English Dub Review: The Eminence in Shadow: “A Bloody Showdown as an Offering to Annihilation”

Overview: Cid (Adam Gibbs) and Aurora (Shelley Calene-Black) make their way out of her mental prison as Alpha (Christina Kelly), Delta (Raven Troup) and the other Shadows seek information. 

Our Take: Delta’s feral strength and style decimates Nelson’s clones. She is a crazy departure from Cid, Alpha and other Shadows in her carnal ferocity. Unfortunately, not many others get any shine, undercutting potential skirmishes with the ensemble cast. 

Also, hats off to author, Daisuke Aizawa, explaining the girls’ fading clothes. The deteriorating magic doesn’t add much tension, but allows for amusing moments in Epsilon’s slime enforced chest and ridiculous, goopy fan service.  

Aurora and Cid’s journey through her memories is an entertaining trek in their playful, sarcastic chemistry. The focus continues to be on the trauma associated with her torture at the hands of Diablos. Despite Aurora’s resilience, her deep-seated pain highlights how much her prison has chipped away at her psychologically. 

The subtlety of Cid’s firm hand in helping Aurora escape her mental anguish characterizes his understated kindness. It’s a key aspect that makes him an appealing main character. 

Shadow Garden’s role in gaining information touches on the other members’ past hardships they’ve faced as Diablo experiments. It doesn’t delve too deeply, unfortunately. Instead it focuses on more comedic moments, and while charming, it’s a missed opportunity. One that will hopefully be rectified later on with a greater exploration of their own scars. 

The Shadows leave, after getting the intel they need. Nelson unleashes Olivier, for a face-off with Cid and Aurora. Cid’s deflated enthusiasm in his battle with Olivier works on two folds. Not only does it explain the lifeless husk she is, the appeal of battles to Cid in the emotions it expresses between him and his opponent. 

Their bout frames Cid as disadvantaged by her immense power. Even Aurora negotiating to save his life doubles down on that. Her pleading goes to show the bond she’s built with him in how much he’s helped her. With that said, Cid’s reserved offense hints at the power reserves he’s holding back with his pure exhilaration revving up excitement.