Episode 1: The Hated Classmate
The Eminence In Shadow Episode 1 Review – Best In Show
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 1, “The Hated Classmate,” Akane Nishino tried to put on a good face at school. But the effects of a traumatic incident in her past stalked her. It didn’t help that one student, Minoru Kagenou, seemed to barely acknowledge her. What did he do? He could not remember her name, no matter how many times she reminded him. Plus, he always seemed to look past her! Then something happened that changed her view of him forever. What happened to her? What role did he play? And why did the ED play at about the 17:00 mark?
Episode 2: Shadow Garden is Born
The Eminence In Shadow Episode 2 Review – Best In Show
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 2, “Shadow Garden is Born,” Cid Kagenou felt very surprised to wake up in the body of a newborn baby in a noble household. He was even more surprised to learn magic existed in his new world. Suddenly, he saw a clear path toward his dream of becoming the eminence in shadow. Another means to that end came as he practiced his sword skills against some bandits. The cargo they had stolen included something Cid had never seen before. He sensed it had enormous potential. What exactly was this thing? Will it be the boon he hoped it would be? And when will his older sister ever figure out he’s been holding back during their training sessions?
Episode 3: Fencer Ordinaire
The Eminence In Shadow Episode 3 Review – Best In Show
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 3, “Fencer Ordinaire,” Cid Kagenou had to adjust to the departure of Alpha, Beta, and the rest. He didn’t believe Alpha’s stated reason for leaving. He thought they had grown out of their shared game and had left to pursue adulthood. Trying to put that behind him, he enrolled in a prestigious school where he planned to remain a background character. Unfortunately, he lost a bet, and the result was he had to ask the most popular girl in school to date him. How did he get into that situation? Does he stand any chance of her saying yes? And is Alpha really gone for good?
Episode 4: Sadism’s Rewards
The Eminence In Shadow Episode 4 Review – Best In Show
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 4, “Sadism’s Rewards,” Cid Kagenou found himself detained and questioned as a suspect in Alexia Midgar’s kidnapping – where “questioned” meant “being tortured.” Though the investigators weren’t being nearly as effective as they thought. Meanwhile, Alexia regained consciousness to find that she had, in fact, been kidnapped. Who had been responsible? Why had they kidnapped her? And is Alpha really gone for good?
Episode 5: I Am
The Eminence In Shadow Episode 5 Review – Best In Show
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 5, “I Am,” Alexia watched in shock. Some guy who called himself Shadow sauntered into the dungeon and faced off against Zenon Griffey, who was not only a top sword instructor. He was also a high-up in the Cult of Diabolos. She had learned Zenon was so powerful he could easily swat aside her attack. What did this Shadow guy think he could do? Did he know something she didn’t? And what happened to that giant monster who had freed her?
Episode 6: Pretenders
The Eminence in Shadow Episode 6 – Quick Summary
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 6, “Pretenders,” someone started going around the capital murdering people in the name of Shadow Garden. Princess Iris wanted to get to the bottom of the murders. So much so that she even allowed Alexia to get involved. While on patrol, Alexia ran into a fake member of Shadow Garden. And he wasn’t alone. What does this fake Shadow Garden want? Can Alexia defend herself as more enemy reinforcements arrive? And what will Cid do about someone trying to steal his organization’s name?
Episode 7: A Fencing Tournament of Intrigue & Bloodshed
The Eminence In Shadow Episode 7: Favorites
In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 7, “A Fencing Tournament of Intrigue & Bloodshed,” Cid had every intention of sitting out the fencing tournament. Unfortunately, his friends thought it might be a way for them meet girls through his participation. He still wanted to get out of it until Nu gave him an update about Named Characters within The Cult of Diablos. Cid, of course, thought they meant main characters within his game, so he decided maybe he should check out the tournament. Who did Cid meet in the tournament? What are the Named Characters really up to? And are we sure Alexia really as over Cid as she thinks she is – or pretends to be?
Episode 8: Dark Knight Academy Under Attack
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 8, “Dark Knight Academy Under Attack,” it will come as no surprise that Cid was only mostly dead at the end of the previous episode. But even though he’s alive, the enemy claiming to be Shadow Garden has deployed an artifact called Eye of Avarice. Even Cid’s magic had been impacted. Alone, what can he do against so many terrorists? Or is that even the right question?
Episode 9: The End of a Lie
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 9, “The End of a Lie,” Cid helped Sherry finish her work on the artifact that would control the Eye of Avarice. Saying she didn’t need him anymore, Cid let her travel the tunnels alone. From there, she found her way into the auditorium. Would the artifact work the way she expected? Meanwhile, where did Cid go? Would he be able to make the grand entrance he hoped for? And is Nu safe pretending to be a captive student so we can feed intel to Shadow Garden?
