Thank you for visiting Anime Rants with Mono! I’m a bit behind, but still plugging away at my Spring episode reviews. So far, I’ve made some decent progress in my therapy group. It never feels like enough to me though. Anyway. The following notes are for the episodes that were released between May 31st and June 6th, 2026. As always, I’m a week behind on Go For It Nakamura! So, the dates might not line up there. Enjoy the episode reviews.
Contents
- The Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 4
- Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 3
- Go For It, Nakamura!
- Re: Zero Season 4
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4
The Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 4
Episode 9: Wilfried’s Day as High Bishop
In this episode, we finally saw the obnoxious brat Wilfried get some level of comeuppance. Rosemyne was sick of the boy insisting that things were unfair, so she planned an elaborate scheme against him. I wanted Wilfried to get punished to some degree, but I wasn’t expecting Rosemyne to do something that turned so drastic. I’m still glad she did it, though. Rosemyne and Wilfried traded places for a few days with the girl completing daily studies and the boy carrying out the duties of High Bishop. It sounded relatively innocent at first, but thanks to this plan, Wilfried’s ego got taken down several notches. All day as Bishop, Wilfried acted like a spoiled brat, and it was revealed that he lacked basic academic achievements for his age. Ferdinand hated him. Serious changes were about to take place in the life of the spoiled boy after that day.
Together, Rosemyne, Ferdinand, and Florencia confronted Sylvester about his failure of a son, who had already been named heir to the Dukedom. It was decided that Wilfried would be removed from heir and potentially cast out of the castle unless he showed significant growth in the next few weeks before his public debut. Thanks to Fran and Rosemyne’s other attendants, Wilfried was just barely able to complete the duties of High Bishop for one day. He still sucked at everything he did, but now, he at least had a chance. Afterward, Wilfried tried to take his studies seriously and stopped insisting that Rosemyne had it easy. Rosemyne’s “revenge” was a valuable life lesson for Wilfried and a great chance for him to begin maturing.
Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 3
Episode 10: Count Down
Finally, in this installment, the team decided on who was going to space and set off with an epic rocket launch. Before all that, however, we had a mini arc about Ryusui. Though I enjoy this character immensely, I thought of him as immature. In this episode, though, Ryusui proved his maturity and wisdom by giving his seat as pilot to Stanley. Not only was Stanley more experienced as an air pilot, but he also had amazing shooting skills. In combination with Kohaku, he would make the team even stronger. It was painful for Ryusui, but he stayed firm and did the right thing. He only showed his tears briefly to Francois at night. It was a bittersweet and impactful moment. I think this scene with Francois was the perfect way to wrap up Ryusui’s journey as a character.
When Ryusui and company woke up Stanley, there was some concern he would still be dangerous. But Stanely just looked at Xeno, accepted the cigarette he was offered, and said, “What’s my mission?” I loved that there was a tender moment between Stanley and Xeno. Those two are so fucking gay and I love them. Anyway, the next task was making spacesuits for the three pilots. Senku also made a “smartphone” with touch-screen capabilities – though it weighed 40 kilograms and had to be carried on one’s back. Taiju was very happy about this invention, as he’d wanted a smartphone since way back in the first season. After everyone said their goodbyes, the three pilots got in the rocket and petrified themselves. The whole world was watching as the rocket took off. The episode ends with the launch being a complete success. Only 3 episodes left!
Go For It, Nakamura!
Episode 10: A New Discovery! A Study Session After School!! /
Super Exciting! Love Bento Autograph Signing!!
After the perverted humor of the eighth episode and the abundant tropes of the ninth episode, this tenth installment was a breath of fresh air. I remember now why I like this anime. I enjoy the more wholesome moments, like when Nakamura actually has good experiences to help balance out his constant feelings of awkwardness and inadequacy. There were two mini-episodes in this installment and both were quite wholesome and cute. The first one was about Nakamura’s run-in with Hirose, Mukai, and Takeuchi while everyone was trying to study for the upcoming math test. Hirose invited Nakamura to come to a family diner with them. It was great seeing Nakamura feel included – even though Takeuchi did spit mixed cola and coffee on him. Can’t win ‘em all.
There were also a few scenes with the adults, mostly showing that Otogiri is addicted to nicotine and that Niou has a crush on a female teacher who greets him each day on his run. Anyway, the second half of the episode was about the fact that “Love Bento” was being made into an anime. To celebrate, the author of the manga held an event at a café to sign autographs. As avid fans, Nakamura and Kawamura were both there. Both of them delighted in their brief time with the cool manga author. This mini-episode was inspiring and quietly beautiful. On a final note, there was a title drop. The mangaka drew a sketch for Nakamura and wrote, “Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!” Awesome ending!
Re: Zero Season 4
Episode 9 (AKA 75): Empty Shell
This was an episode that caught and grabbed my attention with its dark thriller elements. The ending scene, with Subaru seeing the bloody letters on his arm, could be triggering for people with identity dissociation and/or history of self-injury. However, it was really well-executed and haunting, so I sort of enjoyed it. I’m also appreciating the mystery vibes, but to be honest, I don’t have a good idea of what’s happening. I am extremely confused about who I’m supposed to think is the culprit who killed Subaru and everyone else. This is what I’m thinking, though. The culprit is probably one of these four options: 1) Patrasche the dragon (unlikely); 2) Rem but she’s possessed by someone (Gluttony?); 3) Subaru himself with an alternate personality; or 4) some combination of 2 and 3.
I think Patrasche proved in this episode that as long as she’s not influenced by the evil miasma in the caves, she would never attack or kill her masters. She is a very loyal dragon who put herself in danger for Subaru even after he abused her. I’m leaning towards thinking Subaru has an alternate self because that would explain his memory gaps. Perhaps it was a curse from absorbing the dragon blood of Lust in the previous season. However, Rem must also be involved in this mess because we saw her kill Subaru by sneaking up behind him and somehow knocking off his head. Anyway, hopefully things will be clearly explained eventually so even pot-heads like me can understand.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4
Episode 9 (AKA 81): Investigating the Ruins
The first half of the episode was very chill and satisfying as Rimuru, Milim, Kagali, and the human researchers explored the ruined city of Amrita. Over the course of several days, they explored the first and second layers of the three-level underground city. At the door to each layer, they had to solve a magic puzzle. Rimuru was able to do it better and faster than anyone else thanks to the guidance of Raphael. Once they reached the door for the third and final layer, things took a darker turn. Maribel was putting her plan into action. She had acquired some kind of magical crystal that was responsible for keeping a great dragon sealed. Long ago, Milim had locked away the Chaos Dragon in magical confinement, but now, Maribel and her companions were breaking the seal. They successfully summoned the gigantic Chaos Dragon.
While Milim went to face the monster, Rimuru was approached by Maribel, Yuuki, and two warriors. The brief standoff between Rimuru and Maribel was interesting. I liked analyzing their opposing philosophies, and it made my heart happy when Rimuru stood up for social progress and rejected Maribel’s resignation to “survival of the fittest.” After it was clear that neither party would back down, Rimuru entered combat mode. The episode ended here, but I do have another note to make. I think this anime was distasteful and even offensive in its presentation of Dark Elves. They were cursed for killing a dragon or defying a demon lord or something. The curse resulted in the darker complexions and white hair of the Dark Elves. Personally, I’m really sick of the whole “fair skin equals good and dark skin equals cursed” theme in stories. It’s gross. I still like other aspects of TenSura, but it’s important to me to point out the flaws in the anime I watch.
~Thanks for reading~
Written by 7Mononoke at Anime Rants
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