English Dub Season Review: Ubel Blatt Season One

Based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Etorouji Shiono, Übel Blatt unfolds in a far-dystopian, semi-medieval future (year 3000). Once-revered swordsman Ascheriit is betrayed and left for dead by seven fellow elite warriors after leading a victorious campaign against the dark-magic nation of Wischtech. While Ascheriit and three allies complete their perilous mission, the seven cowards ambush them, return home as false saviors, and earn the title of the Seven Heroes, branding the victims as traitors known as the Lances of Betrayal. Twenty years later, Ascheriit returns in a new form as Köinzell, a half-elf driven by vengeance and determined to expose the truth and hunt down those former comrades who now rule as celebrated nobles built on a foundation of lies.

On the technical side, this adaptation was handled by Satellite Studios and Staple Entertainment, directed by Takashi Naoya, with Tatsuya Takahashi overseeing series scripts and Matsuo Asami as assistant director. Character designs are by Kiyoshi Tateishi, and Shun Narita composes the music. The opening theme is “Sinner” by Garnidelia, and the ending theme is “Stella” by Hina Tachibana.

In a bleak semi-futuristic medieval fantasy world, Übel Blatt follows Köinzell, a mysterious and youthful half-elf bearing a distinct scar over his left eye. Though he appears harmless, Köinzell conceals a vengeful spirit born from betrayal and brutal murder at the hands of those once closest to him—men now revered as national heroes. Once known as Ascheriit, he was among an elite group of warriors on a mission to destroy a dark enemy empire. However, when seven of his companions abandoned the mission and murdered their loyal comrades to cover their shame, Ascheriit was left for dead and vilified as a traitor. Now somehow reborn, Köinzell embarks on a vengeful killing spree, exposing the corruption of the so-called “Seven Heroes” and reclaiming the honor stolen from him.

As an anime adaptation of a manga that’s said to be just as brutal and adult-oriented as Goblin Slayer, Berserk or Bastard, this had the daunting task of bringing a dark, layered revenge saga to the screen—but predictably, being tied to a streaming service like Amazon causes it to falter in nearly every regard. Rather than embracing the depth and nuance of its source material, which delves into the themes of the deconstruction of heroism and history erasure, the series barrels forward with clumsy exposition, stilted pacing, and a frustrating disregard for story structure. Upon research, much of the foundational narrative, including crucial opening chapters that could’ve added more context to the entire conflict, is skipped, leaving anyone unfamiliar with the manga scratching their heads. Characters come and go with little purpose or development, and the protagonist’s motivations, while inherently compelling, are executed with such inconsistency that it becomes difficult to invest in his journey.

The narrative also fails not because the idea of vengeance lacks appeal, but because the show doesn’t know what to do with it. Köinzell, despite his tragic backstory, comes across as a passive drifter rather than a calculating avenger. His confrontations with enemies feel accidental rather than earned, and he often seems to sabotage his mission by charging blindly into dangerous situations despite knowing his powers weaken without moonlight. Meanwhile, the supporting characters scarcely feel more than placeholders, rarely showing growth or meaningful connection. Interactions feel artificial, like obligatory script beats rather than authentic moments, reducing potential character drama into dull monologue exchanges.

Visually, the series is a mixed bag. Initial character designs are appealing, but the animation often feels stiff—more slideshow than fluid motion, especially detrimental in an action-heavy saga where battles should be emotional highlights. Choreography is unimaginative, and power-scaling seems arbitrary, as Köinzell oscillates between invincible and helpless based on plot convenience. The soundtrack, while serviceable, fails to elevate the emotional stakes or establish a distinct tone. Voice acting—particularly Kyle McCarley as Köinzell—shines amid the mediocrity, yet can only do so much to uplift the weak execution elsewhere. Additionally, every episode’s title is mostly written in German, complete with a post-credits info-dump, requiring subtitles to understand it. These lore drops often regurgitate details manga readers already know or simply reiterate information repeatedly mentioned throughout the series.

Overall, I wanted to like this, as Ubel Blatt has all the right ingredients for a compelling dark fantasy, yet it frequently stumbles in its promise. What should have been a violent, bloody saga steeped in moral ambiguity and mature storytelling ends up feeling like an unfinished sketch of a better story. The censorship of mature themes dilutes its tone, the plot is erratically paced, and the lack of consistent animation quality further weakens the experience. While the core premise of a fallen hero seeking justice is inherently strong, it’s poorly developed and weighed down by shallow characters, confusing exposition, and missed emotional beats. Whether you’re a long-time manga fan or a newcomer to the story, this adaptation leaves more to be desired. We can only hope that if Season 2 ever becomes a thing, it’ll learn from its mistakes…