English Dub Review: Kemono Michi-Rise Up “Animal Mask × MAO”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

We get a look back on the wrestling match from the first episode, but this time from the perspective of the Macadamian Ogre, AKA MAO (not sure where the A comes in there but it’s a pun on the Japanese word for “Demon King”), the archrival of Animal Mask, who beats him in every match. At their latest even match, MAO sees Animal Mask jump into the air and disappear in a flash of light. At first MAO is enraged that his rival has ducked out of their fight, but time passes with no sign of him. His life suddenly without meaning, MAO finds himself with nothing to look forward to. That is, until he is summoned to the other world as well, but instead of the same princess, he is instead met by Joanna.

Genzo, meanwhile, is doing about as well as usual, getting roped away from his beloved animals to be on a mission hunting Goblin Roots, which are essentially mandrakes from Harry Potter. And all that amounts to is Hanako eating them all while everyone else bickers. But while they’re out, Wolfgang and Misha show up to steal Hiroyuki for some cash and revenge. This goes…poorly, since Wolfgang actually ends up taking a shine to the puppy, but then gets beaten up by the ant-man working at the shop. Not that it matters, since Genzo comes to beat on them some more just for trying.

OUR TAKE
Anyone notice how at the end of the OP, different characters turn their heads to look at the camera depending on the episode? I have no idea what it means, but it’s probably something to look out for.

Anyway, I was honestly surprised that we checked in with the human world this soon, let alone at all. It’s not a typical thing for Isekai, at least most of the ones I’ve watched and/or covered, to even bother acknowledging their protagonist’s world of origin beyond the first episode. But not only are we seeing the immediate after effects of Genzo’s disappearance, we’re also seeing someone else be pulled into the fantasy world who has a personal relationship with him AND is nearly equal to him in strength. That’s sure to lead to some interesting stories, not to mention the emergence of a true antagonistic force in Joanna. Though with that all said and in mind, I wonder if this episode title couldn’t have been saved for a later point? The MAO stuff is barely half of the episode, so maybe this would be more fitting in the episode where they finally have another rematch? And how’s his dynamic with Joanna going to match Genzo’s with, say, Hanako or Carmilla? And who’s their Shigure? Lots of questions for future episodes.

And other than that, the other plot of the episode wasn’t super interesting or much of a step forward for any of the characters involved. It’s just sort of spinning the wheels of the character traits and dynamics we’ve already established. They still feel pretty funny for the most part, but there isn’t anything new here to work with. Since there seems to be a storm brewing with the bad guys gathering their forces, you’d think what’s going on with the heroes would also be about setting up whatever teamwork issues they’ll have to overcome to beat them, or even showing how they’ve gotten further in their work towards making the pet shop in order to give us an idea of what’s at stake if they lose. But we got neither in the end. Not exactly a harbinger of doom for this show’s quality, but it does seriously feel like a wasted opportunity, which is pretty frustrating for me. But we’re getting to the halfway point next week, so perhaps there’s a true dark turn just around the corner. And if not, I guess that’s fine too.