Mikata ga Yowasugite Hojo Mahou ni Tesshiteita Kyuutei Mahoushi, Tsuihou sarete Saikyou wo Mezashimasu [Season 1 Episode 11]

Alright, let’s dive into Mikata ga Yowasugite Hojo Mahou ni Tesshiteita Kyuutei Mahoushi, Tsuihou sarete Saikyou wo Mezashimasu (or The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest for short) Season 1 Episode 11. First off, if you’re a fan of the “kicked out of the hero’s party” trope, you’ve probably seen this exact setup a million times before—but hey, sometimes comfort food is just what you need, right?

The episode starts with our protagonist, Alec Ygret, getting the boot from his royal party because his support magic isn’t “flashy” enough. Cue the eye-rolls from the audience—we’ve all been here. The prince, Regulus Galdana, is your typical arrogant blonde who can’t see past his own ego, and his teammates, Leni and Iks, are just along for the ride. Alec’s mentor, Eldas, warned him not to become a court magician, but of course, he didn’t listen. Classic “I know better” move that backfires spectacularly.

Now, let’s talk about the animation. Studio Gekkou (known for Ragna Crimson) does a decent job here. The magic effects are crisp—those lava snakes Alec conjures later? Chef’s kiss. The fight scenes are fluid, especially when Alec and his new party take on that giant worm monster. But let’s be real, the art style is nothing groundbreaking. It’s your standard fantasy fare, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it won’t make your jaw drop either.

The real star of the show (so far) is Alec’s new party, the “Lasting Period.” Yeah, the name is… questionable. Fans on MyAnimeList were roasting it left and right—“Lasting Period” sounds like a nightmare for anyone with a uterus, am I right? But the members? They’re a breath of fresh air. Yorha, the pink-haired badass, steals every scene she’s in. She’s competent, funny, and doesn’t take any nonsense. When she tells Alec to “burn it with all your might” during the worm fight? Iconic. And let’s not forget the other male member—finally, a harem-free party! That’s a huge win in my book.

But here’s the thing: this episode is rushed. The banishment happens in the first 10 minutes, and then we’re thrown into Alec’s new adventure without much build-up. Fans were complaining about the pacing, and I get it. One commenter said, “The beginning was VERY rushed, generic story, let’s see how it goes later.” Another noted, “The banish part also seemed pretty rushed on top of the cliche before that.” It’s like the writers were in a hurry to get to the “good stuff” without setting the stage properly.

The music? The OP, “Quest” by Akiyama Kiro, is catchy but region-locked (thanks, SME). The ED, “Kakera” by aruma, is a nice ballad, but again, nothing to write home about. The sound design during the fights is solid—you can feel the impact of each spell—but the background music is forgettable.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the trope overload. This is the second “kicked out of the party” anime this season alone. Fans are tired. One user ranted, “How and why are they still doing the same stupid trope over and over again?” Another said, “This type of show quite literally happens every season now.” And honestly? They’re not wrong. The plot is so cookie-cutter that you can predict every beat. Alec will prove his worth, the prince will beg for him back, and everyone will live happily ever after. Yawn.

But wait—there’s a glimmer of hope. The Lasting Period has potential. Yorha is a great character, and the dynamic between her and Alec is fun to watch. The action sequences are well-done, and the magic system is interesting (support magic can be OP if used right, hello?). If the writers focus on developing the party and adding some unique twists, this could turn into a decent series.

So, should you watch it? If you’re a die-hard fan of the genre, sure. It’s mindless fun with some cool fights. But if you’re looking for originality, you’re better off skipping this. As one fan put it, “High 5/10 not 6/10 yet. The plot is super cliche at best.” I’d give it a 5.5/10—promising but flawed.

In conclusion, The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest Episode 11 is a mixed bag. It’s got great characters, solid animation, and some exciting moments, but it’s held back by rushed pacing and overused tropes. If you’re in the mood for a light, fantasy adventure, give it a shot. But don’t expect anything revolutionary.

P.S. If you’re having subtitle issues on Crunchyroll, you’re not alone. Fans reported problems on both phone and TV. Fingers crossed they fix it soon!

P.P.S. “Lasting Period” is still a terrible party name. Just saying.

Final Verdict: 5.5/10. Watch if you love the trope, skip if you crave originality.

Disclaimer: This review is based on Episode 11. Your mileage may vary as the series progresses.