I LOVE LOVE LOVED the new episode.
The singing? Absolute cinema
The animation of the actual dancing? The rotoscoping was a bit janky at times like when Lied's started dancing, but honestly it just adds to the humour and joy in his bit so I have no complaints; I just found it funny instead of annoying. But in general, the animation was so good that I fear we might not have enough budget for the next episode let alone the Evidol Games Arc.
As a musical theater kid, so many things about the performance stood out to me. But I would say the biggest thing was how the performance was a proper musical number that is, the performance isn't merely a song and dance but a song with an actual story. This means that just like Iruma, the Misfits and dare I say, the animators, singing VAs and everyone else needed to understand the story and intentions to really show the audience the purpose of Lilith's Carpet- a much desired demoness who deeply desires a love so fiery and passionate that's just right for her. The temptress who wants a pure love- which really fits Elizabetta's character so she really understood the character. It was literally made FOR her.
But I love how you can tell the Misfits love performing it because this is the culmination of all their hard work; from the singing while dancing, to dancing in sync with one another (a very hard thing for demons to do as we've been told). This brings me to another point- the Misifts did something professional Evidols(Akudols?) couldn't handle which just really really makes the performance more enjoyable. Imagine seeing this live in the audience, imagine being the judges expecting another song and dance and instead you get a whole MUSICAL NUMBER with all these kids dancing in sync, not one of them being a beat out of step with the music.
The way each character persevered through the whole 15 minute performance is really amazing. And Elizabetta especially, she barely had any breaks in the performance and she's the main lead so she's been singing AND dancing for almost 15 minutes straight. She's NEVER done any professional dancing, musical theater or anything like this and even though they've undergone rigourous training, still it really shows how much effort they've put into their performance. I know people who do musical theatre for a long time, and still mix up lines or fumble dance steps on the day.
And Purson Soi. Oh.My.God!! It's the boy, the myth, the legend, the one and only PIXIE!!!! AHHH I LOVE HIM SO SO MUCH, HE'S FINALLY ON STAGE SHOWING OFF HIS CRAFT, HIS MUSIC!!! The tension in that moment of "will he, won't he show up" was built-up so well, that I, someone who's read the manga and thus knows he'll show up, found myself inching closer to the screen in anticipation. The cut from noise to a deafening silence, and then when he did show up blasting his trupmet for all to hear, a noise that pierces through the silence, which is replaced by that noise once again- perfect.
I'm happy the episode was more focused on the performance than on the audience's reactions being shown at times during it because I defintely would've found that annoying, as well as there not being much focus on Iruma as a whole since this whole performance is meant to be about Elizabetta and Purson, mainly Purson.
By the way, let's not forget the people singing! WOW!! IT WAS SO GOOD!! Camui's end note was so unexpected, I just paused and listened to it again. Props to his singing VA. And well done to everyone else!!! AHHHH I LOVED EVERYONE'S VOICES AND CLARA AND KERORI TOO!!!!! In some of the chorus bits, I liked the detail of some of them singing the line in one octave and then the rest repeating that with a different octave and a slight one second delay e.g Kerori and Clara during Agares' bit.
The bakcgrounds were great, the lighting phenomenal, the costumes superb, facial expressions great.
About the costumes, I'm GLAD that unlike what the OP shows us, Purson did in fact keep his outfit from the manga. You don't understand how mad I was when I saw the OP for the first time; my friends heard a LOONG rant about it.
The way they replaced the ED with the final bits of Lilith's Carpet was just *chef's kiss*. As they should tbh, the whole crew of people involved in it worked so hard on it, and it ended up exceeding my already high expectations (I was NOT ready for the rotoscoping).
Shoutout to Nishi, who managed to create a musical number so good that it left me feeling satisfied with it's conclusion. Didn't leave me wanting more, instead I felt contented with it. No disappointment or a sense of "hm there could've been more to it". She never disappoints with the songs in general; this might be mentioned in the manga, but I wonder if she's a fan of musical theatre.
All in all, episode was AMAZING and I can't wait for the next episode. Super hyped for the next arc (yuri times are upon us)
