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The Dawn of the Witch Episode 11 Review – Quick Summary
In The Dawn of the Witch episode 11, “Determination to Kill,” Zero and Mercenary prepared the village for war. That included sending Cervil, Holt, and Coudeau back to the Academy, where they would be safe. Cervil, though, said that he would rather quit the Academy than return so he could stay and fight. How will Roux and Zero react to Cervil’s determination? What tactics will they use to hold back the expected 10,000 troops? And who’s behind the assault in the first place?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from The Dawn of the Witch Episode 11
He at once denied any choice in the matter and suggested he retained his agency. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I can’t tell if Shinpu was testing Tyrant of if he was trying to demonstrate to the villain-turned-reluctant-good-guy that the Tyrant within had changed. Or heck, Shinpu is deft enough at politics that maybe he was doing both. Whatever his motivations, I really liked their exchange.
Shinpu started the conversation with a fishing question – didn’t it seem strange that an Arbiter was about to fight troops sent by the church? Tyrant replied that he never was much of a believer, and we’ve seen in his flash-backs that he was just looking for a way to survive.
The conversation went back and forth, touching on whether or not Tyrant might decide to work again for his previous “owner.” Shinpu said he was concerned that Tyrant might suddenly break and harm his current owner – and all of them, by extension.
“Well, the owner decides how much faith to place in their tools,” Tyrant said (07:03).
I really enjoyed the push and pull in their conversation – especially when Tyrant extended the conversation to Holt, who was now technically his “owner.” He basically emphasized her role in how he would respond to the witches. He even quietly asserted the agency he still withheld. I really enjoy layered conversations like this one!
Best in Show Moment for The Dawn of the Witch Episode 11
Despite his apparent intent, she didn’t flinch. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Tyrant’s having a difficult time integrating with the community. In the previous episode, we saw how he spontaneously saved the children, as well as Holt and Coudeau. Yet, he still expected the latter two to leave him for dead. He’s between two worlds, and he doesn’t know where he belongs.
So when the school kids threw a party to thank him for saving their lives, he had no idea how to react. He kept seeing visions of the children, even Lady Hearthful, being killed. He accepted those visions as part of who he was. Yet, they troubled him.
Those visions were such a weight that he couldn’t hide his worry. Lady Heartfhul asked him about it. I have to say, I thought it was both hilarious and endearing that she stood on a chair so she could talk to him. She still came up only to his chest, but it was better than talking to his belt.
Check out how she stood on a chair! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
He didn’t want to tell her. Some part of him, at least, wants her to think well of him. But she was persistent, so he finally told her that those bloody visions were always on his mind. He couldn’t escape them. He even bent down to speak right into her face, which was likely him putting on a brave face. I think he expected her to be horrified and walk off.
Returning his gaze without flinching in the slightest, she said (10:12), “Are you saying you like me?”
I don’t know who was more surprised: me or Tyrant. He looked at her in shock even as she touched his face and explained that it was the same for everyone in the village, because (10:26) “When they gain something precious, they imagine the moment it’s destroyed, so they can find a way to protect it.”
It was too much for him. But did you notice? He didn’t slap her hands away. He gently lowered them instead. That was such a mature, considered moment that I had to pick it as my favorite.
What did you think of Cervil recharging Zero at the end? What were your favorite moments in this episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
The Dawn of the Witch Episode 11: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mahoutsukai Reimeiki – Episode 11 discussion
- J Reacts: POWER-UP | The Dawn of the Witch episode 11 Reaction (魔法使い黎明期) (YouTube)
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 1: The Remedial Student and the Witch of the Staff
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 2: Don’t Call Me a Traitor
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 3: Beyond the Stream
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 4: I’m Not Afraid to Die
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 5: I Decide Who’s Worthy
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 6: Knowledge of Ignorance
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 7: I Can’t Save Anything
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 8: Respective Costs
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 9: A Stone Cast Into the Pond
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 10: Snack Time
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 11: Determination to Kill
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 12: The Beginning of the Adventure
