Black Clover Episode 49 Review: Beyond Limits

Guys, I sincerely loved this episode!! I don’t even know how to begin writing this review because I’m still so overwhelmed with everything that has happened! Black Clover seriously concluded this battle with a bang! That’s figuratively and literally, mind you. I had so many different feels throughout watching this. I just can’t even. Anyway, something this explosive should be reviewed with no holds barred, so make sure you’ve already watched it first to avoid being spoiled.

Plot

Have any of you kept count of the many times Vetto was supposedly defeated, only for him to start laughing and beating up everyone again? Because that’s what happened in this episode as well, twice even! Just when Asta and the others thought they’ve dealt him a serious blow in the stomach, it turned out that he planned it all along to steal the Demon-Dweller Sword. However, Asta and his allies still didn’t give up! He tried attacking again, and with it, it seemed as if a new power dwelled inside him.

Episode Highlights

Last stand: Oof! I was cringing the whole while when Asta’s arm was being twisted by Vetto! I could really hear the pain in his voice! All his squad mates already seemed to be giving in to despair, especially during Vetto’s ‘Despair! Despair!’ spree. That’s why it was such a surprise when Asta once again declared that he won’t give up! Good thing, too, because they actually still had hoped to win thanks to Vetto’s miscalculation of keeping an anti-magic sword stuck to his gut! It’s the one that absorbs magic, too! Even if it was to secure the weapon, and even if he thought he was strong enough to keep it there, that was still such a dumb move!

A hidden demon?: I can’t believe that, after Episode 1, it took like 48 more episodes for us to be shown the demon residing in the fifth cloverleaf again. And even then, it was still pretty vague what exactly it does. Did it nullify Vetto’s magic for a minute there? Did it make Asta even more powerful? It seemingly came out of nowhere, so what triggered it? So many questions! All I’m sure of is that everyone felt it, and it also scared the heck out of Vetto!

Celebration: My heart was super-duper touched when Vanessa and Finral hugged Asta tightly after the final blow! You could clearly see and hear their how proud and relieved they were of him and their teamwork! Plus, I really enjoyed seeing them and the rest of their teammates complimenting each other! Due to this tough ordeal that they faced, surely they’ve gotten closer than ever before, which is great! I just wish Luck and Magna were conscious, and that Gordon was here to enjoy this victory with them. Hopefully, we’ll still get to see it!

Licht and Vetto: We got more new info on just who Licht and Vetto are, but it also just elicited more questions. Licht somehow still resembled how he looks like now, albeit younger and without the elf ears. But Vetto? The one in the flashback holding the bird looks nothing like the one the Black Bulls have been fighting all this time! Even if in the past Vetto looked younger, most of his features still don’t look the same. His very different personality also shocked me, but that I can understand, especially given what happened to their clan. Kind of ironic how he thought that Licht is hope personified, but now he keeps going on and on about despair, huh?

Yami’s clean-up: I honestly thought Vetto’s sudden berserk mode meant that the squad was gonna fight and be screwed all over again. I’m glad they didn’t have to anymore because it was definitely going to be tiring to watch the same thing happen once more. When Yami suddenly appeared out of nowhere, it was such a relief! I love that the captain still managed to join the fray at the last minute, but it was to save his subordinates by pulling off that terribly powerful new move! Plus, to think that after being a captain all these years, such a strong spell was only birthed by his desperation to save his squad! Now that’s badass, and touching! I just adore the Black Bulls and their camaraderie so hecking much!

Themes & Trivia

Taking you with me: Though it seemed like he only went berserk after being defeated, Vetto clearly said that he was going to take everyone down with him, which meant he was going to self-destruct as Vanessa guessed. This is actually another trope that’s used in many other media. Instead of letting the enemy take you as their prisoner, or dying by yourself, why not accomplish one final feat by killing off everybody with you! Unfortunately for Vetto, even this failed because of Yami.

Comments

This was just such an amazing episode story-wise, but the aspect that took the cake was the animation! Man, I’m still reeling from all the intense shots we saw! My favorite ones were, predictably, from the part where Asta charged at Vetto for the last time! Partnered with the sudden playing of the first season’s opening song, it was incredibly badass! Another cool one was when Yami used his new spell against Vetto! The effects there were superbly demonstrated just how powerful it is! Ahh, how I wish the previous episodes also had this level of awesome visuals. Though, maybe it’s exactly because they were a pretty rare sight that we got to appreciate it, even more this time. That isn’t a good thing, but I’ll take what I can.

Goodbye, Mister Despair!

Now that the attempt of the Eye of the Midnight Sun to steal one more magic stone has been foiled, what’s their next move? But honestly, I’m more excited to see how the Black Bulls and the Underwater Temple will fix all of the mess they left in their wake. There’s been so much despair, after all, so I’d love to see everyone take a breather now.

Well then, how did you like this insane episode? As always, let us know in the comments section! We’re almost at the last leg of our Summer 2018 shows too, so better catch up to our other reviews if you haven’t yet!

NEXT: End of the Battle, End of Despair