Season 3 Discussion - Episode 79: “Maou Once Again”
Season 3 Discussion - Episode 79: “Maou Once Again”
So welcome to the first discussion of the third season now that it as been subbed. If you’re not too sure what these discussions will entail please go here and then come quickly back and join in. It would probably be a good idea to check that post to see what the rules and procedures for the discussions are.
So this discussion on episode 79 will be held by me: dark_tenshi17, but the others will be joining in as well with their opinions and views. So let’s get started! (Bear in mind I’ve never done this before and have to set the bar for everyone).
Plot
Season three opened up with a bang for all of us. We got to see characters we have never seen before that have been mentioned and are important in the stability of Shin Makoku. And the episode was just way out there for us all. I found there to be three major plot points in this episode.
1. Naming Wolfram Maou; it was one of the first and highest points of this episode. I for one was confused but also kind of excited, because Wolfram had never been given much of an important role in the first two seasons (not to say he didn’t have a role at all or wasn’t important). This plotline gives us so much to try and figure out, why name Wolfram the Maou? Who was responsible for that choice, all of the council or just some? And what is going to happen when Yuuri finds out?
2. Wolfram’s returning to the castle: The suspense that we get from these scenes was very exciting. As great as the anime is I find there are few fighting scenes that don’t revolve around or mainly centre on Conrad, so it was nice to see others fighting for once. We’re also left wondering why Wolfram is being denied the right to return to the capital and by whom.
3. Yuuri’s coming of age ceremony: Although not touched upon entirely it was a focal point for the episode since as Gunter said the 16th birthday is an important time in a young mazoku’s life. Further more the last part of the episode revolves around this ceremony; as odd as it is.
Character Development
Over all I didn’t find any great change in many of the characters between the last season and the first episode of season 3. Most of the characters we were given a hint of, not enough to show much change.
Wolfram: I find Wolfram went through the biggest character change throughout the anime. He’s gone from an immature loafer, to someone who is making hard decisions and being named Maou. This episode we get to see Wolfram’s usual determination paired with a new maturity. This together makes for a very grown-up Wolfram.
Yuuri: I was a little disappointed personally at Yuuri’s lack of growth. I didn’t see much difference between now and the other seasons. He was still fairly clueless and accepting, although he did seem to notice things a little more. I find that Yuuri needs to go through the most change in order to achieve a significant growth as a character.
Murata: Although he hasn’t changed too much, it seems fair to say that his character is always showing some sort of change; from episode to episode we learn more about him and always seem to be privy to the fact that he knows more than he lets on. In this episode besides being shown his carefree nature on Earth, we also see that he is observant and notices something is wrong in Shin Makoku when he and Yuuri go there.
Relationships
This does not necessarily mean pairings, just certain character interactions that have changed, or had a great impact on the episode.
Conrad and Wolfram: The scene where Conrad runs into the courtyard and sees Wolfram and his men is very striking. Throughout the series we know Conrad cares about Wolfram but he always knows his bounds. Episode 79 gives us heart warming interaction between the two; I was really happy to see that their relationship had changed for the better.
Yuuri and Wolfram: Given season 2 ended I was hoping to see a little more interaction between these two couple wise, given their engagement. Yuuri however only seemed concerned about Wolfram when he saw that he was hurt, which he does to everyone. I really thought there would be more between them, but there seemed to be even less.
Yuuri and Murata: It’s amazing how their relation changes between Earth and Shin Makoku. Murata is more open with Yuuri on Earth, they are both carefree and seem to be normal teenagers. When they go to Shin Makoku Murata tends to be more brooding and dark, and keeps things from Yuuri. They’re still friends but it seems that their relationship is more professional when they are the Maou and Great Sage.
Yuuri and Conrad: Given how close these two are it seemed that Conrad was somewhat distant throughout the episode. There was still the affection but even Conrad was keeping things from Yuuri. This seemed to create a little wedge between them that even Yuuri became aware of.
End Notes
The opening of season 3 gave us lots to think about. It almost felt like they had to shove a lot in the episode to make it the big ‘bang’ that kept us interested in the series. I’m not complaining of course, but it was a lot to take in.
Now let loose and discuss, keep in mind you don’t have to comment solely on what I wrote, lease share your observations and opinions but don’t forget to follow the rules. Happy discussion everyone!
