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The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5 Review – Quick Summary
In The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5, “The Future of this Harem,” Noir Starga faced his greatest challenge yet: A stadium full of angry young men who were there because they couldn’t get dates — and wanted to take it out on men who had harems. Oh, and they would judge those harems, too. After watching several harems have their feelings crushed, Emma Brightness was ready to go home — despite what that would mean for Maria Fiana Albert’s life. Can either Luna Healer or Lola Metrose convince Emma to stay? Even if they can, do they stand a chance against such a cruel and dispirited crowd?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5
In case you wonder how Lola feels about the Harem Pride Event, just check out her expression. It tells you everything you need to know! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Lola’s common sense is starting to impress me. In the face of the crowd that frankly reminded me of some Twitter threads I wish I could forget, Noir and especially Emma were second-guessing themselves. Should they even have come to this event?
As Pepero got the crowd riled up, Emma, shocked, asked what was going on. The experience scared her a lot more than fighting the giant rabbit back in episode 2.
To answer her question, Lola her knowledge of the event. She also shared her opinion of it.
“While the crowd insults you and yells defamatory remarks at you, they rate your harem. As you can see, it’s pretty messed up” (02:32).
But did you notice something? Even knowing what they were getting into, Lola didn’t for a second suggest backing out.
Best in Show Moment for The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5
You know, they seem pretty happy about their plan. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: None of This “Are They, Aren’t They” Stuff
Harem comedies can be fun, but sometimes shows rely too heavily on stock tropes. In Heaven’s Lost Property, for example, the women in Tomoki’s orbit never did acknowledge they were in a harem.
Compare that to Monster Musume: Everyday Life With Monster Girls. That show had a completely different vibe. I’d suggest that it, too, wasn’t 100% committed to the idea of the women in Kimihito’s life actually made up a harem. The goal was for him to eventually pick one of them to marry. But it had a much better feeling. Everyone worked together, and there was, in that household, a lot of affection.
I guess that’s what it boils down to: In a harem series, I want to see the characters enjoying each other’s company! The series that probably nails that feeling the best is High School DxD. From day one, Issei Hyoudou wanted to be a Harem King. Throughout the series, Rias Gremory and her little group of chess pieces gets him, and one way or another, they want to help him reach his goal.
I’m not saying that this show rises to the level of High School DxD, but it’s clear Emma, Lola, and Luna are totally behind the idea of supporting Noir. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Now, I’m not saying that The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter is on par with High School DxD. The latter has an incredibly rich and layered world. It features believable politics, and, oh yeah, the cast is stupidly beautiful. Even the tertiary characters like Grayfia Lucifuge, though she’s only on screen for like forty seconds out of four seasons, is arresting.
This show might not reach the pinnacle of High School DxD, but it still has something to offer this discussion.
Delivery: These Women Have Assumed Control
First, they showed up, knowing it was a harem review event, and not one of them made any half-hearted comments about them being a harem.
Second, when Emma started to lose her courage, Lola provoked Emma’s Clingy Jealous Girl reaction trope. It was almost like Lola knew her genre and was ready to pull the levers as needed.
Third, Pepero presented them with three scenarios where (09:09) “the harem members will be presented with a scenario and have to show their love for their master!” Again, not one of them got embarrassed or squeamish. Maybe Emma, Lola, and Luna all three were too busy laughing inwardly at the idea of Noir being a master. I mean, come on: even Noir doesn’t seem himself like that.
Those scenarios prompted Luna to ask if they could have a moment to plan. The three women huddled and decided what they were going to do. I noticed that they didn’t include Noir. Lola said it was to make sure his reaction was fresh. That was kind of her.
They didn’t need Noir’s input. I thought it was interesting how each of the women had a different posture consistent their their character. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Here’s my favorite part. It’s the last scenario where they had to prove they were the best harem ever. Noir had no idea what they were going to do, but when he turned to face them, it was clear they knew! In rapid succession, without the usual histrionics associated with such things in other harem comedies, Emma, Lola, and Luna planted kisses right on Noir’s lips.
It’s refreshing to see be so honest in its presentation.
What did you think of Noir being smart enough to visit Olivia Servant at the end? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Ore dake Haireru Kakushi Dungeon: Kossori Kitaete Sekai Saikyou – Episode 5 discussion
- PinoyChan: HAREM IS GROWING!! | The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5 Reaction
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 1: Powerful Skill Set
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 2: The Guild and the Receptionist
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 3: The Troubled Classmate
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 4: The Untainted Cleric
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5: The Future of This Harem
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 6: The Tulip Lion
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 7: The Receptionist Ranking
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 8: A Little Girl’s Wish
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 9: To the Gala
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 10: Let’s Go To the Hot Springs
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 11: Noir’s Decision
- The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 12: A Battle I Can’t Lose
Galaxy police is my all time fav because it took a weak protagonist and built him to be powerful while his harem increased with each step. He may seem weak but he had the drive to be an officer in the G.P and didn’t let his lovers dissuade him. Awesome show.
Cool another episode is out. Harems where the girls actively accept their positions as mates competing against each other? Got a few in mind for ya. 1. Tenchi Muyo Galaxy Police my favorite 🙂 2. Seikerei another fave of mine and 3. Campione.
I didn’t include high school dxd because in that anime, the women usually used their bodies to control the MC; mainly the red-headed one and it kind of turned me away from it. Sorry lol. Watching this soon.
Just to show how crushing my IRL workload’s been, when I sat down to write this review and tried to think of other examples, I couldn’t remember anything.
Man, I feel out of it! You just mentioned 2 of my 3 all time favorite shows. How could I forget Seikerei or Campione? I even reviewed the latter!
Thanks for mentioning Tenchi Muyo Galaxy Police. I’ll have to check it out. Looks like Crunchyroll has it!
“I didn’t include high school dxd because in that anime, the women usually used their bodies to control the MC”
Though, even if you listen carefully, you’ll never hear Issei complain! Plus, their relationship adjusts through the first couple of seasons. I enjoyed it quite a lot.