Hataraku Maou Sama Ova Series Is Subtler

Hataraku Maou Sama Ova Series Is Subtler

But how can one not root for Maou and Ashiya just the same, given how sincere and dedicated they seem to be This entire series is subtler and more insidiously clever that it appears on the surface, entertaining as that surface is.

Is it really a surprise that Hataraku Maou-sama delivered the good again Its as inevitable as a boneless burger.

Like a glove, in fact it seems as if Hataraku is really at its best when its turning its skewed outlook on the daily routine of its characters, and in turn its about as good at mining daily routine for laughs as any series since Working.

Now that Ive lived in Tokyo for a while, I can say honestly that Ive not seen another anime that so accurately captures the essence of Tokyo life on a paupers wage trying to stretch every, dealing with the transit system, life in an apartment that would have been a walk-in closet back in the States.

While it was perfectly possible to enjoy this ep strictly for the sitting-around-talking moments (Id say just about impossible not to) as always there were lots of interesting hints at the bigger story underneath.

Those routine moments in Hataraku rarely seem either coincidental or incidental so Im always looking for the hidden reasons behind what we see (though I am starting to wonder whether Ashiyas illness was in fact coincidental, as he seems fine now and theres no indication Suzuno would have stopped trying to poison him, if indeed she started doing so) and this episode was full of them.

I cant honestly say the show has suffered its continued to be excellent but Ive missed seeing him in a major role.

His assignment this time was to scout out the enemy at Sentucky Fried Chicken, one he initially resisted because SFC wasnt in the budget indeed, Maou had to remind Ashiya that his actual role was as Satans strategist.

This causes his path to cross with that of Emi and Suzuno, whom Rika has dragged to SFC to plot out strategy for how she can meddle in what shes mistakenly (or not) pegged as the love triangle between them and Maou.

He silently observes until he hears Emi go on one of her usual tiresome rants about Maou, at which point hes compelled to rise and defend his Lords honor.

I like Ono Yuuki well enough but honestly, Ive never heard him be anywhere near as good as he is as Ashiya hes brilliant both at the comedy and portraying Ashiyas genuinely touching devotion to Maou.

Seriously, wouldnt any of us kill to have someone so supportive and diligent supporting us in our travails The yarn he weaves about the business (mostly real-estate and personnel placement) he ran with Maou and their feud with Emi told via the use of delightful and witty pencil-sketch panels is utterly convincing (to Rika for certain) and surprisingly true to the spirit of whats really happened.

The point here is, I think, that Ashiya truly believes this is the essence of the struggle.

Its not so much that their experience has changed Sadao and Ashiya in his view, they were doing the work of the just all along, and their conflict with Emi wasnt a case of good vs.

Its a revealing and rather brilliant way of character development, and a pretty important one in framing the central conflict in the series.

Weve had enough hints now about the cologne and the sunglasses to pretty much confirm hes hiding something major hes probably the one who attacked Emi at the konbini, at the very least.

After the gang goes across the street so Rika can spy out just what Maou has going for him, we see the latter struggling through every traditional tack he can think of to fight for business coupons, free samples, hawking the product in front of the store (having done my stint in food-service management coffeehouse to be specific I can empathize heavily here) all to no avail.

The morale of the team is wavering, and Maou has to deal with keeping their spirits up at the same time hes dealing with Rikas frankly rather annoying busybody antics and fangirling over Chiho.

First off, he met the guy doing community service which is interesting in itself.

The scheme itself is a good one using bamboo to set up Tanabata decorations outside the store, and offering free drinks (S size, of course) to anyone who ties a wish to the tree.

Its surprisingly inspiring to see Maou treat a fast-food war as a battle for justice, and inspire such loyalty among his army even knowing his background (as told by Emis side) its pretty much impossible not to really like this guy.

But theres definitely something weird going on with that tree, some sort of magic aura thats no doubt responsible for the magically effective way its drawing in customers.

Suzuno especially is obviously suspicious, but the funny thing is it seems as if Maou is playing this straight he seems to have no idea anything is happening apart from a good idea (and it is a good idea) working out well.

The thing is, there is a certain sinister quality to the notion of Maou inspiring a fanatical army of followers and winning the hearts and minds of the peasant masses that is, if you believe the first part of the story played out as Emi and the Church say it did.