The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 9 Review – Best In Show

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 9 Review – Quick Summary

In The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc episode 9, “Visitor Arc IX,” Tatsuya Shiba knew that more than one organization had witnessed the unusual psychic event between Honoka Mitsui and Pixie — so they could not stick around long. Fortunately, Erika Chiba, Leonhart Saijou, and Mikihiko Yoshida arrived and agreed to handle the parasite prisoners while Tatsuya withdrew. He had no sooner left than Erika, Leonhart, and Mikihiko found themselves under attack. Was the new party another group of parasites? Members of the counter-terrorism organization called Section 3? Another group entirely? How far are they willing to go to incapacitate our heroes? And just why do they want the parasites so badly anyway?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 9

Seeing Erika look sheepish is so rare I had to acknowledge it! Capture from the Funimation stream.

The next day, after the agents had overpowered them, Erika, Leonhart, and Mikihiko asked Tatsuya to meet them on the roof of the school building. Basically, they wanted to complete clean.

It’s interesting, because they really don’t report to him. He doesn’t claim to be their leader. But they recognize who he is and what he’s capable of. In this case, they felt terribly embarrassed for what happened. They felt they’d let him down, and they all looked it.

Tatsuya, in as close to a joking voice as he gets, asked (10:48), “What, did you let the parasites get away or something?”

After they explained themselves, he wasn’t angry with them. He basically said that it was time to figure out their next steps now that the parasites had gotten away.

Outraged, Erika said (11:03), “They didn’t escape! Well, I mean, I guess they did, but…”

Sheepish Erika is best Erika. Though most of her other expressions are also tied for first place…

Best in Show Moment for The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 9

The artists captured a world of emotion in a single frame. I don’t know whether I should feel in terror or or build a shrine! Capture from the Hulu stream.

Setup: Showing Is Great

I’m a big believer in the adage that showing is better than telling. There are exceptions, of course, but in general, I like to see things unfold. I find it’s more exciting than watching a character describe it to me.

There are times, particularly in this series, where the narrative is so subtle, and it relies on me remember so many details from the previous episodes and seasons, that I’m not quite quite I’ve interpreted something correctly. It really tests my dedication to showing! So if you saw the scene I’m about to describe differently, please do share your thoughts in the comments section, below.

We all know how powerful Tatsuya is. Most of his classmates have seen him in action in one form or another, either against the parasites in this season or in the magical tournament in the previous season. Heck, he even exerts so much influence in addition to raw magical power that Erika, Leonhart, and Mikihiko seemed to expect him to punish them, almost as if he were a crime boss or something!

None of them wanted to tell Tatsuya that they’d failed to secure the parasites. Capture from the Funimation stream.

But at least as far as people in the school knows, he’s “just” a student. They don’t know his military affiliation. So when he approached Mayumi Saegusa, it should have been in his capacity as a student. Yet, his tone and message were anything but subservient.

Delivery: A World in an Single Expression

There were two things that stood out about this scene. The first was that Mayumi was (not so secretly) upset that he had gone on a parasite retrieval mission and had excluded her. She’d baked special bitter chocolate for him back in episode 6 for less provocation, so I wondered if things would get testy in this episode.

But they didn’t — at least not for that reason. Tatsuya’s message was pretty straight-forward: He knew about Section 3, and he knew that the Saegusa family had ties to that counter intelligence body. He wanted to warn her family that no one really knew how to destroy the parasites and that they should seal them right away.

Tatsuya seemed to think nothing of dictating a threat to send to the head of one of the 10 Master Clans. Dude’s got courage. Capture from the Funimation stream.

The second thing was where it got testy — he wanted her to tell her father that if it got out that they were investigating the parasites, it could be interpreted badly, and that the family would have to be prepared to deal with the consequences. Keep in mind: The Saegusa is one of the 10 Master Clan families, and they’re the pinnacle of magical and political power in Japan. Tatsuya, a high school student, was at best trying to lecture them. At worst, he was threatening them.

Mayumi’s expression was amazing. I didn’t know whether I should stare in adoration or run for the hills. If anyone other than Tatsuya had said those things to her, I think there might have been consequences. But for Tatsuya, you could see in her eyes that she was almost amused as she knew he had his reasons. She merely said (15:17), “That’s a scary thought.”

I’m not going to forget that look anytime soon.

What did you think of the revelations about Pixie in this episode? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 9: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

• Reddit: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Raihousha-hen – Episode 9 discussion
• Random Curiosity: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Raihousha-hen – 09
• The Anime Rambler – By Benigmatica: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Raihousha-hen Episode #09

This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)

• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 1: Visitor Arc I
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 2: Visitor Arc II
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 3: Visitor Arc III
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 4: Visitor Arc IV
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 5: Visitor Arc V
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 6: Visitor Arc VI
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 7: Visitor Arc VII
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 8: Visitor Arc VIII
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 9: Visitor Arc IX
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 10: Visitor Arc X
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 11: Visitor Arc XI
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 12: Visitor Arc XII
• The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc Episode 13: Visitor Arc XIII