My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s [Season 1 Episode 9]

Title: “Assassin vs. Hero: Episode 9 Delivers a Jaw-Dropping Twist That’ll Make You Rethink Everything”

Let’s cut to the chase: My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s Season 1 Episode 9 is the kind of episode that makes you spam your group chat at 2 AM. If you thought you had this anime figured out—assassin男主 (main character) Akira hiding his OP skills while the “hero” Tokiya fumbles through quests—think again. This week, the show throws a curveball so wild, even the most seasoned isekai fans are still picking their jaws up off the floor.

First, let’s recap the basics for anyone who’s been living under a rock: Akira and Tokiya are summoned to a fantasy world to defeat the Demon Lord, but Akira’s status screen is bugged—instead of “Hero,” he’s labeled “Assassin,” and his stats are off the charts. Episode 9 kicks off with the duo investigating a village plagued by a “cursed forest,” but what starts as a typical monster-slaying mission quickly spirals into something way darker.

The animation, by Sunrise (yes, the studio behind Code Geass), is fire this episode. The fight scenes? Chef’s kiss. When Akira unleashes his hidden ability—Shadow Step—to take down a horde of shadow wolves, the fluidity of the movements and the way the shadows twist around him is so smooth, you’ll rewind it three times just to catch every detail. And don’t even get me started on the color palette: the forest shifts from eerie green to blood-red as the curse intensifies, setting a vibe that’s equal parts creepy and cool.

But here’s the real tea: the twist. Halfway through the episode, we learn the “curse” isn’t from a monster—it’s from the village elder, who’s been sacrificing villagers to a dark god to gain immortality. And get this: Tokiya knew. KNEW. The “hero” we’ve been side-eyeing for being clueless this whole time? He’s been covering for the elder because the village promised him a “divine weapon” to boost his stats. Talk about a betrayal!

The fan reactions are insane. On MyAnimeList, users are losing it: “I trusted Tokiya… or so I thought,” one user rants, while another adds, “Akira’s face when he finds out? I felt that. That cold, ‘I’m about to end this man’s whole career’ look? Chef’s kiss.” Even casual viewers are weighing in: “I started watching this for the OP MC, but now I’m hooked on the drama. Who’s the real villain here?”

What makes this episode stand out is how it subverts isekai tropes. Usually, the hero is the moral compass, but here, Tokiya’s greed turns him into the bad guy. And Akira? He’s not just a silent badass—his internal conflict about whether to expose Tokiya or protect the village feels real. When he confronts Tokiya, the dialogue is raw: “You call yourself a hero? Heroes don’t let innocent people die for power.” Ouch.

But let’s not forget the humor—because even in the darkest episodes, this show knows how to make you laugh. Akira’s deadpan one-liners (“I told you the elder was fishy. You said ‘he’s just a nice old man.’”) had me cackling, and the way he teases Tokiya about his terrible sword skills? Classic.

If there’s one complaint, it’s that the pacing feels a bit rushed. The elder’s backstory is glossed over, and we don’t get enough time to process Tokiya’s betrayal before the episode ends on a cliffhanger (Akira vs. Tokiya next week—yes, please). But honestly, who cares? The twist is so good, it makes up for any minor flaws.

In short, Episode 9 is a game-changer. It’s got action, drama, and a twist that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about heroes and assassins. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just here for the OP MC vibes, this episode is a must-watch. Just don’t forget to breathe—you’ll need it for the final scene.

Final Verdict: 9/10. The twist alone is worth the watch, and the animation is top-tier. If you’re not watching My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s, you’re missing out on 2025’s most underrated isekai gem. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rewatch that fight scene for the 10th time.

P.S. If you ship Akira and the priestess, Akari, this episode has a cute moment where she patches him up after the fight. You’re welcome.

P.P.S. Next week’s preview shows Akira pulling out a new weapon—Assassin’s Blade—and Tokiya in full hero mode. I’m already stressed.

— A very hyped anime fan

(Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, but let’s be real—this episode slaps.)