served as some sort of epilogue parody to both series. After all from first looks, both series look so different like day and night, oil and water, fire and ice, etc. You get the idea. So being the curious otaku at this moment, it’s the reason why I decided to check this anime out and see if there would be any connections whatsoever.

Episode 1
Tiara arrives in a small kingdom along with her weasel familiar, Japolo to find the Throne of Yord. She is taking things leisurely although Japolo reminds her the Guardian World is in panic right now. Well, not her fault. She’ll do whatever she can. She becomes a transfer student in a local school and makes some friends. One of them is Lena whom she knows is also from Guardian World. Later both meet to talk about being posted here. Tiara is not fond of this competition although Lena wants to cooperate. That night as Tiara starts looking, she stumbles into Lena. She isn’t happy she’s getting in the way so they fight to settle it. Both summon their shadowy familiars to fight. Tiara wins the first round so Lena’s assistant, Leon pops up to help her. As Tiara gets serious in her transformation, she realizes she can’t continue due to interference from Kagetsu. I guess that’s the end of tonight’s fight. Later Lena sees Kagetsu and they’re both in cohorts. Back home, Japolo tells Tiara about Lena and Kagetsu being an accomplice. Flashback shows Kagetsu stole the Throne of Yord that is very important to Guardian World. It is highly suspicious that Lena was dispatched to search for it soon after its disappearance. Japolo didn’t tell this to her initially because he considers himself well-mannered. Also, Tiara, Lena and Kagetsu are childhood friends. So? The next night, looks like the ladies meet again to really settle it. Lena is willing to talk to Kagetsu about the Throne of Yord to hand it back but Tiara doesn’t believe her. Lena is sad Tiara is being pushy towards her ex-boyfriend and his sister, Sara. Negotiations breakdown. Time to fight to the death. Tiara is still more powerful so Leon lends his assistance. Still gets owned, though. Now Tiara transforms into some harpy-succubus hybrid creature to power up. I take it the same is needed for Leon.

Episode 2
Leon still no match for Tiara. That is when Kagetsu enters the fray to neutralize all their power. Kagetsu wants them to give him a few days to save Sara and hence he will not return the Throne of Yord to her. Farewell. Reluctant Tiara agrees. So for a few days she waits as we see Leon requesting Lena’s help to use her powers. She extracts Sara out from a painting. But the moment of reunion is short-lived as Sara is thrown back into it and Lena suffering a backlash although it is not serious. Tiara then dreams of Sara who claims they won’t see each other for a while since the Throne of Yord has taken a liking for her. She pleads for her to help Kagetsu and beware the forest. Meanwhile Lena laments her powerlessness to save anybody and realizes she is in love with Kagetsu. Japolo reveals to Tiara about the Throne of Yord is a painting and those with neutralizing powers can control its immense power. Yes, Sara is trapped inside it. Tiara connects the dots but why didn’t this weasel tell her? Well, he has orders to not say it and besides, her mission is to retrieve it. So, if Japolo is telling her this, it means he has a change of heart, right? That night, Japolo leads Tiara to Kagetsu’s hideout. He isn’t in so it’s their chance to take the painting back. But Tiara wants to talk to Sara and uses her power on it. Too bad she faces a backlash and gets sucked in. Finding herself inside the forest, she faces off with a clone of herself. The real Tiara wins but is soon met with Lena who then turns into Kagetsu as he starts hugging her all over. The real Kagetsu shows up but he is too weak after using too much of his powers to come here. Although the imposter gives Tiara back to him, she will not let them have Sara. She thinks Tiara should stay here too and tries to kill Kagetsu but is put a stop by Sara. Sara lets them return to reality as Tiara promises to save her.

Episode 3
With Kagetsu unconscious, Lena nurses him. Tiara has a change of heart and wants to help Kagetsu but is told off by Lena that she never understood her feelings. After Tiara leaves, the painting acts up and absorbs everyone in the room. Japolo is trying to advice Tiara as her partner that she has been controlled by her emotions and should be taking this mission seriously instead of saving Sara. Can you not see she isn’t in the mood? Oh well, little weasel also has the same sentiments so they talk about stuffs until they realize some gargoyle shadow is attacking them. Tiara manages to fight back and wonders if this is Lena’s doing since her power signature is detected. Then she feels the Throne of Yord has gone loose and is now at the centre of some chapel. She heads into it and finds Lena before her. She thinks she is an imposter but Lena claims she is the real deal. Prove is that Leon is here to assist her to fight. Tiara is still better than Leon but this time Lena forces more power onto Leon and this is causing him pain. When he cannot go on, she transforms into a harpy-succubus hybrid (blonde version?) to fight Tiara. She overwhelms Tiara but then melts down from power overload. I mean, her blood is really melting her! Then Sara pops up. Imposter? She claims she is real. Sara also says she lent some of her powers to Lena but it was too much for her to handle. A confused Tiara believes this is the real Sara since she is pushing all the right buttons. Japolo tries to defend her but gets destroyed. One bloody weasel coming up. Tiara is about to succumb to Sara but suddenly something splits open Sara’s face in half?!

Episode 4
Turns out the being possessing Sara is Yord. Not sure what he is blabbing about its existence is his true meaning, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, we mortals don’t understand. Yord wants Tiara to follow and obey him which of course she won’t. In fact, Yord is willing to go back to Guardian World but Tiara is not done with him yet. She transforms and Yord copies her form. They fight and Tiara would’ve lost had not Leon and Japolo bring her back to reality. Of course it’s not over yet as Yord materializes into some blob and talks about truth and lies are the same thing. The irony that Tiara and Lena were on opposing sides, now they’re together fighting him. So is that not the same thing? Lena replies about being lost at the crossroads and it’s okay to make the wrong choice sometimes. As long as they’re alive, they have another chance. Another round of fighting but this time Leon and Japolo get taken out. Lena laments about her envy towards Tiara as she is always stronger than her. Yord still boasting his existence is greater than theirs so they can’t defeat him. Yord then takes on Sara’s form to take them out. Lena puts up a barrier so it’s Tiara’s turn to admit about her envy towards Lena because she is loved by everyone. I know, everyone has their own problems, right? Anyway the barrier breaks and the ladies are taken out. Luckily Kagetsu breaks free and confronts the imposter. However Yord absorbs him and now takes his form. Tiara then experiences a few scenes like having a nice time with her friends as well as the realization that both things are the same. So when Tiara returns to reality, she realizes that Yord is so great an existence but this also means he is lonely. This solitude is what made Yord need Sara. Hence Sara and Yord are actually the same being. To prove it, Tiara calls forth Sara’s powers and she turns into some creepy angel hybrid? Her feelings to protect Kagetsu is strong so we get some weird plasma light show before everything ends. In the end, Sara thanks and apologizes to her pals. So this is goodbye? Subsequently, Kagetsu returns the Throne of Yord to Guardian World as Tiara notes Yord doesn’t need a companion anymore because Sara is a strong person.

Episode 5
Going back to the past as a young Tiara is seen in a summoning ritual. The ritual goes well in summoning this, uhm, grotesque being? Tiara is supposed to summon her first familiar whom she names as Graham. However he is scared and confused and continues to be hostile. Therefore with no choice, Graham is locked within a barrier. So we see Tiara spending her days either with Sara and Kagetsu or studying her magic spells and trying to make Graham her familiar (which still results in failure). Kagetsu hopes she won’t be discouraged since her familiar was summoned from another world and got put in an unfamiliar body. Be patient. With Tiara being busy in her research, Lena often visits Sara. Then Lena talks to Tiara about trying to pay more attention to Sara because she is unwell recently but Tiara lashes out at her. Stress getting to her? On an attempt to control her familiar, a demonic figure pops up and this scares the sh*t out of Tiara. Ever since, Tiara has become a wreck. So when Lena finds her almost like a lifeless vegetable, she calls the rest. It gets worse since she is kicking up tantrums and not even listening to them. No choice, Kagetsu is forced to neutralize her. Tiara returns to normal as she talks with Sara who advises her to train Graham well. Tiara notes how her fear vanished when she heard Sara’s voice. Sara points out that is her strength because she understands everything. Tiara returns to Graham and this time doesn’t let the demon get the better of her and even has Graham help her subdue it. This demon is now her hybrid transformation. The contract is completed and now that Graham is successfully her partner for eternity. She takes him home to Guardian World.

