English Dub Review: Love After World Domination “Atop the Kokutei Moon”

Overview:

Desumi invites Fudo to her school’s festival. They have to keep their relationship hidden while they enjoy the festivities. They also try to make it to the Kokutei Moon sculpture for a couples photo.

Our Take:

Ah, the school festival episode: A tried and true anime staple. Desumi invites Fudo to hers to enjoy themselves, but also because of her school’s tradition. There’s a sculpture called the “Kokutei Moon” and if a couple gets their picture taken while they’re sitting on it, they’re destined to be together forever.

Of course, there are plenty of obstacles in the main couple’s way. Whether it’s Blue Gelato treating Fudo like his personal steed, Anna chasing Desumi around in attempt to go to the Kokutei Moon together, or Beast princess breaking up all couple activity she sees, it’s seemingly impossible for Desumi and Fudo to achieve their goal.

The story has a happy ending though because the two end up cosplaying in order to make it to the sculpture without being recognized. What do they cosplay as? Well, Fudo dresses up as Red Gelato and Desumi dresses up as Reaper Princess. Yep…No idea how nobody realized they were the real deal.

Regardless of that minor nitpick, this is a great episode. School festival episodes are a dime a dozen in anime, but I usually end up liking them. With a cast as quirky and chaotic as this, it’s kind of hard not to. This episode has the classic tropes, like a maid café and a haunted house, but it’s a formula that works.

I love seeing Anna go crazy in her pursuit of Desumi. I wish they actually showed her fight with Ms. Sanzugawa, also known as Blood Princess, but the interaction that was shown is still enjoyable.

I’ve said how much I liked Beast Princess several times, but she continues to be great. I love watching her break up every couple she sees flirting. Steel princess tells her to stop being jealous, but Beast denies it. It is pretty obvious that’s how she feels, but it’s still a fun recurring event. Blue Gelato recognizes her from the beach and pursues her again. That was a nice gag to see brought back, especially since Beast whacked Blue in the end.

Of course, the main point is to see Desumi and Fudo have fun and make it to the sculpture. The questionable “disguises” aside, it’s a very sweet moment. I’m glad they were able to get their picture taken and I hope they really do stay together forever.