Ep 1. The Demon Lord Act

In the world of Cross Reverie, a popular MMORPG game, Takuma Sakamoto is a reclusive gamer who has attained an unparalleled level of power in the virtual world. However, when he is summoned to another world as his in-game character Diablo, he finds himself in a precarious situation. Two girls, Rem and Shera, have summoned him to enslave him, but Diablo's powerful magic reflects the spell back on them, making them his slaves instead.

Feeling trapped and overwhelmed in this new reality, Takuma decides to play along with the role of being a powerful Demon Lord in this world. He struggles to fit into his new persona while dealing with the absurdity of his new situation. Rem and Shera, who believe that they have successfully tamed the great Demon Lord Diablo, realize that their grasp on him might not be as strong as they thought.

The first episode of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, titled "The Demon Lord Act," introduces us to Takuma's new reality and sets the stage for the series' comedic and fantastical storytelling. The episode begins with Takuma controlling his in-game character, Diablo, before being transported to a world very similar to the one he had been playing in. It is revealed that Rem and Shera have summoned him to bind him as their slave, but Takuma's powerful magic disrupts their spell, and they become his slaves instead.

From here, the episode follows Takuma's attempts to maintain his composure and convince Rem and Shera that he is the powerful Demon Lord Diablo. Despite his success in the game world, Takuma is quite introverted and finds it difficult to interact with people in real life. This makes his new situation that much more challenging and forces him to act in ways he would never consider.

The episode is filled with humor, particularly in the situations that Takuma finds himself in. He struggles to come up with appropriate responses to the declarations of his new slaves, and his attempts to adjust to his new reality are often clumsy and awkward. The viewer is constantly taken aback by how Takuma reacts, as he struggles to reconcile his real-life personality with his in-game persona. Rem and Shera are no less complex, and their attempts to control Takuma are just as humorous.

The animation of the episode is vibrant and detailed, with the colors of the characters and environment blending seamlessly. The action sequences are dynamic, and the designs of the monsters and demons are intricately detailed.

Overall, How Not to Summon a Demon Lord's first episode provides an excellent introduction to its world and characters, with its humor and fantastical elements blending perfectly. Takuma's struggles to reconcile his real and virtual selves leads him down new paths, and the viewer is left with a sense of excitement as to what the series has in store. This episode is a must-watch for anyone who loves anime that mixes humor, excitement, and fantastical elements in equal measure.