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「運営スタッフのアン」 (Un’ei Sutaffu no An)
“Anne from Management”
For all that summer is turning into a very laidback season (unless you’re melting your face off in Europe, but I digress), it’s nice knowing some shows, if not absolutely amazing, are turning into fun weekly times. Helck of course is one of those, because while I expect it’ll fade behind more heavyweight adventures, it’s one fantasy tale certain to not be flying right off the cliff.
With last week’s opener largely dedicated to laying groundwork and introducing key characters, this episode was all about giving everyone involved a reason for the chaos – and what chaos it’s turning out to be. Helck’s immediate narrative strategy of course is tied up in this: Vamirio and friends don’t trust Helck, they have no idea what he’s actually up to, yet outside of increasingly ludicrous (yet very funny) setups they have nothing through which to dispense with the guy. Fighter extraordinaire? Get Helck to cook. Charms the wits off of the demon world’s best? Nothing a race cannot solve. Admittedly it’s all mid-tier comedy certainly (for all I’m getting a kick out of it) but much like before you can see the inklings of what’s coming down the track. Every slapstick moment and pint-sized blowout is simply preparation for the more serious subject matter at play, every Vamirio setback one more bit of interest in just what makes Helck tick. You know full well this lighthearted charade won’t last. Well, mostly.
Part of the expectation of that lies in the next competition between the last four Demon Lord competitors: retaking a lost castle from an unknown enemy. Much as Vamirio and the newly introduced Azudora highlight having Helck participate is the best way to glean his intentions. Actually supports demons against humanity? He’ll have no issues crushing the enemy. Is only pulling an act? Likely to betray his true interests in the heat of the moment. It’s not a perfect arrangement (some Manchurian candidates would go as far as killing their true allies to keep up appearances), but it’s enough to start pushing this story forward. Vamirio after all is now on the playing field herself, everyone involved is leaving the safety of the arena, and a truly unknown enemy is about to show just what they’re made of.
Best be sure the outcome of this event will prove just a tad surprising.
Preview
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