demon

Farewell and Remember the Souvenirs

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 10

What do you even say about an episode like this? If It’s for My Daughter I’d Even Defeat the Demon Lord gives us an episode where we essentially say farewell to everyone and retrace the journey all the way back to Kreuz and as a direct result it kind of feels like nothing is happening except that we now see the characters a little bit older and more settled than they were a few months ago when they set out.

Don’t get me wrong. If you’ve been enjoying Uchi no Musume up until this point, episode 10 gives you pretty much what you would expect in terms of tone and character and is a very enjoyable watch. However, there’s not really one new thing to be found. Latina gets new ribbons and a name from Dale’s grandmother which apparently means she can return whenever she wants (though given her attachment to Dale – and the distance – I doubt she’ll be visiting any time soon).

We say goodbye to the magic flying puppies but find out their fur can scare off less intelligent monsters. We also learn their fur is woven into Latina’s new ribbons. Dale gets his new coat. We visit Joseph again. Stop by the town near the water and eat clams and go shopping. And then we’re back at the tavern in Kreuz and it is like nothing changed.

Affiliate Link – Bag

Episodes like these can either be calming or dull depending on your frame of mind. I kind of found this a relaxing watch but I certainly wouldn’t blame someone else for finding it a bit empty. I would really like to find out more about Latina’s past but with only two episodes left I get the distinct impression this one is going to end without really any kind of resolution. It was still a cute watch but a bit of a shame the story didn’t progress a bit further.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.

Dale’s Home

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 9

I’ve been wondering for awhile what the deal with Dale is; why he doesn’t live in his home village, needed permission to go back to it, why everyone says he has changed so much since meeting Latina and so on. Episode 9 provides the much needed context through conversations between members of the family and finally a flashback slash exposition sequence that fills in any blank spaces in a neat little package. It functionally works and gives us a better picture of Dale but it is also very by the numbers and somewhat less than thrilling.

So points for characterisation but a small deduction for narrative flow and excitement (and aren’t we all glad I don’t actually score episodes).

I’m also glad the episode made it clear Dale is genuinely overpowered and overpowered enough to actually be a bargaining chip for the village. It makes the ease with which he goes on his adventures seem a little more realistic.

The other part of this episode focuses very heavily on Latina being cute. And what is cuter than a nearly ten year old demon girl who wears pony-tails with ribbons? The cute demon girl cuddling puppies and magical wolves. Seriously, it is pretty much cuteness overload though I have to say that I felt Dale’s apprehension about the child playing with the carnivores was fairly justified.

Affiliate Link – Wall Scroll

We also get a brief visit with the people back in the city as Latina writes letters to Kenneth and to her friends at school. It narrates and describes a bit about Dale’s village and is a nice opening to the whole episode, though it would have been nice to see Latina penning another letter to them at some point.

Now that the wedding is done and we’ve filled in some pieces about Dale’s character I am wondering what is next? Do we just turn around and return or is there more to come on this journey. I guess next week will tell us.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.

Meet The Parents

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 8

There were two distinct parts to episode 8 as Dale and Latine visited a relative before heading into the village where Dale’s parents live. The relative turned out to be part beastman and had an adorable puppy of his own that got on well with Latina. You could almost end up thinking that the sole purpose of this first part of Uchi no Musume was just to show off how cute Latina and the little girl beast were except that they dropped a plot significant point into the middle of it.

During their stay, the beastman says that they are going on a hunt because of an oracle or a prophecy and Dale notes that Latina’s reaction is a bit off. The next day, the baby beast cries because Latina is hurt which leads to Latina crying and she eventually tells Dale that the reason she was sent into the woods in the first place was because of some kind of prophecy though she was too young to remember what it was. Slowly but surely we’re getting more information about Latina’s past and I guess sooner or later we’ll know the whole story.

However, rather than dwell on this, we’re off to Dale’s home village where he is met by what seems to be a bandit attack but turns out to simply be a greeting by his parents. If ever you wondered what is wrong with Dale I think we now know the answer. Quite clearly his family are all nut-cases given they think dropping a boulder in front of someone is a greeting.

Affiliate Link – Wall Scroll

There’s the usual gushing over how cute Latina is and some ribbing of Dale being too old for her, which would seem harmless enough except that spoilers of the source are all over the internet and realistically all these comments did was make me think about where the story apparently ends up going and it makes what could be quite a cute moment sit just a little uncomfortably. We also get Latina being momentarily jealous because she thinks Dale’s getting married until she realises it’s his brother.