Episode 10: The Sacred Land, City of Deception
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 10, “The Sacred Land, City of Deception,” Cid tried hard to blend in by getting all bandaged up in the medical tent. However, Princess Rose found him and pledged her heart to him, given how he had saved her life. That meant things got complicated. Alpha, acting on intelligence, told Cid to head for the Sacred Land ford a festival. Rose was also headed that way. Can Cid get away from her long enough to perform his mission? Will Beta’s book launch (yes, book launch) go well? And exactly what is Alexia planning to do on her trip to the Sacred Land, given what she’s buying from Gamma’s department store?
Episode 11: The Goddess’ Trial
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 11, “The Goddess’ Trial,” Archbishop Jack Nelson pulled a fast one. He used the murder of his predecessor as a pretense to cancel the audit by the Crimson Knights, under Alexia’s leadership. That seemed overly convenient to Alexia. But she didn’t have time to think about it, because the Goddess’ Trial was about to begin. Cid, sitting comfortably in the stands, armed with snacks, settled into watch the games. Except that Rose had plans of her own. Will Cid be able to finish his snacks? Where’s Alpha? And why does Alexia have it in for Beta?
Episode 12: The Truth Within the Memories
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 12, “The Truth Within the Memories,” the strange and enormous magic door that Alpha saw at the end of the previous episode manifested itself to Cid. Cid didn’t really feel like dealing with the door right then, so he tried to teleport away. The door followed him. Again, and again, it ended up right in front of him. What does the door want with Cid? Will he be reckless enough to enter it alone? What will Alpha and the others do?
Episode 13: A Bloody Showdown as an Offering to Annihilation
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 13, “A Bloody Showdown as an Offering to Annihilation,” unleashed by Alpha’s command, Delta tore into their enemy, Jack Nelson. Nelson attacked with dozens and dozens of clones, each as powerful as the original. No matter how many Delta struck down, more appeared. Who will run out of energy first? Meanwhile, Cid took a stroll down memory lane with Aurora. Literally. Will they find a way out? What is Aurora really up to, anyway? And would it kill Cid to have a little more respect for the force of gravity?
Episode 14: Your Life, Your Wish
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 14, “Your Life, Your Wish,” Olivier had plunged her sword through Cid. Jack Nelson looked triumphant. Aurora looked stricken. Cid looked… exultant? What’s that about? How can he look so happy when the point of Olivier’s sword is protruding from his chest? And why has he been keeping his right eye shut all this time?
Episode 15: The Strongest Weakest Man
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 15, “The Strongest Weakest Man,” Cid had a new goal: enter the Bushin Festival as a laughable underdog. Then, amaze the crowd bit by bit until he wins it all! Wearing a disguise, of course, because of the “in Shadow” clause of his personality. What’s Cid’s plan? How will Gamma help him? And what did Rose say was the name of her fiancé?
Episode 16: Unseen Intentions
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In The Eminence in Shadow Episode 16, “Unseen Intentions,” Beta and Alexia debate what they should do about Rose. After apparently attacking her financé, Perv Asshat, Rose had gone into hiding. What can Beta and Alexia do to help? Cid, in his role as Mundane Mann, continued to breeze through the tournament – to the astonishment of everyone, including Annerose. Will she be able to see through his guise before her match with him? Because if she doesn’t, that the match might not end the way she expects.
Episode 17: The Moonlight That Pierces the Darkness
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In The Eminence in Shadow episode 17, “The Moonlight That Pierces the Darkness,” Cid felt astonished to hear someone playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on a piano nearby. He followed the sound until he found the pianist entertaining an audience of nobles. He almost seemed disappointed that the pianist was Epsilon! But apparently Beta and Gamma aren’t the only ones with “secret” public lives! Epsilon’s performance gave Cid an idea. What’s he up to? Why does he need Moonlight Sonata? And where will he find a piano?
Episode 18: Betting on a Moment
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In The Eminence in Shadow episode 18, “Betting on a Moment,” Cid might have miscalculated a little. His sister, Claire, wasn’t just mad at him. She was transcendentally furious with him. So much so that it looked doubtful that Cid could keep his neck intact without using a suspicious amount of power. Can he appease his older sister and keep his spine unbroken? Will he even survive to compete as Mundane Mann? And would Annerose feel disappointed if he forfeited the match because his sister and put him in the grave?
Episode 19: Dancing Puppet
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In The Eminence in Shadow episode 19, “Dancing Puppet,” Cid somehow survived Claire’s wrath. Now, he’s back in the VIP section waiting to watch more bouts. Iris, remembering her past and the ever-narrowing scope of her opportunities, resolved to win her battle against Mundane Mann. Yet, she had no idea of who she was really up against. Does she stand any kind of chance? How will Mundane Mann/Cid approach the fight? And how many more sandwiches does Beatrix have in that bag?
Episode 20: Advent of the Demon
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In The Eminence in Shadow episode 20, “Advent of the Demon,” Beatrix reveled in her chance to cross swords with Cid. However, there was someone else who wanted in on the action: Iris. Stinging from the humiliating defeat delivered by Mundane Mann, she seemed to be in a state of shock. That is, until she realized that Mundane Mann was actually Lord Shadow. Her rage exploded. Will Beatrix let join the fight? Will Cid? And will the two of them together be able to even scratch Lord Shadow?