Episode 6
We see Tiara and Graham trying to subdue some shadowy starfish. Although Tiara can handle this and wants Graham to stay out, he goes in to fight and kill the shadow because he thought it was going to kill Tiara and he was just moving in to protect her. Tiara is not amused he disobeyed orders since they were told to bring it back alive. But she doesn’t blame him and they return home. Shortly, Lena manages to summon Leon as her familiar. Tiara is before the elder and he reminds her that their job is to contain those shadows and since it wasn’t completely destroyed, it will acquire another form from isolated ones. Although the fault lies with Graham, as her master she will be punished. Tiara accepts it but this makes Graham sad. Graham then approaches Kagetsu who believes it wasn’t Graham’s fault either but praises him for being a good partner for Tiara. But Graham doesn’t appreciate this and tries to kill him?! Taking out his frustrations, eh? Eventually he just gets sad and cries. While Tiara is imprisoned, Lena visits her to introduce Leon as well as to say goodbye since she’ll be posted to another world. After Tiara is freed, she is not impressed on what she did to Kagetsu the other day. Graham was only concerned for her heart. Not impressed either. She forbids him to come close to her but he defies even if this causes him pain and bleeding. He is fine with it because it was her who gave her this body and life. Is this some sort of confession? Next scene we see Tiara meeting up with Kagetsu. He doesn’t want her to blame Graham. Suddenly a moment of passion! Woah. Too fast. On the day of the festival, Tiara forgives Graham. She is alright being alone since Lena has gone away while Sara is missing. As the festival proceeds, Kagetsu makes his way to the Throne of Yord. He knows Sara has been imprisoned inside it so he uses all his powers to break and steal it. On his way out, Graham blocks his way. Graham is not appreciative that Kagetsu plans to abandon Tiara since he is going to leave Guardian World to save Sara. As they fight, Kagetsu is forced to neutralize Graham and since he isn’t a native of this world, he vanishes. Once the festival is done, it is hinted that Tiara picks up a pendant dropped by Graham. Tiara is then given permission to summon another partner AKA Japolo as they are given a mission to hunt down Kagetsu and retrieve the Throne of Yord.

Phantom Zone Yord
Well, I don’t really know what to say. Honestly, the whole series feels a bit weird to me. From start to finish. Oh, not to mention the slightly weird chronology order. Looking at just to context of this series, I guess the story is just pretty sufficient. After all, this was an original written anime series and not based on any manga. Hence the plot and the twist aren’t really that deep and it just feels sufficient for half a dozen episodes. It gets straight to the chase about the mission to retrieve a certain stolen painting that turns out to be some sentient and omnipotent being whom a sister of somebody is supposed to be part of. Well, that’s your twist. Hardly knocked me out to be honest. And once that arc is over, a short flashback arc to see events that led up to this. So while all this might seem sufficient for the series, unfortunately if you would like to go deeper into the lore of this world, too bad there’s none. Like if there are other worlds and those shadowy creatures that denizens of Guardian World are tasked to reign in. My guess is that if this series was popular, they might go ahead and make a sequel with a TV series. Considering that didn’t happen, well… Of course I’m just speculating. Which brings me to…

Well, no connection with Mahou Tsukai Tai. Not that I can see anyway. Besides magic in the general sense. Otherwise both series are totally different in every way imaginable. Especially Mahou Tsukai Tai that is more light-hearted and comedic whereas Shamanic Princess seems to have this darker tone to its theme. I did not see that crossover (because I can’t find it anywhere) but my guess is that if both series clash, I think Shamanic Princess would win hands down. I mean, considering how clumsy and inept Sae is, right? And considering the rest of the Magic User Club members look more like jokers, even if all of them gang up against Tiara alone without the help of her familiar or even Lena, they won’t even manage to so much land a scratch on her. Unless they’re lucky. Very lucky. Yeah, luck and fluke are probably the only thing Magic User Club can rely on as ‘magic’. Otherwise I can’t imagine badass beauty Tiara losing to a bunch of iffy high school magician amateurs. Of course this is just me greatly speculating and the crossover may not have both sides engage in combat.

Anyway, as for the characters, they feel somewhat superficial too. I mean, the plot itself isn’t already that deep, it is obvious that you can’t really do proper fleshing out of the characters in just 6 episodes, right? Hence there are a few things that are left to be desired especially about the relationships between the main characters. It feels like there’s some sort of love triangle among Tiara, Kagetsu and Lena but all that felt like to give the character some character because you know, if you have beautiful women and a hot guy and to have no romance in between them would have made them somewhat soulless. Get what I mean? And so when you have Tiara and Kagetsu being former couples and Lena hinting about her feelings for Kagetsu, it makes you want to know more but unfortunately that’s all we’ve got. Because I’m sure we want to know how Tiara and Kagetsu broke up or are they still on. The importance of Sara precedes everything else between them. Sure, the trio have been childhood friends for a long time so it is no surprise they develop feelings for this nice guy. But that’s about it. Like I said, had this been turned into a TV series, probably more fleshing out will be done. So we’re stuck with this insignificant portion that doesn’t really matter. Unless somehow the power of love between mortals now made the almighty Yord rethink again why he isn’t as omniscient as he thinks he is.

Then there is the curious Graham. It was really sad that his character got killed off. I didn’t understand a few things about this arc that involved him. Until I scour the internet and do some lazy Google searches, only it started to make sense a bit. For instance, Graham’s hatred for Kagetsu was because of his jealousy that Tiara viewed Kagetsu as a lover and hence Graham’s own love for her has been unrequited. Well, he is her familiar after all. Don’t really expect that to upgrade into lover status, right? Yeah, a whole new can of worms if it went down that path. Therefore it was all too rushed and quick when they gave Graham his demise. Because of that, they gave the furry ferret as Tiara’s replacement which also feels a bit too out of place. Need an animal mascot, huh? Yeah, I guess this little vermin would be visually more appealing compared to that discount Frankenstein. Though, I have a strange conspiracy theory that Japolo is Graham’s reincarnation. Why? Because same seiyuu! Leon? Feels just like an additional/extension tool for fight scenes, that’s about it.

I was also initially confused about Sara and Yord being the same person because if that was the case, why did Sara exist as a separate entity and has been there since Tiara and Kagetsu’s childhood days? Of course, thanks to the internet again that I managed to learn that Sara was destined to become part of Yord since birth, so it made a lot of sense now. But it still feels weird and bittersweet that Sara decided to stay put and become part of Yord itself. Like, why? I thought they solved Yord’s loneliness or something? I thought Yord has transcended higher now that he realized he doesn’t need a companion? Or is Sara the new Throne of Yord now?! Either way, everybody okay with this? Oh well, at least in this way, Sara can forever be immortalized! They should call the painting Throne of Sara now… Honestly, I still don’t see how Kagetsu taking the Throne of Yord away from Guardian World will help save Sara. It feels like he had no plan in the first place and will cross the bridge when he gets to it. I mean, he got Lena’s help eventually but that didn’t really help so now what, right?

