DanMachi Season 4 (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon IV) episode 3 ended up becoming a slow burn with some action in the sense that it felt like a lot happened, but not much has progressed. After the season premiere, it felt as if everything from then on out was about to be pedal to the metal. Yet, here we still are at the great falls (literally) and it felt like nothing much progressed with this episode. Sure, we learned some things here and there, and we got a dose of action. But other than that, it still left a feeling that the story for Season 4 is slowly moving along.
The development in this episode was fine but in a weird way. One second Liliruca is crying over Bell then the next Aisha gives her a pep talk and she’s back to being the serious strategist of the group. It could be interpreted that she’s really a softie at heart and this was a perfect moment to show that. But it also feels like she had to get over her emotions quickly to just keep the story moving and really messed with the pacing of the episode. It felt like the entire moment was “Here’s some quick Liliruca development…Okay, done! Now let’s move on.”
Aisha, despite not even being invited on this adventure and just including herself to begin with, is becoming the anchor of the group this season needs. With Bell gone, her veteran dungeon presence is undoubtedly felt at this point. Being the first one to step by Bell’s side before the fight began this episode is truly telling of how far she’s come as a character. And while the ending may be the highlight of the episode, Aisha proving her worth again needs to be noted. She was the one character that kept this entire episode moving along at a better pace. Still, everything just felt like it was slowly developing.
Walking along the dungeon to see if they can fight Moss Huge and take him out, they just so happened to randomly meet another squad that amplifies the damage that’s been done felt so unnecessary given we’ve already seen how brutal the monster can actually be. This would be one of those valleys in pacing for this episode that I mentioned earlier.
I don’t why, but each fight with Bell felt like a “prove yourself” moment. He hasn’t dominated a fight yet despite everyone being amazed at how strong he is now. Even Aisha mentions he’s even surpassed her in combat yet. So I’m still waiting for the moment where a strong opponent proves to be chump change for Bell for once. He’s a level four but all of his action moments this season have basically been near-death experiences for him and the season just started.
I understand the further they go on this adventure, and the deeper they go into the dungeon, his strength will be tested against more formidable foes. But can’t he just wipe away a big opponent for once? Or is this going to be a reoccurring thing going forward with every monster he encounters?
It’s not like these moments are necessarily bad. In fact, some could look at Bell and learn the lesson that no victories will ever necessarily be flawless. Learning is an endless process and Bell could be the one personifying that. The argument that he’s a level 4 but has a long way to go before he becomes completely dominant is completely valid.
However, for the anime’s sake with a bunch of episodes to go the rest of the season, these moments can become repetitive. But they say “patience is a virtue” for a reason, right? Plenty of moments that are left to unfold during the Labyrinth Arc can prove to make the wait worth it.
Episode 3 of DanMachi Season 4 hit peaks and valleys with pacing that honestly didn’t leave anything of real importance except Bell meeting a mermaid at the very end of the episode. It wasn’t necessarily a bad episode, but rather another forgettable one outside of some minor details concerning Moss Huge. It was enjoyable, but one that doesn’t really deserve, or need, a re-watching. And with a cliffhanger on a new character introduction, it’s safe to assume she’s an important character for the arc.
Episode 4 of DanMachi Season 4 will air on Thursday, August 11, exclusively on HIDIVE. If you liked Episode 3 then make sure to vote for the episode in our weekly poll!
Screenshots from HIDIVE
©Fujino Omori, SB Creative/Danmachi 4 Production Committee