Anime Review Archive

Dies irae Episode Guide


​Episode 0: The Dawning Days

Dies irae Episode 0: A Genesis in Blood and What Just Happened?

In Dies irae episode 0, “The Dawning Days”,  Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich thinks he’s a normal run of the mill Nazi officer in the early days of World War II. He saves a mage (who says his name is Karl Krafft) from execution on the condition the mage becomes the Nazi’s personal seer. By the end of the episode, we see that all’s not what it seems to be: Heydrich is actually an inter-temporal/inter-dimensional being who crosses realities in a massive golden ship — with skeletal accouterments. He’s accompanied by many supernatural and monstrously dangerous demon-like beings — including Krafft. And he’s come to modern day Japan to spread his “love.”

You know, when Wittenburg says she’s going to kill the attackers, I believe her! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 1: Twilight Girl

Dies irae Episode 1: Disturbing Dreams and the Gathering Evil

In Dies irae Episode 1, “Twilight Girl,” even though Ren Fujii gets into a serious fist-fight with his best friend, he still feels like the normal days of his high school life are precious. He even secretly likes the sometimes angry attention from Kasumi Ayase. Those feelings make the nightmares he’s been having, including literally losing his head to a guillotine during the French Revolution, all the more troubling. The more time that passes, the more uneasy he becomes. But he’d be even more uneasy if he knew that dangerous and dark individuals were gathering close by.

Fujii clearly enjoys his normal life, even when Ayase get right in his face. Too bad these days are coming to an end! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 2: The Claws and Fangs of a Beast

Dies irae Episode 2: A Nightmare Battle and New Classmates

In Dies irae Episode 2, “The Claws and Fangs of a Beast,” Ren Fujii and Kasumi Ayase witness a foreign priest, Valeria Trifa, trigger a woman’s stranger-danger response. Rescuing him from the trash, they learn he’s looking for the church where their friend, Rea Himuro, lives with Sister Riza Brenner. After an awkward meal and an even more awkward parting, Fujii has a terrible dream where he sees a woman beheaded. Then he’s pummeled by a sinister character while a friend eggs him on. The friend, Rusalka “Schwägelin, seems all the more evil because of her incessant cheerfulness. Will Fujii survive this? Is his beating even real? And how will he deal with his new classmates — assuming he survives long enough?

Despair has a way of clarifying priorities. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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​Episode 3: The End of the Nightmare is a Beginning

Dies irae Episode 3: A Vivid Threat and Dang It, Ayase!

In Dies irae Episode 3, “The End of the Nightmare Is a Beginning,” Rusalka Schwägelin, in her sweetest schoolgirl voice, makes it clear to Ren Fujii that he needs to live up to her expectations, or his school — and a lot more — will suffer her wrath. Later, Kasumi Ayase takes kendo practice way too seriously and discloses a secret that Fujii finds almost as unbearable as it is catalytic.

How far will Kasumi go to help Fujii? As far as it takes, apparently… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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​Episode 4: Spider

Dies irae Episode 4: Fujii Gets a Girlfriend and What a Tangled Web

In Dies irae Episode 4, “Spider,” Ren Fujii struggles to keep his friend Kasumi Ayase away from his terrifying new world. Part of his plan involves Fujii declaring that Kei Sakurai is his new girlfriend. Sakurai was as surprised as Ayase! Despite that, Sakurai begins training Fujii, because the battle’s only worthwhile if her opponent’s strong. Later, Fujii faces his first test against Rot Spinne, who decides to try to use Ayase as bait. Can Fujii control his new-found powers and save himself, much less Ayase?

Sakurai’s exposition came complete with blackboard notes! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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​Episode 5: Reunions

Dies irae Episode 5: An Unexpected Bedfellow and an Emissary from the Past

In Dies irae Episode 5, “Reunion,” Ren Fujii wakes up next to a naked Marie, who, as it turns out, was born in the shadow of a guillotine several hundred years ago. She looks great for her age, and she’s remarkably up-beat despite a brutal childhood. After going shopping with Kasumi Ayase, Marie and Fujii meet an emissary representing Shirou Yusa, who Fujii hasn’t seen since their fight in episode 1. What does Yusa know about Fujii’s situation? How does he know it? And why choose now to reacquaint with his old friend?