I’m going to admit, I didn’t like this episode as much as some of the others. It is still super cute and there are some really fun moments with Latina and Dale and meeting Dale’s parents was great. However, possibly it is because we’re eight episodes in and the cute factor is starting to feel pretty samey, or maybe it is because of the split focus in the episode, but for whatever reason I did find myself counting time in this episode. Also, the action sequence mostly just showed off the poor animation here which normally isn’t an issue when the characters are just sitting and eating, but it took a lot of the excitement out of that sequence.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.

The Things You Learn While Travelling

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 7

For the first part of this episode you’d be forgiven for thinking that we were suddenly in a fantasy travel anime as Latina oohs and aahs her way along the path and to the port town where she and Dale will first stay on their way to Dale’s village. However Uchi no Musume has given us plenty of reason to have confidence that it isn’t just about Latina being adorable and the second half of this episode really pulls out all the stops as we get the most detail about the demons and titular demon lords that we’ve been given so far in this series.

Travelling with Latina and Dale is actually pretty fun. Latina’s attempts to be more independent and dependable as a travelling companion are pretty adorable particularly when contrasted with her more childish desire to hide her diary from Dale. Also, with them visiting towns it gives them the perfect excuse to eat out which means cute dresses for Latina and even more adorable ribbons.

Affiliate Link – Manga Volume 1

The change in this episode comes when Latina notices one of the restaurants entertainers is wearing a bracelet like the one she was given by Rag. A little bit of organisation by Dale and they meet with the woman who does indeed turn out to be a demon living amongst humans and she tells them a few things about the demon lords that even has Dale wondering why humans don’t know some of these points.

While there are still plenty of secrets in Latina’s past, this episode kind of indicates that the series isn’t going to forget about the back-story in favour of Latina being cute and Dale being the doting ‘father’. While those elements are still at play and keeping the light and bubbly feeling going, there’s plenty sitting just beneath the surface making this a more entertaining viewing experience than it might otherwise be.

Though, they still possibly overdid the number of cute exclamations Latina made this episode.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.

Travelling With You

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 6

Latina is leaving?

Oh right, she’s just going on a trip. Breathe a sigh of relief.

This week Uchi no Musume changes things up a bit. We’ve jumped forward a few months by the looks and Latina is well established as a helper in the tavern and with her friends at school. We learn that Rita is pregnant and Dale offers to move himself and Latina out which fortunately Kenneth quashes real quick by pointing out that Dale could go where he liked but Latina was going to stay.

The relationship between Kenneth and Latina continues to be really quite special to see developing and it kind of calls Latina and Dale’s relationship into question. Kenneth is far more the doting father who takes care of the day to day, teaches her life skills and supports her when she wants to go shopping for herself using the money she earned. In that respect, Dale is more like the fun uncle or older brother who has a lot of energy and fun, drops in and maybe teaches a few odds and ends, but is inconsistent.

That feeling is kind of emphasised this week when Dale decides to go to his home town and asks Latina if she’d like to come with or stay with Kenneth and Rita. Naturally Latina chooses to go with Dale, but it feels more like he’s a big-brother character than a father which kind of makes you wonder about the title of the anime really.

Anyway, Latina shopping for her knife was adorable. As was Dale’s shopping for outfit Latina for the trip. These are such simple moments and yet UchiMusume manages to make them feel pretty fun to watch even if it isn’t particularly riveting.

The real payoff for the episode though comes once they leave the city. Now, before I get to my major positive I am going to have to point out the real negative. Normally I’ll deal with perspectives that don’t make a lot of sense or motion that isn’t all that great as long as something isn’t actually painfully ugly to look at, so while Uchi no Musume hasn’t been a visual masterpiece, it previously hasn’t bothered me either.

Affiliate Link – Manga Volume 1

However, as Latina and Dale leave the city and are walking and talking and we jump views from close up from the front, distant shot from the front and then from the back and so on, I couldn’t help but notice that despite the fact they kept bobbing up and down so theoretically were walking, the wall didn’t get further away from them and the trees never got any closer. It was actually kind of distracting to consider them just kind of bobbing up and down on the spot while they had this fairly serious conversation.

But, once we got into the forest and Latina used her magic to support Dale we had a few minutes of just great story and character work. They return to the grave of Latina’s guardian/father in the forest and set up camp and honestly the whole sequence was just adorable and rewarding to watch. I can’t wait until Latina learns even more magic because she’s going to be awesome.

