English Dub Review: Date A Live “A Fleeting Paradise”

Overview

Kurumi manages to survive Mio’s assault and the other Spirits arrive to aid Shido. Realizing why he failed to seal Mio previously, Shido plans to kiss her again and this time make her choose him over Shinji.

Our Take

As the battle rages on, things look grim for Shido and the spirits with Nicolbels flying everywhere. Just when Shido is about to meet his end, Kurumi appears, stabbing Westcott in the chest and extracting his Sephira. She reveals that she had transferred her Sephira and personality to a clone before Mio killed her. Kurumi absorbs the Sephira, but before anyone can react, Mio returns, ready to execute her plan to kill everyone and bring back Shinji, but in the process, Kurumi does something unthinkable.

In a rare moment of assertiveness, Shido confronts Mio, yelling that Shinji is no longer a person, though Mio remains persistent in her goals. After five seasons and a decade, Shido finally kisses Kurumi and officially seals every spirit. The episode also features Shido, Reine, Mio, and Shin at a beach created by Mio’s dreamworld, hinting at an upcoming major battle with the birth of the second “Spirit of Origin”…

Overall, this episode blends intense action and heartfelt moments, setting the stage for the season finale. Kurumi’s new form and her critical role in the battle add to the excitement. Despite some frustration with Westcott’s continued presence as a villain, the episode’s emotional depth and character development stand out. The series’ buildup over the years has paid off, making this one of the best harem romance anime, with Shido and Kurumi’s kiss being a highlight. Now, all eyes are on the final episode and the potential announcement of a final season or movie.