It’s nice to see that Fujii might get some allies. Though, with friends like these… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 6: Golden Beast

Dies irae Episode 6: The Bad Boy Shines and the Wrong Kind of Cleavage

In Dies irae Episode 6, “Golden Beast,” Shirou Yusa and his pistol go head to head with Wilhelm Ehrenburg and his vampiric spikes. Can a normal human like Yusa hope to compete with Wilhelm? Kei Sakurai insists that Ren Fujii come quietly, and of course he insists otherwise. He seems like an even match for her until Valeria Trifa announces the arrival of that pinnacle of arrogance, Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich. What hope does Fujii have against a monster like that when even Marie, the spirit of the guillotine, is terrified?

Honjou’s support helped Yusa drop a tanker truck full of liquid nitrogen on Wilhelm. Fujii could learn a lot from them! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 7: Swastika

Dies irae Episode 7: Terrible Dancing and Memories of Daddy

In Dies irae Episode 7, “Swastika,” Marie sinks into the deep, deep water only to awaken in Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich’s arms. They’re dancing as his minions play a waltz. She is understandably confused. After all, it’s hard to reconcile a spear through the heart one moment with a formal ball the next! Later, Ren Fujii regains consciousness as Rea Himuro begins to unchain him. He confused at his situation, but before she can fill him in, she leaves, upset. Valeria Trifa arrives to usher Fujii to a meeting with Reinhard. What does such a super villain have to say to Fujii? Can our hero even sit in Reinhard’s presence without Marie? Or will so much concentrated evil just vaporize him?

Maris is surprised that she isn’t dead — maybe she’s wondering why Reinhard doesn’t know any better dance moves? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 8: Promise

Dies irae Episode 8: Deadly Dancing and the Sonnenkind Bloodline

In Dies irae Episode 8, “Promise,” Ren Fujii and Erii Honjou come to an arrangement for mutual support while Marie shyly chose suitable attire. Rusalka Schwägelin demonstrates what happens when a swastika opens — and it involves killer dance moves. Literally. Kasumi Ayase meets a taser and ends up in a closet. Who would treat her so poorly? And why? Finally, what the heck is the Sonnenkind Bloodline and how’s it relate to our hero?

The disciplined and lethal Eleonore receives orders to cause havoc. Too bad she was only in the episode a few seconds! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 9: A Mother’s Sins

Dies irae Episode 9: Riza’s Reckoning and a Blur of Secondary Characters

In Dies irae Episode 9, “A Mother’s Sins,” Riza Brenner reflects on the two sons she gave birth to in years past. She hopes her secret remains hidden, but Valeria Trifa has considerably different hopes. Kasumi Ayase is unconscious in the hospital that’s about to open as a swastika, and Ren Fujii is trying to defend her against Riza’s attack. He’s horrified to discover that Riza’s not alone: she brought Kei Sakurai. Can Fujii defeat her in time to save Ayase? Will he have to defend against even more enemies?

Fujii’s gotten better at one thing: psychological combat! He destroyed Sakurai in this episode. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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Episode 10: Einherjar

Dies irae Episode 10: Riza’s Choice and a New Alliance

In Dies irae Episode 10, “Einherjar,” Eleonore von Wittenburg arrives and announces she wants to see if Ren Fujii is worthy of facing Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich. If you’ve watched this series from the beginning, you can probably guess how that meeting goes. Riza Brenner sets her eye on a new plan which intersects Eleonore’s intent, and sparks fly. Finally, Valeria Trifa makes a bold move that could be game changing — if only he can get anyone to trust him.

Riza’s plan was more effective than I thought it’d be. Too bad it was her last… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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​Episode 11: Self Destruction Factor

Dies irae Episode 11: New Characters and What, That Was the End?

In Dies irae Episode 11, “Self Destruction Factor,” Shirou Yusa learns about his relationship to Karl Kraft/Mercurius, and it’s no exaggeration to say he’s not in the least bit happy about it. Rusalka Schwägelin goes to visit Rea Himuro to talk about stomach aches. Talk about foreshadowing — Rusalka experiences the mother of all stomach aches just moments later! Wolfgang Schreiber interrupts a perfectly good fight and promptly makes Rusalka’s day even worse.

Here’s Wilhelm and Helga, putting up a pretty good fight, just before becoming a snack. Is it asking too much to let a hero defeat a villain for a change? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

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