English Dub Review: Seven Mortal Sins “The Languid Diva”

Japanese pop idols. The true demon lords of hell.

Seven Mortal Sins is becoming the biggest curve-ball anime of the season. First starting off with appallingly implemented exposition spoken with the flattest of voice actors. Then the show became balls to the wall sexualized with constant boob and panty shots as well as erotic bondage and breast milk drinking. But then when the show feels like just fan service the writing features the Mortal Sins’ abilities as actually interesting visualizations of their sins. However, that good grace is ruined as then we get an out of nowhere 4-episode recap which is then brought right back as the intro theme for Seven Mortal Sins is no longer just a half-heartedly edited together clip show but is fully animated with more original animation. This show fluctuates so rapidly between having good to bad decisions it’s honestly dizzying.

But the fluctuating hasn’t ended yet as today’s episode is following Lucifer’s battle against the mortal sin of melancholy, Astaroth. Odd seeing as episode 4.5 ended with a clip of Gluttony signifying that mortal sin was next on the hit list but it just proves more that episode shouldn’t have existed. Anyway, Melancholy is on earth acting as an online idol, singing Japanese songs with very depressing lyrics but instead of being called just and edge lord she amasses a huge following with her music. That is until Lucifer comes in to challenge her… to a singing competition. There is literally no good reason given as to why Lucifer and her girls are playing the demon idol game to win when they already curb stomped Lust and Greed. I suppose the throwaway explanation is when she says, or raps with no flow, she is the weakest mortal sin, Lucifer is left in the narrative position of literally beating up a weak kid.

Oh, but don’t worry folks, Lucifer still goes through the tradition of being overbearingly controlling and the tradition of getting nearly messed up by each of the mortal sins. Melancholy has especially messed up as her music that Lucifer listens to tries to convince her to commit suicide. Of course, as a demon lord it wouldn’t work on her but picturing this power used towards her online audience, it makes me intrigued to want to see that explored but it never is. Instead, we have the important kawaii dancing music videos.

The music videos are definitely the highlight of the episode, besides Vanity appearing in her football shoulder blades and black shadow hands covering her nipples. Each music video sung by Lucifer and Melancholy experiments with a separate singing and musical style from K-Pop to techno and each one is animated so uniquely from one another. But at the end of the day well-done music videos or not, Seven Mortal Sins is just getting hilariously awful. The voice acting is still as bland as ever, the animation has really odd hiccups and the art design is certainly the most absurd part of Seven Mortal Sins that immediately catches your attention. A big animation reviewer known as Gigguck gave shows like Seven Mortal Sins the perfect name for them. Trash. While bits of it are well done, it has no intention of keeping a focus and just wants to throw every insane visual as possible and for what it’s worth I am not bored by it. Just be sure to remember that even trashy shows like this can have some semblance of hope. Funny. Hilarious. Mocking hope.

SCORE
7/10