English Dub Review: Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun “The True Worth of the Archer”

Overview

The battle between Keroli’s Magical Beast Kingdom and Picero and Goemon’s squad continues. Elizabetta also joins the Magical Beast Kingdom and charms the enemy male students on the frontline. Meanwhile, Iruma and Lead also arrive at the Magical Beast Kingdom. After having Camui interpret what Naphula was saying, they find out that it was Orobas who had been attacking the members of the Misfit Class. Orobas seems determined to win, no matter what. Clara is now in danger, as she wandered off into the jungle by herself.


Our Take

The Misfit Class now has one more war on their side: Keroli vs. Agares, the magical beast kingdom vs. one bulge castle of impenetrable defense. But when it comes to romance charms, it’s Ix on the workout of her bloodline ability that steals his people to their side. But the presence of Iruma, Lead, and Naphula is a surprise, and more than ever, it confirms what Lead has gone through with Orobas Coco’s illusion.

And it’s abundantly clear that everyone in the Misfit Class is in danger if left alone, and if anything, Orobas’s next target is Clara. The cult that is the Second Faith where Orobas came from, pretty much puts him in 2nd place like karma. The only way is through his Trauma bloodline ability that he didn’t initially want to use in being fair and square, but instead, becomes the real victim through completely different circumstances. And as expected, Clara falls victim to Orobas’s illusionary powers that prey on people’s fears and insecurities and when used on Clara, it’s an excellent call-back to Season One with an ending that reminds us how far Iruma has progressed as a character…

Overall, this arc had some cool moments, but it’s grossly overshadowed by the pacing. Iruma showing off his bow skills, Lead also showing his growth and now we know who the real bastard is that’s pulling Coco’s strings. What’s easily the biggest plot-hole throughout the previous episodes within this season (and what keeps me from giving this episode a higher rating) is the disqualification rules have never made much sense: you can’t directly attack another student, but you can use your Bloodline abilities to brainwash others, torment them with illusions, imprison other students or even control beasts to attack others in an all-out war of sorts? It doesn’t feel like this was thought through at all, and it’s just lazy that they’re allowed to do as much as they are to attack each other in this competition. They shouldn’t be allowed to attack or influence other students at all in a tournament like this to encourage them to hunt animals and plants. You know, the actual entire point of this fucking festival to begin with? And the fact that Orobas is just allowed to operate with such impunity shows how fucked up the writing is within this arc. Hopefully, it ends with a proper conclusion of sorts…