REVIEW: ‘So I’m a Spider, So What?’ Episode 20 – “This isn’t My Fault, is It?

For having such a strong start this past winter season, So I’m a Spider So What Episode 20 continues the show’s general decline in quality. All is not lost, as this episode doesn’t look great, but does finally give good context to Oka-sensei’s character. The anime is part of the Crunchyroll Originals lineup from Millepensee. It follows an unnamed heroine and her classmates after they are reincarnated in another world. Some are dragons, some humans with magical abilities, some elves. The heroine, unfortunately, is a spider. However, she makes it work and has an impact greater than she can imagine. The show adapts the light novel series by Okina Baba, which is published in English by Yen Press.

Remember how last episode I discussed our heroine’s trend towards causing a massive ripple effect? Well, that certainly comes into play and is even pointed out to the spider hero herself. Diplomats from Ohts have come into town, claiming that they have a right to her since she destroyed their fort. Oddly, even with all of her skills, our protagonist still can’t communicate with humans, so she just snubs them. This, of course, causes problems for Lord Keren who has to house the Ohts diplomats and try to ease political tensions.

Unfortunately for So I’m a Spider So What Episode 20, the comedy doesn’t land. This is purely because most of the jokes feel overdone at this point. It has been the same bit with the heroine this whole spring season. It just isn’t enough to sustain half or more of an episode’s runtime anymore, even with fun, fourth-wall-breaking jokes. Additionally, quality has also dropped in the animation. The clunky combination of 2D and CG is distracting and awkward to watch. It continues to become more frequent and is now applying to not just dungeon monsters. Even Ariel is CG, and it doesn’t look good. It isn’t a flattering trend for the show.

On the positive side, So I’m a Spider So What Episode 20 provides insight into Oka-sensei. While helpful, she has also gradually turned into a progressively more suspicious character. This culminated last week when it was revealed that she has essentially imprisoned her former students in the elf village, to the extent of kidnapping some from the new homes they reincarnated into. Although the idea of her doing all this to protect her students isn’t surprising, finally hearing her narrate her side of events is a high point in character work for the show. Voice actress Kaya Okuno does a fantastic job bringing this internal monologue to life. What could feel generic has heavy emotions behind it. Oka’s so strongly tying her personal identity to her previous job as a teacher is fascinating, if a little heartbreaking given how it all pans out.

So I’m a Spider So What Episode 20 is a hit in terms of one strong character moment, but a miss on most other fronts. The jokes with the heroine are overdone at this point, and there isn’t enough substance given to her chunks of the episodes to keep viewers interested. Additionally, a bizarre-looking blend of 2D and CG animation is being used more and more frequently, and it is distracting to watch.

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