The action scenes are pretty okay. If anything, I suppose they just want to showcase the magic and its animation. You know, Tiara’s creepy dark magic tattoos activating her powers or her transformation, the animation itself feels seamless and smooth. Pretty impressive if you considered this OVA came out in the late 90’s. But other than that, the art style and animation feels very dated and further proof that this show really came from that era. Though, I still can’t believe Tiara’s sudden change in appearance from a little girl in an innocent dress like Anne from Green Gables and Heidi, Girl of the Alps, into slutty red sexy leather latex that shows a lot of skin. Is this her battle outfit?

On a trivial note, the Guardian World’s setting and design seems so much like Mongolia. Are they saying origins of mankind that after Mongols?! Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that, perhaps they want to pay homage to Wuyuntana who is quite a popular Mongolian born artist living in Japan and has contributed some of her talents to anime. Like the second ending theme of this series, Kaze No Matsuri. Yeah, sounds very mystic and enigmatic if you ask me. Ironically, this part feels it has more connection to being shamanic than even the title of the anime itself. Uh huh. Tiara in her battle gear and using her trademark magic, the shamanic theme just doesn’t cross my mind. The opening and first ending themes are sung by Miwako Saitou, Inori No Asa and Omoide No Mori respectively. Personally, I prefer the latter.

Overall, this anime feels just pretty average to me. Some parts were confusing and it felt like more could have been done if it had more episodes to make the series more likeable. I read many comments out there who praise this OVA series for its deep characters and story despite being just half a dozen episodes. I’m sure they’re all classic and retro anime maniacs. Heh. Maybe I just didn’t see those stuffs as deep as them. Okay, got to be fair. Still better than many of today’s anime series, to be honest. So whether this anime is a great retro masterpiece or suck crappy nonsense garbage, whether it should be popular or just fade into obscurity, they’re all still valid because they’re all still the same thing. What the heck did I just say? But hey, what do I know? I’m not that immortal Yord to begin with.

Sekai Saikou No Ansatsusha Isekai Kizoku Ni Tensei Suru

Another season, yet another isekai series. Aren’t we getting bored of this trope already? I guess not. But in all of those isekai animes that I have watched, usually the main protagonists become a powerful hero or live out a peaceful life. So what happens if it is the opposite? I’m not saying that they reincarnate to become a true despicable villain or even a Demon Lord, but Sekai Saikou No Ansatsusha Isekai Kizoku Ni Tensei Suru has our main character to be reincarnated as an assassin. With the condition he assassinates the hero! Gasp! Well, this is something slightly different. So will our main character finish the job or will the hero finish him first?

Episode 1
Young girls are dolled up and sold off in an auction attended by sick old noble men run by Marquis Collide. When it is Dia Viekone’s turn to take the stage, she breaks free from her chains and starts killing all the men. Yes, she is an assassin in disguise. But she is not alone as Tarte masquerading as the maid helps out to take out the guards. With their explosive fight, their comrades outside, Maha and Lugh Tuatha De note that it is a sign they were right on this human trafficking case. It has been going on for a long time but when they attacked a village in a neighbouring country, their policy of endangering international affairs means they must be taken out. Now we have a flashback to see an old assassin and his assistant taking out enough people from the mafia before leaving. Assistant wonders why not take the rest out but Assassin says they are ordered to only kill 6 people and that’s it. Obey your orders. When they are spotted by a drone, they make a run for it as border security will be hot on their tails. It might seem their getaway van got blown up but it was all part of Assassin’s plan to set it up as a decoy before they bail and make it look like they died in the fiery explosion. As they rest, Assistant ask about his life and it seems Assassin has been trained his entire life as one and there’s no other way he knows how to live. This mission will be his last as he will be retiring and then go to Japan to train new assassins. This mission was a test for Assistant too. But when he mocks how amateur she is, she gets mad and tries to argue when he suddenly pulls her own gun at her. How did it all happen? Trust, huh? If you’re a pro assassin, don’t trust anyone or anything. Then he gives her gun back and goes to sleep. So now she’s trying to kill him. We just talking about trust, right? He is confident she won’t kill him. More precisely, she can’t because he unloaded her chamber. Did she not feel her gun is lighter?

Next day, they make contact with their boss about the mission’s success. They are then given fake identities and a ticket to Japan. As their flight departs, suddenly the plane gets into trouble. Wow. The news is sure fast to say the flight is hijacked. Assassin realizes this is part of the organization’s doing. They’re going to silence him. In fact, he realizes too late that everything that has happened, he was supposed to be killed. That is why the even send him this amateur assistant so he would be too focused on her to escape. With the pilots dead, Assassin thinks he can take control of the plane? Well, the instruments are destroyed. But it’s game over as the crafty organization even sends a jet fighter to blow up the plane in mid-air! Assassin thinks he is dying but is then transported to a different world. Goddess is before him and mocks the irony of the best assassin got assassinated. She offers him 2 choices: Get reincarnated into a totally new stranger with no memories of this life. Or he can accept her request to be reborn in a fantasy world of sword and sorcery. This way he can retain his memories and skills of his present life. Assassin knows this means she wants somebody to be taken out. Precisely. That somebody is the hero.

Episode 2
Assassin adds a condition for accepting this job. Because in his previous life he suppressed his feelings, he felt frustration when he was betrayed. Hence with this new life, he wants to live his own life instead as a tool for others. As long as he gets the job done. Goddess downloads details of this world to him as she explains that after the hero defeats the Demon Lord, he will use that power to bring chaos and hence the world will be destroyed in 18 years. Apparently the assassin is the only class that can kill the hero. Assassin is given the choice to select 5 classes of skill which would have been randomly given instead. Then he gets to choose magic attributes in which he chooses all 4 elemental ones. He has some questions for her so she clarifies that he can only take action to kill the hero after he defeats the Demon Lord or the world ends right then. Also, if there is a way he can save the world without killing the hero, be her guest. And off he goes as he is reincarnated as Lugh to Cian and Esri. Cian wants to train him as an assassin since this is what their house has been doing for generations. But she is worried he will die like their other son. Cian assures her they will not make the same mistake again. 7 years old Lugh is seen hunting for food to cook. Damn, he is a good cook too. The way he explains, is this a cooking anime?! Then we see Lugh stripping naked and doing poses as his father checks on him. Nothing hentai. It is to check his muscle and skeletal development. In public, their house is a noble medical profession, but in the darkness, they are assassins for their kingdom and deal with those who commit evil acts. With Lugh making progress, Cian then does a surgery to pass down some mystic eyes. Basically he can see a lot of things. You bet this is what an assassin wants. After that, it is time for Lugh to get a mentor to study under and that person is Dia. Don’t look down on her as a kid. She has very powerful magic and one of the top mages.

Episode 3
Dia gives him a Fahr Stone to measure his mana. Oh sh*t! Too much mana that it explodes! Had he not throw it far away into the air, I think the entire land will be wiped out! Even so, Lugh thinks this is not enough to kill the hero and needs more of such stones! Well, Dia won’t give it to him since such stones are like treasures to her family. Next day, she tests his magic attributes and is amazed to see him have affinity for all the elements. Then she guides him on how to use the magic. But Lugh poses a question if one can cast magic transcribed by others instead of reading those letters in your head. They try it out and it works! Wow. Nobody thought of this, huh?! This gives Lugh an idea as she has Dia write down all the incantations she knows. Damn, they even translate it to numbers so with those properties, Lugh has an idea what kind of element he can conjure?! Amazing! Not that I really get it, though. Hence they have this plan for Dia to create new magic and Lugh will transcribe them. Oh boy, magic is going to be a lot more fun. They also conjure some rifle and cannon as part of their magic. Woah. Lugh’s cannon destroyed a huge rock and still this is not enough to kill the hero?! Soon, Dia’s tutoring will come to an end. Hence Lugh creates a titanium alloy dagger for her. In return she gives him her Fahr Stone. He also agrees to her promise to come see her whenever she calls for him no matter what. Now Cian will teach Lugh the truth about the family. He takes his son to a prison where criminal lives can be experimented on and for practice. Lugh poses a question why he raised him to be hesitant when killing. Answer: Because they are not tools but humans. When they determine a job, their heart and mind must be intact. Thus, humanity is a necessary weapon for assassination. Lugh doesn’t understand so Cian tells him to think about it. Lugh will have his first kill, this seemingly innocent teenage girl who has been accused for a lot of crimes. Sounds pitiful as she begs for her life but after Lugh cuts off a hand to let her bleed to death, she shows her true colours by cursing him and all. Lugh agrees with such horrible death. If he dies, that is. Then he just kills her.

