Show By Rock!!

Episode 11

If you tune into Show By Rock!! for the rare dark monster battle, you'll be pleased to learn that this episode features the most action-packed smackdown yet. Plasmagica, ShinganCrimsonz, Trichronika, and Tsurezure are simultaneously transported to the dimension in which said battles take place. Although most of our heroes are quickly put out of action (thankfully not before chibi-fied Moa can panic adorably), the battle truly takes off when Darudayu dons her robotic neko daruma suit. As far as the show's charmingly simplistic CGI goes, episode 11 offers the most impressive imagery to date.

This week's installment also does a decent job of upping the stakes in the series' musical battles. The Grateful Rock Festival is finally here, and all of the bands we've met thus far are there to perform—not that we see more than a few seconds of each song. (Additionally, the bands that have never performed onscreen continue to not get a song.) The vibrant colors and attractive art do a nice job of capturing the spectacle of Midi City's biggest rock concert/contest. However, the competitive spirit that ought to drive these musicians is all but absent, as we see more of them conversing in waiting rooms than playing their hearts out onstage. Plasmagica doesn't even get a chance to perform.

As is often the case, the replayed animation of the cheering concert-goers is distracting. (Do the same few groups of Myumons really see this many shows?) The minimal humor in the episode is to the show's detriment, as Show By Rock!! is at its best when it's funny. Crow and Maple Arisugawa have a few comical moments, but they're easily overshadowed by Dagger and his dark monsters.

Although previous plotlines were rushed, the show now appears to be gearing up for the final battle, and it's not in much of a hurry to get there. Darudayu claims there's another battle to come, for which Cyan and Shu☆Zo must save their strength. How she knows so much—and why she still cares more about spreading her style of music than the imminent danger she faces—is never clearly explained. She also doesn't feel like the best choice to be Cyan's guide into this dark monster business.

Having Dagger's targets—Cyan, Shu☆Zo and Darudayu—come from different bands may be narratively necessary to bond the groups together, but story-wise, it falls flat. Cyan has never been remotely close with either of those characters. If she was going to learn to master her powers, it might have made more sense for her bandmates to be equally skilled in battle, or for her to have had some meaningful moments with Shu☆Zo and Darudayu in previous episodes. However, because the show has largely ignored the secondary bands, we'll just have to accept that Cyan will step up and coordinate an attack with two musicians she barely knows.

Episode 11 doesn't make any grave missteps, but it's far from the series' best entry. The CG effects look great, but the dark monster battles have always served as an annoying distraction. Nevertheless, it's high time the feud with Dagger and his musical minions came to a head, and it looks like the show is on its way there.

Rating: B

Show By Rock!! is currently streaming on Funimation.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for two decades.