REVIEW: ‘Love After World Domination,’ Episode 5 – “Just The Way You Are”

Love After World Domination is a romantic comedy anime produced by Project No. 9. With Haru agreeing to keep Fudo and Desumi’s secret, the couple can continue their hidden relationship. But while they have come a long way, there are still many firsts for the couple to experience in Love After World Domination Episode 5.

As it has before, this week’s entry splits its narrative into two parts. However, rather than making the stories feel rushed as they did previously, this episode delivers a pair of tales that feel far more suited for the shortened run times.

The first of our dual stories expands upon Desumi’s relationships with two of the other Princesses at Gekko. When she overhears Steel Princess confiding in Beast Princess that she has feelings for one of their co-workers, Desumi instantly jumps in to support Steel’s pursuit of love. While Love After World Domination Episode 5 always makes it clear that Desumi has only the best intentions, her initial attempts to aid her coworker in acquiring the courage to approach the object of her affections go horribly awry. This situation eventually comes to the obvious but well-delivered ending one would expect.

The back half of this episode shifts the focus back to the happy couple as they take on another first for their relationship. This story dives a bit too deep in its attempt to deliver the innocence and charm of Fudo and Desumi. The big event that the story makes such a hoopla over is something that is definitely a couple’s thing. However, it isn’t something that you would typically have a designated “first time” doing. It’s just not that big a deal. To have nearly half the episode centered around it was a bit much.

The final moments of Love After World Domination Episode 5‘s storytelling sees Desumi get the chance to bond, out of her work attire, with Fudo’s mom. This brief moment wraps the episode up on a touching note, helping the show to rebound back after its elongated “first-time” narrative.

The visuals do a great job of delivering what has become the series’ trademark goofy charm. Even when the back half of the episode gets too fixated on its central moment, the visuals do all they can to keep the experience a smile-inducing one.

When all is said and done, Love After World Domination Episode 5 delivers a solid tale that entertains, even as it stumbles a little. With ample humor, growth, and charm in it, I don’t see many fans of the series complaining too loudly about this entry’s minor stumbles.

Love After World Domination Episode 5 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.