English Dub Review: Black Clover “We Won’t Lose to You”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

Yami updates Finral on the situation, including the likelihood that Langris’ strange behavior was due to the same magic possessing the others, while Vanessa visits Magna during his training.

Inside the hideout, Asta tries reasoning with his former comrades, with some of his words apparently getting through to Klaus, but he’ll still have to fight his way out. However, he won’t have to do it alone, as his proclamation to become the Wizard King (which has to be the HUNDREDTH time he’s said that) awakens Yuno from his possession! He retains his elf ears and his power boost, allowing him and Asta to break through a HUNDRED times easier.

Unfortunately, that also wakes of the real Licht, who is likely as strong as a HUNDRED of the Midnight Sun goons. He quickly joins the fight by stealing one of Asta’s swords, which somehow cleans off all the rust. His other sword absorbs attacks, making Yuno’s energy attacks more of a problem than help. The battle takes to the skies as Yuno and Licht engage in a close magical dogfight, which Rhya thinks has to do with a connection between them. Asta recovers from his last hit and comes back, but the two rivals are forced back by a blast from Licht that levels the hideout and sends them crashing into the ground.

OUR TAKE

ONE HUNDRED ONE HUNDRED ONE HUNDRED ONE HUNDRED

Yes, in case you didn’t pick up on it, it’s the one hundredth episode, and they actually bothered to get the GOOD animators to handle this one! If only the show looked this good all the time! And it probably would if they broke it up into seasons instead of making it ongoing, but hey, at least we get it when it counts. This episode was actually pretty well timed, since it focuses so much on Asta and Yuno, the core rivalry of the story (which they put on every goddamn OP and ED and remind you of every other episode), which makes it an appropriate pick for a milestone like this. And they brought back the first Opening theme for the battle!

But since the episode is basically one big DBZ-style-with-a-hint-of-Bleach fight scene, there isn’t a whole lot to talk about other than that. Yuno breaking out of his possession seems to hint at there being some flaws in its hold, though doing some reading up on who possessed Yuno specifically is another whole can of worms, so I’ll save that for when it’s actually revealed. And we get some reaffirmation that the original owners of the bodies being possessed can reflexively react to people who they’re familiar with, though I’m not certain that means it’s a verified means of getting them back in control. There do seem to be a few cracks in the armor, though not nearly enough to form much of a plan in stopping other than fighting. Luckily this is a shonen series, so no one’s going to question that.

And good thing too, because we finally get to see the genuine Licht in a fight, proving he’s not just all hype. I DID think it would be a bit soon for him to get involved, though I guess we do need some clear indication that this is only the opening stages of the conflict. And what better way to cap off the first stage by destroying the hideout everyone came to raid in the first place! Not quite sure what the endgame is meant to be here yet, which I guess we aren’t meant to know right now, but just some trajectory as to where this is headed would be appreciated. I can only imagine, given this show’s inexplicably consistent popularity, that this will only be the FIRST hundred, and soon Black Clover will be reaching the 400 mark that Bleach never quite could. I’ll be long dead from alcohol poisoning by then, but what else is new.