Black Clover Episode 9 Review: Beast

Oh man, things went from fun and silly to dire and deadly in a matter of minutes! I don’t think Black Clover’s going to kid around much from here on out! Well, I’m sure most of us are glad that we’re finally getting into the action again, and I’m definitely with you there!

Japanese Original Episode Title: 獣

Plot

Asta, Magna, and Noelle seemed like they were having fun catching the wild boars terrorizing Saussy Village, as per request of Mayor Seyhe. Well, mostly Asta, at least. However, after they finished the task and headed to the village, they discovered something wrong! Those blue hooded guys we saw in the previous episode surely had something to do with it, ‘cause they were headed there too! Did our protagonists just get caught up in some terrible plot?

Episode Highlights

Magna and Seyhe: Who knew that the guy who beat Yami and Magna in the casino wasn’t just some random person, but actually a person close to Magna! Senpai was quite the delinquent, and a brave one at that, terrorizing the neighboring village all by himself! Well, it looked like Seyhe-jiisan kept him at bay by himself too, so I guess it was an even playing field. I wonder why the old man didn’t end up joining the Magic Knights, though. Was it already planned for him to be mayor when he was younger? Well, whatever the case, I’m glad he passed his dream to Magna, and unconsciously prepared him for it! All that time of stopping him could be considered training for him after all! Sigh. It’s just too bad that such a fond recollection ended up becoming a death flag. However, if in case he still managed to survive, despite looking like he’s dead, I’m going to be incredibly glad I’m wrong today!

Terror in Saussy Village: Those blue guys are crazy! Killing all the villagers just because they didn’t know what they’re looking for? Thinking that they’re a waste of time but disposing of them anyway? Treating them like livestock?? I’d like to know who sent them and just what their goal is! What kind of people would do and think such a thing? Well, I know the class difference concept is something everyone’s well aware of, so it’s no wonder we saw a lot of snooty elitists, but it’s still crazy to kill off people you think are lower than you! That’s why it’s a really, really good thing that Asta, Magna, and Noelle came at the right place at the right time when they did! I don’t want to imagine if they came a second later!

The state of the kingdom: I’m so glad that we learned new things about the world of Black Clover! So there are other kingdoms aside from the Clover Kingdom, and they’re all named after the suits of cards! The discrimination we’ve seen so far also has a basis, unfortunately. I thought all the nobles and city folk were just jerks with their elitist mindsets, but there really is a discrepancy in their magical powers depending on where they live. That sucks! I hope it’s just a hypothesis that got out of hand, though. But if it’s really true, I wonder what the logic behind it is. What makes the people at the capital, especially the nobles, more powerful than others? And what does that make Yuno, who seems to be as powerful as them, and Asta, who has no magic powers at all? Interesting, interesting, but still so infuriating.

Noelle’s resolve: Now that I’ve watched the whole episode, I actually appreciate that, during the boar hunt, they showed Noelle trying to save Asta, but failing. And even when they were already fighting off the blue guys, she tried to join in, but still failed! It became one of the catalysts for her to want to try her best at the last minute, even if she wanted to run away at first! Yay character development! We even got to discover a new concept on their grimoires! Somehow, since Noelle got a new resolve, her grimoire reacted to it and came up with a new spell! Looks like it really is true that those books reflect their owner!

Themes & Trivia

For whose sake: In everything we do, there’s always a recipient. It may be for yourself, like how Magna wanted to take over Saussy Village. It may be for someone you care about, like how Seyhe protected the townsfolk looking up to him. It could also be a complete stranger asking for your help, like with Noelle and the little girl. Your motive for doing things and who it’s for can greatly determine if you have a noble cause or not. That’s why I would very much like to figure out what in the world Heath and his lackeys aim to get from attempting to wipe out a whole village!!

Dystopia: Some of you have probably heard of this, especially if you’re a fan of novels and movies. Basically, a dystopia is a terrible community or society, the opposite of utopia. Since it seems like the discrimination between social classes here in Black Clover is worse than what we’ve seen so far, I guess it’s safe to say they’re close enough to a dystopia. Some other notable works featuring dystopias are The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Giver, Mad Max: Fury Road and The Matrix.

Comments

My excitement for this series was starting to dwindle, to be honest, but not for long. Thankfully, it caught my interest again quickly, starting with the cliffhanger last week! Now I’m looking forward to what else is in store for us in this story. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface with this encounter, so I’m wondering just how grave the whole situation is! I’ll scream with Asta and say ‘Bring it on!’

Who are the true beasts?

Noelle’s water barrier only managed to protect them, for now, but they still need to defeat the enemies! It’s not helping that Asta and Magna were already getting tired as heck! I hope everything still goes well! Can’t next week come faster?

How about you? Did you get as hyped as I did with this episode? Let us know in the comments! I actually enjoy reading them! Please also don’t forget to check out our other anime reviews for Fall 2017! I can’t believe we’re almost at the end of the season!

NEXT TIME: Those who protect (護る者)