The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest – Episode 1 Review

The premiere episode of The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest leans heavily into the familiar tropes of fantasy anime, without adding much flair or excitement. The plot starts with the expected premise: a healer, exiled from his party, harbors secret strength beyond what anyone could imagine. The generic setup is effortlessly predictable, leaving viewers wondering if this show will rise above its bland beginnings.

The Plot: Predictably Generic

The episode introduces us to Laust, a healer who finds himself unceremoniously ousted from his party. The narrative is immediately bogged down by lackluster storytelling, offering only a superficial explanation for his dismissal. Viewers are left scratching their heads as the reasons for his exile remain frustratingly vague, almost as if the show is intentionally hiding crucial information to set up a reveal in future episodes. Yet, the buildup is executed in such a dull manner that any intrigue is lost amidst the slow pacing.

Characters: Blandly Familiar

The stoic protagonist, Laust, is the embodiment of the "secretly overpowered character" trope. The episode attempts to establish his strength through a few generic action scenes, but it fails to evoke any excitement. The supporting cast is equally uninspired, consisting of one-dimensional archetypes that lack depth or charisma. While Laust’s mysterious backstory and unassuming demeanor could develop into something compelling, Episode 1 does little to convince us that it’s worth sticking around to find out.

Animation and Visuals: Surprisingly Decent

While the plot and characters are disappointingly bland, the animation is surprisingly the standout element. The battle sequences are adequately animated, with fluid movements and decent effects. Narsena’s fight scene, in particular, showcases her agility and strength, hinting that the animation quality might be one of the few saving graces of this series. The character designs are standard for the genre, with no one really standing out visually, but the clean linework and vibrant color palette are pleasant enough to watch.

Pacing: Slow and Tedious

The episode’s pacing is painstakingly slow, dragging out a minimal amount of plot over its 22-minute runtime. It feels like five minutes of story stretched into an entire episode, resulting in a tedious viewing experience. The lack of urgency or compelling conflict makes it difficult to stay engaged, and by the end, it’s hard to feel anything but disappointed.

A Forgettable Start

The first episode of The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest is predictably underwhelming. The bland plot, generic characters, and sluggish pacing make it a weak entry in the fantasy genre. Unless the series picks up in the next few episodes, it risks being relegated to the heap of forgettable anime that offer nothing more than a recycled power fantasy narrative. For now, it’s a far cry from the cozy charm of titles like Handyman Saitou or the quirky appeal of Reborn as a Vending Machine. Here’s hoping Episode 2 brings something more captivating to the table.