Welcome to Anime Rants! Although the Fall ’23 anime season is now underway, I am still endeavoring to complete my episode reviews for the summer shows. Today we’re taking a look at The Devil is a Part-timer! Season 2. Since I want to get through these episodes quickly, I may or may not include detailed recaps of events. Well then, let’s get started.
16: The Devil and the Hero Go Futon Shopping
The title basically explains the events of this episode. Emi refuses to let Alas Ramus stay overnight with Mao unless he can provide a real futon for her. After realizing that Mao and company are broke, however, she offers to cover half the price of a new futon. With that deal in mind, Mao and Emi take Alas Ramus and go shopping. As usual, Alas Ramus is absoutely adorable all throughout the episode.
While the three of them shop and enjoy a picnic, several people mistake them for a real family. This doesn’t bother Mao at all, but it makes Emi furious and embarrassed. Her exaggerated reactions are always entertaining. Emi remains one of my favorite classic, angry “tsundere” girls in anime.
Suzuno is also a character I hold in high regard. She’s cute, tough, polite, and thoughtful. The way she calls everyone “dono” (a very old-fashioned way of saying “Mr.”) is adorable too. Despite usually maintaining a certain level of aloofness, Suzuno occasionally makes humorous mistakes. In this episode, she spills udon sauce on her favorite kimono. It’s apparently so upsetting to Suzuno that she locks herself inside all day and cries.
Despite some cute and entertaining moments, this episode didn’t impress or interest me much as a whole. It almost felt like a filler. We already know that Mao and Emi both love Alas Ramus dearly. We also know that Emi hates being seen as Mao’s partner. This episode didn’t add anything new. It felt almost pointless. Hopefully, the next episode will be better.
Episode 17: The Hero Says Goodbye for a Time
With all the recent emotional upheaval, Emi decides to take a trip to Enta Isla. She assures everyone that she’ll be careful and come back within a week. However, three weeks go by and the Hero has not returned. Suzuno and Chiho grow increasingly worried. Mao isn’t concerned, and even feels annoyed with everyone for suggesting he should go after Emi.
One rainy afternoon, Rika comes to ask Suzuno if she knows anything about Emi’s whereabouts. That’s when Chiho sends an “idea link” message to Suzuno, asking for help. There’s an emergency at her school. Suzuno and Lucifer use magic to greatly enhance their athletic abilities, leaping out the window to go help Chiho. Unfortunately, Rika saw it happen. It looks like another normal human is about to discover the truth about the otherworlders.
The other interesting thing that happened in this episode was the appearance of “Tsubasa.” She is a young girl who looks very similar to Alas Ramus. She is probably one of the Shards of Yesod. Mao met Tsubasa on the way to test for his moped license. The girl was accompanied by an older man who is clearly Emi’s father from the flashbacks. This should be interesting.
Episode 18: The Devil Gets Off to a Late Start
After finding out that the older man is Emi’s father, Mao takes him and Tsubasa to the apartment. He then promptly leaves again with “Tsubasa,” who is indeed a shard of Yesod, and whose real name is Acieth. Speaking of names, Emi’s father is called Nord. He, Ashiya, and Rika are now the only ones left at home. Ashiya tries to explain things to Rika at some point, but the human doesn’t seem fully convinced yet.
Meanwhile, at Chiho’s school, a large demon is rampaging around. He’s also using an extremely high-powered spell to bring rain and lightning down. While waiting for help to come, Chiho speaks with the demon face-to-face. She learns that the demon’s name is Libicocco and that he is here to make a ruckus to attract attention. The demonic magic in the air almost makes Chiho pass out, but Suzuno and Lucifer arrive just in time to save her.
The last part of the episode reveals that the enemies are after Ashiya. Libicocco’s rampage is just a diversion. As a small army of knights surrounds Ashiya’s apartment, he wonders what to do. I’m curious to know why the enemy faction wants Ashiya. I’m also interested in finding out why Nord is here and what he was rambling about to Mao earlier (something about “the chosen one.”) There’s still a lot of story elements to unravel.
This episode was fairly entertaining, and it’s nice to have the plot moving again. As I watched these three episodes, I was again reminded of one of the main reasons I enjoy this anime: the art style. The characters, expressions and colors are absolutely beautiful. At times, this anime’s slow plot or character tropes may leave me bored or irritated. Other times, like with these three episodes, I feel satisfied. Overall, I’m enjoying the second half of season 2.
Thanks for reading~
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