It’s been six weeks of this so far, but even still, No Longer Allowed In Another World episode 6 surprises me. Partially because of the staff behind it, but largely because of its pacing. With the opportunity to get into more extended storylines now, it can be a little hard to get a read on how it might work in this adapted format. I had (incorrectly) assumed we would speed through the contents of this episode to arrive closer to a conclusion, but impressively Pontdarc has decided to slow things down and leave us surprisingly short of our next destination on Sensei’s journey- and that’s a good thing, really.
The argument to be made for separating our battle with this fallen angel from the contents of No Longer Allowed In Another World episode 6 is simple- digestion. It’s not necessarily that a lot is going on with the episode, but more so that it wants to give space to Tama’s (who’s actual name is Matilda) backstory. We learn that she’s 1) royalty, 2) lost her brother and mother, and 3) kept like a bird in a cage by her father. Once again, it’s not too much information, but it’s enough that making it to the finish line reduces the viewers ability to really take in that information and etch it into their experience with Tama as a character. Similarly, it cheekily separates the two fighting sequences of this plotline, which is very smart for a studio that isn’t full to the brim with talent.
Moving to focus on the action of the episode, I wouldn’t necessarily say it was on the level of episode 3, but I think it successfully delivers on its intentions. With Pontdarc’s focus on character models over animation, it can take some creative work to manage an appealing sequence, so bringing in episode 3 storyboarder Gouichi Iwahata again is a very smart decision. An equally smart decision is dumbing down Kaibara’s jaws when in motion. They do very much miss out on the imposing nature of their more still counterpart, but it’s not all that much of a noticeable difference, and it provides some well needed fluidity to the fight. If King Syberian’s fighting style were closer to Waldelia’s there wouldn’t be much need, but the king’s far more close quarters format just doesn’t have the same flexibility as Waldelia’s arsenal. Overall, it’s a very solid read from Iwahata that delivers the best work that Pontdarc could provide for the sequence.
Speaking of best work, Sakamoto and Hiroota once again excel in No Longer Allowed In Another World episode 6. The color designer and photographic director pairing has done outstanding work through the entirety of the series, and this episode is hardly different. Though the setting lacks a bit in comparison to Kawai’s options with episode 2, the duo keep things feeling equally consistent to that moonlit night in a castle. Where they really excel though is under an open canopy at night in combat. Without having to turn off the lights in the scene, the pair very successfully convey the idea of night without making completely un-viewable, or equally so too bright and “incorrect”. All around great work, as expected from this pair.
As for the rest of No Longer Allowed In Another World episode 6, it’s really par for the course. It might feel a little familiar with the format of our party arriving to town, an Otherworlder taking over said town, and our party having to save it, but there’s more than enough variance to thrive off of here. There’s still Sensei’s brand of humor, and we even get a one woman show out of Annette today, for example. Another way to put it is that it’s not exactly run out of tricks up its sleeve yet. The cadence of the series is pretty well set in stone (for the time being), but that doesn’t mean its individual pieces are subject to exclusively replication.
Very much like Sensei’s ingenuity with new and exciting ways to die, No Longer Allowed In Another World is always pursuing new ways to make a joke, new story angles with Otherworlders and now these Fallen Angels, and plenty of other things. It doesn’t make any sharp turns or massive leaps, but it’s very happy to apply a gentle curve that changes the shape of the series. Alongside the steady yet strong work from Atelier Pontdarc, it makes for both an adaptation and series that’s hard to fault, as well as one that’s always looked forward to.
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