Black Clover Episode 30 Review: The Mirror Mage

We’re already into the 30th episode of Black Clover, and the recap last week just made me realize that this series has a lot of characters we haven’t properly gotten to know yet! That’s why this episode is so timely. We get acquainted with another Black Bulls member! Firs,t it was Magna, then Luck, and now it’s the siscon – I mean – Gauche’s turn!

Japanese Title: 鏡の魔道士

Plot

It’s the birthday of Gauche’s goddess little sister, Marie! Fortunately for him, Yami declared that it’s also their day off, so he was super excited to spend it with her, and even bought her A LOT of gifts! He found a terrible surprise once he got there, though… Now, you might be thinking this episode was just another breather. However, the cliffhanger ending made me say that it’s a good thing some of the Black Bulls members were there at the time!

Episode Highlights

Day off and payday: Who else found it nice that Yami decided to give everyone a day off after they got paid? Not a lot of people get to enjoy the salary they get, after all! Then again, most of the Black Bulls just spent their day off doing what they usually do on any other day. I’m at least glad that Asta had something fun planned despite having sent his money to the orphanage! He really made good on his promise to play with Rebecca’s siblings, huh? I was also proud of Yuno for sending his money, too, and even more happy for him because he had such a kind (and rich) senpai looking out for him! His tandem with Klaus is always so cute and funny for me, all the more because they just aren’t honest with their feelings! However, if there was a contest for ‘Most dishonest with their feelings’ then Noelle would win for sure! She ended up spending her day off stalking Asta again, and even worrying about the girls surrounding him!

Gauche: Don’t you think Gauche looked super cool sitting on top of the pile of (hopefully alive) bodies? It somehow gave me an idea of just how powerful he is, and all the more curious! But really, when it came to his little sister, I overloaded on second-hand embarrassment! I was so worried he’d be mistaken for a creepy pedophile as he was carrying all those toys while blushing and having a nosebleed! Although, it seemed like he was already well known in that city; he had just arrived there, but people were already stepping aside and looking at him weirdly. Plus, the toy shop owner knew he’d be coming! Guess he really does come to visit Marie as much as he can and splurge on toys. Unfortunately for him, Asta was the one who got to spend time with her this time instead! She even said she’d marry him! No wonder Gauche was so angry at Asta, so much that he was really going to kill him! Imagine if Asta didn’t roll on his bed at the right time, he would’ve been blood on the bed! Such a scary brother!! It kinda makes me curious now, though. He mentioned that he was a former convict who was able to live properly because of his sister. But Marie seemed to be living in an orphanage, instead of a proper house with their family like I always imagined. He’s not even allowed to freely see her. What’s up with their situation?

Asta and the ladies: Asta’s more popular with the ladies that I thought he was! Correct me if I’m wrong since I don’t watch a lot of shounen anime, but I always had the impression that most series often have more girls falling for the protagonist’s rival. But here, only Charmy’s in love with Yuno, while Asta has Noelle, Mimosa, Rebecca, and now even Marie! However, I once again have to say that, unfortunately for them, Asta still has his heart set on being a Wizard King and then marrying Sister Lily.

Missing children: After the fun day with children, someone just had to go and ruin things by mysteriously taking them away! It wasn’t even like kidnapping because they were walking towards somewhere on their own! Was it something in the snow that came out of season? It piled up so fast that the cold made Noelle act like the Little Match Girl! The mage who seemed to have cast it also reminded me of the Abominable Snowman…

Themes & Trivia

Siscon: There are certain characters in anime/manga, like Gauche, who love their sisters (usually little sisters) so much that they seem obsessed! That’s what we call having a Sister Complex. There are times it’s also used to tease characters who are just overly protective of their sisters, though. The opposite of this is having a Brother Complex or Brocon.

Yukinba: Children suddenly go missing on a snowy night? This sounds like a yokai story! No, really! The Yukinba is a yokai (a ghost or monster in Japanese folklore) that’s kind of like a variation of the more popular Yuki-onna. It’s said she comes out on nights when it’s snowing to abduct children who are outside during that time, and then eat them. Let’s hope the one who took Marie and the others won’t do the same thing.

Comments

This was yet another funny episode, but I was even more pleased that it wasn’t just all fun and games! As I previously expected, the silliness was leading to a serious event, and I’m quite excited to know how it turns out! Especially since we’re getting to know about Gauche this time around. I’d love it if he does something cool and noble so he won’t be just ‘The Siscon‘ in my eyes anymore! Though, I do think there’s an underlying reason why he loves his sister to that extent. I hope we get to know what it is next week as well!

Bring back those kids!

Who was that mysterious person taking the children? It’d be funny if it was because he also loved children like how Gauche loves Marie, but that’d be too easy. We’ll just have to find out what he’s after!

Now it’s time to go and share what you thought on this episode over on the comments section! If you’re also looking for more series to watch, let our Spring 2018 reviews help you choose!

NEXT: Pursuit over the Snow (雪上の追跡)