#norbert

Also, I find it cute that this episode is mostly Aresh taking care of Seiichiro and he’s falling for him because of that. I think this is the first time where Aresh gets to truly know Seiichiro as a person. While he understands that Sei is a workaholic, he also understands the merits and demerits of knowing how to do your work. Sei is obsessed with working because he likes things being in order. Aresh never cared much for paperwork and knowing the importance of finance, he actually looks at paperwork for the first time, showing that Sei’s work ethic does have some positive outcomes.

Aresh is totally into him as he understands what Sei likes and dislikes in regards to eating habits. The fact that he’s willing to kiss him without second thoughts does show that he likes him a lot, but he’s not expressive. Also, it was so hilarious to see him upset over the fact that Sei isn’t into younger people as he is 22 and Sei is 30. Aresh, Orjef and I are rooting for you.

Though, there is one person who is appreciative of Sei’s efforts and that is Kamil. I did read the source material and I always found him a bit suspicious. The fact that he’s now on first name basis with Seiichiro is definitely going to tick Aresh’s buttons.

Yua has screen time in this episode. Her interactions with Norbert were so funny in that Norbert believed Japan was a country full of moving roads and people didn’t walk. Though, I did wish that they added in the firecracker and bungee jumping references. That part was funny. Still, it was funny seeing Norbert’s face when he learned that one of Sei’s “lies” was truth—which would be that girls in their world would wear skirts that go above their knees. He’s only 18, so he’s just a horny teenager. Still, I did feel a bit bad that Yua was about to heal Seiichiro but didn’t realize that he isn’t resistant towards magicules. I do wish that the communication between them would be a bit better as they are each other’s only connection to Earth. But, it makes sense as Yua is only a kid and Sei couldn’t be bothered.

Though, that one valet of Yua’s is annoying. I hated him. Why would he accuse Seiichiro of stalking Yua? I’m sure Yua would have explained that they had no prior relationship and were just strangers that met, yet he’s the one disobeying her words.

And speaking of annoyances, I feel like the anime took out a lot of small details that would’ve helped liven up the episode a bit more. Like, in the manga, Sei was shown to be a picky eater and wanted to give some of the vegetables that he didn’t like to Norbert, showing off a childish side that isn’t shown much in the anime. Sei also talks back to Aresh a lot, especially at the scene where he is taken away from the general store by him. Maybe it’s the voice direction, but it does feel as if anime Sei is a lot calmer than manga Sei, whom I’m more familiar with.

Kamil is voiced by Hiroki Tochi, who voiced Heiter in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Pantherlily in Fairy Tail and Baek Yoonho from Solo Leveling. I think the voice suits him a lot. Yua is voiced by Yuna Kamakura, who has been in two DEEN-produced BLs; she voiced Sasaki’s sister Satoko from Sasaki and Miyano and also Yuki’s mother from Tadaima, Okaeri. It’s probably intentional as the director of both animes is also the director of this one. Kamakura has good range if she’s able to voice an older woman in one anime and a young girl in this one. I honestly think she should get more roles; she’s very underrated as I enjoyed her as Ghost Girl from Yugioh VRAINS. Orjef is voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu who voiced Zantetsu from Blue Lock; he’s also a BL regular, so it was surprising when I saw him in the cast list.

Overall, I did like the growing relationship between Sei and Aresh. Aresh is definitely possessive of him and is interested in him romantically, but it’s going to take a while for Sei to reciprocate. Let’s all root for them. Let me know your thoughts on this episode.