How Not To Summon a Demon Lord: Season 1/ Episode 12 “Battle For Legitimacy” [Series Finale] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

How Not To Summon A Demon Lord sort of ends in a bleh way, but with one last heartfelt moment – before the ladies remind you this is a harem.

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What Should Have Been The End of The World: Klem, Diablo, Alicia, Edelgard, Eulerex, Shera, Rem

Despite Eulerex, Edelgard, and Alicia standing before hundreds of Fallen soldiers, nothing happens. Why? Well, with the potions Diablo gave Shera, Rem is alive and after Diablo uses a spell called “Apocalypse Abyss” it wears out Klem enough to see Shera and Rem and make her less angry. Leading to, surprisingly, despite their numbers, the fallen not attacking. Edelgard wipes out as many as possible, as Alicia flees, and that’s it.

Commentary

I feel like expecting this huge and wonderful battle would have been a bit much. Yet, I figured Diablo and Klem would kill each other and thus reset everything. For the way it seemed, if this is a video game world, Klem’s death would be endgame – the restart. Yet, instead, at only level 150, Diablo nearly takes down a true demon lord. One who, upon seeing Rem alive, goes back to her true self.

Which, in my mind, I feel like should have been a more touching moment. Problem is, this show has shown the potential to have heart but lacks the follow through. We saw that with Rem’s abandonment issues, Shera wanting to be free of customs, and even Diablo’s issues growing up. However, all we got was a few scenes of being serious and then someone in some weird harem situation or there was a softcore porn scene. Maybe, on occasion, a good fight scene.

I Don’t Want To Be In This World Anymore: Alicia, Edelgard, Klem, Diablo, Shera, Sylvie, Galford

After the battle, surprisingly Sylvie learns about Klem being the demon lord and is cool with stepping away once Diablo puts a slave collar on her. It seems even Galford kind of hunches it off despite the beef he had with Diablo and his lust for battle. However, one person who doesn’t leave things alone is Alicia. Not because she wants to trigger Klem again, though she could have, but because Edelgard, to protect Alicia, got messed up bad.

So, she takes Shera hostage to coerce Klem to heal Edelgard which, upon Diablo giving the OK, she does within seconds. Leaving Alicia ready to commit suicide until Diablo stops her. For as much as she feels alone and can barely deal with the trauma she has experienced, he relates to her in a way which makes her feel less alone. Mind you, he doesn’t say he can join his harem, but does give her encouragement.

Commentary

Are you seriously telling me that Galford just let go the opportunity to fight a bunch of Fallen? Granted, Edelgard seemingly swooped her lance and took out a lot, but this seemed like a prime opportunity to let them fight amongst themselves and then kill whoever remained. But, can we also add in, considering the way Sylvie talks about Galford’s network, him letting Klem walkabout, just because she is enslaved to Diablo, makes no sense either? The one who is to bring an end to mortals you are going to let be a follower to some guy you despise? Often fights on the same side but isn’t under the king’s direction? There is so much which doesn’t make sense.

And, let’s be honest, the Alicia thing completely fell flat. Even with linking to how Diablo has felt similar, and reiterate what she went through, there isn’t a “Who cares?” vibe but more so feeling this was rushed. For while I get there is a chance she didn’t meet one nice mortal in her whole life, going for the destruction of them all felt a bit much. Was there nothing in her mind about being a better person, exposing these people, or just leaving that life behind? Venturing out and maybe changing the world for the better? It’s a bit ridiculous and way too lazy in writing for my taste.

Also, taking note Klem has the mind of a child, to a point, why would she let herself become someone’s slave? I get it was for the biscuits and to stick around, but they could have just left the city for somewhere else. Taking note they are broke, this would have made the wonderful opportunity to take on an assignment and venture out into the world.

Epilogue: Alicia, Diablo, Shera, Rem

Which is what they seemingly do, but Klem is nowhere to be seen. All we see is Alicia helping a kid who scrapped their knee and Rem and Shera expressing their jealousy that Klem got a kiss before them. That’s how this show ends.

Commentary

I would be upset if I had expectations. However, How Not To Summon A Demon Lord is like the kid who lets you know they have potential but are too lazy to put their all into things consistently. For just the fact Diablo never really tried to find a way back to reality bugged me throughout this whole ordeal. But hey, we got ecchi moments right?

Low Points

1. Galford basically not caring about Diablo or Klem partnered up. Even though Diablo and him don’t see eye to eye and he isn’t controllable.
2. Alicia’s reasoning for trying to raise Klem, much less kill herself, leaving nothing more but feelings of indifference.

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How Not To Summon a Demon Lord - Episode List

Interested in the manga this is based on? On Amazon, you can find all 5 Books.

If you wish to watch a dubbed version, Amazon has that as well.

Season/ Episode	Synopsis
Season 1/ Episode 1 "The Demon Lord Act"	Despite its exuberant amount of ecchi, there might be something of value in How Not to Summon a Demon Lord. Creator Yukiya Murasaki Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 7/5/2018 Genre(s) Ecchi, Action, Fantasy Good If You Like Skimpy outfits and bouncing breasts. Anime Which Takes Place In Game Worlds People being trapped within a game for no particularly logical reason Quests Noted Actors Sakamoto/Diablo Masaaki Mizunaka Shera Yū Serizawa Rem Azumi Waki Galluk Takumi Yasuaki
Season 1	How Not To Summon a Demon Lord is frustrating. It seems to know it could be better than what’s delivered, but is too lazy to be consistent.
Season 1/ Episode 2 "The Strongest Newcomer"	As Shera’s backstory is revealed to us, so is the fact this show is hell-bent on making sure you get all the ecchi your heart can desire. Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 7/12/2018 Actors Introduced Sylvie Ookubo Rumi
Season 1/ Episode 3 "Fallen Assault"	A drastic reduction in ecchi leads to us learning about the Fallen and meeting someone who can match Diablo’s powers. Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 7/19/2018 Actors Introduced Emile Okiayu Ryoutarou Edelgard Katou Emiri Great Gregore Sakurai Tooru
Season 1/ Episode 4 “Point-Blank War Dance”	With the balance between action and ecchi complete, so comes the end of the introduction and Diablo having his first true, one on one, battle. Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 7/26/2018
Season 1/ Episode 5 "Imperial Knight"	Rather than press forward to the Elven kingdom, we are introduced to the Lord of Faltra and the Imperial Knight Alicia. Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 8/2/2018 Actors Introduced Lord Galford Ootsuka Akio Alicia Hara Yumi
Season 1/ Episode 6 "Slave Market"	So, it seems we won’t be heading off to Greenwood since Keera pops up. That is, alongside a slave marketer who, through the power of touch, teaches Diablo a thing or two. Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 8/9/2018 Actors Introduced Medios Oohara Sayaka Keera Ishida Akira
Season 1/ Episode 7 "Change of Heart"	Takuma’s life before Diablo is touched upon as well as why living vicariously through Diablo has become a necessity for him. Director(s) Yūta Murano Writer(s) Kazuyuki Fudeyasu Air Date 8/16/2018
Season 1/ Episode 8 "Hero's Charge"	Diablo may have finally met his match and, on top of that, it seems things are stirring which may finally lead to him leaving Faltra.
Season 1/ Episode 9 “Holy Knight Tale”	Edelgard returns with a way to rid Rem of the Demon Lord Krebskulm and we get introduced to yet another soldier who is a psychopath.
Season 1/ Episode 10 “Demon Lord’s Resurrection”	Krebskulm is born and it is kind of a letdown – at least until it becomes clear who will try to use her to bring an end to mortal kind.

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