REVIEW: ‘So I’m a Spider, So What?’ Episode 15 – “Did Mother, Send These Annoying Puppet Spiders?”

It is spider versus spiders in So I’m a Spider So What Episode 15, which features a lot of action for the heroine but not much plot. The anime is from Millepensee and adapts the light novel series by Okina Baba. It is part of the Crunchyroll Originals lineup and focuses on an unnamed protagonist and her classmates after reincarnating into a fantasy world. The protagonist is stuck as a spider and slowly levels her way up through the world. The light novel series is available in English through Yen Press.

The protagonist’s parallel wills are busy trying to take down their mother, but it all seems just a little too easy. Their hunch is correct, as the Queen and her literal army of spider children trap the protagonist and separate her from her parallel wills. Although it lacks the emotional impact of the fight with Araba, it is a decently intense battle, and the life or death stakes are arguably high.

It is this lack of emotional weight in So I’m a Spider So What Episode 15 that hinders the entire episode. Anyone who has been a fan of this series’ fantasy action featuring the heroine (we do not speak of Episode 14) will enjoy themselves. At this point, it is hard to tell if the CG is good or if I’ve just adjusted to it. At the very least, it doesn’t look near as jarring as Fei’s new look. The puppet is creepy, and if anything, the CG actually adds to that. Aside from the heroine being in another life or death situation, the episode just feels okay. It isn’t bad, but nothing really stands out compared to the many high points this series has had so far.

The other element that makes the action a bit tiring in So I’m a Spider So What Episode 15 is the exposition. By this point, viewers have adjusted to the video game elements of this world. Granted, the protagonist has a laundry list of abilities at this point, and it isn’t uncommon for characters to explain their powers in battle. Except we have seen most of these abilities at this point. The writing doesn’t do a good enough job of making the heroine’s internal monologue feel like her actually strategizing. Instead, it just is a repetitive explanation on “How to Get Out of Sticky Situation #100.” We have heard it before; it doesn’t add anything new to the show, making the fight feel duller than it should be.

So I’m a Spider So What Episode 15 makes up for the last episode with an exciting fight between the heroine and her…ahem…extended family. The CG has its ups and downs but certainly adds a creepy layer to the puppet and many other arachnid creatures. Unfortunately, the lack of any emotional weight, and too much repetitive exposition in combat, hinder this week’s episode. It isn’t bad by any stretch but is unfortunately forgettable when viewers anticipate more answers to questions the story has posed recently.

So I’m a Spider, So What? is streaming now on Crunchyroll.