Mikata ga Yowasugite Hojo Mahou ni Tesshiteita Kyuutei Mahoushi, Tsuihou sarete Saikyou wo Mezashimasu [Season 1 Episode 9]

Alright, let’s talk about Episode 9 of The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest—because honestly, this one had me all over the place. First off, let’s get the basics out of the way: this anime’s from Studio Gekkou, directed by Takahashi Ken (who did Ragna Crimson), and it’s about Alec, a court magician kicked out for only using support magic, who then teams up with a ragtag group to become the strongest. Cool premise, right? But Episode 9… man, it was a mixed bag.

Let’s start with the good stuff. The character backstories were a highlight for a lot of fans, including me. Ornest, that spear-wielding guy who’s always yelling? Turns out he’s got a sad story—his brother or childhood friend (the episode was a bit vague, but who cares, it’s sad either way) is sick, and that’s why he’s so desperate to prove himself. Watching him fight Gloria, the blood-magic-wielding bad guy, while flashbacks of his friend played? That hit. Even if the flashbacks were a bit overdone (more on that later), it made Ornest feel real, not just some loud dude with a spear.

And can we talk about the party bond? That’s what makes this show work, right? When Alec finally shows up to save Ornest—after we spent half the episode wondering where he was—it felt earned. The way the group sticks together, even when things get messy, is the heart of the series. Yorha, the sleepy healer? She might’ve napped through most of the episode, but when she did wake up, her support magic was clutch. It’s the little things, like her dozing off mid-fight, that make the characters feel like actual people, not just plot devices.

Now, the not-so-good. Let’s be real: this episode was slow. Like, fall-asleep-in-the-middle slow. A lot of fans complained about the pacing—2 minutes of flashbacks for every 1 minute of fighting? C’mon, we get it, Ornest is sad, but let’s move the story along! And Gloria… oh, Gloria. He’s this edgy blood mage who screams every line like he’s in a bad metal music video. Don’t get me wrong, the voice actor’s giving it his all, but it was cringey. Every time he yelled, “BLOOD MAGIC!” I half-expected him to break into a guitar solo. Also, can we address the spear-wielding stereotype? Is it a rule that every spear guy in anime has to be loud and a little dumb? Ornest is cool, but let’s mix it up next time.

The fight scenes were another letdown. Gloria and Ornest went at it for what felt like forever, but it was just… repetitive. Punch, slash, blood splatter, repeat. And don’t even get me started on the cliffhanger. Alec arrives, Gloria uses some big bad demon magic, and then—cut to black. Like, really? We waited 20 minutes for that? Fans on MyAnimeList were losing it: “OH COME ON WHY’D IT HAVE TO END LIKE THAT?!” I felt that. Cliffhangers are fine, but this one just felt cheap.

But here’s the thing: even with all its flaws, this episode kept me watching. Why? Because the characters are likable. I care about Ornest’s friend, I want to know why Alec won’t use all his magic (seriously, he’s supposed to be a five-colored magician—use some fire already!), and I love how the group bickers but still has each other’s backs. It’s not the best fantasy anime out there, but it’s not the worst. As one fan put it: “It’s not bad, but it’s not good. Definitely seen worse.”

Would I recommend this episode to a friend? Maybe, if they’re into slow-burn character development and don’t mind a little cringe. But if you’re looking for non-stop action, skip it. Wait for the next episode, where hopefully we get more Alec, less Gloria yelling, and some actual plot progression.

In the end, Episode 9 of The Banished Court Magician is like a microwaved pizza: it’s not great, but it fills the void. It’s got heart, it’s got flaws, and it’s definitely a conversation starter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go Google “why won’t Alec use fire magic” and wait impatiently for Episode 10.

Final Verdict: 6/10. Watch it for the characters, fast-forward through the flashbacks.

P.S. If you have fantasy anime recs, hit me up—I’m running out of shows to watch! 🎮✨