Responses
Man, I really love your review on this arc. Love how you explain everything (≧▽≦)/
Please do more of this next time. I'll read it no matter how long it is
beta
Sorry, after years of reading, I just have to gush & share. You can read. Or move on. It's really long. (￣∇￣")
This so gooddddd. I can't believe the world-building & character building. Everything is foreshadowed & relevant. Season 1 Episode 19 (Relevant Manga ch. 33-36)? Titled "I Want to Pick Everything Up". And Iruma really is picking everything up (ch 364)
On a side note, I love that Mephisto, AN ACTUAL KINGMAKER, is implying that he'd be a willing guide to Iruma.
If Chapter 358 depicts Derkila as someone who takes in people that've discarded things he has deemed unnecessary, showing Delkira as someone fixated on his own desires, then Chapter 364 depicts Iruma as someone who'd take in people and take EVERYTHING they have as a person, carrying it with them, characterizing Iruma as someone who makes others' desires his own. (Man, seeing Mephisto feel discarded(ch358) alongside his purpose (his desire & order from a previous demon king) ripped my heart out, but then his face at Iruma saying he "won't discard anything" put it right back (ch364))
That common theme of greed? The one that was explicitly described after the 13 Crowns' meeting with 3 Grandsons/Demon King Candidates (chapter 203, one of my FAVORITE CHAPTERS)? Yeah, it's present here, and Iruma's greed seems to outweigh Derkila's, if only by sheer number of how many desires he holds (which also speaks volumes on how Iruma's character is selfless, which is such a contrast yet compliment to his greed. I guess he's greedy, wanting to fulfill EVERYONE's desires [which is technically unrealistic], but also selfless, as he doesn't spare any effort to make them reality. And that's really one of his defining qualities. It makes it even better, to think that Iruma-kun is realizing that the more power he has, the more desires he can grant [which also means keeping his people safe, which is the primary reason, especially after Walter Park], making him greedy & working to rank up.)).
We've been hearing all about the similarities between these two, but, like LieLie said, I feel like this is one of the only times where their differences are actually discussed (besides 1 being a demon and the other a human).
I love this manga so much. (Also, if you haven't already, GO CHECK OUT THE MAFIA AU VERSION!!! Just search iruma-kun mafia au, and it'll pop up. THE ART AND CHARACTERS ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! Greed is also a prominent theme, but less subtle. Storyline is also amazing, pacing might be fast, but overall everything is endearing.) ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