English Dub Review: More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers.: “A Hero, but Not the Main Character.”

Overview: Akira (Lindsay Sheppard) deals with the growing relationship between Minami (Mike Haimoto) and Shiori (Macy Anne Johnson) as Jiro (Ben Balmaceda) deals with living up to her much idealized crush. 

Our Take: As Jiro confronts his own inadequacies compared to the tried and true smooth talking hero, Minami, who would have thought that equally unforgettable was Kamo.

Never underestimate a young nerd’s overactive imagination and the ridiculously heightened comedy that comes from viewing ourselves through critical lenses. Jiro’s low view of himself is a laugh riot in his gamer brain putting him as a poor tattered fighter compared to his ever gallant knight and love rival, Tenjin. The comedic energy aside, his fears and doubts manifesting in hypercritical fashion are relatable moments of insecurity we all go through in underestimating ourselves, especially compared to the talents that are adored by others.

Akari’s feelings for Minami also remain strong in his decision to keep things going with Shiori. A revelation that throws an emotional wrench on both sides in Jiro and Watanabe. Akari still having feelings for Minami creates a legitimate challenger for Jiro in her lingering feelings that have not yet dissipated, despite her growing closer with Yakuin. On the nerdy boy’s side, they seem to be doing quite the opposite in their feelings, slowly eking out, making for an intriguing juxtaposition in them on the cusp of revealing to one another their true intentions to become each other’s partner when they hit A-rank.

Kamo’s equally eccentric fantasies, in how he dictates his next move like a card dualist, à la Yu-Gi-Oh, is gut-busting in his over-the-top lunacy in piecing together how to logically break the tensions between the two couples. His fourth wall breaking is becoming more intricate in him referencing his smaller side role compared to that of the main cast. 

Of course, Sadaharu is an idiot as he misreads Akari and her crush’s “intimate” moment, making for a hilariously embarrassing moment with Jiro playing his hand for how much he cares about where her feelings lie. However, her pure sadness at not being on his radar, is an intimately sweet moment in him being a comforting presence when she is hurt. Even better is how comfy and cozy she is becoming, literally and figuratively, with him. Her remaining emotions for Minami aside, Watanabe’s attachment and commitment cements her feelings to a certain blue haired boy are still strong as ever with her confession not without consequence.