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Demon King Daimao Episode 10 Review – Quick Summary
In Demon King Daimao episode 10, “Akuto’s Imperial Capital War!“, any hope that Akuto Sai had of avoiding the title Demon Kind died when Yamato Bouichirou, a member of the government, threatened Keena Soga’s freedom. Faced with the choice of letting Bouichirou dominate Keena or embracing the title of Demon King — and the power it represented — Akuto chose the power. And with it, he publicly earned the civilized world’s enmity. Even Hiroshi Miwa harshly judged Akuto. Or did he? Could Akuto reason with Hiroshi? And what about Lily Shiraishi? Would she oppose the Demon King? Or does she have an agenda of her own?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Demon King Daimao Episode 10
Junko’s grandma seemed very, very wise. She also trusted her granddaughter with an apparently mythical sword! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
In my review of episode 6, I talked about how this show is really all about the power of the women in Akuto’s life. Fujiko Etou (who now uses -sama when she refers to Akuto!), Lily Shiraishi, and even Keena wield the real power in this series. While Akuto constantly fails to redirect his life away from the expectations of the Demon King, those women prepare for the storm they know approaches. If any of them survive this mess, it’ll be because of their preparations.
That, and the raw might of Peter Hausen.
In this episode, we heard from Junko Hattori’s grandmother. You might remember here as the old lady Akuto helped from episode 1. In this episode, Junko’s father told her she’d probably have to slay the Demon King. Junko recoiled from that idea, because she still loves Akuto. But as a proud woman within her clan, she tried to accept her role. That’s when grandma walked in.
Confirming that Akuto was the nice man who had helped her in the train station, grandma gave Junko the mystical family sword. The sword apparently had never been drawn, but would only perform when it thought circumstance warranted. Grandma told Junko, “I know all kinds of things have happened, but do whatever you like” (04:54).
Grandma’s meaning was clear: If Junko wanted to help Akuto, that was fine with grandma. Grandmas are cool!
Best in Show Moment for Demon King Daimao Episode 10
Akuto had finally had enough. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Akuto Under Pressure
It’s interesting to me. This series doesn’t get the attention it deserves as a critic of social expectations and the misuse of faith systems. I think there might be two reasons for that. First, frankly, the show tried to rush the last couple of episodes and ended up making some narrative missteps. Those weren’t anywhere near enough to put me off the show. It’s still one I watch over and over! But it gives some folks a reason to dismiss it.
The second reason is the level of fanservice. There seems to be an idea that nudity or ecchi humor disqualifies a show from making serious observations about the the world we live in. That’s a strange idea to me. Why would seeing Junko’s breasts in one scene invalidate social commentary in another? Do her breasts have some kind of mystical power that nullifies narrative meaning? Does seeing Fujiko Etou misjudge the level of control she exerted over Mr. Grabby the tentacle demon beast invalidate how she’s fulfilling a role society experts her to fulfill because she’s embraced Akuto’s role as Demon King?
So, what, Junko’s cleavage can neutralize theme? I don’t understand that mechanism… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
It’s like sexuality isn’t a basic part of humanity or something!
In this episode, Akuto gives up any pretense of fighting his role as Demon King. In fact, he goes beyond that: He embraces it, but on his terms. Flashbacks showed us how Akuto had been a serious child who dismissed false charity and challenged hypocrisy. Even as a child, it seems that Akuto knew “terror of knowing what this world is about,” a line from a profound Queen song called “Under Pressure.” Once your journey through life takes you to that point, you can never see the world in the same way.
Delivery: Akuto Dares to Care for the People on the Edge of the Night
Seeing Keena in moral danger was only the latest straws that crushed the camel’s back, as far as Akuto was concerned. Now, chased into a corner by society’s expectations, forced to fight a battle he in no way wanted to fight, Akuto turned at bay. Another verse from “Under Pressure” talks about how “love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night.” That set the scene for my favorite moment.
As all hell broke loose and Akuto prepared to take Peter Hausen into battle, Hiroshi Miwa, in the hero form of Brave, confronted Akuto. He asked the Demon King why he didn’t try to lead people in a more positive direction, if that’s what he wanted to do. Akuto tried to explain how everything in that society, including its religions, fought every positive move he tried to make. But Hiroshi kept arguing, from a perspective of a hero within a defined system of expectations.
Finally, Akuto had had enough. “You’re trying to apply a story you dreamt up to other people,” Akuto lamented (17:50). “People wish for the happiness they find in a story where the Gods stand on top and they use that system to justify waging war and killing other humans!” Sound familiar?
Akuto tried to break it down for Hiroshi. But Hiroshi couldn’t see past his preconceptions. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
In my favorite moment, Akuto lays it all out. “And because of that,” he said (18:03), “I’m going to kill the Gods and show everyone the end of that tale!”
That’s cool stuff! You don’t get much more cool than getting to watch the human spirit rise up, in the cause of human freedom, against the powers — especially the freedom to live! But that means Akuto is now the target for all of the world’s powers. Well, he is the Demon King.
Demon King Daimao Episode 10: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- My Anime List: Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou Episode 10 Discussion (Requires Login)
- Random Curiosity: Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou – 10
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Demon King Daimao Episode 1: A Demon King is Born!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 2: The Odd Observer!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 3: The Scary Upperclassman!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 4: Is Solitary Fun?
- Demon King Daimao Episode 5: Beware the Labyrinth!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 6: Let’s Go To School By The Sea!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 7: The Legendary Hero Appears?!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 8: Do You Have a Crush?
- Demon King Daimao Episode 9: Marriage Interview Chaos!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 10: Akuto’s Imperial Capital War!
- Demon King Daimao Episode 11: The Girls’ Final Battle
- Demon King Daimao Episode 12: All Done?
