「臨界点の彼方に」 (Rinkai ten no Kanata ni)
“Beyond the Critical Point”

Three episodes in and there’s only two things to say about Assassin’s Pride: It’s barely going to match the light novels in terms of adaptation loyalty; and washboard stocks have never been a better buy. Seriously. Overall I’m still on the fence about how I think Assassin’s Pride is going to play out over time both in form and function (heh), but there’s no denying this one has all the pieces to make for an interesting yarn.

As well-known now Assassin’s Pride is wasting little effort in speeding through a significant amount of material in as short a time as possible. This one without a doubt is going to expend as little as possible on apparently “minor” developments, and while this will rightfully continue irking fans to no end, I still believe Assassin’s Pride adaptation approach is not all that bad. It’s clear for example the festival had more to it than what we got, but for all the rapidity of it we received (more or less) a sufficient setup for getting to the true meat and potatoes with our half lancanthrope, Guild Grimface, and the reveal that Kufa’s delaying tactics have finally run their course. Nothing shown this week felt particularly out of place or immediately confusing, and while certain elements are in need of greater explanation (e.g. the lancanthropes and outer world), considering their growing importance to the main story we’ll likely get to that soon enough. For the moment I’m perfectly willing to continue giving this show the benefit of the doubt.

As for that main story, well, we certainly got some answers (and then some) this episode. I imagine few anime only viewers saw Kufa’s vampire side beforehand, or the potential that Melida may actually be the paladin she was always expected to become. For a story so seemingly set up around Melida being a castaway and Kufa her contract breaking protector it’s an interesting twist when we have the girl as the likely saviour while the guy goes full villain. Mind you, a twist probably not entirely like that, but close enough to really muddy the current waters. Couple it with Elise apparently being groomed as Melida’s replacement and the ability to forcibly swap mage classes and we’re looking at some major fun and games in the not too distant future. Well, maybe not enough to get that vampire powerup emerging at every other opportunity, but definitely enough to keep our loyal protector doing the thing.

After all, it would be a shame if we ever had to end an episode without watching chivalry in action.

 

Preview

19 Comments

  1. Wordlbuilding re. lancanthropes:

    Show Spoiler ▼

    zztop
  2. Correct me if I am wrong, but with episode 3, that’s almost 20 manga chapters adapted. I remember reading some comment stating that this may adapt 3 volumes of the novel, but well with how things go, it looks like it will adapt not only 3 volumes. That said I cant tell myself to drop this anime because of the rush. While the adaptation removed a variety of scenes, it is not totally lacking in appeal and as of now still intersting which is why, I dont if RC will cover this but in my case something in my gut instinct tells me I need to hang on and keep watching this.

    Jeffers
    1. No worries I’m covering this one through, it’s interesting enough that I want to see how well it’ll turn out when compared to the source. Expectations are it’ll be an ugly hatchet job, but considering how well these few episodes have been I have my hopes up slightly.

  3. Something in this show really intrigue me, so I’m very happy that you keep covering it. The story is maybe rushed, but as an anime only watcher I barely notice this and they give some key scenes the time they need.

    Enan84
    1. It was skipped like a bunch of other stuff, but Show Spoiler ▼

      Bob
  4. So uh since she’s got paladin abilities, why is the grandfather not backing off and why is the assassin organization potentially going to kill Vampir? Isn’t that exactly what everyone wanted?

    Alice
    1. Show Spoiler ▼

      zztop
      1. Ok that makes sense about the assassin organization but still if she is showing signs of the Paladine gene shouldn’t someone let grandpa know he is being an impatient dick and now thanks to that she is probably some freak pseudo samuraipaladin weirdo

        Alice
  5. The extremely (IMHO too) high pace causes the personal characterizations to be kind of glossed over. I can only recommend to anyone liking this show to read through the manga chapters. I can only say for sure that this will make essentially all main characters a lot more multifaceted and endearing.

    Mentar

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