Akujiki Reijou to Kyouketsu Koushaku [Season 1 Episode 9]

Alright, let’s dive into Episode 9 of Akujiki Reijou to Kyouketsu Koushaku—and let me tell you, this one’s all about Melphiera stepping into her own spotlight. After two episodes stuck on a dragon’s back (yes, you read that right), our favorite monster-meat-obsessed noble finally touches down in Aristide’s hometown, and things get interesting.

First off, props to the production team at Asahi Production for keeping the vibe light but meaningful. The episode kicks off with Melphiera ditching the dragon ride (thank goodness—even dragons need a break, right?) and landing in Middlaeg, Aristide’s well-appointed fortress city. Fans on MyAnimeList were thrilled to see her feet on solid ground again—one user even joked, “Finally, after two episodes on the dragon’s back, Melphiera’s feet touched the ground once again. 🤭” Relatable, honestly.

But the real star of the show? Melphiera’s interactions with the Blanche Unit, a trio of badass female knights. Let’s be real—when you’re a noble lady crashing a duke’s hometown, you’d expect some side-eye, but these knights? They’re cool. Melphiera wastes no time bonding with them: she has one do her hair (iconic), cracks jokes, and even stands her ground when things get tense. One fan gushed, “Only she could have the audacity to have an accomplished badass knight do her hair lmao.” Preach.

What’s refreshing here is seeing Melphiera shine without Aristide hovering over her. She’s still her quirky self—distracted by fish at 6:50 (classic Melphie), geeking out over monster meat—but she’s also growing. The Blanche knights aren’t just side characters; they’re her new squad. Fans loved this, with comments like, “Really nice to see Melphiera is getting settled in the Dukes kingdom and that she is making friends with the female Knights.” And let’s not forget that moment at 12:40 when she reacts to a handsome lady knight—chef’s kiss. The internet’s already shipping her with the Blanche Unit (“I wouldn’t be surprised if Melphie turn lesbian after meeting with Blanche Unit, they’re so perfect”), and honestly? We get it.

Of course, no episode is without its critiques. Some fans are tired of the “relentless backstory and infodumping,” begging for more focus on Melphie and Aristide’s relationship. Fair—we want to see that cute banter too! But let’s cut the show some slack: world-building is important, even if it takes a minute. Plus, the Blanche Unit’s introduction feels like a step in the right direction.

And can we talk about the dragon? That scene where it gives Aristide puppy-dog eyes? AWWWWWWWW. Fans lost it—“lololololol the dragon gave him puppy dog eyes!!! i love it!!!!” It’s the little, silly moments like that that make this show so endearing.

Looking ahead, the preview hints at a tree monster hunt next week, and fans are hyped. “Looking forward to seeing them hunt the tree monster next week and hopefully we see Mel with her own sword soon!” one user wrote. Fingers crossed—Melphie wielding a sword while chasing monster meat? Sign us up.

Overall, Episode 9 is a win. It’s funny, heartwarming, and gives Melphiera the chance to spread her wings (without a dragon, this time). The Blanche Unit is a fantastic addition, and we’re here for Melphie’s journey from quirky noble to badass monster-meat connoisseur with a squad of knights. If you’re into cozy fantasy with a side of chaos, this episode’s for you.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Google “monster meat recipes”—for research, obviously. 🥩✨