Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai II – 03

(Chikuchou, Kitaru)
“The District Chief Arrives”

So Haqua (Hayami Saori) finally appears, but who would have thought that it’d make this episode so amazing? Besides getting the needed dose of Elsie cuteness (and fire trucks), a very impressive thought came to me. It’s already the second season of this show, but up until this episode we had no real idea why loose souls were being captured. If you think about it, what was the whole point of watching Keima capture all those girls? To watch him show how it’s possible for a super otaku to kiss the hottest girls in the school? As Keima brought up his goal of gathering more information about the whole situation he’s stuck in, I was a little blown away that I didn’t question it sooner. Who’d have thought that the loose souls are actually demons who were previously banished and are trying to reincarnate themselves? The whole mini lesson was a nice refresher course, even though Keima was the one doing the explaining.

While I’m talking about Keima, I’m happy that he seems to have returned to his awesome badass self. His moments of seamlessly transitioning between his 2d girls and real life were somethings I really missed. But when he started pulling out his amazing wits from last season, my eyes were glued to the screen. The Keima that I watch this show for is the one who can woo the ladies even when he’s not trying. By ladies, I’m referring to Haqua. I’m not sure what impressed her more — the fact that Keima saw through her whole ruse or the fact that he’s able to see completely through her. Whatever it may be, it looks she’s at least partially fallen for him.

Watching Elsie constantly praise Haqua for being such an amazing demon started to get really old really fast. Especially since she doesn’t deserve half the praise she’s getting. But that’s what so lovable about Elsie — her earnest honesty. Sure her love for fire trucks makes me grin and I just love the way she pouts when she loses patience for Keima. But that honesty of hers is probably what makes her so amazing. I really hope that somewhere along the line she does get recognized for getting such an impressive amount of work done. I mean, I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since the first season started, but it seems that Keima’s been capturing a girl nearly every week to week and a half (Haqua said two months have passed).

With what looks like an epic battle ready to start next week, I can honestly say that I haven’t been this excited for an episode of Kami Nomi in a while. After the first two episodes, I was a little nervous that I would lose interest in this show — but I’m overjoyed that whatever they did this week really worked for me.

 

Preview

78 Comments

  1. P0NCH

    Elsie is absolutely adorable! Good show!

  2. PockyG

    After watching this episode I don’t wanna say Saori Hayami was miscast as Haqua but I think there were better choices out there. Rina Satou comes to my head but there are others.

    • CarVac

      I think that it might not be a miscasting, but rather an issue with the atmosphere provided by the show. I think it takes itself a little too seriously (I read the manga for the comedy, not for the romance), and that gets it bogged down even in scenes that had me rolling on the floor laughing in the manga. It seems to have rectified the pacing problem I noticed in the first season (Two captures in 4 episodes!), but I guess it lost the 90% comedy atmosphere of the first season and the manga.That said, when I first read the cast, I thought “Ikaros = Haqua?!?” I can’t think of anyone in particular who’d be a better fit, but I think that Satou Rina’s voice would be a little too…juvenile? Playful? for Haqua. Plus, my expectations were unfortunately met. While some characters’ casting matched my imagination perfectly (Ayumi for one), I just kept thinking that the adaptation’s Haqua didn’t feel like the manga Haqua.

      • PockyG

        You make a great point. The comedy is somewhat subdued in this adaptation which could be a reason for the choice. The show (except for Elsie) doesn’t seem to want to be a comedy which makes Haqua seems to be a lot more snobby than in the manga. Satou Rina was just an example, but she does play the tomboyish/tsundere role quite well which fits Haqua. Someone also mentioned Katou Emiri last post which would work too and theres many more. Perhaps when the anime decides to follow the manga closer, Hayami Saori can loosen up more.

      • CarVac

        Katou Emiri? Kyubey = Haqua?!? (that’s the only role of hers I know) Well, I guess you do make a contract with the devil girl.

      • SJin

        Emiri Katou voiced Kagami in Lucky Star, who might be a somewhat similar character type to Haqua.

      • TenOne

        I disagree, I like that it takes itself seriously. It’s a good theme for seriousness.

      • amado

        nah, I prefer when it didnt take itself seriously. it was much more hilarious and funny than how the anime portrays it.I liked how the manga slowly gets a bit more serious later. this early doesnt really appeal to me.

      • @TenOne I have to push back on your comment. The reason Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai is such an awesome series is the fact that it doesn’t take itself seriously (I mean, just think about the premise…) The anime leans twoards the “serious” side and I still don’t know why they chose that direction. I’m going to pull some examples from the manga (that seriously had me rofl), which sadly are missing from the anime. Spoiler tags just in case: For example, I was totally waiting for the “Elsee is an idiot” comment from Keima in this episode and it was cut. Another entertaining one was the “I’m so disappointed with the plot being so unexpectedly easy,” again, from Keima. Or the *blush* *Haqua hugs Keima because she’s scared* scene I also agree that the seiyuus are a bit miscast. For me, it took me 5-6 episodes in the first season before I got used to Shimono Hiro as Keima. I totally pictured Fukuyama Jun (Lelouch from Code Geass)voicing Keima. However, don’t get me wrong, this is one of my favorite manga to anime adaptations not only because of the animation quality, but the execution. I think had the anime kept more of the original comedy it would have made an already good anime even better.