Episode 4
Being poor is a sin. Tarte’s family has so many mouths to feed and since they couldn’t afford that, they left her to die in the woods. Winter is coming but not as fast as those hungry wolves. Lugh and his family walk around town as it will soon be the harvest festival. But Lugh is trying to detect anyone with high mana rate as he needs a skilled assistant with mana if he needs to assassinate the hero. While he is hunting, he spots Tarte in danger and manages to kill the wolves. After learning about her predicament, he feeds her porridge and she is happy that God is real because she was told in a dream that she would have such fateful encounter. Lugh then offers her to come with him and asks a few questions and even revealing his assassin job. As far as Tarte is concerned, he is a good person to her and since he needs her, she will do anything he says. With Tarte accepting the offer, we hear Lugh narrate how this was all planned out. Tarte has very high mana so he saved and fed her to give her a sense that she was being protected and convinced her she has a purpose to exist. His brainwashing is complete since Tarte will not be misled into thinking she made the wrong choice or lead to her betraying him later. We take a short detour 40 years ago when some tough warrior died and was brought before Goddess, she told him that reincarnation stuff in exchange to kill the hero. He accepted it but now he has totally turned into a lazy bum otaku! Back in present time, more accurately 2 years later, oh damn, Tarte has grown into a fine lady! Boobs! The family must have fed her well! She is Lugh’s personal assistant and he too trains her to be an assassin. Of course Cian gave a few conditions like he will instruct her and if she betrays, he must kill her. While she makes some progress, Lugh notices her combat skills are slow and she is not good with a knife. Though, she is good with the spear but any weapons that can’t be concealed for assassination are useless. Don’t worry, just come up with a foldable spear! And just like that Tarte is now invincible! Lugh is glad his plan is moving along perfectly as planned. Except maybe Tarte being too close snuggling with him in bed… You don’t like those boobs, boy?!

Episode 5
35 years ago, Goddess summoned the best samurai and offered him that same deal. He accepted the quest to kill the hero. Now taking a peek at his fate… He looks more like an idiot trying to do his best… Gotta do better than that. Everyone in town is grateful to Lugh for his suggestions and help. Of course this is to build trust among those he would rule over. So does this mean he is being nice to Tarte to win her heart? Yes. Then she’ll serve him forever. Later Cian calls Lugh and wants to know if Tarte is a spy out to steal the family’s techniques. Lugh has observed everything on her and can assure she is not. Cian now wants Lugh to take a test. A fight with him and if he is successful, he will acknowledge him as a full member of the family and let him handle assassin jobs. So we see both men trying to assassinate each other in the woods. Lugh analysing about all the feint traps and despite Lugh’s experience as a previous assassin, he still can’t best his experience. Eventually, Lugh got the better of his father and wins. Now Cian has nothing more to teach him and Lugh will accompany him on jobs to gain experience. We see them in their assassin job and when they’re not killing wicked nobles, they’re doing house calls as doctors. Cian then imparts his knowledge that nobles will have stronger defences and sometimes they have to come through the front door disguised as something that will let their guard down. One of those professions would be a merchant. Hence he wants Lugh to learn and become a merchant in 2 years. He even cooked up some story like Lugh will be known as Illig Balor, the son of the head of Balor Trading Company. When the Tuatha De family and their branches are having this farewell party for Lugh, Ronah shows his displeasure. It seems he was supposed to be the next family’s head after Ruff died. In that case, they will fight now and the stronger one will be the next head. As expected, Lugh overpowers this loser. Later Ronah apologizes and feels pathetic for losing to someone younger. Well, at least not as bad as his father losing to him. Lugh wants Ronah to be his subordinate. More accurately, an invitation to make him his knight since swords suit him better than knives. Ronah agrees and will become a better knight by the time he returns.

Episode 6
Lugh uses magic to change his hair colour! Oh, like that will render him unrecognizable. We see Maha and her bunch of kids trying to make an honest living by guiding new people in Miteu to their destinations. In exchange, they’ll earn a cut for their effort. If they keep this up, they’ll get to rent a decent place to live, wear nice clothes and have nice food too. But soon that comes crashing down as a few bad men kidnap them to an orphanage run by Torran. Obviously he rules with an iron fist and his men show no mercy in beating up those who defy. The irony is that they now have a roof under their head and even eat better food compared to those leftovers the kind merchants always gave them. One day, a viscount visits and makes his decision. So that night, Ifa is chosen while Maha is made to wash and doll her up. That night when she returns, she is messed up and crying. I think we can guess what happened. Apparently this doesn’t happen once but on many occasions as Ifa turns into a zombie. And if the rest think why only Ifa gets chosen, well, it’s their turn now! This affected Noine so bad that she scars her own face. 2 years later, Maha hears Torran talking to his subordinate that Maha is now ripe. In short, he is going to defile her. She gets scared and thinks of scarring her own face but luckily for her, here is Lugh. He thinks smiles fit her face better. So Lugh is here to buy one of them and that lucky girl is Maha. Torran mentions she is a virgin and fetches a higher price. No problem. He can pay for it. But Torran says he can only give her in 3 days. Lugh will return then but warns Maha is now family and no harm is to be done to her. That night as Maha is taken away to her first client, the thought of being sullied has her run away. They go after her and lucky her again, Lugh is here to help her. He knows her eyes were screaming to rescue her. Baddies think they’re tough. They’re so wrong. Lugh owns them. The viscount gets arrested for child trafficking. Good news for Noine as her face is totally healed as Maha gladly goes with her saviour prince.

Episode 7
Lugh is doing well as a doctor in the Balor family. Beimnech who is the head of the family is impressed with his work and feels very indebted. Also, he has completed the official papers and now Maha is part of the family and Lugh’s sister. As Beimnech wants Lugh to handle the opening of a new shop, his previous liquor one failed so Lugh comes up with an idea to open one selling cosmetics and sweets. Lucky for him, despite the cosmetics market is a competitive one and newer companies are at a disadvantage, the moisturizer product does not exist in this world. Ah yes. This allows Lugh not to compete directly but sell a whole new different product altogether. Of course he tests it out and it is a hit. However to be on the safe side, he cannot reveal the ingredients or production method so mass producing them is not possible at this moment unless you want rivals to start selling the same thing. In just 6 months, the cosmetic shop is now booming with a long queue of women flocking to the store that is run by Maha’s friends. Even princesses and nobles of neighbouring kingdoms are taking note. Of course with this success, Lugh anticipates that rival companies will soon target him when all the bribing and other tactics don’t work. True enough, a spy creeps into his manor but his ladies anticipate all that and capture him. Even torturing him in the most painful way to get him to spill the beans. Now we take a detour 30 years ago. Yup, Goddess summoning a rapper to become a hero. Despite all his rap insults, now he turns out to be meek and tongue tied. Fail! Lugh then takes leave for a day to visit Dia. The whole day just for her. He returns to find his ladies sleeping. Next morning, he wakes up in shock. Wet dreams? Trying to explain himself, for once the ladies are cooler than him. Tarte wants to take care of this as his servant and Maha proposing to cross the line more than a sister. Is this all part of the plan?

