English Dub Review: Date A Live IV: “Girl Time”

Overview: Shido (Josh Grelle) spends more time with Kurumi (Alexis Tipton) with Tohka (Michelle Rojas), Kotori (Bryn Apprill) and the other girls baking him sweet treats for Valentine’s day. 

Our Take: The duality of man has never been proven more true than with everyone’s (or my) favorite seductive spirit in Kurumi. On one hand Kurumi is a time-traveling murderer, and on the other, a sweet cheeky girl competing with her loverboy over bento boxes. It is that crazy balance that makes it fun when she has her cutesy date time with Shido as they try to one up one another with aspects of their lunch. It is super silly and over-the-top but that is what makes it fun and especially in seeing Kurumi’s lighter side. 

Shido’s encounter with Nibelcolle is oddly placed within the pace of the episode. However, it is nonetheless intriguing in what truly took place in them hurting and attempting to kill Shido but him seemingly unscathed later as well as what Westcott’s endgame is for attacking him then are. 

The spirits are the real showstoppers of this episode in all their ridiculous stunts they pull to keep Shido from falling in love with Kurumi. Natsumi’s growth magic being used for some seduction and seeing characters makes for some good lewd humor. The girls also trying to make chocolates is enjoyable in how unbelievably clueless they are or just beautifully odd. Some highlights include Origami modeling her chocolate after her body or Kotori burning chocolate, being too prideful to admit she has no clue what she’s doing. It surprisingly gives us more insight into Reina and her own lover she had. Her wording of how her mystery man is both her ‘past and present’ true love seems to seed the idea and heavily point to him being Woodman and her being the spirit of origin, or at least connected to whoever she is. With Kurumi joining in the baking, she makes for a nice antagonizing presence in her commitment to woo Shido. As Shido receives chocolates from the other spirits, Kurumi sets her sights on Shido as their date approaches, setting the stage for an exciting romantic Valentine’s day.