High School DxD BorN

Episode 34

Note: For those concerned about the "Ophis" vs. "Orphis" spelling issue last episode, that has apparently already been corrected by Funimation.

Since the beginning of the season Born has been gradually but steadily working on developing the lingering insecurities of its two lead characters, and with episode 34 we see the culmination of those efforts. In Rias's case what the series has been doing has been obvious: she has been bothered that the way Issei addresses her more formally indicates a distance between the two of them which isn't apparent with the other girls (especially Asia). My impression has always been that this was leading to a potential weakness which could be exploited by an enemy, and here we finally see that come to fruition. The approach with Issei has been just as obvious, although the reason for it has not: all of the dreams of Reynare were apparently meant to give the impression that Issei was still uncertain about how the various girls truly felt about him, perhaps at least partly in the sense of whether or not they were just playing him (as Reynare had). I am not convinced that the groundwork was laid well enough here, but it is nonetheless Issei's weakness, and the curse Loki laid when he was defeated was apparently intended to exploit that weakness. Fortunately for Issei, that creeping darkness was cured when Asia attempted to heal him from damage that ran down even to the soul from the use of Juggernaut Drive, and so Loki was never able to get his fangs into Issei. Unfortunately for Rias, she had no such help. And that sets up what will apparently be the season's final plot push.

The first part of the episode is devoted to resolving Issei's plight, and this is where Asia steps up her game. She had been training to heal people at a distance, but now she is called on for the possibly-dangerous task of trying to do some “deep healing.” The energy released does, indeed, prove destructive (especially to Asia's clothes), but some combination over her relief at seeing Issei healed and her success at the task emboldens her to kiss Iseei; will he be able to continue to look at her as a “little sister” after that? Saving Issei forces Loki to go to Plan B: put a magical seal on himself while his magic works on Rias instead, in the form of a nearly perfect double for Issei which gives her what she may have been yearning for: aggressively passionate behavior from Issei. It works, and the others, who catch on just a step too late, arrive just in time to see the bewitched Rias blocking them out before blowing up the secondary building of the school and departing with the fake Issei.

Despite one light-hearted scene where Rossweisse once again laments being left behind by Odin, the events of this episode continue a generally heavier tone than the franchise has been accustomed to; although it always had the capability of getting dark and dramatic, these last couple of episodes have been on a whole 'nother level. Unlike last episode, though, this one does not have an overstuffed feel to it and the writing carries the concept through more effectively. Like last episode, though, the obligatory inclusion of the fan service is, at most, only a very minor distraction, and like the last few episodes, the artistry has its occasional brief quality drops.

If you want more from your fan service show then just nudity and action then it's hard not to like what this series is doing (or at least trying to do). It certainly looks to be setting up for a rip-roaring finale in the plot sense, too.

Rating: B

High School DxD BorN is currently streaming on Funimation.