Assassins Pride, adapted from Kei Amagi’s light novel series, transports viewers to the world of Flandore. Here, humanity resides within layers of glass domes, safeguarding themselves from monstrous lycanthropes that lurk outside. This society is marked by a feudal house system, rife with discrimination, where possessing the magical power of mana is essential for the ruling classes. Kufa Vampir operates in this underworld, working as an assassin for the White Knight guild. His clients primarily come from ruling-class families. His next mission involves investigating Melida, the daughter of the prestigious House of Angel. Rumored to be the product of an affair, Melida appears to lack magical abilities. Assigned as her personal tutor, Kufa must decide: if he confirms she has no mana, he is to assassinate her.
Although it’s clear that Melida lacks mana, Kufa decides to spare her life out of pity, transferring some of his own mana to her. Having betrayed his guild and their client, Kufa now faces the challenge of protecting Melida’s school life, or risk both of them facing execution.
Rich Worldbuilding That Falls Short
Assassins Pride presents a fascinating premise but ultimately squanders its potential. The series initially captivates with a rich sense of worldbuilding, portraying Flandore as a gritty yet beautiful realm encased in chandelier-like glass domes. Early scenes showcase Kufa as a dangerous figure immersed in a world of assassinations. However, after the first episode, the narrative shifts focus to Melida, positioning her as the main character.
Instead of exploring Kufa’s complex world, the story devolves into a school-based magic show, where Melida must rapidly develop her newfound abilities to maintain the façade of being her father’s daughter and heir to the Angel name. This overarching thread becomes the backdrop for a series of familiar plot points, particularly in the early stages. The storyline introduces a class bully to confront, new friends to make, an inter-school tournament to win, and various plots that threaten Melida and her school.
Slow Development with Intriguing Elements
While the narrative might feel predictable, I gradually found myself drawn into it as the series delves into Flandore’s social structure. The conflict among the feudal families, each vying for power, emerges as one of the most intriguing aspects of the series. Although this plotline doesn’t fully unfold until later, it provides a backdrop for new characters introduced with motives to challenge the Angel family’s dominance, revealing that some students aren’t as friendly as they seem.
The second half of the series attempts to expand the narrative scope by exploring Kufa’s backstory and his relationship with Rosetti, the tutor of Melida’s cousin, Elise. During a field trip to the town of Shangarta, one of the rare occasions the story ventures outside the school, mysterious incidents occur where both citizens and students find themselves drained of their life force. This subplot introduces a supernatural mystery, and while it’s relatively easy to decipher for attentive viewers, it serves as a reminder of the series’ initial promise.
Characters That Struggle to Impress
Despite some interesting story threads, Assassins Pride often struggles to escape the confines of its school setting, particularly in the first half. The characters fail to leave a lasting impression, making it difficult to connect with them. Kufa, for instance, embodies yet another overpowered male power fantasy archetype, reminiscent of Kirito from Sword Art Online and the stoic Shiba Tatsuya from The Irregular at Magic High School. Though his half-vampire heritage adds a unique twist, it ultimately doesn’t enhance my investment in his character.
In contrast, Melida emerges as the underdog whose growth in magical prowess is rewarding to witness. Her journey to not only rival but surpass some classmates is compelling. However, her infatuation with Kufa distracts from her character development, while his lack of boundaries contributes to a somewhat uncomfortable dynamic. Elise, on the other hand, feels one-dimensional; her sole trait is her reluctance to be in the spotlight, despite being the most powerful student. Rosetti, however, injects some fun into the narrative with her interesting twist, while half-lycanthrope William Gin offers an enigma, often defying expectations.
Aesthetic Appeal and Production Quality
Produced by EMT Squared, the animation studio delivers a visually appealing series, even if it doesn’t break new ground. The dark, gothic atmosphere resonates well, particularly in the depiction of the world surrounding the characters. The city exudes a Victorian vibe, infused with some 20th-century technology, like electricity and cars. In contrast, the exterior landscapes present dark, ominous forests and desolate wastelands. The monster designs, including a notably fearsome giant spider, effectively evoke a sense of dread, while the portrayal of mana through magical auras is both clear and engaging.
However, the character and costume designs often veer into overly sexualized territory, especially the girls’ uniforms, which resemble a particular style of lingerie.
Soundtrack That Enhances the Atmosphere
The soundtrack, crafted by MONACA, complements the gothic setting beautifully. The opening theme, “Share the light” by Run, Girls Run!, is an entrancing electronic track that creates a strong first impression, while the ending theme, “Ijin-tachi no Jikan” by Tomori Kusunoki, provides a bittersweet closing note.
Collector’s Edition and Translation Issues
Assassins Pride arrives in the UK in a collector’s edition from MVM, featuring all 12 episodes across two discs, available in both English and Japanese with English subtitles. However, there’s a notable issue in Episode 2 of the Japanese audio, where it mistakenly uses audio from Episode 3, rendering it nearly unwatchable unless one opts for the English dub. Unfortunately, the English dub can feel a bit clunky due to overly literal translations in the early episodes, although it improves as the series progresses. Kufa remains flat in both versions, reflecting his character, while the rest of the cast tends to exhibit more emotional range.
The collector’s edition features a rigid slipcase, accompanied by four art cards. Additional content on the discs includes clean opening and ending animations, next episode previews, and a promotional video featuring the Japanese cast.
Final Thoughts: A Series With Untapped Potential
Overall, Assassins Pride feels like a missed opportunity. Despite the intriguing elements woven into its world, the series opts for the well-worn path of a “student in a magic school” narrative. This choice ultimately leads to formulaic plotlines and reduces the story’s potential. Combined with lackluster characters and an inappropriate student-teacher dynamic, the series struggles to engage emotionally with viewers.
