English Dub Review: Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke “How to Collect Donations”
Overview
Rosemyne tries to collect donations from the nobility, but finds it harder than she thought…
Our Take
Picking up from the previous episode, the story shifts heavily toward Myne’s newest challenge: securing donations from the nobility to help expand her paper-making and printing projects. While the episode keeps its usual lighthearted charm, there is also a growing sense of pressure surrounding the fundraiser and the expectations placed on her. Ferdinand continues to push Myne hard with strict schedules and magical training, leading to plenty of entertaining back-and-forth between them, especially as she desperately searches for ways to outsmart him after he cruelly teases her with books she cannot read yet. At the same time, the anime does a solid job showing how essential Lutz and Benno remain in Myne’s life, balancing emotional support with practical advice whenever she gets overwhelmed.
The second half focuses more on the business and noble society aspects of the story, as Myne begins preparing for the charity concert and promotional efforts tied to her fundraising plans. The episode explores the complications of managing inventions, protecting trade secrets, and navigating aristocratic relationships, while also sprinkling in smaller character moments that hint at future developments. Although some scenes move quickly due to the adaptation’s pacing, the core dynamics still land well, particularly the playful rivalry between Myne and Ferdinand and the increasing tension surrounding noble expectations. There is also a stronger emphasis on how exhausting Myne’s workload has become, making her determination to keep moving forward feel even more admirable.
Overall, this episode feels like a strong step forward after the earlier setup-heavy material, blending comedy, worldbuilding, and character interactions into a more engaging progression of the story. The fundraiser plot gives the series a refreshing sense of momentum, while the continued focus on printing technology, merchant dealings, and noble politics reminds viewers why Ascendance of a Bookworm stands out from typical fantasy anime. Even with some rushed transitions, the emotional charm, clever dialogue, and growing anticipation for the upcoming concert make this one of the more enjoyable episodes so far.
