When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace

Episode 5

When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace started this season off as a mystery. It was clearly a fun take on an old premise, but there was little to indicate where it was headed. Would it be a super-powered action series, a parody of the genre, or something else entirely? If this episode is any indication, the show is aiming straight for the third option.

The series has a comfortable outline for most of its episodes. Things start out with a comedic exchange between the main characters, complete with antics that are only possible because of their special abilities. From there, the episode moves on to present its story, often revolving around a conflict that can't be resolved through superpowers alone. It's a simple format that allows for a gradual transition from comedy into drama, and it's worked well in recent weeks.

Jurai continues to be a great source of chuunibyo-themed humor; this time he brings a guitar case into the Literature Club room. There's a delightful moment where he simply sits back and waits for someone to acknowledge the obnoxious prop, and the humor moves at full speed from that point forward. Chifuyu shows up to steal his thunder with the help of her powers, and the resulting exchange is a blast to watch. Even if the viewer can see some of the jokes coming, they're delivered with a level of enthusiasm that other comedies would struggle to replicate.

After the opening scene, the show moves on to develop its most compelling character dynamic: the friendly antagonism between Jurai and ToMoYo. As they trade barbs over one another's delusions of grandeur, it's revealed that ToMoYo has a serious ambition to become an author. Instead of giving her grief for it or rattling off a trite statement of support, Jurai offers a very thoughtful mix of advice and encouragement. It's a carefully worded exchange that wouldn't feel out of place in a more otaku-focused series like Genshiken.

What follows is the standard “totally not a date” date that cashes in on all the awkward charm and chemistry that Jurai and ToMoYo have built up so far. We get the sense that they can let their guards down and geek out with one another, which explains why ToMoYo gets so flustered at the thought of complicating the relationship. The whole sequence exudes the kind of sweetness that would normally only be found in a dedicated romance series.

The only real misstep comes from Hatoko's role in the episode. We learn that she's also close to Jurai, and it's obvious that she has feelings for him, but few details are provided on where they stand with one another. Her shock at seeing Jurai and ToMoYo together is still obvious, but it lacks the necessary context to pack a major emotional punch. It's a small issue, but a surprising one in a series that has otherwise done a sterling job of developing its characters.

Nitpicking aside, this is easily one of the best episodes in the series so far. It's funny, smart, and emotionally involving. Even the coolest superpower needs a compelling character to wield it, and When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace clearly understood that from the start. It assembles a charismatic group of kids and uses their abilities as conversation starters for some very interesting topics. I worried early on that this show might not be able to make good on its loftier ambitions, but this episode has gone a long way towards putting those concerns to rest. If you're not watching yet, now is the time to get on board.

Rating: A-

When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Paul Jensen also covers anime and manga at SharkPuppet.com.