English Dub Review: ISEKAI QUARTET “Band Together! Quartet”

It’s the final countdown.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_4YVbtf5g

 

Overview (Spoilers Below)

The gang has no choice but to go up against Destroyer, the Mobile Fortress. It even has its own headband that they need to snatch. Since the teachers are still a problem too, Class 2 decides to split up the work (rather unfairly.) They take on the teachers, while Class 1 takes on the Destroyer. Lord Ains manages to push it back using his magic, and then summons a hoard of undead, as instructed mysteriously by Subaru. He then launches the trio into the sky, where they quickly determine a plan. Subaru heroically uses his power to sacrifice himself in order to distract the Destroyer’s blast (with the threat of dying forever) but Lord Ains’ undead hoard block the blast. Lord Ains catches Subaru, leaving the rest to Kazuma and Tanya.

Kazuma slingshots all the canons being fired at them with 100% accuracy and then wishes Tanya good luck (using his powerful luck stat.) With her other-worldly god powers, Tanya is able to safely sail through the Destroyer’s blasts, and thus, is able to successfully snatching the bandana off its head.

Class 2 celebrates their victory as the winning team, but realize Roswaal never definitively said they would go home. Instead, Roswaal announces some new transfer students (to be revealed in Season 2.)

Our Take

Wow, this got weirdly emotionally invested for a chibi show.

While it was obvious that the animation effects were getting more creative and flashier as the show went on, this episode was truly the culmination of how — in all aspects — this show has improved from the first episode. What started out as a funny cash grab full of wacky slice-of-life antics that just so happened to feature four shows worth of characters turned into something with feeling (Subaru’s sacrifice was as suspenseful as it was touching.) In layman’s terms: where the show once was a weird trail mix, it is now a delectable fruit salad with flavors that combine and compliment one another, rather than just existing simultaneously.

Lord Ains, Tanya, Subaru, and Kazuma all working together was symbolic for how much they really have in common as protagonists. It executed this without shoving aside their differences, though — through the dialogue, everyone’s personalities are crystal clear and unique. But their differences compliment each other, and they’re able to use their differences to work together. It also showcased the really special parts about themselves as characters, and in doing so, highlighted the remarkable things about their stories/shows.

That said, it’s unsurprising that they dropped an announcement for a second season at the very end of the episode. ISEKAI QUARTET accomplished a sort of camaraderie with its characters that aren’t found in most chibi shows, and with the reveal that even more characters will be joining the playing field next season, it’s sure to find more success.

The only way Roswaal will send the gang home is if ratings start to tank, but that doesn’t seem like it’ll be happening any time soon. Overall, this was a really feel-good finish for the school year.