Hataraku Maou-sama

And it still won't cover the entire series.

Hey at least the next part is coming for sure, that’s good enough for now.

First episode of the new season/second half of the last season: A reasonably good start. Light-hearted and fun, and it is interesting to see Chiho training to get some powers. Alas Ramus is as cute as always.

Not much to say about the episode except 1) hell yeah MgRonald’s got a glow up and 2) we should be getting some juicy info about Emi’s mom, who also seemed pivotal in shaping Maou into who he is today.

Episode 15: Sariel is finally unbanned from MgRonalds!

And now with Farfarello dealt with, Bel and Emilia need to reassess their allegiances.

The dub of episode 13 also just released!

Is this thread just for the anime? Because I though the recent activity would be discussing the end of the LN proper.

The Light Novel reached its conclusion a couple years ago, if you go back a couple pages there's some discussion around it.

Episode 16: Cozy episode about trying to make Alas Ramus feel cozy. I really do like Emi’s dynamic with Maou.

I thought Bel was blown away by the curry but it turns out she’s just sad her favorite kimono got stained.

Anyway, seems like Emi is planning to go back to Ente Isla for a bit. I wanna see that. And hopefully the animation budget holds, so far this season has looked better than the last one.

It's going to be interested to see how they're going to pace the rest of this season, since it looks like they're trying to finish three of the densest early volumes in eight episodes.

Episode 17: Emi goes back to Ente Isla, and predictably, things get awry.

I was a mite confused at Maou being adamant about not caring about what happened to Emi. I mean he's obviously lying, but even if he was in denial, he could have reasoned that it was Alas Ramus he was really worried about. He comes off as needlessly combative, though that might have been the point, that he was irritated.

Speaking of Alas Ramus, that Tsubasa certainly seems to be an aged up version. Is it time shenanigans? Or Yesod shenanigans? Why does she have a new dad?

Also, holy hell, Rika learns that Urushihara and Suzuno can fly. Certainly did not expect her to get involved like that. I assume the others were being monitored, which is why Emi had to contact Rika instead.

I am pretty sure that arsehole angel guy from last season mentioned that a shard had been made into two people at some point, so this is the other one (also the op shows Emi's mum splitting a crystal into two). As for Tsubasa's dad? I read in comments that he strongly resembles Emi's dad so it is probably him.

I did laugh at Alciel face-palming after Lucifer and Bell flew away

Hmmm so given that Tsubasa finds Maou’s smell nostalgic, it’s probably some form of synchronicity? Also yeah that totally is Emi’s dad. Intriguing!

Episode 18: We get confirmation that the people Maou met last episode are Alas Ramus' (little!) sister and Emilia's father. And apparently Acieth was always supposed to be "delivered to the chosen one", Maou. The plot has nicely thickened.

I think Ashiya could have been more straightforward, but it's definitely difficult to explain the Ente Isla stuff to Rika. Poor woman's brain is in a tizzy.

Libicocco seems like he's being used as a noisy diversion from the real scheme, which is apparently to get Alsiel. What could they want with him, though? Presumably they just want him as a hostage?

Oh the lady from the haunted seaside resto becomes relevant again.

If they don't make a "red bull gives you wings" joke in the english dub of this episode it's a massive missed opportunity.

Episode 19: Yo, Maou gets his own Better Half! Thanks Acieth. And with Ashiya and Nord also kidnapped, it's finally time to go to Ente Isla. We also have to learn what Olba has over Emilia.

Interesting that they use a different spelling of Camael's name in the subbed version versus all the other english-language material. At least according to Wikipedia it's a legitimate spelling, but not the most common one.

Episode 20: In another instance of Hataraku Maou-sama having fresh takes on isekai tropes, we have Emi learning the QOL differences between modern Japan and medieval fantasy Ente Isla. Oh, and ugh it's Olba and Raguel again.

I'm still enjoying Rika's bewilderment with the fantasy stuff. [[spoiler:

Ooooh I'm actually excited about Bell and Maou bringing scooters to Ente Isla. That final shot of them driving into the Gates of Hell was great. I hope they packed a lot of instant curry.

Sariel drops us some interesting lore! Heaven is trying to stop the birth of a god in Ente Isla. I'm assuming that's so the angels can maintain their authority and power. Guess that's also why Alas Ramus and Acieth hate those winged jerks.

Called it, they did go with a "Red Bull gives you wings" joke.

Episode 21: We finally see a clearer picture of what Gabriel has been cooking up— a war between the hero Emilia and demon general Alciel. Church is committed to improving their PR. I assume Heaven wants all that delicious faith.

Most of the episode was spent on Maou, Bel and Acieth traveling through Ente Isla though. There's some Ship Tease going on, but the real juicy info comes with Maou basically telling us more about himself. We finally learn why he calls his rides "Dullahan" and it is super wholesome. And it was interesting to learn how alien the humans were to him— relying on food instead of negative emotions for sustenance. It explains a lot about his war escapades.

I'm also glad that the cliffhanger addressed a question that's been hanging over my head throughout the episode: why hasn't Maou reverted back to his demon form? Given what Acieth said I'm assuming it's some form of psychological block, like he sees himself as the human Maou more than a Demon King. Hmmm.

Episode 22: Building up to the big conflict between Alciel and Emilia. Poor girl is forced to fight demons she’s already started to regard as friends.

Episode 23: I’m not sure I understood why and how Maou lost his powers, let alone regain them, but whatever. He got his demon form back just in time to kick some angel butt. Only thing that can throw him off is Emi’s dere side.

Gabriel has to be scheming something. He knew Maou was coming, and he sent Bell to Esmeralda. Something is up.

Episode 24: Of course, the day is saved. Screw off, Olba.

The lower production hurt this final battle quite a bit, but overall I'm satisfied with all the plot developments.

So now it's been explicitly mentioned that the sacred swords aren't really sacred, and same goes for the angels. That's about everything we learn; this anime is obviously angling for a continuation. Hopefully that doesn't take another decade.

Unfortunately my understanding is that as of now there's no intention of continuing the anime (thus the fin at the end of the episode). The last two seasons/one season over two years were funded as part of a 10th anniversary celebration, much like how the first season was funded to promote the light novels in the first place, and unless something changes there's nothing lined up for the future for this show.

That sucks. I do have an inkling about what happens next, but it would have been nice to see it play out onscreen.