REVIEW: ‘The God of High School,’ Episode 11 – “lay/key”

Crunchyroll Original anime The God of High School, based on the WEBTOON of the same name by Yongje Park has been upping the ante every episode. Since episode five, each the arena matches, the stakes, and the expressions of individual charyeok have become increasingly intense. Last episode, we saw a battle between Nox and the commissioners, with a giant sword crashing from the heavens to destroy the “God of High School” arena and we saw Ilpyo awaken as the key, with a charyeok of the Nine-Tailed Fox. While the series began as a fighting anime centered on three friends who were competing to have their wishes granted, the series has morphed into something else entirely. This no more true than in The God of High School Episode 11, “lay/key.”

In this episode, we’re greeted with a beautifully animated introduction to the Nine-Tailed Fox, the only force that rivals the power of God and destroyed half of Heaven before coming to earth and becoming dormant. Last episode, in his battle with Mori, Ilpyo unleashed the charyeok Nine-Tails right before his defeat. But, it wasn’t just an awakening like the others we’ve seen, it was confirmation that he is the mysterious key that Nox and the Commissioners have been talking about. Having been treated as the most powerful, it’s shocking to see that Mori, our protagonist isn’t the key. Instead, Mori uses his Blue Dragon Tempest, but Ilpyo stops it easily. The difference in strength between them seems clear as Ilpyo deflects and wounds Mori. Then, energy suddenly surges forth from Mori’s body and something in him decides to awaken too.

This is a tight episode and nearly every moment is important and reveals something new about the story. The God of High School Episode 11 is showstopping and every moment of it is important to either building out character relationships or pushing the limit of what the animation team at MAPPA can do in regards to charyeok fights, blood, spikes, fire, lightning, and all. And in its best moments, both of those things happen, especially when Ilpyo gets the chance to meet Jegal again.

The moment that Jeagal and Ilpyo meet, the showrunners not only show their power but also the way that fighting in and of itself is a dialogue between characters. This was shown expertly in episode 5, where we see Daewi and Mori’s relationship grow. Now, it’s shown in reverse, it’s not about coming together, but ripping each other apart.

The God of High School is getting darker. With more monstrous moments and violence, and only two episodes left, this is a completely different series now – and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Now, with this episode, we’re in high action fantasy, god and monsters, and stakes that can’t be overlooked. Not only that but with Mori awakening a piece of himself, that means that Daewi is the only one left of the core three without a moment of power growing. And since he’s my favorite character, I can’t wait to see what awakes in this tsundere.

Overall, The God of High School Episode 11 is phenomenal. It’s fast-paced and tight-knit, with every single minute of its runtime being used to build more story, show more of the lore, and tell audiences that this isn’t the story they started with anymore. The tournament doesn’t matter anymore, only power does. Power from gods, to defeat gods, and more.

The God of High School is streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll every Monday morning with English dubs airing in the afternoon.