Black Clover (Volume 2) - Those Who Protect

After protecting a village from attackers, Asta has been recognised by the Wizard King and granted a star. He’s even been hand selected to go into a dungeon and retrieve the treasure before a rival nation can!

Black Clover (Volume 2) – Those Who Protect

What happened?

On his first real mission, Asta stumbled upon a plot to annihilate a village. He didn’t know why, but he wasn’t about to let them be slaughtered. Noelle put up a barrier protecting everyone while Asta took the fight directly to the team of mages responsible. Asta’s endless attempts to stop them inspired Magma to join the battle and fresh from their sparring back at their base, they were able to trick the mages and even capture them. Of course, Asta’s unusual powers were instrumental.

The mages killed themselves before anything could be revealed about their plan or the person behind it. Asta somehow acquired a new accomplice in the form of an Anti-bird. It had collected a charm that used to belong to the village chieftain. It perched on Asta’s head and he repeatedly hit him with it. The villagers decided ASta should keep it as a thank you. Could that have been what the mages were after all along?

After receiving his first paycheck, Asta went shopping with Noelle and Vanessa. Vanessa showed them around, including the black market where they saw Magma gambling, and not doing too well. Then, Asta stopped a thief and returned some winnings to an old lady, who happened to be the Wizard King in disguise. Not long after, Asta was asked to enter a dungeon and retrieve the treasure by the Wizard King. So, off he went with Noelle and Luck. They bumped into Yuno and his new teammates who were also on a mission from the Wizard King. This must be serious!

What did you think?

Asta is really growing on me. He’s loud and in your face, but he’s also quite entertaining. I actually enjoy some of his comebacks and his determination is admirable. Then, when you add in the rest of the cast from the Black Bulls, there seem to be endless possibilities. I like that we’re meeting all the members one by one with Asta and Noelle being the main focus for us. One of my favourite characters so far has to be Yami Sukehiro, the captain and his nonchalant approach to everything.

The thing is, I’m not even joking about how much I’m enjoying this one. I’d never really given the anime much thought beyond it just being another long shounen series, but now, I am very much considering watching it. As soon as I can fit it in, I absolutely will be diving in. Best to get to it soon before it turns into another unwatchable long series. I mean, it’s already one hundred and seventy episodes long and I’m not sure if it’s finished or not.

Another thing, I want to mention is my gut feelings about Yuno, Asta’s best friend and rival in his quest to become the Wizard King. I can’t help but feel that there is something sinister about him. It seems wrong to even suggest it given what we’ve seen of their friendship so far, but I can’t seem to shake the feeling. I’m probably way off, but I thought I should say it now just in case it does turn out to be true. Anyhow, I’m enjoying this one immensely.