Episode 8
It has almost been 2 years as Lugh narrates Tarte has gained combat experience from all her battles and Maha the experience in handling info and money. Also, he has built up the Orna cosmetic brand name and create a big network. So it is time to return home as Lugh leaves it to Maha to hold the fort here. She thinks of expanding and buy up a declining company but Lugh knows it is her father’s first company. He researched her background and came to know that her father’s assistant betrayed him and killed off the family to take over his shop. Maha who was the heir, fled here. Lugh puts his trust in her as long as the results are achieved. Maha’s friends give him a farewell present. Finally, Maha has been told about Lugh’s real identity. Despite all that, she has been happy to serve him. She hopes to come visit her sometimes. Tarte believes Maha’s love for him goes beyond that of a brother or friend but Lugh believes it is just a form of admiration and one day she’ll understand what he is saying. Yeah, I’m pretty confused too… Time to show off Tarte’s skills as we see her easily kill monster wolves without Lugh’s help. Returning to their hometown, the people still remember Lugh and give him their produce as thanks. Esri is of course very happy to see her son again. Won’t let him go again? Sorry mom. Duty calls.

Then he goes to see Cian who is impressed he went this far to establish his network. Although this was all setup as part of his assassination training, he mentions there is another reason he made him do this: So that he could live another life apart from the Tuatha De. Besides being an assassin, he could also be a merchant. The other day, Beinmech approached him to tell how well Lugh was doing that he wanted Lugh to become a merchant instead. Cian claims Lugh has not assassinated anyone yet. All assassinations were done as his assistant and during training, he was playing the executioner for those on death row. While they are the kingdom’s assassin, nobody will take care of them if they are busted. Hence Cian thinks he should quit this thankless job and live life as a merchant. Of course Lugh disagrees because there are things he can’t do unless he is a Tuatha De. He doesn’t want to lose what he has created and wants the people and the kingdom to be peaceful and happy. If the kingdom abandons him, it won’t be a problem. His training won’t allow him to be captured that easily. There is also 1 more thing he can’t do without this family name. Because he is in love with Dia, he wants to marry her one day. As she is of a high noble status, attaching a merchant’s name lacks the necessary status. Father laughs and accepts his choice to become an aristocratic assassin. Lugh is given his first real assassination job to kill a noble selling the kingdom’s secrets for drugs which he distributes throughout the kingdom. He won’t interfere and will let Lugh kill him in his own way.

Episode 9
Lugh tells Tarte his first mission. But instead of marking Count Azba Venkaur for death, he will decide to see if he is worthy to be assassinated. He sends his message to Maha who will use her networking skills to get more info. But first, some distraction from Esri because she’s somewhat excited to check on Lugh on his wet dreams?! Yeah, Tarte must have told all. And then she wants Lugh to have an arranged marriage with these possible candidates. Tarte disagrees as Esri trolls her to mention that she wouldn’t mind carrying Lugh’s baby. Well, not that she has anything against that either. Now we see Goddess summoning a paparazzi 25 years ago. So will a scandal bring the hero down? Well, looks like he is going to succeed in his job taking a scandalous photo… Only to be run over by a horse! Lugh and Tarte go down on the ground and meet a girl selling jam. They break her bottles and this brings out some crooks. After beating them up, they have the girl bring them to their mother who is clearly under the influence of the drugs. Without them, she goes berserk. OMG, Lugh did some move to make her body free of the drug?! WTF???!!! With Maha’s report returning, it is confirmed that Venkaur is indeed the ringleader behind this. With briberies to other nobles and authorities so that the royal family cannot punish him, and so it is decided he will be assassinated. Lugh meets up with Maha. She talks about any romantic progress with Tarte. He denies any ever started. She tells him that despite he loves Dia, there are also 2 women who love him and they don’t mind being his mistresses as long as he loves them back. Of course Maha will wait till she is so important to him that he cannot do without her, she will use that as negotiating shield to get his heart. Is there equal footing in love? Anyway, the duo go meet Venkaur’s wife, Bridgette as they introduce to her new cosmetics. She seems very pleased with it. They even meet Venkaur who looks like a very nice man and a loving husband. They stay for the party he throws for his guests. Quite a nice man. Having assassination doubts? Of course not. That night, Lugh snipes Venkaur from afar. But it is the scene in which Bridgette cries over her dead husband’s body that causes Lugh to feel something. In his previous life, he wouldn’t have felt anything. Tarte hugs him seems he looks down. He picks himself up and returns home.

Episode 10
Lugh and Tarte just returned from their uninhabited island holiday. Maha greets them and has both good and bad news. She has some info on a divine treasure, a magic spear named Gae Bolg. It is owned by a man named Setanta MacNess who is believed to be the hero. Maha has tried negotiating with him to buy the spear but it isn’t going well. That is not the bad news. Rather, there is a civil war going on in Dia’s kingdom and her family has joined the kingdom’s army. The rebel is led by no other than Setanta. Lugh goes to see Dia but she seems unfazed by the war. Apparently it is happening near the capital but far away from here. Also, her family has many mages so not all of them are taking part. Lugh wants to use his Balor identity to get her out but this only makes her mad because it’s like she is abandoning her kingdom. Instead, she has him go out on a date in the city. So we see them having a nice time in the city although they do notice a lot of skilled people in the crowd. After all, many have been drafted and military experience would benefit the people in war times. Now we take detour seeing Goddess reincarnate a teacher to teach the hero. But rather than the usual comical outcome, we soon see her reporting to a higher system. As world preservation system admin #3800, she is requesting a reincarnated soul with high probability of stopping the hero’s rampage. Now back to the boring lovely date. Lugh and Dia help a lost kid reunite with his mom and then head to the hotspring that Dia has reserved for just the both of them. Nice romantic fanservice. How sweet. Underwater kissing sure made it all better. Once the day is done, Lugh goes home and we see Dia getting busy. A group of knights greet her and she is sad this is goodbye for Lugh. When Lugh is back home, Tarte comes running with an emergency. Cian is tending to a wounded man and he claims he has handed them a mission. Cian tells that job that Lugh will handle: The assassination of Dia!

Episode 11
Lugh has a choice to turn this down but he asks a few questions. First, he deems this mission is inappropriate because they are only assassins for the Alvan Kingdom and not the neighbouring Swoigel Kingdom. If their involvement is found out, this would create an international crisis. Cian continues that Viekone fought along the royal army in the civil war and lost. The count who is Dia’s father gave up his land and wealth but apparently that’s not enough as the victors now turn their attention to Dia. As she possesses good magic, she will likely produce an heir who is so. The count is reluctantly forced to agree to that and Dia herself too to prevent further bloodshed. But some vassals won’t hand her over and some of the volunteer soldiers have confined themselves within their castle to protect them. The client who made this request is no other than the count himself. But of course this is a façade. Either way, Dia will die so this is the only way to save her. In short, faking her death and the only way Tuatha De knows. Cian adds that if Lugh refuses, he will do it himself as he owes the count. However, to reach there is very far and Cian will lose most of his strength. Lugh accepts this based on 3 reasons: He owes Dia for teaching him magic, he loves her and the promise he would help her if she asked for help. Cian also reveals he bent his principles once and that is for Esri. You might have suspected that she is from the Viekone house because of her silver hair. Oh sh*t. This means Lugh and Dia are cousins?! Is incest a thing here? Who cares, right? With that, Cian leaves it to Lugh for this, uhm, assassination-cum-rescue mission. In order to help Lugh preserve his strength, Tarte will lead him there. She runs ahead of him to block the wind resistance. It is taking a toll on her as we hear her resolve to be his tool because he saved her and no one else needed her but him. We all know the drill. Once she cannot go on, Lugh goes ahead on his own. So she’s not joining? Probably she’ll be in the way. Tarte cries her heart out because I guess he is not around and she’s reacting to his admission he loves Dia. Lugh arrives outside the castle and observes the enemy army outside. He uses his magic to snipe at those with magic to confuse them and then throw Fahr Stones as grenades to create more chaos. With the Viekone’s guards using this chance to attack the enemy, Lugh sneaks in but takes extra precaution so as not to be spotted by any sides if he is to fool all people over Dia’s fake death. He finally reaches her room and she is so happy he came.

