Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 review: Perfection pervades the penultimate installment as Wit Studio raises the stakes for the finale

With Wit Studios’ streak of perfection on the line heading into Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9, it’s safe to say the installment sufficiently kept the run of flawlessness alive. Officially released on Thursday, August 8, 2024, the release excelled in nearly every area it should as the presumed second-to-last episode of the series overall.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 saw previously introduced plotlines fully pay off as new ones were introduced, both interspersed by jaw-dropping, eye-candy animation and action. The installment even managed to work in some key comic relief scenes, helping to lighten the mood overall and keep the core of what has worked for the series in focus despite the stakes being raised.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 review: Series bats a thousand with voice acting, animation, action, plot, and comedy

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 review (Image via Wit Studios)

Whereas previous installments had aspects of their production that may not have been perfect individually but were far from poor, Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 breaks this trend. One key way they do so is in the regard of voice acting. While Anna Nagase as Harley Quinn and Takehito Koyasu as Peacemaker have been stellar all season and carrying the series in this department, their costars truly rise to the occasion here.

Specifically, Jun Fukuyama as Clayface, Reigo Yamaguchi as Deadshot, Shizuka Ito as Enchantress, Taro Kiuichi as Killer Croc, and Reina Ueda as Fione all excel in this installment. The emotion behind Fukuyama’s delivery perfectly conveys Clayface’s excitement and naturally leads viewers to smiles curling on their faces. Kiuchi’s Croc and Yamaguchi’s Deadshot may not be as enthralled with their situations, but the deliveries are equally emotional and exceptional likewise.

Ito and Ueda as Enchantress and Fione, however, truly steal the show here. Ito’s Enchantress has few lines of dialogue here, but each is uttered with sincere and palpable emotion, even in her grunts and whimpers during her talk with Harley. Ueda likewise delivers depth to Fione, which has been lacking all season, and the payoff is worth it. With her transformation using Harley as a role model, it’s likewise fitting that Ueda’s performance rises to Nagase’s level.

Expand Tweet

Speaking of using Harley as a role model, this is also a key comedic relief moment in Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9. The scene is funny in and of itself, but it also shows how close the group has become in such a short time. In other words, the humor is evident both in the jabs Peacemaker levies at Harley for inspiring Fione and the fact that such punches can be so casually thrown amongst these true friends.

Comic relief is also present in Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 via Peacemaker, who makes himself known to Killer Croc, donning an American flag and simply screaming the country’s name. Croc himself also serves as great comic relief in the episode, with Kiuchi’s emotive delivery perfectly offsetting the deadpan dialogue Subaru Kimura’s King Shark is known for. Despite the mismatch, it works perfectly to create a silver lining of comedy in their fight.

Speaking of action, the presumed penultimate installment to the series overall has it in spades and of a wide variety. Croc and King Shark’s fight provides a good one-on-one bout between heavy hitters, while a focus on Harley and Deadshot provides a horde shootout. This then transitions into a two-on-one with Harley and Artie the dragon versus Enchantress, creating a unique projectile fight with extra flair thanks to Artie’s presence and fighting style.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 also pairs all of these actions with consistent, high-quality animation, which has been present in nearly every episode of the series thus far. There’s little to be said about it that hasn’t already been said in a prior review, but to summarize, it’s kinetic fluid, makes great use of colors and set pieces, and is able to be trackable even with these varying elements.

The plot points and narratives wrapped up and introduced in the installment can be spoken of plenty due to an overall lack of it in the first half of the season. The former gives fans the questions regarding Queen Aldora they’ve been dying to know. Yes, she is an imposter, and yes, the real Queen Aldora is dead. While the reveal of the Undead King’s presence and motivation is an easy and predictable one, it’s nevertheless satisfying to see.

While Fione’s transformation was mentioned in the context of Ueda’s performance, it’s worth discussing again in terms of the narrative as well. Despite falling heavily flat through the first two-thirds of the series, Fione has truly begun to shine in recent installments and is a good ending to her character arc away from being legitimately memorable. Fans can rest assured that this will come with the series’ writing team behind Re:ZERO, known for its excellent character writing and arcs.

Expand Tweet

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 also does a great job of introducing additional, minor (but still potentially impactful) plot points that can easily be wrapped up in the next episode. The Undead King’s introduction is a good example of this, but the tease of Enchantress’ motivations is an even better one. This is especially true with how the installment ends, teasing either it’s her twin sister or her true self being held captive by the Undead King and a zombie dragon.

Are these steps strictly necessary to take as the series approaches its season 1 finale at best and overall conclusion at worst? No, but if executed well, they can serve to elevate the series to new heights it may not have been able to reach without them. Likewise, if the latest installments are anything to go off of, Wit Studio seems set to deliver more than adequately in these areas.

Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 review: Final thoughts

Without a doubt, Suicide Squad Isekai episode 9 is a truly perfect installment. Certain areas maintain their stellar grades from previous releases, while others finally rise to the level needed to be called flawless in and of themselves. It’s exciting to see the series come into its own at the perfect time, and it will be especially encouraging if a second season of the smash-hit Summer 2024 series is announced following episode 10’s airing.