Anyway, despite the issue with the animation and visuals in that one scene, this anime continues to be pretty fun and adorable to watch. It isn’t a must see by anymeans but it works and I’m finding it cute each week.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.

Snow and Obsession

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 5

The weather is turning cold but Dale is still completely obsessed with his new role taking care of Latina. His mood bounces up, down and all over the shop in Uchi no Musume this week, a fact which is looked upon by the other customers as a new form of entertainment. A particularly amusing moment is when he promises Latina he’ll go quickly kill the magic monsters so he can be home sooner. The intention is kind of sweet and yet given Dale’s occupation that is all kinds of creepy.

Latina, is naturally as adorable as always and made a decent recovery from her trauma last week. Not a complete recovery as will be noted later in the episode as she hesitates to defend herself as she mulls over Dale’s advice about only using offensive magic when her own life is in danger, but at the very least she’s smiling again and happily helping out in the tavern. For a small amount of pay it might be noted.

We end up with two main conflicts in this episode. The first is Latina attempting to prepare a gift for Dale, with amusing results as he freaks out about her being over at her friend’s house and the like but tries to stay out of the way of Latina’s happiness. It is a fairly endearing moment for a character that I’d like to say is just too over the top (he seriously needs to chill). However, his genuine joy and pride at the gift she gives him is one of those saccharine moments that hits just the right mark and to be perfectly honest I’d happily watch the show for just those moments.

The other conflict though is a little more serious with two men targeting Latina because she’s a demon. Fortunately, Dale isn’t the only one looking out for the young demon and the situation is resolved with very little harm done (though being chased by two men in the street has to be traumatic for anyone). Through this we learn a bit more about the rocky relationships humans have with some of the other species and it seems likely that Latina being a demon is going to continue to cause some friction.

Affiliate Link – Manga Volume 1

All and all though, this episode is delightful and seeing Latina’s joy at the snowfall reminded me of my first time in the snow which was only a couple of years ago. As Dale points out, to him growing up it was a nuisance and considered only a danger and a hindrance, whereas to Latina it was a source of wonder.

While I’d personally like Dale to be a little less over the top, Uchi no Musume is by and large a charming viewing experience so far and one that I’m thoroughly enjoying.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.

Demon Horns and Angry Fathers

If It’s For My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord Episode 4

There’s always something pleasant about a story that takes a predictable conflict and resolves it in a fairly ordinary way but manages in the process to actually address a lot of the little issues that would linger if not acknowledged. Uchi no Musume this week demonstrates that it has more going for it than just a cute demon girl and an overly clingy adoptive father as we finally see Latina face discrimination due to being a devil.

I will admit, I wasn’t expecting the teacher to be as violent as she was about the whole thing and honestly it was infuriating watching her swing the most adorable Latina around like that. It kind of made me wonder if the could have had a less cute and innocent child in the same position and whether it would cause as much anger in the audience toward the teacher or whether it is the cute that really sells how heinous this crime is.

However, the students, just kids themselves, rise to the occasion and defend their friend. This was a nice surprise in and of itself. While I kind of expected Chloe and the boys to stand by Latina, the rest of the kids from other districts and backgrounds really had no reason to truly stand with Latina and yet they did in a fairly admirable manner.

Yet, despite having friends who stood by her side through that ordeal, Latina wasn’t instantly over it. The words of the teachers hit home for her and plunged her into a true despair reminding her of her time alone in the woods and she acted out, violently, against herself.

Affiliate Link – light novel

The portrayal of Latina through this episode was really nicely done, but it is Dale that really got my attention in the second half. After playing the comforting parent, although Latina’s ‘I love you the most’ is probably going to get a few viewers off-side, Dale confronts the school and demands consequences for the teacher in question. I’m really wanting to know what the medal was that he was wearing and what authority he actually has but it was a very cool Dale.

Yet, the angry parent lashing out isn’t new. It was after that, when Dale acknowledged his own part in the tragedy. The fact that he didn’t answer Latina’s question about why devils and humans didn’t get along and the fact that he taught a young and emotionally vulnerable girl to use magic that could do real damage was on him. And while he didn’t do either thing maliciously, he understood how it contributed to where Latina ended up.

Four episodes in and If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord has finally shown it is going to be more than just cute screen caps of Latina. While it might not rise to the top of the season, there’s some steep competition this Summer, it is clearly going to be an enjoyable viewing experience.

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Karandi James

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Images from: Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore Wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru Kamo Shirenai. Dir. T Yanase. Maho Film. 2019.