Sword Oratoria Episode 1 Review: The Sword Princess and the Elf

Hello, guys! And welcome back to the wondrous world of Orario. This is a town where humans, elves, and many other races live together (more or less peacefully). The town is located on top of the dungeon where the heroes go to kill demons, level up, gain skills, etc. Pretty much your regular RPG game setting in a fantasy world. Danmachi might be your regular harem anime, yet the fantasy setting gives it a bit more background and depth. It’s a fast and easy watch, it’s catchy, character development is well paced, and the characters themselves are interesting.

Let’s not waste time and get straight to the review of Episode 1 of Sword Oratoria!

Japanese Original Episode Title: 剣姫と妖精

Plot

This is the first episode of the season and I loved it. I will try to explain the reasons step by step and be as spoiler-less as it is humanly possible. The episode starts with the expedition of Loki Familia down to the 50th floor. I don’t know if my memory is betraying me, but the central character of the episode was somebody whom we got to see for the first time (or so I think). It was an elf girl named Lefiya, and even though she was level three, she seemed to be quite the scaredy cat. The episode was centered on the Loki Familia which helped us get more familiar with some of the characters we didn’t get to see much of during the first season. We learned their levels, some of their skills and fighting techniques, etc. On the other hand, we got to see a different side of Aiz. Or maybe not? I just realised that she really cares about the people around her despite the difference of a familia.

This episode was a good way to understand the universe of Danmachi in more detail and depth. Yet again, what I loved the most about this episode was its place in the timeline. A very nice surprise I must say. But the rest is up to you to find out!

Episode Highlights

I want to give some credit to the animation studio for the fighting scenes. Usually, we don’t get to see properly animated fight scenes in TV anime. Sometimes we get lucky with the Blu- rays, but that’s about it. The fight scenes here were well done; they were properly animated and detailed.

Talking about fight scenes, I don’t think that we had seen one as large, long, and elaborate except the fight that happened on the safe zone of the 18th floor. Now here is an interesting fact: This one also happened on the safe zone of 50th floor. This leaves me thinking: Maybe the dungeon isn’t what we/the characters think it is? Maybe the dungeon is alive? Maybe the dungeon itself is a god? Who knows. But this episode proved yet again that the dungeon doesn’t necessarily follow any rules. It can easily break the rules and the order without even considering it for a second. And something tells me that there is much more to the dungeon than we have been told so far.

Themes & Trivia

The episode’s main theme was teamwork. The Loki Familia basically proved that the impossible is possible if you believe in your comrades and concentrate on what you are supposed to do. This is the key to teamwork, trusting one another, believing in one another, and knowing that when you are in a pinch your team will come to your help.

Another key theme of the episode was Aiz Wallenstein. It has been stated so many times in the previous season that she is beloved by many, and of course by our protagonist Bell and the Loki Familia, but it isn’t just because she is pretty or strong. Aiz is kind-hearted and always ready to help those in need or danger. This might even be her strongest ‘skill’..

Comments

I loved the episode, but then again I am a fan of any kind of anime that in a way represents the world of RPG gaming, i.e. Sword Art Online. Danmachi is different because the characters already live in the fantasy world, but still, the story is quite unique. The only thing I could complain about after watching this episode would be the fact that there was literally no Hestia, and come on, she is pretty awesome.

Yet again, it was a well made episode and gave answers to some questions that might have arisen in the beginning of the 1st season. In any case, I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did!

To the Dungeon!

This was a good and fresh start into a new season. I am looking forward to see how they will evolve the story from this point on in. In my opinion with anime like Danmachi the story has to be fast paced and filled with a lot of action, otherwise the audience will lose their interest in an instant. Especially considering the factor that these type of anime are usually harem or ecchi, more often both.

Leave a comment below and let’s discuss the show together! How do you think the season will progress from this point on? Make sure to tell us here on MANGA.TOKYO! Don’t forget to check the rest of our Spring 2017 reviews and our impressions on the first episodes of the new season!

NEXT TIME: Fittings and Purchases, 試着と購入 (Shichaku to Kounyuu)