Well… it tried to end with a bang. But, uh…
Voyager: Yeeeah, you guys might not want to expect a big, lengthy, glorious TKO sendoff post, like we usually do for the finale.
EvilBob: Because, just like a certain show’s ending, it’s not worth our time.
Voyager: Gee. It’s almost like a competitive Grand Finale that’s completely one-sided is something that literally no one should want *side-eyes a certain eSport*
EvilBob: Wait… but didn’t you crush The Promised Neverland, in the last-
Voyager: On to the opening thoughts!
OPENING THOUGHTS
EvilBob: Look at Isekai Cheat Magician. Now look at DanMachi. Who did you think would have a better ending? DanMachi closed the deal with another strong finish. And we even get a tease of Season 3! Hopefully this one won’t be another four years… Meanwhile, Isekai Cheat Magician delivered another subpar episode that was… quite frankly pretty boring. Let’s just hope that if it gets another season it’s better than this.
Voyager: Hmm… It’s definitely a shame, yeah. The potential is totally there for it. But the show just plays it way too safe with the Light Novel checklist. It knows what’s technically required. And it’s not really jumping through any hoops to be anything else. Which makes it sooo boooring. Meanwhile, DanMachi’s episode was pretty great! Mostly. We’ll… come back to some parts of it. But it set up a lot of cool stuff for the future and further the sweet relationship that Bell and Hestia have while throwing some heartfelt emotions into the mix… but again, we’ll come back to that.
Voyager: . . .
EvilBob: . . .
Voyager: So…
EvilBob: So…
Voyager: Well…
EvilBob: Hestia?
Voyager: Is Bestia. Yes. I just love how you get to really see her in action as a goddess. She’s become a lot less selfish and more caring, since things began. Her doing her godly duties and helping sooth the heart of a dying, heartbroken old man was just fantastic. As well as her later comforting a likewise worried Bell. She’s matured a lot and this episode really showed her development in spades.
EvilBob: …Voyager, can I ask you something?
Voyager: Hm?
EvilBob: This episode of Isekai Cheat Magician. It was the climax, right?
Voyager: Yup.
EvilBob: And this episode of DanMachi was basically just a transition, right?
Voyager: Yyyup.
EvilBob: Then how in the Sam Hill did Isekai Cheat Magician manage to lose this category?!
Voyager: By being really, really boring to look at. Stiff animation, lots of uninspired camera angles, and effects that look like something I could probably scrape together… yeah. No real surprises, there.
EvilBob: …Dude. Brutal.
Voyager: Heh? You asked, right?
EvilBob: So. DanMachi?
Voyager: Yep! It actually showed the character development a lot more effectively. And the events all actually felt pretty natural. As opposed to its competition, which felt like it just kinda stumbled over the character development on its way through the paper-thin plot.
EvilBob: …Seriously, dude. Who hurt you?
Voyager: DanMachi.
EvilBob: Wait, but didn’t Isekai Cheat Magician actually try a little worldbuilding, again?
Voyager: Yep! And it failed!
EvilBob: …Well then.
Voyager: DanMachi did it better. The exposition came across naturally and even served a greater purpose by giving us glimpses of insight into characters. Especially Ais and Bell.
EvilBob: That’s… true.
EvilBob: So, let me guess.
Voyager: *deep inhale*
EvilBob: Uh-oh.
Voyager: DanMachi won, but it’s not completely off the hook. However, first I’m gonna eviscerate Isekai Cheat Magician! Congratulations! You were completely spineless and managed to totally nullify any sense of tension or investment you might’ve been able to foster!
EvilBob: Uh… am I gonna have to break out the Parental Advisory label?
Voyager: And it’s actually amazing, the skill with which you completely dodged any and all sense of good buildup or payoff! That’s some serious skill!
EvilBob: I’m… not gonna be able to stop him, am I?
Voyager: Setting up that whole angsty moment, completely out of nowhere, for Aery to say a long, heartfelt goodbye, only for that to mean absolutely jack squat because nothing actually changed about her aside from her name! Kudos on the laziness of the writing it took to get you to that point!
EvilBob: Is… is this just happening because you’re holding it in to pretend to be nice and cheerful, so much?
Voyager: In fact, I’d go as far as to say none of the emotions you tried to incite throughout the entire show felt earned! My goodness, you have talent! Oh. And DanMachi also did a thing that mildly annoyed me. I don’t really care about that one goddess’s “death,” but I honestly feel like they should’ve just… not shown it. The logical part of my mind was telling me “Wait… he survived that fall. Why didn’t you just tackle him over the edge with yourself?”
EvilBob: …Wait… Why DIDN’T she just do that?
Voyager: Right?! It was totally stupid! If they were gonna show us the event, at least make it more apparent that she literally couldn’t save herself somehow. But it’s not like it was an actual ending of a series or a major character or anything, nor was it particularly important to the story. So I wasn’t overly bothered. Just mildly annoyed.
EvilBob: …You okay? Get it all outta your system?
Voyager: Eh? Whataya mean?
EvilBob: …Nevermind.
CONCLUSION
Voyager: Well, Isekai Cheat Magician was already eliminated sooo…
EvilBob: Yyyup.
Voyager: So I guess that’s it for the Summer 2019 Anime TKO!
EvilBob: Well… that was anticlimactic.
Voyager: Ahahaha! Right?! Good thing we’re not a growing eSport!
EvilBob: You’re… never gonna let that go, are you?
Voyager: Eh? I dunno what you’re talkin’ about. Anyway, what did you guys think? What was your favorite anime of the Summer?! Let us know, down below! Thanks, as always, for reading!
EvilBob: And for letting us waste your time.
Voyager: Keep up the Awesome!
EvilBob: And keep it classy.
Voyager: Take care!
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