As I’ve said so many times, Mairimashita! Iruma-kun is as irresistibly positive a series as I’ve seen in a long time – probably at least since Miira no Kaikata. Without any question it can level up the plot – the stuff with Kirio got pretty heavy by the end there. The execution on that was excellent (though I know it’s not everyone’s favorite arc) but it does beg the question – is this show better when it doesn’t get too serious? I think the answer to that is generally yes, though at this point I’m willing to follow wherever it leads me.
With that in mind, this episode was definitely not as much fun as the season premiere. I’m so used to seeing things work out basically OK for Iruma that it’s odd to see him suffer a little downturn as he did here. Ameri is the definite plot driver – she’s the one who suspends the Magical Apparatus Battler for not having either a third-year or enough Dalet-ranked members (will we see Kirio again, I wonder?). That means splitting up the main trio, which is kind of harsh to begin with as it meant basically no Clara or Azz this week. But it was a lot harsher on Iruma-kun that it was on the two of them.
Does Ameri have an ulterior motive for “temporarily” assigning Iruma to the Student Council for training? I think it’s pretty clear she does, especially as she’s stressing out over his seeming proclivity for cross-dressing (which I still say turns her on big-time). It doesn’t help that she walks in on him just after Kerori has forced him to don the frills to grab some material for her fans demanding more of that new akudol from the concert. Just having Iruma at her side is motivation enough, but Ameri probably wants to keep an eye on him and blitz the cross-dressing right out of him.
The student council life is pretty rough, and it does sort of put a damper on the mood for much of the episode. Not only do the student council members have to stay in a special dorm (which sucks for Sullivan too), but Ameri is a stern taskmaster to say the least. Iruma later notes that he likes her better when she’s not in that mode, and I have to say I agree with him. But Iruma being Iruma he soon adapts to the grind, and soon enough is as fine a dogsbody as the seitoukai could ever ask for. It’s not much fun though, and it feels like a relief when the two of them get back to manga mode and the mood resembles its usual upbeat self.
As for this subplot with Ameri having a- what, stalker? Enemy? We still don’t know what the deal is there, but whatever that spray was it clearly did more than knock her out for a few minutes. This doesn’t feel like a long story arc to me, more like a short interruption. But Ameri is already talking about making Iruma’s status on the council permanent, so once her situation is sorted out (presumably by Iruma in large measure) that will have to be dealt with. I assume that because of the sense of loyalty he feels towards Kirio, Iruma will do what it takes to get the M.A. battler back up and running, and I kind of hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Simone
April 25, 2021 at 1:00 amThis is actually a pretty fun arc in terms of the Ameri/Iruma development, so personally I look forward to it. And the one after is a real blast. In general I’d say over time the manga’s focus broadened outside of the trio and we get to see Iruma interacting with more than just Azz and Clara, and personally I enjoyed it a lot as each of these dynamics brings something to the table. But I absolutely agree that in general lighthearted Iruma is best Iruma. Even when there’s some challenge, it’s usually most fun when the stakes aren’t too high.
Guardian Enzo
April 25, 2021 at 1:08 amYeah, I’m not all that worried. Just didn’t have quite as much fun as last week.
Simone
April 25, 2021 at 2:16 amEnjoyment in this case is directly proportional to how much you ship them.
A.Sade
April 25, 2021 at 1:28 amAs a manga reader, I find it interesting that you prefer Iruma in its more light-hearted mode because I’ve seen readers complain that the SoL parts are “filler”. For me, I enjoy both but I especially admire how Nishi-sensei manages to up the emotional stakes when the tone gets serious… In fact, I think that ‘serious’ in this show could equate to ‘sincere’ when facing slightly more negative emotions and insecurities, such as in the portrayal of Iruma’s refusal to despair in the Kiriwo Arc. That, to me, was the first sign that Iruma can do more than unrelenting positivity, and it makes the positive parts feel all the more precious for it.
Guardian Enzo
April 25, 2021 at 9:03 amThe funny thing is, I really liked the Kirio arc, which I know a lot of fans of the manga didn’t. I think I’m fine either way – just found this ep kind of a downer for some reason. Maybe I was missing Shinichiro Miki!
A.Sade
April 25, 2021 at 2:33 pmThat’s fair! Like you said, Shinichiro Miki seems to be having a ball as Ali-san, and the anime has been great at giving what would otherwise be single manga panels plenty of love and life so far. Miki-san will only make the great Ali-san even greater from now on.
vand
April 25, 2021 at 3:32 amI´ve been musing on what you said about the series being better during its fluffy parts, and I would be inclined to agree. At least, up to this part of the story. Without spoiling much, the Dark Iruma arc will open up a new set of character dynamics that the author will fully utilise to expand on the worldbuilding and plant the seeds for better development of future “serious” arcs. In fact, while IrumaxAmelie is my favourite ship in the series this ongoing Student Council arc is my least preferred of the ones to come.
Princess Usagi
April 26, 2021 at 9:35 amI missed seeing Azz and Clara in this episode! I enjoy how their contrasting personalities play off each other, while still being able to work together with their shared love for Iruma-kun. I feel bad for Iruma-kun, having to undergo grueling seitokai life. What with the harsh treatment from his parents and the rough jobs he had to take in the human world, the food deprivation and hard labor of the seitokai probably isn’t anything too new for him, though.
Guardian Enzo
April 26, 2021 at 11:35 amSadly ‘tis true – Iruma will be used to that and worse.
Yeah, no Azz or Clara, no Ali-san – it just wasn’t quite as much fun. I like Ameri and I ship those two as much as the next guy, but the ep was kind of a downer by Iruma-kun standards.
Rita
April 26, 2021 at 2:35 pmI think, for me personally, one of Iruma-kun’s strengths is the series ability to bounce between fluffy slice of life, balls to the walls shounen (especially in the later arcs), and gut busting comedy without skipping a beat. That and the fact that it has a cast I would literally die for and I am bouncing up and down in my seat waiting for all of them to be properly introduced and get proper screentime. I do think the student council arc isn’t that strong, but it’s not a particularly long one and I love Ameri so full steam ahead.
It’s a long shot but I do hope Iruma-kun can become one of the rare long running shounen gets a continuous adaptation a la Hero Aca or One Piece or something, but I’ll take everything I can get in the meantime and enjoy the heck out of it