Demon King Daimao Episode 11 Review - Best In Show

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

Demon King Daimao Episode 11 Review – Quick Summary

In Demon King Daimao episode 11, “The Girls’ Final Battle,” it seemed that the flying battleship Genkaku had crushed Akuto Sai and Peter Hausen. Junko Hattori and Fujiko Etou felt despondent, until Keena Soga announced he’s not dead! How did Keena know? Could they trust the red-haired airhead? Yamato Bouichirou had nearly defeated the Headmaster when Hiroshi Miwa/Brave tried to intervene — only to find that the Brave armor disappeared at a command from Yamato! Guess who created Brave in the first place! Will Hiroshi try to fight Yamato without armor? Or will he be forced to help the insane time traveler?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from Demon King Daimao Episode 11

Demon King Daimao Episode 11: Lily has insane amounts of power

When Lily decided to project force, she did not screw around! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Eiko turned out to be quite the villain in this episode. Having killed her father to seize control of the family army, she proceeded to attack the school building. She intended to make sure that the Genkaku had killed Akuto when it crashed into him and Peter Hausen. As her troops neared the school and the demon beasts seethed all around it, the reporter covering the scene followed their dramatic advance. This was going to be Eiko’s big moment — the moment she confirmed the death of the Demon King.

However, the soldiers ran into an impediment. Dozens of fists seemed to erupt out of nowhere. The attack struck so violently and so quickly that the soldiers had to fall back. Eiko didn’t know what had happened. Was this some kind of demon beast attack?

Nope. When the dust cleared, Eiko clearly saw the diminutive Lily Shiraishi standing alone. She had unleashed the attack. All by herself, she had thrown back the first assault, using her power to punch really, really hard really, really fast. Far, too — her arms seemed to stretch dozens of meters.

“Don’t enter the school building without the school council’s permission,” she said (06:17 on the Blu Ray or 04:45 on Crunchyroll — Crunchyroll skipped the OP!).

Seems it’s a bad idea to mess with the student council president!

Best in Show Moment for Demon King Daimao Episode 11

Demon King Daimao Episode 11: Junko made her own, free choice. And it rocked!

Junko freely made her own decision. And she had the strength and skill to pursue it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: When a Cliche Isn’t: Junko and Society

I remember three ages. Not The First, Second, and Third Ages from J. R. R. Tolkien’s literature. Well, I remember those, too, but the three ages I’m talking about now are different. The first age was one of innocent or malevolent ignorance, depending on your perspective. In romance stories from this first age, the women folks would stand by their man through thick and thin. From fairy tales like Cinderella to tales of brave pioneer wives leaving everything to head west in the United States of the 1800s, these women gave up everything. Some people still feel thrilled by those stories.

In the second age I remember, a sizable chunk of the population realized that hey, isn’t that a bit unfair? Why should Cinderella base her happiness on a Prince? Wouldn’t it be better if she could obtain her freedom and realize happiness on her own? About the pioneer wife — why should she haul herself half way across a continent to sit in a sod hut while her husband works outside all day? Sometimes, with only a captive songbird for company, if she were lucky? The husband had his work, while his wife had to site at home all day in crushing loneliness. I mean, you’ve heard 10,000 Maniacs’ song Gold Rush Brides.

Demon King Daimao Episode 11: Eiko tried to coerce Junko.

If my favorite moment had involved Junko being forced or coerced, well, it would not have been my favorite moment. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

We’re experiencing the third age now. Upon reflect, It occurred to us that hey, there’s chance — however small! — that someone leaving everything they know for the one they love might actually work out. It could be the man, or the woman, who sacrifices. At its heart, though, if the love is right, and if the actor preserves agency, then far from being a problem, it might be a good thing!

Delivery: Junko Makes Her Choice

The Three Arbitrary Ages

Please notice two things: In the context of the third age, I reject any given culture’s gender roles. Second, the actors have to be free to pursue their own initiatives. The must be none of this family or patriarchy-forced stuff.

Yeah, I know. The three ages are completely arbitrary based on how I experienced my life. But I felt like I had to justify my favorite moment in this episode, because it edged right up to the cliche demarcation line. I loved the moment, but I can only express that appreciation if it met both of the third age’s conditions. And I think it did. That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it.

In this scenario, it wasn’t Akuto who wanted to force Junko into a decision. Far from it: He wanted to protect her independence! Eiko, though, threatened Junko’s family. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

In episode 10, we saw Junko’s grandmother give the family sword to Junko. It would only allow itself to be drawn in a cause it agreed with. Grandma more or less told Junko to do what she wanted. To me, it looked like a clear statement of profound confidence and faith. It was a gesture that gave Junko the strength to deliver my favorite moment in this episode.

Eiko Teruya had ordered Junko to kill Akuto — or face the consequences, including the destruction of her family. Junko paused, remembering the words of her grandmother. Then in an instant, she understood her own heart and laughed loudly.

Junko Freely Declares Her Intent

Turning to her family’s troops, grinning wildly and appearing more alive than we’ve seen her all season, she announced (20:43), “I’m going to betray you all!” Drawing the sword, its light bathing the area in white brilliance, she said that politics and faith had done nothing for them. Instead, she said, “I will live for the man I love.”

No coercion. No gender specific roles. As a warrior standing literally on a field of battle, she declared her own intentions.

Demon King Daimao Episode 11: Junko's family backed her decision.

Fortunately, Junko’s family had her back. They understood where she was coming from. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

To their credit, one of the senior troops loudly proclaimed his support. “This isn’t betrayal! Lady, follow your heart!” It’s nice, sometimes, to know your family has your back. But it’s even better to have the freedom to chose your own destiny — along with the strength to go after it!

What did you think of Hiroshi’s way of buying time with Yamato? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

Demon King Daimao Episode 11 Review – Best In Show

Demon King Daimao Episode 11 Review – Quick Summary

Favorite Quote from Demon King Daimao Episode 11

Best in Show Moment for Demon King Daimao Episode 11