REVIEW: ‘Isekai Office Worker: The Other World’s Books Depend On The Bean Counter’ Episode 4 — “I Punished Them”

Isekai Office Worker Episode 4, “I Punished Them,” sees Kondou (Kent Itou, Mashle: Magic and Muscles) recover from being assaulted with Indolark’s (Tomoaki Maeno, Octopath Traveler 0) help. Unfortunately for his attackers, Kondou has become very well regarded, and the punishment is swift.

Often, a story is sculpted to funnel all its energy into a single central theme. Every plot beat and character moment expands upon the theme, driving it forward. This is not a bad thing; however, there is a danger to this approach. The reinforcement of the core element cannot undercut the moment itself, or it risks sapping the moment-to-moment of a story of any worth. 

Isekai Office Worker Episode 4 falls into the above trap. Kondou’s medical emergency never feels as life-threatening as it’s described to be. The whole framing of the moment instead focuses on Indolark’s need to strip him down and treat him again. This leaves the entire opening of the episode bereft of any impact, as it presumably pushes along the core narrative forward.

Emotional urgency wilts in the opening of Isekai Office Worker Episode 4.

I say presumably because nothing really seems to change in the aftermath between the starring pair. Kondou appreciates all the Commander does for him, and Indolark continues to silently pine for his patient. This sustaining of the status quo makes the opening feel like even more of a miss, as it just slips away. 

The moment that hits the best in Isekai Office Worker Episode 4 comes after the treatment, when the assailants are confronted. Since Kondou recognizes their voices, they are quickly rounded up for questioning. Being caught between Indolark and the Prime Minister is enough to sweat the truth out of anybody.

While watching the perpetrators squirm is fun, it is held back by the series ‘restrained animation and voice work. There is undeniable enjoyment in seeing the officers get what’s coming to them, but it would’ve been more effective if they had let Indolark out of his shell a bit more. Despite being more projective with his thoughts than usual, the Commander still feels held back, undercutting his outrage at the situation. Letting him off the leash a bit more would’ve driven the scene harder, making it stick in the mind more effectively. 

Restraint undercuts what could have been an impactful moment of triumph.

The rest of Isekai Office Worker Episode 4 is largely devoted to the lead pair getting back to their normal lives. We learn about the punishment Kondou chooses for the criminals. Despite being a bit lenient for a near murder, the choices of restitution fit perfectly with Kondou’s priorities and worldview. As he is questioned on certain points of the sentence, his responses make his choices feel far more sensible than they initially seem. 

Isekai Office Worker Episode 4 closes with the announcement of a royal banquet to honor the Holy Maiden and her imminent mission to cleanse the miasma. This requires everyone’s presence and for them to look their best. Something Kondou’s assistant embraces with gusto as he prepares him for the big night. As the curtain closes on the episode, the banquet has begun, and Indolark lays eyes on a strikingly well-presented Kondou.

Isekai Office Worker Episode 4 delivers a competently plotted story, but it is held back in a couple of key ways. It relegates everything to being a stepping stone for the love story, and its inability to drive home emotional moments keeps the plot beats within this episode as simply fine. If it ever wants to truly shine, though, it’s got to start saying things with its whole chest, rather than continue to whisper its feelings.

Isekai Office Worker: The Other World’s Books Depend On The Bean Counter Episode 4 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

Previous Episode | Next Episode