My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s [S01E10: The Assassin Gazes Upon the River’s Surface]

Spoilers ahead for My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s Season 1 Episode 10—don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Let’s dive into Episode 10, “The Assassin Gazes Upon the River’s Surface.” If you’ve been hooked on this series (and let’s be real, who hasn’t?), you know Akira Oda’s journey is all about quiet rage and hidden power. He started as the invisible kid in class—until he and his peers got transported to a fantasy world, where his unassuming vibe turned into his deadliest weapon as a silent assassin. But this episode cranks the tension to 11, and it’s all about one huge choice: Should Akira kill Gram?

For context: Akira’s been chasing revenge ever since his friend was murdered by assassins ordered by the human King. Gram isn’t the King, but he’s a middleman—someone who helped carry out the King’s dirty work. So here’s the dilemma: Does Akira take out Gram to get closer to his target, or hold back because Gram isn’t the real enemy?

What makes this episode hit so hard is how it dives into Akira’s internal war. There’s this scene where he’s standing by the river, staring at his reflection (hello, episode title!), and you can practically see the gears turning in his head. On one side, he’s burning to avenge his friend—every fiber of his being screams for justice. On the other, he’s questioning: How far is too far? If he kills Gram, is he just becoming another villain?

The animation here is chef’s kiss, thanks to Sunrise and TMS Entertainment. The soft lighting on the river, the way Akira’s face tightens when he thinks about his friend—you feel every bit of his doubt. And when the tension spikes, the music shifts to this intense, drum-heavy beat that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Sunrise and TMS know their stuff (they did Detective Conan and Cowboy Bebop, after all)—every frame feels intentional.

Fans are split on Akira’s choice, and honestly, I get it. Some are yelling, “Kill him! He’s part of the problem!” Others are like, “Wait—Akira’s better than that. Revenge shouldn’t make him lose his soul.” I found myself switching sides every two minutes—one second I was rooting for him to pull the trigger, the next I was begging him to walk away. That’s the mark of a great episode: making you feel the character’s struggle like it’s your own.

And let’s talk character growth! Akira isn’t just the silent assassin anymore. He’s a kid with morals, even if they’re clouded by grief. He’s learning that revenge isn’t black and white—something we teens can relate to (minus the fantasy world assassins, obviously). It’s cool to see a protagonist who isn’t perfect; he makes mistakes, he doubts himself, and that’s what makes him real.

Is there anything I didn’t love? Maybe a tiny lull in the middle, but it’s worth it for the payoff. The episode sets up the next arc perfectly—will Akira pull the trigger? What’s the King’s next move? I’m already counting down to the next episode.

Overall, Episode 10 is a banger. It’s got suspense, heart, and that cliffhanger vibe that makes you want to hit “next episode” immediately. I’d give it a solid 9/10—definitely one of the best episodes of the season so far. If you haven’t watched it yet, go do it. And if you have—drop a comment: Do you think Akira should kill Gram? Let’s debate!

Until next time, keep binging—you never know what’s gonna happen next!

P.S. Shoutout to the animation team for that river scene—chills, literal chills. 🎬✨