With itscomedic premise and crazy shenanigans, Eminence in Shadow has become one of the hottest new isekai to look out for. In a market saturated with the genre and its ever-increasing gimmicks, the anime left a lasting impression by repurposing tired tropes into a fun, entertaining experience.
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While some feel the adaptation lacks in production value, it still received a generous score for its first season. With a second on the way, fans can look forward to more of Cid’s antics and the underground battle between Shadow Garden and the Cult of Diablos. In the meantime, if you want to relive the show’s best moments, these are some of its best episodes.
Spoilers ahead!
10Episode 7: A Tournament To Be The Best NPC
While the standard tournament arc exists for the underdog to shine or the protagonist to showcase their strength, Eminence in Shadow has other ideas. Unwillingly registered as a candidate, Cid decides to use the stage to flaunt his mastery over being a background character. Facing off against the beloved student council president Rose Oriana, he debuts the fruits of his training: 47 techniques, all designed to make him lose in as unsightly a manner as possible.
Add in a tactless Sherry needling a recently rejected Alexia, and the fun factor of this episode earns it a comfortable spot on the list.
9Episode 1: Origins
No good show can allow a weak start, and episode 1 ensured the anime didn’t suffer a premature end. Light novel readers will have noticed it covers events that take place in the fourth volume, which revisits Cid’s time before reincarnating. Using the time to flesh out his backstory and motivations, the episode prevents Cid from getting lost in the plethora of generic isekai protagonists and also sets up future events.
It’s great to see studio Nexus cared enough to take the time and build his character. Watching him rescue his classmate, deliver vigilante justice, lament his inability to survive a nuke and set out on his quest for magic are indispensable, earning this episode a spot on this list.
8Episode 8: Dying Is Part Of The Act
This episode sees the Dark Knight Academy attacked by the Cult. With the students’ magic disrupted, no one can put up a fight — except Cid, who can barely contain himself as one of his dream scenarios plays out before his eyes. Wasting no time, Cid jumps into action… and dies.
Taking the slash meant for Rose, Cid is left lifeless as the students are herded away. However, using trace amounts of magic to supply his brain with oxygen, he manages to get his heart beating again. This episode shows the lengths he will go to for the sake of his act. As a bonus, it also has some endearing moments with Sherry, and misleads Rose into thinking that he loves her. All in a day’s work!
7Episode 10: A Relaxing Day In Another World
With half the season through, it’s certainly been busy, so having an episode where everyone can relax is a nice change of pace. We get to see a hint of rivalry between Epsilon and Beta, as they compete over who has the better figure. We also spend time shopping with Iris and Alexia who have recently reconciled. Watching the sisters bicker over Alexia’s bold clothing choices is, admittedly, a great way to highlight their bond and how they could not be more different.
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Elsewhere, Cid, and Rose are on their way to the sacred lands, deepening their bond and misunderstandings. Since having fun is an essential part of this anime, naturally, an episode dedicated to it has to rank well, which is why it gets a spot on this list.
6Episode 14: Diablos The Demon
What makes episode 14 special isn’t the high-octane action it begins with, but a single revelation later in the episode: the identity of Diablos the Demon. Up until now, Diablos has only been a myth, a shadowy existence that supposedly had deep ties to the Cult. Every reference to it thus far had only depicted a gargantuan, demonic arm. However, this episode reveals that Diablos the Demon is none other than Aurora.
This single detailturns everything around for the viewer, as what would usually be a throwaway McGuffin is revealed to be a character we’ve come to care for. A character whose lingering memory befriended Cid, and who begs him to kill her at the end. It opens up so much potential for the story, and for that, you absolutely cannot miss it.
5Episode 2: Becoming The Eminence In Shadow
Episode 2 is possibly the most packed episode in the entire season. It covers everything from Cid’s reincarnation, to learning magic, to forming Shadow Garden, to rescuing his sister from the Cult. Being one of the introductory episodes, it had a lot to achieve, and it does so without rushing through any important moments. We get to see Cid improvise the entire Cult of Diablos spiel, meet Alpha and convince her to join him, witness his bond with Claire, and see Cid accidentally lead a successful rescue mission.
With interesting plot lines, multiple key characters introduced, and a significant amount of world-building covered, this episode is a masterful work, earning a high spot on this list.
4Episode 20: Shadow Vs Iris And Beatrix
Just as important as the beginning is the ending, and Eminence in Shadow ends the season with its most anticipated battle yet. Around half the episode is dedicated to Shadow facing the tag team of Iris and Beatrix, as the strongest Dark Knight and the legendary War Goddess throw all their might into stopping him.
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If thechoreography and animation in the show was any better, this episode would have easily made an even higher spot. Even as is, the characters and story carry it well enough, featuring cool moments and a conclusion worthy of an ‘eminence in shadow.’ As a bonus, we also get a look at Shadow Garden HQ and witness a heart-breaking moment for Rose, who must shed her dreams to join the cause.
3Episode 3: Enter Alexia
Imagine not featuring the episode that introduces one of the most popular characters in the series high on the list! Since the anime aired, the second princess of Midgar has gained herself an extremely loyal fan base. In the manga and light novel, Alexia may have gotten overshadowed by other characters, but casting the incredible Kana Hanazawa as her voice really made the character shine. Now, you just can’t get enough of her spoiled, sadistic energy.
Her interactions with Cid are hands-down the best in the season. Whether she’s toying with him or abusing her authority to strong-arm him into her plans, their dynamics earn this episode a top spot for pure, distilled fun.
2Episode 5: How To Survive A Nuclear Explosion
Many things happen in episode 5 — Shadow Garden make their presence known, Alpha showcases her strength, Alexia goes through a character-defining moment, and we get clues to the Cult’s hierarchy and strengths. But, what you’re really here for is the moment Shadow finally gets serious.
This episode answers the question posed in episode 1: What would Cid do if faced with a nuclear missile? His answer: If you’re able to’t beat a nuclear explosion, simply become the nuclear explosion. Triggered into demonstrating thetrue meaning of almighty strength, Cid unveils the culmination of his 2 lifetimes of training. The words “I AM ATOMIC” and subsequent explosion leave no room for doubt that this episode takes the crown for sheer hype.
1Episode 12: Truths Revealed
As much as it engages in tomfoolery and parodying itself, Eminence in Shadow actually has a deeply interesting and robust lore. And, episode 12 is where we finally see the lies start to unravel and the truth surface. As Alpha leads a group through the Sanctuary, a prison for ancient memories, the mysteries that tie the Cult, the possessed, ancient heroes, and Diablos together are slowly revealed.
We come to understand the objectives that drive the Cult and even meet one of its core members. Consequently, we also get to see how these carefully guarded secrets were ultimately undone by what was essentially a very active imagination and some improv roleplay. For the insights it offers and its value to the story, this episode is an absolute must-watch, making it unmistakably the top episode in this list.
