We’re back to the increasingly mundane adventures of Dahlia the magician, and this week we indulge in that most confusing of modern anime classics: the board meeting. I’m not sure when or why so many Japanese creators decided that entire episodes – or, god forbid, multiple episodes – of a group of people sitting around a big table discussing business made for compelling storytelling, but I really wish someone would stop them. If I thought last episode was low on conflict, then last week’s episode feels like speed (or at least Level 2: Cruise control).

You may make a board meeting worth watching, but it needs an interesting conflict to support all the talking heads — not to mention direction and pacing that can make up for the limited setting. That Dahlia and her business partners form partnerships to mass produce her magic socks isn’t engaging. None of the characters we meet leave an impression — like the guy from the Magical Beasts Company who knew and worked with her father and is frustrated by how much work he’s caused them. That’s the vibe I’m getting, but the animation can’t portray that level of emotional complexity, so that’s just a guess. Either way, it’s the closest thing to a conflict, aside from Dahlia accidentally flirting with one of the other guys at the meeting — and that’s not worth much either. Without some parallel of character drama or intrigue, this entire meeting might as well have been an email.

Honestly, for a few moments, it seemed like this episode was emphasizing that Dahlia feels overwhelmed by all the business talk, as she’s used to her dad or her ex taking over that part of the work while she devotes herself full-time to inventing. At least, that’s where I thought we were going when she started sympathizing with her green-haired friend. But after that, we return to the pattern of things happening around and to Dahlia without her having much say in the matter, and it’s the first time the show’s script feels almost as clumsy as its animation.

First, there’s Ivano. You know Ivano, right? He’s been here the whole time, doing incredibly important things like filling out paperwork, being there when Carlo died, sitting behind desks, etc. He has a backstory where he’s the son of a failed businessman, and now he wants to leave the trading company and join Dahlia’s company as her sales representative. Of course, he doesn’t ask Wolf for permission, but asks him to sign a magical vow that he will always put her protection above all else. Again, without asking Dahlia. It comes so out of nowhere that I really thought he was plotting to betray Dahlia, but that magical vow nips that potential plot line in the bud.

Meanwhile, Dahlia has a very brief conversation with Tobias’ older brother – the older brother who was seen once a few episodes ago. His dialogue with Dahlia assures us that they had a very good relationship, even though she never mentioned him and we’ve never seen the two in the same room until now. He’s here to apologize to his brother and make amends to the company, but other than that, I don’t know why he’s being introduced now. He has no personality other than silently begging Dahlia not to sue her company for Tobias’s mistake. He’s only around long enough to “gift” her a unicorn horn, like a college football fan gifts a 17-year-old a new car. I expect he’ll play a central role later, but otherwise he feels superfluous.

It all comes together like a series of barely connected events that happen to Dahlia and Wolf without them having much to do or say. Business deals are made, papers are signed, and Dahlia becomes adidas made by Isekaiville. God knows if I could tell you what anyone thinks about it other than “generally satisfied.”

Evaluation:

Blooming Dahlia: Creating a new beginning with magical tools is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.