Episode 12
They plan how to escape from here and will cook up a story that Dia committed suicide. Lugh has taken a body of a dead female soldier as substitute. After Dia shouts her final words to her soldiers, they’ll set place to this room and flee. But as Dia is about to do that, Lugh senses Setanta throwing his spear at them. He manages to push her out of harm’s way as the spear destroys a big part of the building. Lugh creates his cannon and fires at Setanta but he still survives. Analysing his skill, it seems his berserker mode allows him to grow stronger and heal all wounds the angrier he gets. Setanta now sets his eyes on Lugh since nobody has ever given him this much fun before. He gives Lugh a choice: Either he kills everyone or duel with him. If Lugh wins the duel, he will withdraw his forces and promise never to attack Viekone again. Lugh knows he cannot beat Setanta in a duel but yet he accepts the challenge. Of course as an assassin, he will do what he is best at. That’s his chance of winning. He goes down to the battlefield to meet Setanta under the fake name of Feri Marconi and set the terms of their duel. It seems this long drawn out talk is to buy some time for some countdown he is making. Setanta promises to make good his promise but if Lugh loses, he will kill everyone and kidnap Dia. Lugh flips the coin in which their duel will begin once it hits the ground. But when it does, a nuclear explosion hits directly on Setanta! So flashback as Lugh narrates to us. It seems what he rained down is a tungsten spear which was modelled after some nuclear warheads in space in his previous life. Of course that warhead never materialized because of science. Yeah… Then with Dia’s help to create new magic to deal with gravity and wind as well as that uninhabited island training with Tarte to practice this, everything has gone according to plan. In the aftermath, Dia is glad Lugh is okay. Though, Lugh claims he failed his first assassination (I assume Setanta got away?) and this mission might fail as there are no witnesses to witness Dia’s ‘death’. But she’s alive so that’s a win for him. Yup, he steals a kiss from her. Oh Lugh… Lugh returns home with Dia as Cian congratulates him on his job. From now on, Dia will hide her identity and live here as Lugh’s little sister. Although she is older, her younger looks can deceive others. Cian also tells another important thing: The hero will be arriving in this kingdom shortly and Demon Lord will soon revive. So take precautions. Lugh is surprised Setanta wasn’t the hero. Yup, this androgynous kid: Epona Rhiannon.

Redo Of Assassin: Shinchou Ansatsusha
So uhm, it ends like that? Of course this is not so much the end yet for Lugh and it is just the beginning of the ending. It feels like the final arc was to just officially complete Lugh’s harem. Sure, Dia was already part of it but now it’s even better because they are no longer kingdoms apart and are just as close to each other every day within a hair’s breadth. Lovely, right? Now the real fight can begin! The one over Lugh’s heart. Oops. I bet this will be more entertaining to see than Lugh assassinating the hero. Maybe it’s just me.

Honestly, this whole season feels a lot like introductory although it may not be so. Because we see Lugh honing his skills and gaining experience and other abilities over time so it feels like one big dragged out training arc. Oh heck, in order to be the best of his field, an assassin can never stop training. His entire life is just levelling up so that he can become someone powerful enough to assassinate the hero. Even the final mini arc of rescuing Dia feels partly like that. And of course with the hero showing up in the final scenes, looks like the real test is about to begin. Well, we have to wait for the next season to find out if Lugh is up to the task. If should there be another season. If all that power Lugh hit Setanta with isn’t even enough and would just put a mere scratch on the hero, then truly the hero’s power is way over 9000!!! Hahaha! Sighs… In that case, I don’t think even Goku can even finish the job.

Unlike many other isekai series out there, Lugh’s levelling up seems justifiable and doesn’t take the easy way out. I mean, sometimes it gets your goat when you see characters level up and attain skills so easily after just doing the bare minimum. It’s like they want to hurriedly move along the plot and quickly make the main character overpowered. So while I am not saying that Lugh is completely free of that, because remember he had some special privileges from the Goddess of choosing his own skillsets before reincarnating, at least we get to see Lugh putting in the effort to become the best assassin of his kingdom. That’s why when Lugh makes his assassinations look so easy, I wasn’t really in pure disgust because he actually honed his skills throughout the years. Hence those easy pickings are acceptable within reasonable grounds. Though, I can’t say the same magic wise because that part where he created new magic with Dia, that part feels like he pulled things out from the air. And the part he healed some random mom addicted to some drug. Total BS!

And despite Lugh already being in the top echelons with possibly no other rivals to rival him, damn this dude still doesn’t think it is enough to take on the hero and is still way behind! Woah! Talk about being super overcautious! Well, can’t blame him seeing where he came from and what became of him in his former life. But I just can’t help think that this overcautious personality feels like a video game trope. You know, you level up your character way more than that is needed and then you go stock up heaps and tons of potions and other accessories/items before your anticipated final fight with the final boss. It’s going to be tough, right? And then it turns out the final boss was just freaking easy to beat! Oh man! Wasted? Or did all that overpowered stuffs help in making the fight look easy? But you know what they say, you can’t be too cautious so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Though, I’ll doubt that Lugh’s final battle with the hero will turn out anything like this joke. It’ll be so powerful their fight that it’ll destroy the world! Oh sh*t! Did I predict something that I shouldn’t?!

So the characters are pretty okay with Lugh being an assassin in his former life, taking on this same path again but this time he claims he will use his own judgment (and feelings?) to kill whoever he deems needed to be killed. He is pretty much the same as before just that now he has an aristocrat lineage and deals with magic. His harem are given their due spotlight but eventually it all centres around Lugh. I guess they can also work as some love polygon for some distraction whenever they feel like playing this part out because it is an open secret that Tarte and Maha love Lugh as a woman in addition to being great tools, oops I mean, assassin assistants to him. Is polygamy allowed in this world? Too bad we haven’t seen the quartet working together as a team unlike when we were first introduced to them in the opening episode. That will be one of the many missions later, right?

Cian has been a great mentor and father to Lugh and he is like Lugh’s best friend and also best rival and enemy at the same time. It is obvious that he has trained Lugh to become a much better assassin than him as he does not spoon feed him and lets Lugh make many of the decisions. Esri feels a bit like a comic relief character since she doesn’t get involved in any assassination missions or training so she acts like a doting mother who just wants to smother her son with lots of love. So can you say that Lugh grew up in a balanced environment? Say, what happened to Ronah? I thought this guy would become a great knight once Lugh returned? Did they forget about him? Maybe he hasn’t transformed into that great knight yet. Or did he died somewhere and we don’t care? Besides, his name now sounds so wrong considering we’re still in the midst of that Corona crisis… Can I make some Rona jokes?! Maybe not…

The most curious and perplexing character is of course Goddess herself. Her existence and actions alone will spawn lots of questions but so far this season, there aren’t any definitive answers. From what we have gathered and seen, she has been gathering and reincarnating many souls to become one who will kill the hero. Hundreds of them, in fact. I understand that you cannot put all your eggs in one basket so it is best to have insurance because you never know which one will fail. The thing is, she has been doing this for like many decades as we can see the short flashbacks ranging from various years to as far as 40 years ago. Is it me but doesn’t the hero look like a young teenager? So does that mean she has been trying to create a hero killer even before the hero is even born?! Or is being a hero just a title that is passed down through the ages? Maybe I’m looking at this from the wrong perspective. She may have reincarnated that dead soul 40 years ago but she did not mention which timeline in this isekai she sent that soul too. So it could be in the current era right now where Lugh is but so far we don’t see all these heroes bumping into each other considering there are hundreds of them, right? Yeah, all these failed jokers showed us that either Goddess is really bad in picking out characters to do the job or these reincarnated souls just suck at their new life. But do you remember Goddess saying only an assassin can take out the hero? Was she just lying to recruit or did she realize all other joker jobs failed?

