Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor

Episode 5

The way last episode played out strongly suggested that this episode was going to be heavier on the interpersonal front than what we've seen so far, and it certainly doesn't disappoint on that level. Is this really the same series that gave us such a lackluster start with its jackass of a male protagonist?

The face-to-face meeting between the Queen and Rumia was every bit as sticky a reunion as it should have been. The Queen reinforces the impression she gave us last episode, that Princess Ermiana being cast out and passed off as dead was more an act of necessity than anything she wanted to do, as she's clearly quite happy to see that Rumia is doing well. (Whether she actually believed that Ermiana's special nature made her toxic to the royal family is not made clear.) However, even though Rumia understands why it had to be done, she's still bitter and conflicted about the incident. It was no exaggeration in the previous episode when she said that she regards Sistine's parents as her own;she even goes as far as telling Glenn that she sees accepting her real mother as a dishonor to her current parents. Even discounting what happened three years ago, the Queen's behavior is at least partly to blame for Rumia's internal conflict. Putting her copy of the locket back on for meeting Rumia would have been a powerful symbolic gesture, so much so that Rumia interprets her not doing it as an additional rejection. The scene where she hashes out her feelings with Glenn is a great follow-up, the kind of thing that anime series often don't take the time to do right.

But of course, the episode couldn't stop there. After all, there are two newer characters to bring into the picture. They're apparently former coworkers of Glenn who are none too happy that he left the assassination biz, especially the girl. (Then again, her keen desire to attack Glenn could just be part of her personality rather than any specifically intense hatred for his betrayal.) However, despite the girl of the two attacking Glenn at the end of the episode, their words suggest that they aren't necessarily his enemies; they're still loyal to the Queen and distrustful of her Royal Guard – and with good reason! – so they could probably become grudging allies after a brief skirmish. Besides, they have bigger fish to fry.

At this point, this series is starting to remind me of A Certain Magical Index 2, with all sorts of deadly shenanigans going on in the background of what basically passes for a sports festival, despite a bit of goofiness at the beginning. And yes, that includes Sistine taking some cues from Mikoto Mikasa. I'd rather not see Sistine's attitude towards Glenn slide past mere appreciation, and I don't think the story needs it, but there already seem to be signs of romantic feelings blossoming. That aside, the series has a very solid arc going right now, and I look forward to seeing more.

Rating: B+

Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.