Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 review: The new season bores as the MC makes no progress

Modified Oct 04, 2024 11:29 GMT

The Demon Lord as seen in Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 (Image via Gekko)

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1, titled Retry, dropped online for streaming on September 28, 2024, ahead of its official TV broadcast. This episode acts as sort of a recap before the Demon Lord continues with his journey. Unfortunately, the recap has fans worried whether the rest of the season will be palatable after the huge quality drop in the new season.

In the first season, the audience is introduced to the Demon Lord Hakuto Kunai, who is the avatar of the protagonist who gets reincarnated in his own gameworld. He meets Aku and embarks on a quest to find his way back while discovering regions that he did not create.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 delves into the past of protagonist Akira

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 brief highlights

XX and Akira as seen in Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 (Image via Gekko)

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 begins in 2016 with Akira, the creator of the game Infinity Game, deciding to shut down the server and bid farewell to the Demon Lord Hakuto Kunai. However, he unexpectedly finds himself transported into the game world as the Demon Lord.

The episode then cuts to 2007, where Akira is spending his vacation at his friend XX's apartment in Tokyo. XX is a messy gamer who spends his days playing games and leaving his place in disarray, which Akira helps to clean up. During their conversation, they discuss the popularity of Akira's Infinity Game and how he had invested his inheritance into it. Akira mentions that he is considering selling the game to a foreign publisher, 42-OMG, whose chief director had made him an offer. Despite this, Akira ultimately decides to reject the offer.

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 then shows how the rise of social media has led to a decline in the game's popularity and a decrease in its player base. Akira is now working at a random game company. He is approached by a man named Aoki from 42-OMG, who claims to be there on behalf of Mikity. Aoki tells Akira that the vision he has for Infinity Game can only be realized at 42-OMG. Suddenly, an explosion occurs in the office building, and a three-headed Cerberus appears in the fire.

The story then shifts back to the game world and replays the sequence of events where Hakuto saves Aku from the demon Greole by using excessive force. He then meets a Cherub at the Wishing Shrine and receives a ring.

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 then reveals that the Demon Lord had been dreaming while relaxing in a hot bath. He reflects on how far he has come since being summoned to this world and notices that the gauge on his ring has been increasing. He looks forward to seeing it fill up completely as he believes it might grant him a wish. At this point, Luna enters the bath.

Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 review

Hakuto Kunai as seen in Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 (Image via Gekko)

Those who enjoyed Demon Lord Retry! might find themselves disappointed with Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1, especially after the impressive start of the previous one. The episode starts with a flashback featuring Akira and his friend XX and explains how Akira ended up in the game world. Unfortunately, this part of the episode is a letdown and pacing is one of the major issues.

One of the most noticeable changes is Gekko's new stylistic approach, which seems cheesy and over the top compared to the slick animation of the first season. The retelling of events differs from the original, with clear differences that make it look like a parody. It is possible that the creators chose to exaggerate certain elements to make the retelling more exciting, but only time will tell if this approach will be continued and whether it will pay off and keep fans engaged.

Final thoughts

Aku and Hakuto Kunai as seen in Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1

This isekai anime has a lot of potential, especially with the intriguing mystery surrounding Akira's arrival in the game world. If the direction is handled well, it could captivate viewers.

However, the way this new season has kicked off with Demon Lord Retry! R episode 1 has been disappointing, as the animation and sound effects in the comedic scenes come off as cringe-worthy. From this point onward, it is crucial that the series is executed properly to ensure its success.