Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

After reading through the manga, only to then follow up and watch episode thirteen. Episode thirteen by far has been one of the lesser episodes of the series. I think this has to do with the fact that it’s an ‘unfinished’ episode. While I appreciate the attempt by the studio to leave the show on a cliffhanger, something that will allow us to jump into the second season (which was announced immediately after the series finished airing). It felt very cliché and that was something I didn’t like.

I’m not sure why this is the case, but I’m starting to get annoyed with the unsatisfying ends to anime I watch. Maybe I’m spoiled, but it can also be the anime I choose to watch. However, that’s another topic for another day.

So what were my thoughts on the final episode of Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki? Well, in short, it definitely could have been a lot better. Something you’ll definitely notice almost immediately is that Van is more lively and colourful now under Souma than under the previous ruler. But that goes without saying, if a country is constantly oppressed then the attitudes of the people who live in that country will reflect that, the same can be said about a country that allows their citizens to be free. But like I mentioned, episode thirteen is more or less a transition episode to allow for the second season. This is something you can definitely feel and in that regard it’s kind of meh. I’ve always been someone who enjoys a proper send off regardless if whether or not the anime is getting an additional season. I believe that the final episode should embody everything that made the anime what it is.

I also believe that how an anime begins and ends is what you’ll remember most. That’s why I think having a strong final episode is important. Ultimately, you want people to remember the anime, there needs to be some rewatch value. This unfortunately isn’t the case for the final episode of Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki (the first season). The final episode is like the “One Week War” arc that we glossed over, dismissible. Nothing about episode thirteen stuck out at me and screamed “stay tuned to the second season”, there was nothing throughout the episode that made me feel that way.

Which is a shame to be honest because at the beginning of Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki, I had such high praise and hopes for the anime. I genuinely enjoyed the first couple of episodes and I thought that this would be one good series. Now I’m less enthusiastic. Will I still give the second season a watch? Of course. But I don’t I’ll truly enjoy watching it because I’ve already know what’s going to happen next. As it is with anyone who has read the original source, whether that be manga or light novel. Once you’ve read it, you know what’ll happen and the expectations you hold will be high because you want to see a proper adaptation.

Anyway, 5/10, C, needs improvement.