REVIEW: ‘Noblesse,’ Episode 12 – “That All May Be as It Should Be/Execution”

Noblesse Episode 12 dives back into the thick of the action. Seira has broken out of prison, and it is a race to save Gejutel from a forced eternal sleep. Time is against the group. The anime from Production I.G. is adapted from the webtoon of the same name and is part of the Crunchyroll Original lineup. It follows Raizel, as he attempts to find connections and a life in high school separate from the noble community. Raizel is The Noblesse, considered a god and enforcer among their kind. He lived a lonely existence until he met his servant, Frankenstein.

Last week saw the team not-so-subtly sneak into Lukedonia via a plane crash. Raizel, Frankenstein, and Regis are trying to rescue Seira and Gejutel; and hopefully clear Raizel’s name. The current Lord, revealed to be the daughter of the previous, believes Raizel killed her father. It is also implied there is a layer of jealousy, as she walked in on the position of Lord being offered to Raizel. This is a position Raskreia had been working towards her whole life.

Noblesse Episode 12 consists mostly of the action and fights that result from these conflicts. It is well-animated and quite satisfying to watch. The fights also allow for great moments between characters. M-21 and Regis have bickered the whole season, but it has fully settled into friendly banter. Seeing them briefly look out for each other, and even compliment when one isn’t around to hear, is a nice addition amidst the action.

Frankenstein and Raizel are also given a moment. Raizel has been perpetually silent throughout the series but has had a few times that prove he listens and pays attention. Frankenstein, for all his devotion to Raizel, has developed a fondness and friendship for their other companions. His fight with the Kertia brothers is exciting. Knowing his past with their father also helps the show contrast the two brothers’ personalities on this stage. The animation did a great job of showing the different fighting styles as well. Rael is high chaos, with big blows and lashing out in anger. Whereas Rajak fights more similarly to his father Ragar. His moments are thought out and delicate. His dodges are more fluid and graceful.

Once again, Noblesse Episode 12 would have been a great opportunity to showcase one of the few women in the cast, and the only major female cast member: Seira. Seira has a standoff after breaking out of her cell. She has an awesome soul weapon that takes the form of a scythe. Everything gets the audience’s expectations up to see her in action and then the scene cuts to the other fights. We never get to see Seira in action with everything going on. It is incredibly disappointing. Regis is given moments that illustrate his growth throughout the season when he must battle his mentor, but Seira is not granted that.

Overall, Noblesse Episode 12 might be the most satisfying episode of the season. The animation is stellar, and the fight scenes are layered with character moments illustrating how far they have come. The only real disappointment is the show’s treatment of Seira and how it never lets viewers see her fight.

Noblesse is streaming now on Crunchyroll.