Mairimashita! Iruma-kun 4th Season - 01

OP: “Ichi Ni no San (一二三)” by Penthouse

I don’t know why, but it’s almost unbelievable to me that Mairimashita! Iruma-kun has been away for three years. I guess it’s probably because it’s one of those shows where whenever you watch, you’re right back in the moment. It’s safe to say at this point that a full adaptation is a lock. It may not quite be a kaijuu, but Iruma-kun is definitely kaijuu-adjacent. The spinoff (Episode of Mafia) is getting an adaptation later this year, and the manga (and its spinoffs) continue to sell extremely well. This may be the only sequel I’m covering this season, but at least it’s a really good one.

In those intervening three years not only have the manga and its offspring continued to prosper (yet another spinoff was announced last month), but Nishi Osamu launched another huge hit – and possible future kaijuu – in Madan no Ichi (though Usazaki Shiro does the art for that one). I’m a pretty big Ichi fan and I think it shows off what a formidable range Nishi has as a writer. That one has the Weekly Shounen Jump hype (and ATM) machine behind it, but it also has all those titans to battle for attention with. Iruma-kun is the big fish at Weekly Shounen Champion, and though that’s no small pond it pales in commercial might next to Shueisha’s behemoth. I think that serves Iruma-kun well, granting it even bigger status than its robust sales would already provide.

For me, it’s much-deserved. This series is pretty close to unique in shounen for me. And it works even better as an anime, where its relentless energy and positivity is an even more irresistible force. I tend to like it better when it doesn’t get too bogged down in seriousness or extended story arcs (which the “Harvest Festival” arc sometimes did). As such the second season was the best for me, and the only one to crack my Top 10 list. We seem to be headed for another big arc this time – “Music Festival”. But early returns suggest it could be more to my taste, showcasing the show’s goofy side and group camaraderie.

At the center of that arc, at least for now, is Purson Soi (Itou Setsuo, not an eponymous seiyuu but with the lead in Mob Psycho 100 to his name). We’ve seen him before – I only remember the first and most recent episodes, but I’m told many times in-between – but never heard him. His bloodline magic is stealth, and his clan’s creed is to never stand out. As such he’s plainly very uncomfortable being the center of attention. But he’s also a normal teenage boy and part of him wants to be part of the group. And yes, even to stand out.

Purson’s peculiarity is a problem, because as we know everyone in the Misfit Class has to achieve Daleth (4th) rank by the end of the term or the whole class is summarily booted from the Royal One classroom. Some have already hit that mark thanks to their achievements in the Harvest Festival, including Team Shota (Iruma and Lead-kun). Some are third rank, Gimmel. But two are only 2nd rank, Bet – Purson and Elizabetta (forever Nee-san to Lead). Lead takes the- well, lead in trying to devise a plan for the music festival. Nee-san is fine with the idea of being the star of a grand musical number, but when Kalego-sensei reminds everyone there’s someone else to consider, the scale of the problem becomes clear.

Is Purson a metaphor for introversion in adolescents? Hey, I don’t want to say I see introvert allusions everywhere. But you know, his concerns certainly do call that to mind. When he’s finally cornered – by Iruma-kun, naturally – Purson talks a blue streak. He has a lot to say and is clearly frustrated at being hectored constantly by his family (his brother was so good at blending in that he disappeared altogether, and now poor Purson has to become the family head) not to interact. But because of that conditioning he has a panic attack and fades away whenever he’s in focus. Which he certainly is when Lead is trying to cast him as the lead singer in a class band.

In fact Purson has only one outlet – a trumpet given to him by his mother. Which he wails on by the way, but anonymously, every day at 5:00 PM. The school only knows the anonymous trumpeter as “Pixie”. But Iruma discovers the truth. And the reality of this series is no one can resist Iruma-kun’s overwhelming wholesomeness and positivity for long – it’s a Category 5 hurricane of persuasion. Iruma doesn’t do anything fancy, he’s just himself. But that’s his superpower. And he gets Purson, because he understands the importance of being able to say “no” when something feels wrong.

So, don’t feel badly about getting swept up in Iruma’s enthusiasm, Purson, because no one in Heaven – or Hell – and Earth can resist it. That’s what Mairimashita! Iruma-kun is, an irresistible wall of charm sweeping away everything in its path. If this show can’t put a smile on your face, I’m not sure much of anything can. With a protagonist this lovable and an army of characters each goofier and more endearing than the last, this series is like a shounen superpower of good vibes. It may not officially be on the kaijuu wall, but when it comes to positivity it’s king of the castle.