How would you rate episode 12 of
Übel Blatt ? Community score: 3.2
It's with a mix of relief and profound frustration that I finally say goodbye to Übel Blatt,which ends its run as mired in confusion and baffling narrative and adaptation choices aswhen it began. Some kind of miracle (or perhaps catastrophe) would be needed for thisterrible show to gain a second season, leaving the story likely forever unfinished inanimated form. That's probably for the best. Of twenty-three manga volumes, only up untilthe end of volume seven is covered, and that's with the much maligned-excision of theessential, but potentially problematic, volume zero.
For those who bothered to finish watching it, Übel Blatt will be remembered as a crushing disappointment, while the overwhelming weight of utter indifference will erase its existence from the memories of everyone else. This finale doeslittle to change my jaundiced opinion of the series. Despite an admittedly excellent openingfight between Köinzell and slave knight Ichfeis, the rest of the episode plummets back intothe abyss of tonal mismatch, abysmal presentation, and garbled storytelling that afflicts therest of the show.
I've continually harped on about Übel Blatt's garbage-tier action animation, but it seemsthey must have sacrificed the resources of all previous installments in order to make theclimactic fight between Köinzell and Ichfeis at least fairly presentable. It's all too little, toolate, though. Few viewers have persevered through all preceding eleven turgid,poorly-made episodes to reach this example of tragically wasted effort.
The rest of the episode introduces a bizarre new sewer monster subplot that seemscompletely divorced from the rest of the show, as a remnant of Batterygrave Barestar'sforces attempt to use the “monster” to seize power… somehow. The whole thing is socompletely dumb, with comedy characters and idiotic pratfalls erasing any gravitasgenerated by Köinzell's previous battle. That the identity of the “monster” turns out to be anewly be-tentacled Geranpen (not as dead as previously thought) is certainly a plotdevelopment of all time.
At least lady Elsaria continues to be fun, for the few scenes she receives, punching anofficious military commander, and confirming her conviction as a servant of the people.Köinzell's subtle rejection of the citizen's hero-worship is a nice touch, too. While Köinzellbuggers off at the end without saying goodbye, as he seems predisposed to do (at leastwith newly fairy-powered, still unclothed Aht in tow this time), for some reason thatcompletely escapes me, Peepi (also still unclothed), Geranpen, and Elsaria all decide toteam up to travel together. Perhaps the manga explains this better? There seems to bevery little holding them together, they don't know each other, as far as I can see this sceneis the first time any of them have met. Whatever. I'm past caring now.
Übel Blatt has been the worst show I've had the misfortune to watch in a long time, and Ionly finished it because of my review-writing obligations. For those of you who joined meon this journey into frustration and existential ennui, I'm so sorry for your loss. Almostanything else would have been a better use of your precious life. Perhaps we all need tomake better choices in future.
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Übel Blatt is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video on Fridays.
