“Stirrings of the Strongest”
What They Say:
In a world where magic is everything, Asta and Yuno are both found abandoned at a church on the same day. While Yuno is gifted with exceptional magical powers, Asta is the only one in this world without any. At the age of fifteen, both receive grimoires, magic books that amplify their holder’s magic. Asta’s is a rare Grimoire of Anti-Magic that negates and repels his opponent’s spells. Being opposite but good rivals, Yuno and Asta are ready for the hardest of challenges to achieve their common dream: to be the Wizard King. Giving up is never an option!
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Losing Yami and William to the enemy is a major blow to the Clover Kingdom. For now, the members of the Black Bulls are being looked at by Owen. Asta will be fine but there’s nothing he can do about his arm. Grey asks Owen to look at Gauche even though he appears fine. It’s probably a good idea for him to get checked out though. He did have a freaking giant sword go through his chest. Owen is shocked by what he discovers. Gauche’s tissues have been rebuilt! He doesn’t think this is the work of healing magic at all. Maybe the nature of Grey’s magic isn’t transformation at all. Interesting, very interesting.
Later that night, Asta wakes up. The first thing he does is run outside. Hey, he should be resting! But after a few steps, he finds himself unable to move. What’s going on? He’s being held in place by a mysterious cloaked individual. What’s his deal? He tells Asta that he shouldn’t go after Yami. In his current state, he won’t be able to do anything. This guy seems a bit fishy but he’s right. Asta doesn’t care. He wants to go after Yami right now. The cloaked individual proceeds to call Yami useless. It’s his own fault that he got caught. Asta won’t stand for this slander and breaks free of his magic by using his anti-magic sword. He’s immediately pinned to the ground by numerous shadowy arms. If Asta can’t even defeat him, how does he plan on saving Yami? This causes Asta to break down and cry. IF only he was stronger! The mysterious individual reveals himself to be the vice-captain of the Black Bulls, Nacht. Asta is a good person and he likes people like that. He offers to teach Asta how to control his devil powers. He can do that? Of course! Why wouldn’t he? He’s a devil-possessed, too. Say what?! Yup, Nacht has his own devil, Gimodelo. Even though he hates Yami, his own captain, there’s still a chance they can save him. He’s been undercover in the Spade Kingdom this whole time so his knowledge would be extremely beneficial. Asta doesn’t trust Nacht, yet, but he has no one else to turn to. His training will start tomorrow. For now, he needs rest.
The next day, an emergency captains’ meeting is held. Everyone is briefed on what happened yesterday. Yami and William have been taken. Numerous Golden Dawn members are dead. The Dark Triad is planning on opening the gate to the underworld. Yuno is present at the meeting and laments not being strong enough. Jack is tired of talking and is ready to go to the Spade Kingdom himself. This leads to an argument between the captains. On a random note, Charlotte wants to save Yami as soon as possible. She regrets never telling him that she loves him! Adorable. Never change, Charlotte. Out of nowhere, Nacht shows up with Asta. The captains don’t know who he is and go into attack formation. Julius informs everyone that he’s the vice-captain of the Black Bulls. In a shocking turn events, he reveals four devils standing behind Jack, Nozel, Fuegoleon, and Charlotte. Are they devil-possessed, too!? I have so many questions. Nacht informs everyone that Yami and William will be sacrificed in order to open the gate to the underworld. He knows that he can’t defeat the Dark Triad alone. That’s why he plans to make Asta their ultimate warrior. The gate to the underworld will be opened in three days. The plan is to save Yami and William before that happens and destroy the Tree of Qliphoth.
Nacht’s magic doesn’t allow him to bring that many people with him back to the Spade Kingdom. They’re going to have to choose who goes with him. Obviously, Asta is going. Yuno asks to go and drops the bombshell that he’s apparently the Prince of the Spade Kingdom. He then proceeds to make an impassioned speech about how Captain Vangeance protected everyone. He’s determined to show everyone that Vangeance did the right thing and that the Golden Dawn is the strongest squad. Well, I’m convinced and so is Nacht. I guess Yuno will be going. By the way, how’s everyone in the Heart Kingdom doing? The episode ends with Noelle waking up surrounded by the elves!?!?
In Summary:
We finally know who the vice-captain of the Black Bulls is! It only took 168 episodes. Better late than never, I suppose. Apparently, he’s been undercover in the Spade Kingdom this whole time. Somewhere along the way, he also became a devil-possessed. His story seems like an interesting one and I’m going to love it when the anime delves into it. Sadly, I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon since the anime is ending in a couple of episodes. Maybe it’s finally time for me to catch up with the manga. That being said, it does appear that Nacht changed a lot during his stay in the Spade Kingdom. In the brief glimpse we saw of him before his undercover mission, he looked like a genuinely happy kid. He doesn’t look very happy these days though. You can tell from his eyes that he’s seen some stuff. I wonder why Yami chose him to be his vice-captain? Why does Nacht hate him so much? Again, I can’t wait until the anime touches on his story whenever that may be. What’s up with four of the captains having devils? Have they been devil-possessed this whole time!? And why are the elves in the Heart Kingdom? So many questions, so little time!
Grade: B-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll, VRV