Of course we will soon learn that Goddess is just one of the world preservation system administrators who reports to the higher ups (could be God or a bunch of old executive guys in suits!) and considering how high her number is, this could mean that there are many other worlds that are being administered in the same way. Damn, this means that there are so many worlds that are being faced with extinction. I wonder if the Marvel universe whereby Thanos wanted to use the Infinity Gauntlet is part of this! Thus it makes me ponder if dead souls of one world get transferred to another world that is being administered by a different administrator? Yeah, the souls get shuffled around a lot then. So what if Goddess fails to preserve a world? Does she get fired from her job or get erased from her existence? Who knows? She’s not the main character in this anime… And what if Goddess is one of many similar entities in some sort of competition to see who can prevent the world’s destruction first or in a battle with another team to prevent that?! I think I better stop with my stupid conspiracy theories now. It’s not getting me anywhere anyway…

The action scenes aren’t too shabby and there are quite a few blood and gore. Considering Lugh’s job is assassinating, I mean, his job description doesn’t necessarily say that he has to do all his assassinations in the most elegant and refined manner, right? Just get the job done without his identity being busted. With the Tuatha De continuing this tradition, you wonder if this cycle of evil will ever end. They may have taken out evil nobles and put a stop to their evil deeds of human trafficking or drug distribution, the fact that the evil act doesn’t stop there proves that there will always be someone to replace those nobles. While Tuatha De continues to operate in the shadows, won’t these deaths resonate throughout the kingdom and act as an example to stop future evil deeds? I guess not. The lure of money is always more tempting and they think they can get away with it. On a trivial note, I noticed Lugh murmuring nonsense while he uses his magic skills. I didn’t give much thought about it until I wondered why the subtitles were also posted when he said those gibberish. I mean, really? Usually such gibberish are ignored, right? Then I realized they are actually words written backwards! Oh dear. Not sure if this is genius but I guess it’s better than just pulling it out randomly from thin air.

Art and animation are pretty standard too. Sometimes I get confused and wonder if this series gets its character design inspirations from another isekai anime: Seirei Gensouki. Obviously with have a silver haired heroine in both series and our main character looks pretty similar to each other too. Just different hair colour. And why do assassins have to wear that kind of trench coat? Reminds me of the main assassin character in Arifureta Shokugyou De Sekai Saikyou. And is Tarte = Latifa from Seirei Gensouki but without the animal ears? Maha = Christina but with different hair colour? Coincidence so glaring that it is so suspicious… Is it me or does Setanta look a bit like that guy in the video game meme. You know, the one that says, “All Your Base Are Belong To Us”! But I guess all that beats some of the horrible CGI here! Although used sparingly, you can see the obvious hideousness with those ‘ugly’ horses as well as those run of the mill soldiers. Animation so awkward… This series is jointly done by Silver Link and Studio Palette.

Voice acting, it’s great to hear Yukari Tamura in her trademark squeaky voice as the Goddess. And I think Tomokazu Sugita and Junichi Suwabe make their very short cameos as those failed reincarnated jokers, the samurai and paparazzi respectively. The other casts are Kenji Akabane as Lugh (Arashi in Triage X), Reina Ueda as Dia (Akane in SSSS.Gridman), Yuuki Takada as Tarte (Aoba in New Game), Shino Shimoji as Maha (Saturness in Beatless), Toshiyuki Morikawa as Cian (Julius in Black Clover) and Chiaki Takahashi as Esri (Nanami in School Days). The opening theme is Dark Seeks Light by Yui Ninomiya. It feels weird because this hip hop piece being played against a dark and edgy opening credits animation… Also, feels a lot like a modern K-pop group would mostly likely to sing… The ending theme is A Promise by Aira Yuuki which is more of a slow pop ballad. There are a few insert songs tailored to Lugh’s ladies that reflect their feelings but they didn’t really resonate with me.

Overall, this series might sound like it has a different concept for the isekai trope. But after watching this season, it just feels mainly like any other. Just from a slightly differing point of view. There are some who favour this series but I can see that there are many others who were quick to classify this as any other ubiquitous isekai anime. You know me, always the middle fence sitting answer. Which is quite true because it is not all that bad but at the same time I’m not really excited for it. Not that I was really looking forward to the next episode when it ends anyway. Just like many other series, it has its pros and cons and of course its potential. But all that is only possible to make more conclusive statements if this gets another season. Which so far I have heard nothing of. This means unfortunately for this series, unlike some lucky isekai ones getting another season, this one was dealt a crushing blow for any hopes of a sequel. This anime was failed to be saved. Try reincarnating into an anime writer and try to save the anime industry instead! Hah. A tall order that no goddess could craft a thousand or a million saviours for!

Deji Meets Girl

Not really sure what to make out of Deji Meets Girl. I thought it was going to be some sort of short promotional stint for Okinawa because well, the synopsis seems to be telling us the word deji which is the Okinawan word for totally or very. I guess Okinawan accents aren’t as famous as the Kansai one, huh? Anyway, recently strange things are totally happening here, or should I say deji happening here. Uhm, did I use that word correctly?

Episode 1
Maise Higa is a high school student and is also working in an inn in Okinawa. She has to struggle between her work and studies, not to mention her supplementary lessons. Bored and no money. What’s a girl got to do but only sigh? Ichirou Suzuki who is a guest of the inn requests Higa to take a look at his room. Because there is something weird going on. For that moment, Higa thought she was underwater. As she follows him upstairs, suddenly both are submerged underwater. Is this normal in Okinawa? Deji! Are you sure?!

Episode 2
Of course this is not normal in Okinawa! Or even the world! But both are so fascinated with this experience, they have fun floating and swimming in this, uhm, ocean? In his room, they continue floating like this as Higa notices Suzuki being able to identify all the different type of fish swimming. Then he shows her a goldfish he picked up on the beach yesterday. When he realizes it, a school of fish starts bursting out and swimming towards them. Suddenly they are brought back to reality. Back at the receptionist hall. Was it all a dream?

Episode 3
This time a huge banyan tree grows out from the inn. You sure Suzuki has nothing to do with this? He is climbing up and wants her to help him get to the top. She is reluctant but since he reminds her to be professional (whether full time or part time), she climbs the tree faster than him. She also tells him how to use one’s own weight to effectively climb up the tree.

Episode 4
When Suzuki extends his hand to help her, it reminds him of one of those celebrity handshake events. Instinctively, he puts up that celebrity smile for her. Did this send her heart racing? Though, he retracts that nice face and puts on his usual gloomy one. At the top of the tree is a flower pot he bought, that’s why he wants to get it back. But then the tree violently shakes and throws them off. Plunging to their… Oh, just lying on the floor. Another dream? Higa wonders if he has some special power. Of course not. He believes strange things have keep happening since he ran away. Higa’s suspicions were right and she can tell he is a celebrity since she heard a lot of people whispering about him. She bugs him to tell her the details but his mouth is zipped.

