English Dub Review: Black Summoner: “Rice and Thieves and Heroes”

Overview: Kelvin (Van Barr. Jr.), Sera (Alexis Tipton), Efil (Bev Megato), Clotho (Mary Morgan), and Gerard (Bruce Carey) arrive at the water city, Toraj, to take down some pesky bandits that have been causing the area a lot of trouble. 

Our Take: In need of the carb filled decadence that is rice and wanting to explore a new land, Kelvin and the gang set off on a new adventure to Toraj. They go minus one Melfina, who went to fetch her avatar, which will be interesting seeing how she looks as the goddess does in person, especially for Kelvin in how he tries to hide his excitement. On their way there, Sera toying with the black wind bandits trying to abduct them is enjoyable in how effortless it is, with her and Kelvin intrigued by word of their strong boss.

The town has a unique look from that of Parth, a typical fantasy starter town, in its old town Japan aesthetic encompassed by water. Seeing the ocean is a sweet little scene in Sera rejoicing at her freedom and appreciation of Victor. After they meet the master of Toraj’s adventurer’s guild, Mist. She and Leo go way back, having been in the same party, makes for an intriguing development on the old guild master. Trycen’s hero, Cristophe, now runs the black wind gang. Kelvin wants the heroes to believe they are helping only for him to get a good adrenaline rush in the form of his favorite pastime, a brawl. It does point to an irritating writing trait that is becoming a systematic issue in everyone constantly pointing out Kelvin’s battle lust. It is becoming tiring in how contrived it is to make him seem stylish or unique. 

They help rescue the slaves captured, but that is the simple part. Truthfully it is starting to feel very “wash, rinse and repeat-y” in how it approaches enemies, with no real threat ever truly felt with them constantly saving people and facing little challenges in the process. However, things pick up steam when the disgraced heroes are actually just the appetizer for the main course in the heroes, with Kelvin’s party posing as the bandits to fight them on in what actually has a slick feel to it in them all doubling down on it. The only confusing part is that it has been established how much weaker they are in level comparatively, with Kelvin’s thirst for battle puzzling. With that said, it is still exciting to see their confrontation in how it can push the narrative of Kelvin and the other heroes’ old life further, even if just a little.