Say what you will about Amanda, I know I sure as hell did in last week’s review, but she sure can provide Reincarnated as a Sword with a cool fight scene or two. This episode’s centerpiece showcase of the morally-questionable Mommy versus our resident combo of cat and cutlery was teased at the end of last week, and it’s not like this series has ever been a slouch as far as action scenes are concerned. What is perhaps a bit more surprising is that the battle between Fran and Amanda really is (technically) nothing more than “a friendly sparring match,” and yet it still goes so hard and does enough for the characters and themes of the show that it doesn’t feel even remotely inconsequential.
It primarily works because of being set up around what’s always been Reincarnated as a Sword‘s strongest thematic hook: Fran wants to prove herself. This current arc is, in fact, all about…