So welcome to the first discussion of the third season now that it as been subbed. If you’re not too sure what these discussions will entail please go here and then come quickly back and join in. It would probably be a good idea to check that post to see what the rules and procedures for the discussions are.
So this discussion on episode 79 will be held by me: dark_tenshi17, but the others will be joining in as well with their opinions and views. So let’s get started! (Bear in mind I’ve never done this before and have to set the bar for everyone).
Plot
Season three opened up with a bang for all of us. We got to see characters we have never seen before that have been mentioned and are important in the stability of Shin Makoku. And the episode was just way out there for us all. I found there to be three major plot points in this episode.
1. Naming Wolfram Maou; it was one of the first and highest points of this episode. I for one was confused but also kind of excited, because Wolfram had never been given much of an important role in the first two seasons (not to say he didn’t have a role at all or wasn’t important). This plotline gives us so much to try and figure out, why name Wolfram the Maou? Who was responsible for that choice, all of the council or just some? And what is going to happen when Yuuri finds out?
2. Wolfram’s returning to the castle: The suspense that we get from these scenes was very exciting. As great as the anime is I find there are few fighting scenes that don’t revolve around or mainly centre on Conrad, so it was nice to see others fighting for once. We’re also left wondering why Wolfram is being denied the right to return to the capital and by whom.
3. Yuuri’s coming of age ceremony: Although not touched upon entirely it was a focal point for the episode since as Gunter said the 16th birthday is an important time in a young mazoku’s life. Further more the last part of the episode revolves around this ceremony; as odd as it is.
Character Development
Over all I didn’t find any great change in many of the characters between the last season and the first episode of season 3. Most of the characters we were given a hint of, not enough to show much change.
Wolfram: I find Wolfram went through the biggest character change throughout the anime. He’s gone from an immature loafer, to someone who is making hard decisions and being named Maou. This episode we get to see Wolfram’s usual determination paired with a new maturity. This together makes for a very grown-up Wolfram.
Yuuri: I was a little disappointed personally at Yuuri’s lack of growth. I didn’t see much difference between now and the other seasons. He was still fairly clueless and accepting, although he did seem to notice things a little more. I find that Yuuri needs to go through the most change in order to achieve a significant growth as a character.
Murata: Although he hasn’t changed too much, it seems fair to say that his character is always showing some sort of change; from episode to episode we learn more about him and always seem to be privy to the fact that he knows more than he lets on. In this episode besides being shown his carefree nature on Earth, we also see that he is observant and notices something is wrong in Shin Makoku when he and Yuuri go there.
Relationships
This does not necessarily mean pairings, just certain character interactions that have changed, or had a great impact on the episode.
Conrad and Wolfram: The scene where Conrad runs into the courtyard and sees Wolfram and his men is very striking. Throughout the series we know Conrad cares about Wolfram but he always knows his bounds. Episode 79 gives us heart warming interaction between the two; I was really happy to see that their relationship had changed for the better.
Yuuri and Wolfram: Given season 2 ended I was hoping to see a little more interaction between these two couple wise, given their engagement. Yuuri however only seemed concerned about Wolfram when he saw that he was hurt, which he does to everyone. I really thought there would be more between them, but there seemed to be even less.
Yuuri and Murata: It’s amazing how their relation changes between Earth and Shin Makoku. Murata is more open with Yuuri on Earth, they are both carefree and seem to be normal teenagers. When they go to Shin Makoku Murata tends to be more brooding and dark, and keeps things from Yuuri. They’re still friends but it seems that their relationship is more professional when they are the Maou and Great Sage.
Yuuri and Conrad: Given how close these two are it seemed that Conrad was somewhat distant throughout the episode. There was still the affection but even Conrad was keeping things from Yuuri. This seemed to create a little wedge between them that even Yuuri became aware of.
End Notes
The opening of season 3 gave us lots to think about. It almost felt like they had to shove a lot in the episode to make it the big ‘bang’ that kept us interested in the series. I’m not complaining of course, but it was a lot to take in.
Now let loose and discuss, keep in mind you don’t have to comment solely on what I wrote, lease share your observations and opinions but don’t forget to follow the rules. Happy discussion everyone!