I was going to say “that was a different look on Iruma-kun’s face“, but – which one?  We saw a lot of new faces for him here – or at least, ones we haven’t seen for a very long time.  On some level Iruma hasn’t been as big a presence this season (which is also a new look, really), but this episode was nothing but.  He’s always the anchor of this series, the constant that carries through all the madness going on around him.  But this was the most deconstructive episode for his character in a very long time.

It’s good to be reminded of how we – and he – got here.  Iruma is such an unrelenting positive and resourceful lad that it can be easy to forget the trauma that was the forge that shaped him into the steely boy we now know.  To wit, his parents.  Parents who, even in a comedy like this, are unrelentingly awful people.  There could never be any doubt who or what Iruma would see if Orobos’ bloodline ability was going to be unleashed upon him.  Speaking of awful people, Orobos is certainly making the case for himself.  Whatever (or whoever) is the impetus behind his attack on the Misfit Class, he didn’t seem remotely remorseful that he’d caused what in his own words might have been a fatal fall.

What’s important here, though, is that it wasn’t ultimately his parents that Iruma was (most) afraid of.  And that’s the difference between Iruma now and when the series started.  He was always strong – he had to be to survive his parents.  And always clever – he was born that way.  But this Iruma has something to lose, which was really not the case when he arrived in the Netherworld.  That Iruma had a bipolar existence – survive or die.  The “how” didn’t matter.  But this Iruma has had a taste of a decent life.  He’s been allowed to blossom into the person he should always have been (and what a cinnamon roll that is).  And that means he has something to lose.

Loneliness being Iruma-kun’s true fear is totally true to the story and on-point.  And it’s a terrible fear to confront, too.  Iruma is a sweet kid but we haven’t seen him this vulnerable very often.  Those tears were real, and they felt real.  When a person is confronted with their most primal terrors there are a couple of different ways that can go.  But because Iruma is Iruma, he becomes stronger and tougher, because he’s always had to do that.  Maybe he owes a debt to his dirtbag parents for forcing him to become so hard, but a part of that is just luck of the draw – he was going to be an exceptional person no matter his circumstances, if given half a chance.

It’s also nice, given what a strong character Iruma-kun is, to be reminded that he’s still just a cub.  One way is when he’s paired off with Ameri, especially in a romantically-charged situation (like the date at the end of S2).  The physical contrast between the two of them is pretty stark, and that’s one realm where he really has no prior experience to draw on.  This was another – we haven’t seen Iruma break down emotionally like this since- well, I’m not sure I can remember.  But just like it was good for Iruma to have that play date in Clara’s pocket (no comment) it’s probably good for him to break down and cry like the child he is here.  And, having gotten it out of his system, to (as ever) buckle down and do what must be done.

In this case, it’s Bachiko’s teachings that Iruma falls back on.  It’s kind of this series’ usual messaging of “that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” (which is a very Japanese style of instruction, it must be said).  I’m a little bit unclear as to just what that little magical beast was – is it the manifestation of Orobos’ magical power, or an entity acting on its own?  In any event Iruma applies what Bachiko taught him and – for the first time that we’ve seen – applies his tsurune power-up in a needs-must situation.  And as usual, he proves up to the challenge (though in this case, he was mostly fighting himself).

Finally, we have the Naphula (Kanazawa Mai) factor.  Iruma is already worried about how he’s going to explain their presence to Lead (and divide up the points).  He’s also, interestingly, gotten used to their smell (and their language) for reasons unexplained – I was wondering if perhaps the stink was situational and had stopped, but Orobos and his stooge definitely smelled it.  It certainly looks like Iruma has converted another into his friendship harem and who knows, maybe more than that – though there are too many unknowns with this one to be certain…

Gyu…go…ga