English Dub Review: Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside: “A Parting of Ways”

Overview: Red (Aaron Campbell), Ruti (Tia Ballard) and Rit (Dani Chambers) team up to take down Shisandan and Ares (Brandon McInnis) once for all.

Our Take: Ares did not leave much of a good impression as a compelling villain when he was first introduced and this episode does not do much to remedy that. Ares motivational spite towards Gideon was nonsensical when it was first established. However, it is made even more ludicrous with how delusional greed regarding him being the one and only trusted companion with Ruti, with no room for Red. What makes it especially perplexing is how there was never a genuine connection established between the two in the first place. Ares’ death at the hands of Gideon is a relief in that he won’t waste any more screen time as a mediocre antagonist moving forward. 

This episode is also the most action heavy to date with various fights throughout with the first featuring Danan taking on Shisandan in what can only be described as stiff and lacking any dimensionality. But interestingly that is not where the plot livens up. That lies in Theodora in her coming to the conclusion that Ruti has an obligation to be a hero due to her blessing and aligns with Ares’ cause. Theodara’s dogged loyalty to the concept of the hero due to her blessing puts her as a compelling adversary for Red and Rit, more than Ares could ever muster to be, as they remind her of Ruti’s free will and that natural right that she is entitled to. 

Surprisingly, Ruti’s short but sweet bout with Shisandan is more enjoyable than one might think due a noticeable improvement in animation and art direction. There’s wild and intense flames that create a deadly and climatic atmosphere with some fast and fluid sword slashing during Shisandan and Ruti’s battle. As the demon took his last dying breath, he pushed the hero to use the replica hero swords that overwhelm her common sense and reinvigorate her blessing as she blindly fights Red. This will more than likely just culminate in a battle in which Red must make Ruti come to her senses probably through battle, a heartfelt plea, or both. At this point, there are probably not that many surprises remaining but hopefully it can at the very least make for an emotional conclusion setting up for Red’s inevitable, albeit reluctant, adventures moving forward.