Alas, we seem to have reached that point with Mairimashita! Iruma-kun that long-tenured anime often reach. Discussion in English pretty much dries up (there hasn’t been a comment here since the premiere). It happens even with really huge properties like HeroAca (Iruma-kun is big but not that big). At least until something really game-changing happens, and we haven’t seen that this season. Things have been very much in the pocket for this series, which for me is a positive but does tend to depress viewer interaction.

Poro-chan-sama (a little Bisky abbreviation would go a long way here) dominates the early part of the episode. He’s determined to foil anyone from taking over his beloved Royal One, especially this punk Iruma whoever he is. Iruma is still tripping balls from Balam-sensei’s special sauce, which makes for a rather tepid impression on Poro-chan-sama. He represents one-third of the possible points – and they only go up to six per judge – so this represents a serious potential problem. Poro gathers from the Misfit heartbeats that something is amiss, but also gets a sense of Iruma’s statute when his mumbled assurance that Soi will show up causes those hearts to take heart.

Then the performances start. Six of them to be exact, with the misfits going last. Class A goes first (was this drawing really random), and their performance is built around Orobas (now that’s a voice that knows something about Hell). Their hero saga nets them 12 points, only three of them from Poro, though he is prepared to allow that it might be the best of the bunch. Next comes C Class, the ones who got advice (sensible, oddly enough) from Ronove. Their “classic rock” melange is a crowd-pleaser but pretty forgettable in the big picture.

Finally that leaves it up to Class B to close out the first half of the festival. Not before we get a check-in with Purson-kun, however. And his mother, which marks his family’s first live appearance of the series. She’s a lot like her son – just try and stop her talking once she gets going. But she makes it clear that while she’s smitten with his dad, Soi should follow his bliss here. Which of course we know he will, just as we know the Misfit Class will eventually prevail. Which does rob the arc of some suspense, but with Mairimashita! Iruma-kun that’s usually less important than the process. Humane adult mentorship being celebrated, and the team pulling together to get the job done.

Their biggest competition, I suspect, may come from said Class B. Their star-crossed romance between a maiden and a dragon is very well-executed indeed – even Poro-chan-sama gives it four points. Not only was it a good performance but it also kind of overlaps with the misfits thematically. But hey, they don’t have a phantom trumpeter so in the end, that and the sheer force of Iruma’s presence will surely carry the Misfit Class to the win.

Su…ki…ma