English Dub Review: How NOT to Summon A Demon Lord “Change of Heart”

Might need a change of pants too.

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

Diablo dreams about his childhood, specifically how he had to grow up with a rare condition that caused his hair to obscure his vision (or maybe it’s just a stylistic choice). He used to play video games with kids his age who said they were his friends until he heard them say behind his back that they only used him for his help in the game.

He’s apparently done quite well for himself since then, waking up in the embrace of his two insanely hot companions, but he’s still gotta protect Shera from potential kidnappers and part of that is attempting crafting like he remembers from the game. He’s initially stumped, considering he used to drag and drop ingredients together when this was a game, but somehow concentrating intensely on Shera’s heaving bosom gets the job done a lot faster. But when *I* do it at 7-11 with the checkout girl, not only do I spill my drink, I get maced in the face. How is THAT fair?

Well, the two get to share a tender moment as Diablo starts to let his guard down, but then Keera starts fingering his flute. Suddenly, Shera’s tune about going back changes, and conveniently he’s right outside. Blindsided and suddenly getting massive flashbacks, Diablo despondently mopes in bed until Rem knocks some sense into him that things don’t add up. It’s clear now that the flute is controlling her, but there’s no way to prove that just yet.

Still, they can’t just sit around and do nothing, so he, Rem, and Alicia make their way to Keera’s camp to confront him. Sure enough, he’s having Shera forcibly stripped and ready for mating. Diablo decides to finally make use of the collar by forcing her to tell her true feelings about what she wants to do, and that turns out to be staying with Diablo and Rem forever. In retaliation, Keera unleashes a giant summon, the Force Hydra.

OUR TAKE

More often than not, a harem Isekai lead is not the deepest of characters and can fall back into being a very bland protagonist. Diablo’s not a revolution by any means, but this episode really highlighted a side of him that helps set him apart from his peers. Early on in the series, he was not portrayed as someone with any friends or social circles within his game. Once in this new world, he had to rely on his persona to build confidence, but behind that was someone with major social anxiety who just wants to make a connection with people but is constantly rejected. Honestly, I can relate to that to a degree, especially dealing with being on the Autism spectrum, so the scenes regarding Diablo’s brief doubt of Shera rung a bell. This character flaw, while potentially interesting, is not used nearly as much as I’d like, but it’s still quite a heartstring puller.

However, while all of that makes this episode a real step up from the rest thus far, the rest is pretty standard. Shera’s basically kidnapped for Diablo to save, which is about as by the numbers a fantasy plot as you can get. And as I’ve said before, Keera is lifted right out of the worst Sword Art Online plot but with a dash of incest because who doesn’t need more of that? Even the “cliffhanger” we’re left with is basically a foregone conclusion. Might as well have just added the last two minutes to watch Diablo one shot the giant dangling white snakes and leave us on the more interesting question: What are they going to do about this creepazoid to send him packing while also preventing all-out war? Guess we’ll just have to wait till next time.

In terms of miscellaneous notes, we’re still getting to know how Diablo’s gamer knowledge is both an edge and a weakness. He’s able to produce potions in a way that is apparently different and more efficient from the rest of this world, though I guess Shera better be around in case they run low. Yet he also is finding more inconsistencies from the world he knows from his game, such as Keera’s mind control flute. Adding this to the weakened humans and strengthed Fallen, maybe this is all leading to some bigger connection that may even explain how Diablo was brought there. But it’s just little nudges for now, and I guess that’s fine for where we are.