Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Quick Summary of Campione! Episode 11
In Campione! episode 11, “Princess Shrine Maiden of the Long Sword,” there was what looked like a quiet period of peace for Team Godou Kusanagi after they defeated Perseus. But under the surface, where Godou didn’t really know how to look, there was trouble brewing. Upset that Godou seemed to favor the Italian Erica Blandelli, the Japanese authorities sent in Ena Seishuuin, a Priestess Shrine Maiden, to tip the balance back in Japan’s favor. Godou accidentally gave her plans more momentum by how he talked about both Yuri Mariya and Liliana Kranjčar. Can Erica restore the group’s balance before Seishuuin’s plan come to fruition? Can Erica negotiate with the latest Princess Shrine Maiden? Or does Seishuuin have an ace up her sleeve?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Best in Show Moment for Campione! Ep 11
Erica’s emotional wisdom and intelligence are what got Godou to this point. He knew he could trust her before. In this episode, the lesson sunk in. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Seishuuin Tries to Disrupt the Peace and Runs into Erica
In the previous episode, I talked about how Godou’s attitude towards Liliana was one of the things that make this such an enjoyable series to watch. There’s another thing I like about this series, and that’s how Erica is behind pretty much everything positive that happens with Godou. That was super clear in Campione! Episode 11.
The lead-up to my Best in Show moment started as a tense scene. Godou received an invitation to go to the Tea Ceremony Club’s room after class. Liliana happened to see the note and demanded to tag along (for his protection). When they arrived, they first saw Seishuuin kneeling on the floor in a very formal bow. Mariya sat against the back wall, her expression troubled, as she wouldn’t look at them.
This was a hard time for Mariya. Social protocol she could handle. But her own heart? That was rough. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
After the formal introductions, Seishuuin blurted out that her superiors had ordered her to marry Godou, just like they’d ordered Mariya. So Godou objected, saying basically that he hadn’t been consulted, and Seishuuin’s counter was really interesting. She observed that he already had three mistresses — why not a fourth?
It appeared she was trying to sow strife, and unfortunately, he took the bait. Annoyed with the idea that someone was always meddling with him and the women surrounding him, he blurted out (06:06), “They’re all just friends!”
Mariya and Liliana were crushed. Even Godou, as emotionally dense as he is, realized he’d said something dreadful. But I’m not sure he understood the scope of the problem. Erica figured out they were all meeting and showed up in time to hear what he’d said. Seishuuin had wanted to talk to her anyway, they decided to take their conversation elsewhere. Godou, Mariya, and Liliana waited outside, near the school gate.
Delivery: It’s Erica’s Harem, Actually…
Talk about awkward! They didn’t know what to say to each other. It was almost a relief when Erica returned, saying everything was taken care of. And that Godou was taking her on a date.
This is where it gets cool.
The two of them went through the usual date tropes — lingerie shop, ice cream stand, and a stroll through a park. It was the park Godou accidentally created when he beat down Athena, then let her go. Erica had suggested they visit because she it was special to her. It’s where they had won their first victory together in Japan.
That touched Godou, and Erica took advantage of his emotional openness to say (15:55), “And to dismiss those who helped you gain that victory as ‘just friends…’ I guess you really are the King.”
Using scenery, shared history, and mood, Erica explained something to Godou what mere words couldn’t. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Before their date, Erica had called Mariya and Liliana. She’d explained how Godou, and she told them what they really meant to him. Not in so many words, of course. For example, Erica just couldn’t resist teasing Liliana about the romance novels she apparently continues to write. But she got the point across. And now, in this scene, she also showed Godou what she meant.
He understood. Godou suspected before, but Erica got the point across effectively. That’s my Best in Show moment.
It’s not a stirring speech or a rousing bout of combat. It just reinforces something that’s really been clear since the first episode. This is Erica’s harem. She built it. She’s preparing Godou and his team for what’s coming. She’s doing so with amazing interpersonal skills that I have to admire. It’s another reason I think so highly of this show.
What did you think of Seishuuin’s maneuvering in this episode?What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!
Other Posts about This Series
Other Anime Sites
- The Glorio Blog: Campione! Episode 11 – 12
- Random Curiosity: Campione! – 11
- The Fandom Post: Campione! Episode #11 Anime Review
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Review: Campione! Episode 1: Tale of the Beginning
- Review: Campione! Episode 2: The Landscape with a King
- Review: Campione! Episode 3: From Afar, An Enemy Comes
- Review: Campione! Episode 4: Rogue Athena
- Review: Campione! Episode 5: Unpleasant Days
- Review: Campione! Episode 6: The Kings Converse
- Review: Campione! Episode 7: Wind, Rain, Wolf
- Review: Campione! Episode 8: A Hero Arrives
- Review: Campione! Episode 9: The Missing King
- Review: Campione! Episode 10: The Turbulent Demon King, The Sun Hero
- Review: Campione! Episode 11: Princess Shrine Maiden of the Long Sword
- Review: Campione! Episode 12: The Sword of Ama no Murakumo
- Review: Campione! Episode 13: Tale of the God-Slayer
