There once was a hero who was incredibly shy, particularly in the presence of the opposite sex, though this didn’t stop him from developing a killer punch that could slay a spider dragon in a single blow. There were also three deadly women—a diminutive magical girl (daughter of the Demon Lord), a voluptuous priest with a heart of gold (hardened bad-assassin chick), and a party girl who just wanted everyone to have fun (dominatrix looking for a challenge)—who were tasked with killing the ultimate hero (whoever he may be) to earn independence, money, or jollies, respectively. One day at the adventurers’ guild, they all come together and form a party. Only, the hero keeps overheating and slipping unconscious when paid with the mildest (and wildest) of feminine attentions, blanking out for most of the episode, and leaving the ladies to uncover one another’s true identities, posture a bit, bond, and generally get along surprisingly well, without subtext, in between Hero’s brief moments of consciousness. Poor guy. He’s trying, but it’s all just a little too daunting—much like the dominatrix’s basketball-inspired bust.
This one was a tragically mixed bag. Tragic, because of the multiple BDSM sequences thrown into the mix, which completely ruin the recipe of an otherwise surprisingly funny, sweet, and warm-hearted episode. All four characters are charming in their own way, but especially the Assassin, who not only rescues a child from slavers, but does so in such a way as to put herself at risk instead of simply unleashing her formidable destructive powers because she feared they would traumatize the little girl (seeing a monster ripped apart before her very eyes and showering her in blood and gore tends to do that to a kid) and rob her of a shot at a normal life. Even Hero, one-note as he is, is a decent guy, determined to protect the three ladies who have inexplicably joined his party, making his dream of adventuring with a crew finally come true. Meanwhile, the dynamic that quickly forms among the women, of two older sisters and the baby sis they love to tease but would die for, makes for a welcome change from the toxic rivalries one might expect in a harem like this. So why, oh why, the BDSM?? Shaking my head. If it was just a little wink or two, I’d be tempted to overlook it for the sake of the rest of the story, which will no doubt be labelled “wholesome” on the interweb. But you know what, it isn’t wholesome if it’s a foil for images of exploitation and sexual violence, period. Let alone for extended sequences, as it is here. So, regretfully (in that this could have been a really entertaining series if it weren’t for that one ingredient), I’m out. Can’t recommend this one, I’m afraid, folks.
Assassin keeping it real and spitting facts.
The Shy Hero and the Assassin Princesses can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
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