English Dub Review: The Irregular at Magic High School “Visitor Arc VIII”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

The news reports that a USNA vessel with a high-ranking official has drifted into Japanese waters, supposedly due to a loss of power. Tatsuya believes that the Yotsubas may have been too hasty to act. Miyuki seems surprised, but when alone, she muses her aunt had informed her about it early that morning.

Tatsuya questions Pixie about the parasite attacks, and why they caused blood loss in their victims. The creature reveals that their species is a sort of hive mind that can control any assimilated beings. When asked where the other parasites are, she simply responds “Current whereabouts unknown. However, I can still sense their thought wave searching for me.” At this point, there’s a cut to a dark room with a circle of tables. Each table has someone lying on it, with their eyes closed. Two mysterious men start stomping and clapping rhythmically, which awakens those on the tables. They arise and agree to seek out their missing comrade.

Colonel Balance is reflecting on the disaster of the mission to take down Tatsuya, when she’s informed of a visitor. Ayako Kuroba has come on behalf of Maya Yotsuba to ask for a cessation to the USNA’s interference. Ayako asks the Colonel if she slept well, as a threat. She then informs the American that compliance will result in, “certain gratitude is owed to you personally.” She further clarifies that “if there is an opportunity in the future, we would be willing and able to assist you.” Balance agrees.

Miyuki, Honoka, Tatsuya, and Pixie head towards Aoyama Cemetery, when Tatsuya senses someone watching. He uses his Elemental Sight to locate the agents from Counterintelligence Section Three nearby. Honoka jumps into action by putting them all to sleep. Kyouko watches the group from afar, while her grandfather, Kudou Retsu, remarks about Honoka’s potential connection to the bloodline of the Element of Light.

Pixie informs the group that three parasites are approaching. Tatsuya, Honoka, and Miyuki get their magical weapons ready. The parasites extend an offer to end hostilities in exchange for Pixie. Tatsuya refuses, and demands an explanation. The parasites reveal their intent to release their comrade, “a living creature, one with infinite purpose, out of an ultimately cold and lifeless vessel” by destroying the machine. Tatsuya defers to Pixie, who pleads to remain in her host. Tatsuya asks if they would continue to harm humans, even if they left magicians alone. The lead parasite reveals that his host is a magician. He argues that magicians are being used by the rest of humanity. The two trade insults, leading to all three parasites drawing knives.

Tatsuya shuts down the leader, but tries to determine how to destroy the parasite rather than just scattering it. He takes out the leader, Miyuki freezes the second assailant, and Honoka, along with Pixie, face the third.

Our take:

I was truly hoping that the dub for this wouldn’t be available until next week, but no such luck. As a result, this is, unfortunately, the first anime I’m watching for the new year. 2021’s looking grim already.

A new record reached this week with barely a full minute of normalcy before Miyuki strips down while reflecting on how much she loves her brother. While the barf-inducing thought alone is worth skipping this episode (and the series as a whole, honestly) the conflict between her not revealing what she knows about the military encounter and her role as future head of the Yotsuba clan raises even more questions.

Aside from her perplexing and super gross attraction that begs the question “why him?” there’s also a ton of weirdness around her fears of having to marry and have children as part of her role as head of the family. I don’t mean to shrug off the weight of cultural expectations, but is the *current* head of their family, Maya (the sibling’s aunt) married and a mother? And if so, why is her niece her first choice as heir? And that’s not even touching the whole military association, and how this could all eventually tie back to the magician behind Scorched Halloween (presumably Tatsuya, but possibly Maya. Who knows at this point!) So much mystery, for so little reason. Especially considering how often the same tired gags pop up repeatedly in this arc.

Honoka and Miyuki getting all bent out of shape (again!) about Tatsuya ogling a robot would almost be comical at this point if it wasn’t so annoying. We get it! He’s not interested in anyone but his sister, but everyone, INCLUDING NON-HUMANS wanna jump his bones. This is some next-level Gary Stu nonsense. Get to the fighting, please!

I believe this is the first time (in this arc) we’ve seen Honoka really show off her stuff. If it weren’t almost solely in the name of winning Tatsuya’s affections, it’d be impressive. While imbuing a robot with magical powers is an unexpected development for sure, the squeaky “don’t worry about it!” and “I want to help” bits I could certainly do without.

As much as I hate to compliment this show in any way, shape, or form, I will say that the visuals seem especially on point this week. Also, the unexpectedly raw line from the parasites about their trapped comrade having “infinite purpose” sounds like it should come from a Batman movie instead of from this mess.

Overall, there’s a bit of progress in regards to the plot, but not without the same cringe-y romance bullshit I’ve come to expect from this series. Here’s to there only being five more episodes (finally, literally a handful) to go!