English Dub Review: Demon Lord Retry “White Angel and Demon Lord”

Overview:

Angel White stumbles across Kunai in the onsen.

Our Take:

I was hoping that Angel White would be the only one that manages to escape the harem problem since she is staunchly against all that the Demon King stands for. Oh, how naive I was.

Considering how Angel White is set up to be both significantly capable in her abilities and the responsible leader of the Holy Maidens, this felt downright disappointing. Last episode’s antics with Luna and her being accidentally roped into helping the villagers were fun, but this is supposed to be her time to shine. Instead, we get an onsen scene that focuses on her body, and that she is apparently a flustered virgin. Her seeing a man naked for the first time is embarrassing, and she is completely awed by Kunai’s figure. In the meantime, he comments on how attractive she is and treats her like a child. Wow. This is truly the dynamic between two rulers of factions that could end up becoming fierce enemies that I was holding out for. Such depth. This series truly does not want to give any female character any sort of power at all, do they? I guess there’s Madam and… just Madam.

Once the gross harem aspects stop, the exchange gets slightly better. Slightly, because White seems to have never held a debate in her life before, despite being a faction leader. Kunai appeals not to her position, but that she is constantly supporting a failing society. He points out that the aristocracy isn’t doing enough, and that his position isn’t necessarily an evil one, but one that wants change. He doesn’t want to be her enemy, far from it. Displaying goodwill, especially after he has shown his military might, is one that earns him a better position.

This could have gone better and been more interesting had we had some knowledge as to what White thinks of the aristocracy. Kunai’s points are indeed correct, but we’ve never seen White have her doubts. Even if she didn’t have any doubts, and was determined to keep things the way they currently are, we don’t see that either. So what we really have is a debate that’s wholly one-sided, not necessarily because Kunai makes better points, but because White doesn’t have an established side. What could have been really interesting felt clumsy.

I am very glad that this series is over. Not holding my breath for a season two.