English Dub Review: ISEKAI QUARTET “Carry Out! Class Rep”

Everyone’s got a job to do!

Overview

Emilia reflects on her Class Rep position and thinks about how much she loves the class’ diversity and attending school (while also catching on to Roswaal’s omniscience.) Subaru works with Aura to care for Hamsuke (the great Djungarian hamster) and the pair joke about how he attempted to eat Subaru. Mare works with Beatrice in the library, and despite Beatrice’s attitude, she winds up taking a liking to Mare for her mild-mannered personality.

Grantz and Megumin argue over the intercom about music while Subaru and Rem walk into school together. Subaru winds up rejoining Emilia, who stands with Lord Ainz and Albedo early in the classroom. Emilia asks Subaru if thinking of a fun group activity would bring the group closer together. He agrees, as do Lord Ainz and Albedo. Lord Ainz formally introduces himself to Subaru, who shakes his hand. Lord Ainz detects some form of magic energy inside Subaru and feels up his chest to investigate. He apologizes, noting Subaru’s discomfort and bygones are bygones.

Roswaal enters the class and announces that they’ll be having a field trip to the beach. Lord Ainz suggests to Emilia that they think of a group activity together while they’re on the field trip. They all enthusiastically agree and start planning.

Our Take

Something a little more heartwarming that took focus this episode was the fact that the characters are now not only starting to enjoy each other — but are enjoying school itself.

The Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World cast had the characters who were most centered on, here — with a good dash of the Overlord cast as well. Seeing the entire ISEKAI QUARTET cast be broken up a bit actually provided for further, deeper interactions and insights from the characters. It’s hard to focus on every single show’s cast when there are four different groups, but if there was more of this (rather than just the typical classroom setting) it seems like there could be more meaningful dialogues.

Speaking of settings other than the classroom: we finally got a few new backgrounds! Emilia’s bedroom, the intercom office, the library, the feeding pen — all of these helped make the school feel more like it takes place inside of a world, rather than boxing itself off from everything.

The guest appearance from Hamsuke was pretty hilarious and with all good hope, he’ll be a reoccurring character. Another great moment was the interaction between Lord Ainz and Subaru (“Well, that was the first time I’ve done that without crushing the person’s heart!” [laughter] “THAT’S NOT EVEN FUNNY!”) The voice acting continues to carry much of the comedic weight (Subaru’s VA wins an award for this episode. Aura’s and Hamsuke’s voices did sound a bit too similar, though.)

Seven episodes in and characters are still being formally introduced to one another. Such is the pitfall of having such a big cast, but it’s worth it for moments like these. The alternate title for this episode: “How We Learned to Stop Worrying About Roswaal’s Obvious Meta-Knowledge and Just Enjoy High School!”