Sep 26, 2020
The most underrated show of the winter season, 'The Misfit of Demon King Academy' wrapped up it's first season today. A show I think many ignored because on a surface level it looks just to be another dark, edgy, isekai, harem, power fantasy. But it takes the tropes of this very tried genre and cranks them up to absolute parody levels. Giving a us just some good fun entertainment.
Is the shows protagonist "Anos" an insanely over powered lead that can basically just shrug his way through any enemy encounter? Sure. Is it ever boring to watch? Not at all. Taking the tired trope of the
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over powered protagonist and taking it to insanely stupid levels creates some entertaining scenes. Such as when Anos picks up an entire castle in one hand and then spins it around on his finger as if ti was a basketball, before casually tossing the entire castle into the distance. It's dumb, but it's dumb fun. Does Anos also have an ever growing group of girls who love and admire him? Sure. Does he use his power to get away with being a dick, or does the show stoop to trashy tropes such as continuously accidentally tripping into their breasts? Nope. And I think the reason why it doesn't happen is why I really like this show. Because through and through, Anos, along with his entire team of friends are all good people. The thing that sets this show apart from other tired shows in the genre is genuine kindness. While other shows will have the protagonist be a dick or "accidentally" continually sexually harrass the female cast, and then tell us the protagonist really is a good person as they perform some great act to prove it. That way of showing a kind hero has also rang hollow for me as I've watched more and more anime. But in 'Misfit of Demon King Academy' everyones kindness and care for those around them is genuine and real. Anos doesn't even pay much attention to the affections given towards him by the girls around him, instead using the difference in power and knowledge to act more as a mentor, helping them grow and mature as individuals. While never taking their agency away from them and forcing growth, only setting up the scenario and allowing them to find the answer themselves. I think this is really cool and a nice change from the protagonist in other shows in the genre being rather useless when it actually comes to being a leader.
The kindness shown by the entire cast is the heart and core of the show. From Anos' parents doting on him as if he were a small child, despite him being the most powerful being in existence, and Anos going along with it, not out of pride, but because he loves them just as much. To The twin sisters trying to out sacrifice the other in order to save the other early in the plot. The final episode is even titled "Let the World be filled with Love." For a show in the genre bloated by dark edgy characters and stories, 'Misfit of Demon King Academy', is an example of how the genre can be approached in the opposite direction and as a result become even more entertaining.
Is this one of the best anime you'll watch? No. Is it just "good" in a way few anime manage to be? Absolutely. This is the finest B grade show you might watch this year. I recommend giving it a go.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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