This show has quietly been one of the best of a very decent summer season. I find myself looking forward to it the most of the trio of Friday series, more so than the ones whose manga I had some exposure to. Make no mistake – to simultaneously be both ecchi – even kinky – and wholesome takes real talent. Not that many series can pull it off, certainly not as effortlessly as Reiwa no Dara-san does. As I’ve noted before this is not a dark comedy per se – it’s a comedy sometimes and dark sometimes, but the two sides almost never intermingle (in stark contrast to something like Kaya-chan wa Kowakunai). It’s a fascinating approach and it totally works here.
What’s becoming increasingly clear is just how thoroughly good Dara-san (or Juu-san?) really was. And is, of course. If any person even had justification in going full vengeful spirit, she did. But in spite of all that, in the end her thoughts were of how to protect the villages (only one of which deserved it) from Orochi. And fortunately Juurota was likewise a selfless person, who dedicated himself to executing her instructions when he had every reason to feel vengeful himself. It’s a shame the two of them never got to be together in life, but they certainly banked a shit-ton of good karma.
What’s most wholesome is how Dara-san has totally become family to the Misogiya siblings. She’s just a part of their lives now, especially Kaoru. Those two are pretty much inseparable at this stage – default mode seems to be gaming together. Maybe it’s not what Dara-san would choose but if she minds, she certainly gives no indication of it. When Hinata shows up with a group of girls for a study party – not having warned Dara, much to her irritation – Kaoru introduces her as his wife. Maybe not as far from the truth as it seems to be
One of that party is Amane, the girl Orochi has chosen as his vessel. He’s obviously the big bad here but at this stage, Orochi’s role in the story is more as a punching bag than anything else (and Ohtsuka Houchuu is enjoying every minute of it). Orochi is none too pleased that Hinata is as spiritually OP as she is. But even more consternated that the priestess who sealed him seems to have taken up residence in her house. With Amane invited to the sleepover Orochi had intended on a spiritual power feast, but he daren’t try dining until Dara-san departs (and she’s picked up on his presence, or at least a hint of it). When he lates tries to feast on the “little sister”, the throw pillow feasts on him instead.
Back in the past, Juurota ventures to Kyoto to find Kenju, who Dara-san has told him to seek out. Fuji Shinshuu has become one of my favorite seiyuu and he’s great here, as usual. Kenju is an old man now but agrees to train Juurota on how to execute Dara-san’s will, in the interests of cleaning up after a disciple. But because Dara was so conscientious in her own efforts, when the pair get to the village there isn’t actually all that much to do. And that sets off the timeline that leads to his descendant (I’m assuming) Kanna sitting in-between Dara-san posing as a grade-schooler and Kaoru-kun at a holiday gift exchange.
Finally, Kaoru tells Dara (as they’re prepping for a super-soaker fight) that Fudeki-sensei has seemed down lately because his cat is sick. At this point Fudeki-sensei is a worshipper – he’s made plenty of cosplay offerings – so Dara-san decided to held. The cat, Arale, is beyond her aid in life, but she tells him that if he desires it, he can become a bakaneko and haunt his caretaker. Arale is concerned that he’ll drain Fudeki’s life force, but she assures him that’s not much a thing anymore if the cat bears its caretaker no ill will. Fudeki offers up (in dream form) the option of a future with a catgirl, but Fudeki just wants his kitty to stay as he is. Kinky and wholesome, never better friends indeed.
