No Longer Allowed in Another World episode 4 review: AtelierPontdarc nails the adaptation with Osamu Dazai’s iconic moment

AtelierPontdarc released episode 4 of No Longer Allowed in Another World on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The episode, titled Don’t Kill Yourself, featured Osamu Dazai using his unique ability to send Suzuki back to his own world. It was amusing to see Sensei completely unaware of his powers, adding a comical element to the scene.

Despite some minor flaws, episode 4 of No Longer Allowed in Another World has set a new standard for AtelierPontdarc in terms of animation and production quality. From a critical perspective, it is undoubtedly the strongest episode of the series thus far.

AtelierPontdarc’s inclusion of the animation, exposition, and voice acting truly enhanced the source material. The episode effectively demonstrated Osamu Dazai’s exceptional ability, which appeared to be specifically targeted towards Other Worlders, hinting at his true purpose in the unfamiliar land.

No Longer Allowed in Another World: Episode 4 Review

On the surface, it could be argued that episode 4 of No Longer Allowed in Another World was the most enjoyable installment since the highly anticipated premiere. The standout moment of the episode was undoubtedly Osamu Dazai’s demonstration of his unique ability to send Suzuki back to his own world without even realizing it.

The fourth episode of No Longer Allowed in Another World was a stunning visual display from a production standpoint. AtelierPontdarc impressively depicted the memorable scenes from Hiroshi Noda’s manga and animated them to life.

The episode was enhanced by both Suzuki transforming Annette into one of his pets and Osamu Dazai gracefully relinquishing the “title”, adding to its overall appeal.

Osamu Dazai uses his skill in the episode (Image via AtelierPontdarc)

Additionally, No Longer Allowed in Another World episode 4 also serves to establish the tone of the series by showcasing the potential for Other Worlders to become villains from a narrative standpoint. This deviation from the typical Isekai norms challenges the expectation for an Earthly adventurer to always assume the role of a hero.

The fourth episode of No Longer Allowed in Another World showcased the challenges of taking on heroic responsibilities. It was made clear that those lacking a strong will can easily fall into a destructive path with no chance of redemption. These individuals are trapped in a state of limbo, unable to become either a hero or a villain. Suzuki’s character served as a prime example of these struggles.

Suzuki, as seen in the original world (Image via AtelierPontdarc)

In episode 4 of No Longer Allowed in Another World, it was revealed that Suzuki had a history of being bullied by his peers prior to being summoned to Zauberberg. Despite his timid nature, he was able to find a newfound purpose in a foreign land. Utilizing his unique skill of subjugating “pets,”he was able to defeat formidable adversaries.

Nevertheless, he eventually came to the realization that the foreign world was not as dissimilar to his own as he had initially thought. The unsettling gaze of the locals sparked a memory of a previous encounter, causing him to lose his focus and stray from his original mission of bringing illumination to the inhabitants of Zauberberg.

Suzuki unleashes ferocious beasts (Image AtelierPontdarc)

Instead, he aimed to establish himself as a subjugator, attempting to rule over others in order to conceal his insecurities. However, his delusional beliefs were shattered by Osamu Dazai in episode 4 of No Longer Allowed in Another World.

The literary genius had a desire to create a masterpiece centered around Suzuki, telling the story of a man who experienced a downfall after attaining excessive power. Dazai disrupted Suzuki’s intentions and ultimately convinced him to share his tragic backstory.

Upon discovering the Other Worlder’s history, Dazai concluded that “No Longer Allowed in Another World”was the most suitable title for the story. Being a literary genius, he believed that Suzuki’s weakness prevented him from being categorized as either a hero or a villain.

Osamu Dazai, as seen in the episode (Image via AtelierPontdarc)

As Ysha, Annette, and Suzuki watched, what happened next was truly surprising. The pages of Sensei’s (Osamu Dazai) novel began to glow and enveloped Suzuki, creating a portal. Ysha realized that it was the same portal that had brought the Other Worlders. Using his Skill, Sensei transported Suzuki back to his own world.

Without a doubt, AtelierPontdarc should be commended for enhancing the manga scene with their superb production. The background OST and animation both played a crucial role in elevating the overall appeal of the scene. Furthermore, the sequence hinted that Sensei’s true purpose in Zauberberg could possibly be to battle against the Other Worlders.

No Longer Allowed in Another World: Episode 4 Review – Evaluating AtelierPontdarc’s Production, Adaptation, and Voice Acting

Undoubtedly, AtelierPontdarc did an exceptional job animating the episode. Episode 4 of No Longer Allowed in Another World covered the remaining pages of chapter 6 and expertly adapted chapters 7-8 from Hiroshi Noda’s manga. As a result, the studio was able to avoid any rushed scenes or events.

The staff carefully crafted the episode’s storyboard, ensuring that the events flowed seamlessly. Above all, the episode faithfully stayed true to the manga. However, some may argue that No Longer Allowed in Another World episode 4 could have incorporated more original anime scenes.

The pacing for the episode, which focused on Osamu Dazai and Suzuki, felt perfect. While some scenes in the town of Vale may have had jittery animation, overall, it was a significant improvement from the previous installment.

Osamu Dazai, Annette, and Tama (Image via AtelierPontdarc)

In the realm of voice acting, Hiroshi Kamiya’s dynamic portrayal of Osamu Dazai was truly exceptional. The talented Seiyuu (voice actor) truly embodied the essence of Sensei’s character. Particularly noteworthy was the scene where Dazai expertly utilizes his skills and delivers his concluding remarks to Suzuki. This moment deserves high praise and recognition.

Similarly, Nobuhiko Okamoto has done a great job portraying Suzuki while Mai Nakahara, who voices Ysha, has also delivered a strong performance in the episode. This further cements the impressive performances of the voice actors, including Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kotaro, throughout the series.

Conclusion

Osamu Dazai rests in a coffin (Image via AtelierPontdarc)

Despite the series appearing to be heading towards a downward spiral, the fourth episode of No Longer Allowed in Another World managed to uphold its reputation as one of the underappreciated gems of the Summer 2024 anime season.

The episode effectively demonstrated AtelierPontdarc’s impressive production skills, as they expertly brought to life the events from Hiroshi Noda’s Isekai fantasy manga series. It is yet to be determined if the renowned studio can maintain the high quality animation for the remaining episodes.