Episode 5
Suzuki is roped to help out too by Higa’s dad. Higa still thinks Suzuki is the cause of the strange phenomena but of course he denies it and is here for holiday. Then she continues to bug him if he has any problems. After all her guessing, all he is saying is that he has some problems with work and relationship in general. Then as they watch the sunset, they realize something… The sun is stuck at this level for some time now…

Episode 6
Yup, the sun isn’t setting. Higa rushes back to his room in hopes of solving it but he isn’t interested. However he only starts running when he sees the guests taking selfies of themselves. This prompts some trauma. Higa finds a Ryukyu glass in his room and takes it. Suzuki doesn’t want her touching his things so a short tussle ensues resulting in the glass dropping and breaking. But this breaks them out from the unsetting sun phenomenon. Higa apologizes but Suzuki says it’s okay. He thought if such phenomenon would keep on going like that. Later he scrolls through the news and sees an article about a young popular actor has disappeared. Guess who?

Episode 7
Higa goes to see grandma who runs a dried foods store. Obviously she is down and needs her advice. But she sees Suzuki passes by and hides for a while. Grandma takes a look at his aura and can tell he is going through hardships. Knowing he is staying in that inn, he hopes nothing has happened because a certain God can be stubborn. She starts talking about grandpa but he back gives way. Higa hopes to know everything like she does one day. But for now tails Suzuki.

Episode 8
Higa eavesdrop Suzuki talking on his handphone. It seems he is ‘congratulating’ the person who found him but tells him it is useless to get him. He claims he is useless and then hangs up. Gosh! He throws his phone away! ON THE STREETS!!! LITTERING!!! Higa picks it up and sees some Budoukan thingy. Later she goes return it to him in his room. She claims dad was worried about him and told her to go check on him. Suzuki doesn’t want the phone since it has GPS. Although she apologizes, he claims he is going back now since vacation is over. A sad smile as he notes Okinawa was kinda fun. But this makes Higa mad because it’s like he is underestimating Okinawa.

Episode 9
A typhoon will soon hit the place. When it starts raining, a few strange men enter the inn. As Higa welcomes them to the receptionist, the moment Suzuki sees them, he becomes afraid and runs back to his room. Those men take off their raincoat and boots. Looking pretty strange indeed. They then head to the mess hall and order some liquor. Hmm… Their boots is filled with water and fish? Oh, looks like they came directly from the sea!

Episode 10
Those strange men are some deities I believe. They’re having fun drinking and partying. Some even trying to hit on Higa! When they claim they are here to take Suzuki, Higa tells them he can hide in here until morning. Then it’s like suddenly Higa is transported to another dimension as those deities tell her it is her who is going to find Suzuki. She runs through this strange maze and is on the verge of giving up until she remembers grandma’s words on how to spot him. Yup, can’t miss that shiny aura that can be seen from afar. She manages to track him and sees him sitting dejectedly across. She opens the door to get to him.

Episode 11
Higa sees a glimpse of Suzuki’s life from the moment he started acting and all the effort this hopeful young actor put in. But all that came crashing down when some performance got postponed and eventually he got suspended. The deity tries to tell Higa not to interfere because it has granted his wish (all those strange phenomena). Just a little bit more and he will get his wish of a world without suffering. Higa tells the deity to STFU so she can talk to him. She doesn’t know much or understand anything about him but finds him super deji cool.

Episode 12
Higa tells him to come back because this place doesn’t suit him. So where does he belong? At the light on the top. The deity won’t let them get away and still wants to claim Suzuki. So they make a run for it and jump over those blob of monsters. Then they find themselves falling from the sky, going past through all those strange phenomena like the underwater and the sunset. Higa mentions she wants to see at Budoukan and this makes him embarrassed. In the end, things return to normal and looks like the deity becomes Suzuki’s multi-tailed cat pet?

Stranger Things Meet Deji…
Uhm… Well… Not that I really understand what happened in the end. So did everything just go well for our guy and he is no longer wanted by the deity or whatever being that wants to take his soul in exchange for those wishes? I mean, can it just give up like that? Well, as long as Suzuki seems to be happier, then I guess everything is okay. So is he going to extend his stay at Okinawa a little bit longer or has he decided to permanently stay right here? Don’t really know. As long as he is no longer bugged by his troubles, then it’s a good happy ending, right? Somehow I just don’t deji feel so…

Anyway, this whole thing really feels weird by the time you finish binge watching this. I mean, the episode is only 2 minutes long which is both good and bad thing. You can binge watch the entire thing in 1 sitting and because of the strangeness of everything, it just feels so bizarre and surreal and before you could grasp and digest what is going on, the episode ends. It’s like they just want to showcase some sort of deji magical moment, that’s all. With a lot of explanations lacking, otherwise this show would deji come off as weird.

Even the characters aren’t really properly fleshed out. How could they be because the episode is only 2 minutes long! Everything is so brief that it is forgettable. A troubled Suzuki is trying to find a place he belongs. So it is unsure why those strange phenomena are his wishes. Perhaps you have to think deeper to understand it all but for just 2 minutes, I’m not going to spend the next 10 minutes trying to decipher Suzuki’s heart and mind! Maybe there is some Okinawan folklore about this but I’m too lazy to Google it. Since it was never hinted or mentioned, I am assuming that it was made up, the deity wanting to take Suzuki’s soul in exchange for those cheapskate hallucinations. Now that you’ve experienced the cheapest 3D real life experience, I’m here to get your soul! HAHAHA!!! Only, it was defeated by a determined deji Okinawan girl. Damn human beat a God. Definitely deji. It is unsure if he consciously made the deal too because he seems really surprised and unaware when he experienced those strangeness.

So you could say that Higa is Suzuki’s saviour because she never gives up on him. Maybe she also likes those magical experiences too. And yeah, trying to be professional because he told her too. So you see, even if her life is boring (nothing to gossip about) and has no money (would you like to buy all those fashionable stuffs?), I guess this summer was the best experience ever with Suzuki’s unintentional deji magic or something. So not too sure if she can get more of such free experiences since now that Suzuki has that pet cat, I wonder if it can give free phenomena if they ask for it. And then Higa can charge others who want to experience the same too. OH YEAH! That’s where she can get the money! Entrepreneurism! Of course I believe she isn’t that kind of girl and it’s sad that we don’t really know much about her and her wish to have grandma’s powers. Because now that feels like a shoe in plot convenience to save Suzuki in the end.

The only thing that is deji impressive are the visuals. While this is very much debatable, I’m not saying that the art and animation quality are a masterpiece but you can definitely see the high quality and get the Okinawan feel from many of the scenes. Though, the characters look a bit simple and cartoonish-like. Of course the magical moments like those underwater scene has higher quality just to wow you with the seemingly breath taking visuals. This anime is done by Lidenfilms (Houkago Saikoro Club, Hataraku Saibou Black, Hortensia Saga, Tejina-senpai).

Overall, this is one deji weird anime. Some might felt they have wasted their time just for a few moments of magical madness-cum-confusion. Aside that, there is nothing much to it, the story and the characters are all very flimsy and the visuals are debatable depending on your taste in visual style. In the long run, it’s not a memorable one and will be forgettable after the next season passes. Some said there are bits of Shiroi Suna No Aquatope here but that’s only for the first couple of episodes. Because underwater, fish and Okinawa. That’s about it. Deji. Still not really sure if I used that word correctly, though. Feels like this deji word fad will fade away once I move on to the next anime. Deji sad… Akan, akan!!! Honma ni sou yana!

N/B: Kansai dialect dictionary: Akan = No way; Honma ni = really; Sou yana = That’s right!