English Dub Review: Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time “Signs of Turmoil”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Mani joins the Wings of Nolyn as they build the fortress town of Wedgefort, which grows more prosperous by the day.  However, the Holy Empire of Sidonia activates their Hero Summoning, which causes the mana in the region to fluctuate, increasing the strength of the monsters outside the fortress’s ramparts.

Our Take:
We have finally reached the point where the Holy Empire of Sidonia has activated the Hero Summoning.  However, based on the journey itself, I’m practically one of the few people who really isn’t convinced of the stakes it provided.  When it comes to the plot and characters, this show is just another standard low-stakes isekai harem anime that follows the necessities of the genre’s formula, including its “thrilling” climax.  In this case, Sidonia’s Hero Summoning has created a larger threat in the land of Milgard, in which the monsters have grown more powerful due to the mana fluctuations.
This forces Takumi and the Wings of Nolyn to test their teamwork and his alchemist skills to confront these so-called “heroes”.  But, as it turns out, it’s revealed that Sidonia has used some brainwashing method to make the heroes into ignorant assholes in an attempt to start a war, except Akane, whose Blessing of Revelation helps her see the empire’s dark intentions.  Along with her slave, Lulu, Akane becomes a part of Takumi’s Wings of Nolyn due to her recognizing Takumi from the real world.  Additionally, we see more of Takumi’s relationship with his team growing stronger as he finally tells them the truth about his unexpected arrival, which they surprisingly take really well.  There’s also a moment where Takumi finally dissolves the girls’ contracts, but with the condition that they work as equals.  Truth be told, I was initially ready to put the smackdown on Takumi for making the same mistake twice until he explained his reasons.
Unsurprisingly, “Signs of Turmoil” sets the stage for the Wings of Nolyn’s biggest confrontation, despite the show’s lack of improvement, as a monster stampede heads toward Wedgefort, prompting their assistance.  If the show had shown more interest in its formulaic plot, I would’ve been ecstatic to see how its first season concluded.  But right now, I’m just relieved that it’s close to being done, even with Takumi finally confronting Sidonia’s heroes.