English Dub Review: Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside: “The Man Who Would Be a Hero”

Overview: Rit (Dani Chambers) and Red (Aaron Campbell) band together to take down Big hawk (Christopher Sabat) and his gang once and for all. 

Our Take: Just when the pacing of the drug epidemic plaguing Zoltan was starting to move at a leisurely stroll, Red is finally brought more prominently into the mix to help Rit, allowing for a proper step on the gas and well executed one at that as well. 

 With both Rit and Red helping to take down Rio and the gang who have been tracking Al with the red shotel and Bighawk, who spread the harmful substance, simultaneously, the enemies are addressed in various capacities and the root of the problem is finally being tackled. But it is truly on Gideon’s side of things that the heart of the episode lies. His confrontation of Albert puts the spotlight on the main theme of the series in being validated by a way of life that is not outwardly noble or righteous. While Albert has been a condescending archetype up to this point, he is at least developed to betray Zoltan in a way that is grounded by how he still holds onto his code of honor to a certain extent but not realizing that the ends do not justify the means in his case, a lesson taught to him by Red in a striking realization. Along with Albert’s situation, with Al forgiving Ademi for the pain he inflicted on his parents, it also drives home, not letting a part of who you are consume you, in this case a blessing, making for a smartly written and relatable entry. Unsurprisingly, the action scenes are the only aspect that take away from this entry with them still being as flat and uninspired as ever and being second fiddle to the internal conflicts and resolutions throughout.   

Rit and Red’s continued romantic advancements continue to be a welcome pleasure due to how each one is meaningfully with their double bed and bath showing how increasingly intimate in sweet and tender scenes with one another. They also help to confirm Red’s commitment to his lifestyle, despite the fact that the hero party may come-a-knocking one of these days for his assistance. How committed Gideon remains to that thought process remains to be seen. However, with Rit knowing of Danan’s coming and the possibility of growing threats in the true nature of the Devil’s Blessing and the mystery man Belial, the tea leaves being planted indicate that it’s just a matter of time until Red must take up arms once again.