      • Karmafan

        I don’t read the manga so I didn’t notice any changes from manga canon. I thought the episode was great. Only thing I wished was that Keima would stick up for Elsie. She is so honest and kind. It wouldn’t have killed Keima to tell Haqua that Elsie really did catch 5.

      • CarVac

        @Aoihoshikage: The model for how I think this series should have been adapted is Sora no Otoshimono. That show manages to have the most ridiculously funny moments transition PERFECTLY into touching emotional moments without being jarring.Ignoring how they scrambled the plot around a little, the comedic atmosphere from that show was essentially perfect in my mind. They expanded on the gags enough (and put enough effort into animating them beautifully!) to keep them funny, fill in a little time, but also kept them from dragging on too long, which I felt was a problem in TWGOK season 1.I think that the rapid changes of pace from Sora no Otoshimono could help here. I imagine a TWGOK adaptation that has standard comedy style most of the time, but suddenly art shifts and has cheesy dating sim music whenever Keima turns bishonen and uses his smooth talking.

  3. firecow

    Haqua is pretty useless if she can’t even capture one losse soul. She even had to ask Kemia for help just because she can’t do it herself at the ending of the episode. Right now I am disappointed in her character. After everyone raving about Haqua for so long.

    • PockyG

      Theres a reason why she can’t catch any that is explained later in the manga.

      • Lee

        I really want to know why now please (spoiler tagged, of course).

      • PockyG

        @Lee Because her partner isn’t Kami-sama of course! Haqua has a old lady as a partner.

      • RickyMack

        yukie and gokult reminds me of morning lescue

      • Lee

        lol, yea I knew about that. I thought you meant there was some serious explanation, but yea, no one’s as good as Keima.

      • amado

        it was more like her buddy’s way of catching them takes longer.

      • Hagiri

        Haqua and her partner had to capture the loose souls they were following all at the same time.

      • znail

        Or to make it even clearer:The old lady is working on multiple targets at once, so it will take longer before she gets the first one, but on the other hand so is it effective in the long term.

    • Serapita

      I couldn’t stand her when I first reading the manga too but after a while, she’ll grow on to you ;x

    • Takaii

      I really like Haqua.I LOVE Elsie though<3

  4. bakabakabaka

    Haqua:”We new demons are intelligent and rational.” Elsie: “A fire engine!”

    • drha

      My favorite part^

    • defunkt_bots

      oh and a pump….:3 kawaii

  5. firecow

    How long that will be before she grows on me anyway?

  6. InvisibleZombie

    To be honest i was waiting for Haqua to appear, most definitely she is my favorite, not sure why maybe just because she’s cute. Can’t wait for the next episode >.<

  7. Rasone0104

    Lolz I just love Haqua specially because Keima shows 0 interest in her as seen during 2 bathroom scenes where he gets to see her naked! and imo she serves as a pretty decent punchline XD

  8. Rijasy

    Woot haqua. One of my favorite arcs. 🙂

  9. I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things, but watching this episode felt just like it has always been. Keima really does make the show interesting and Elsie simply makes me smile.

  10. starss

    So! Much! ELSIE!!!I is happy fan.

    • MC

      Yes! Elsie is so adoreable XD! I’m starting to become a big fan of her seiyuu, Itou, Kanae, too. She also plays Ohana in Ohana Iroha.

  11. LOL

    lose interest in this show? what an absurd thought!!

    • MC

      Yeah! I thought I might lose interest having already read the manga (which isn’t usually the case on my part) but I was surprisingly pleased with how well this season has started! I think I’m starting to like this better than the manga…after I was somewhat dissapointed in the first season.

      • ukato

        I totally agree. I thoroughly enjoy the manga but thought season 1 of the anime just wasn’t executed right. They dragged the arcs too long and missed the oomph that the manga has.But this season is showing absolutely great potential. And is it just me, or did the animation quality go up this season?Btw, anyone else who read the manga, think they made Chihiro way more cute in the OP than she’s meant to be?

      • CarVac

        I feel that the pacing has improved in the second season, but the atmosphere has suffered for it. Plus, the old OP is better.However, I don’t think the animation has changed significantly. That said, I’m comparing it to other shows I’ve watched recently with awesome animation, like Sora no Otoshimono and Hanasaku Iroha, so it doesn’t really stand a chance.

  12. Forloko

    Don’t stop watching this show ever T.T!!! Hopefully it might catch up 1 day… to where the manga is….because in all honesty, you haven’t seen ANYTHING yet in relation to just how GODLY AWESOME Keima is *sagenod*and sadly it won’t be seen for awhile T.T

  13. gawrshness

    super otaku ftw! Keima really is something else

  14. MC

    Haqua: “The age of barbarism has ended! We new demons are intelligent, rational creatures!”Elsie: “A fire engine! The real thing! It’s bright red! SUGGOOIII!!!…”Keima: “[Well…]that explains why she doesn’t act demonic…”Lol.

