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Demon King Daimao Episode 9 Review – Quick Summary
In Demon King Daimao episode 9, “Marriage Interview Chaos!,” Junko Hattori isn’t convinced that Akuto Sai really understood what’s going on regarding the summons to meet her father. She tried to role play several scenarios, and she only succeeded in proving to herself that Akuto was, in fact, completely clueless. Fortunately, Korone had been eavesdropping, and she offered to help. Will Akuto ever understand that he’s been invited to the Hattori estate, not for political reasons, but for reasons of the heart? And if he does, would he even know how to react?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Demon King Daimao Episode 9
Junko’s affection for Akuto is so pure it’s almost painful! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Junko is an upstanding, intelligent young woman. She’s the head of her class. Other students look up to her. She stands for moral proprietary. And she’s desperately in love with Akuto. Unfortunately, she lacks Korone’s unflinching view of human sexuality, and she’s clearly uncomfortable with her own feelings for Akuto.
This episode treated Junko with a lot of respect for her both her hesitancy and her desire to overcome it to enjoy a warm relationship with Akuto. The episode also showed just how perceptive she could be. In the early moments, for example, she knew full well that if Akuto really knew what he was getting into, he would object, both on the grounds that an arranged marriage didn’t allow her to express her own agency, and that it wouldn’t allow him to express his.
Yet, she hoped. In the bath, as she considered the situation, she still couldn’t believe he really knew what was going on. She resolved to tell him. But when she thought of the physical aspects of their relationship, should he be open to such marriage, she nearly panicked. Then she reconsidered.
“No, wait, maybe that’s not a bad idea,” she thought (11:53).
Young love can be so adorable.
Best in Show Moment for Demon King Daimao Episode 9
Circumstance forced Akuto to choose between continuing his battle against public opinion and saving Keena’s life. He chose wisely. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Akuto Tried to Reject the Role
All around him, people and institutions had decided that Akuto was the next Demon King. Whenever he tried to deny it, they not only didn’t listen. They actively resisted him. All the way back in episode 1, Mitsuko Torii, school nurse and homeroom teacher, tried to tell him that Yatagarasu had never been wrong, so that meant Akuto must be the new Demon King.
Back then, even Junko had turned on him, despite them having started a strong friendship. If his destiny including becoming the Demon King, she reasoned, she had to be his foe. So she spent her efforts until the third episode trying to plot his downfall. It took Keena Soga’s direct intervention to convince Junko that listening to her heart was the right choice despite what social convention told her to do.
The problem continued into this episode. Akuto had been walking across campus when he came upon the Headmaster talking to a blonde-haired man. Akuto later learned the man’s name was Yamato Bouichirou, and he worked for CIM08, a clandestine branch of the government. Yamato’s goal? Bring the Demon King under control. Yamato seemed utterly uninterested in Akuto’s opinion of the matter. As far as Yamato was concerned, the Demon King was the Demon King. Finally, exasperated, Akuto asked point blank if Yamato really thought the demon beasts stirring was Akuto’s fault.
It’s not that Yamato didn’t believe Akuto’s protestation. It’s that he didn’t care. Yamato needed Akuto to fulfill his role as Demon King. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
“So you weren’t even aware of your responsibility?” Yamato asked in the Blu Ray (06:34). In the Crunchyroll translation, he asked, “Have you not realized what you must do?”
Delivery: Circumstance Forced Akuto’s Hand
In this episode, a danger to Keena forced Akuto to reconsider his position on being Demon King. Eiko Teruya accidentally triggered the event. She had helped him escape from the misunderstanding over his arranged marriage to Junko.Put another way, she had ensnared the Hattori family armed pursuers in a huge net. Then she offered to let him join her family. Saying that the Teruya family’s rank held more power, she even tried to persuade him a become her lover.
“Hey,” she said in the Blu Ray. “Don’t you want to hook up with me?”
“I can’t,” he said (15:11). “I don’t like you.”
His answer made her so angry, she teased him with news that her family had sent an assassination team after Keena. In fact, she went to far as to insult Keena’s personality. Akuto had had enough. He went to full power up and knocked Eiko clear off her feet. After a brief interlude where Korone had to pretend to try to stop him (and seriously, the bunny tail off switch just doesn’t get old), Akuto put forth his power and converted a tree into a teleporter. Justing from the thing’s teeth as it closed around him, the magic was related to demon beasts. But Akuto didn’t care anymore. Keena’s safety mattered to him more.
Eiko didn’t have as much control over the situation as she had thought. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
When he arrived, he found that Yamato had already slaughtered the assassins. But instead of saving Keena for her own sake, he intended to use her in his plot to take power — whether she wanted to help or not. Knowing Yamato’s position, knowing how the rest of the world would interpret his actions, Akuto said (21:01), “Then, I will protect her freedom!”
Yes, I’m predictable. Yes, Akuto’s words bordered on cliche. But dang it, that what power’s designed to do! It’s just such a relief to see it used for its proper purpose.
What did you think of the misunderstanding between Junko and Akuto? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!
Demon King Daimao Episode 9: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- My Anime List: Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou Episode 9 Discussion (Requires Login)
- Random Curiosity: Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou – 09
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?