    • MC

      Oops, looks like bakabaka was thinking the of the same scene 😛

  15. amado

    well at least they finally got around explaining why the loose souls possesses girls instead of boys. the anime is nice but some of the funny parts were more funny when I read it in the manga. like when haqua was threatened by keima.of course the anime has some good parts in originality. like that “lunch box” in the 1st season and that baseball part this ep.

  16. NanoNano

    Yay for Haqua!!

  17. I think in Second Season,, there are a lot of cute girl, I love it,,

  18. Giant blob is suffering. lolHaqua’s already fallen for Keima completely. She can’t resist his divinity- she just hasn’t realized it herself. I mean caring about every little thing he says, wanting to be alone with him all the time [to the point of sending Elsie away! ELSIE! *RAGE*], and trying to make herself look better than Elsie.. [blasphemy, I say] She fell for him. >8[

  19. Smuglord

    Love everything about Haqua. She made this the most enjoyable episode either season of Kami Nomi has offered so far for me. I’d like to pose a question to the manga readers though. Will Haqua stick with Keima as his second sidekick or is she just a character for this particular arc? Cause it’d be really interesting to see how Haqua reacts to seeing Keima flirt with other girls to extract loose souls from them, considering how far she has fallen for him already:3

    • amado

      haqua will stick.

      • Smuglord

        Hell yessssss

  20. Zaku Fan

    Haqua’s not a bad character. But still in terms of adorable, Elsie has her beat. The explaination of the modern vs ancient demon is interesting. The baseball section was a good twist as the art was so different i thought it was some anime showing at some sort of otaku club (should have good negative energy there)

  21. MrRei

    Haqua’s getting cute in the latest chapters of the manga.. ^^With her becoming Keima’s temp partner, she gets dragged around in his methods. Her reactions are quite fun to see.. ^^

  22. Aisu

    No one can beat Elsie for cuteness, and I mean NO ONE, but Haqua really grows on you. Like someone else said, she seems less snobbish in the manga, though I liked the way they were able to portray how guilty she felt every time Elsie praised her, even though she knew Elsie was the one deserving of praise. This season has already shaped up to be a lot better than the last <3 They're also starting to get the actual plot going, so yay!

  23. n0216332

    elsie is soooooooooooooooo adorableeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…. on the side note… im failing to like haqua, even tho all the comments above and the show tells me there’s a reason behind it… but i just dont a character that would lie to hide embaressment.. well, i might change my mind.. she best redeem herself… lying to elsie acting like she’s better >:( *hmph*

  24. thenewhorde

    i’m sure glad I didn’t start the manga from the introduction of Haqua, otherwise I wouldn’t be the first to jump on the Keima x Haqua ship from the very beginning.

  25. Chris

    I loved the preview for some reason.”Even the earth is tsundere now, cant you hear it ‘Its not like Im spinning for you or anything'”

  26. Apollo

    I wish the translation team would preserve the more spontaneous expressions in the manga. “I hate today’s kami-niisama!!!” I think we can all understand that. Also I was kind of iffy about this episode. The pacing is a bit too slow.

    • Takaii

      As much as I agree with you, which would translate to “I hate today’s Kami-sama” isn’t something you’d use in regular conversation. At least where I am, hearing someone say “You’re being so ridiculous today” or something along those lines would sound a bit more natural then “I hate today’s you”. Unless we’re trying to speak in limericks or breaking out into songs or something.Just my opinion.

  27. amado

    oh and theres a new chapter in the manga for those who dont know yet.

  28. Kumakaori

    Shouboushaaaa~~~~~ o3o. Haqua is right, Elsie will never grow up, but that is why we love her hehehehehehe.

  29. Baroks

    Haqua: “…. some human”Keima: “…. some demon”lol at that part..

  30. RyougaZell

    Haqua is awesome :)But I miss Kanon 🙁

    • flame

      She’ll be back. Not sure how many more seasons though.

    • KJacket

      Kanon only reappears in the recent manga arc which is like 100 chapters later right?when she remembers Keima.It’ll take forever to get to that point though.

      • RyougaZell

        I’m a manga reader too… so yeah… She reappers around chapter 50… if animated that would be in TWO seasons… whereas the current arc would be un SIX seasons… if they continue with only 12 episode seasons that is

  31. Razgriz

    What we’re seeing here in Haqua is a common kind of disease. She excels at academics but when it comes to the real thing she couldn’t do jack. I would call it a kind of occupational disease but I think Mio and Ritsu had that covered in episode 2. Anyway, it came a bit of a surprise to me that Haqua hasn’t managed to capture a single soul. And because she is envious of Elsie’s feats of five, she had to make up her own story and act all tough and superior. And yeah…the new demons are intelligent, rational and have this strange love for fire engines. 😀

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