Black Clover returns after years on hiatus. The first episode, “The Battle Begins,” covers six chapters from the manga, and marks the beginning of the Spade Kingdom Raid Arc.
Asta and Liebe vs. Nacht Faust
Nacht congratulates Asta on forming a contract with Liebe and believes that Asta did the right thing by forming a contract based on friendship. However, Nacht wants Asta to get stronger since doing the right thing does not always mean you will be rewarded. Gimodelo then enters Nacht’s shadow and emerges in his larger form. Nacht unites with Gimodelo and tells Asta and Liebe that their next part of training is to defeat him.
Nacht explains that Asta has to Unite with Liebe to draw out more Anti Magic before attacking the two with Shadow Magic. Asta enters his black form and dispels the shadows binding them. Asta notices that Liebe has shrunk and is now sitting on his shoulder. Nacht explains that he can enter Unite easily since he is the one controlling his contracts, and that Asta’s black form is not Unite. When Asta asks Liebe how to enter Unite, Liebe admits that he does not know and was just going to take over Asta’s body. Nacht tells Asta that he will have to figure it out on his own.
The Battle Begins
Nacht then demonstrates how Unite Mode allows him to add his devils’ characteristics to his Shadow Magic. Gimodelo’s characteristic is “Pack,” which allows Nacht to create a horde of dog-like shadow clones. Nacht has the clones attack Asta, who struggles to block and dodge their attacks. Nacht explains that the wolves will not disappear until Asta defeats him. As Asta cycles through his swords, he thinks about how his connection with Liebe is stronger than before.
However, Nacht points out that drawing out their power will not be easy since Liebe is not “his servant.” After grabbing Yami Sukehiro’s katana, Asta declares that he will “surpass his limits,” which irritates Nacht and disrupts his ki. Asta senses the disturbance and sends a flying Anti Magic slash that cuts the edge of Nacht’s cloak. Asta then decides to name the katana the Demon-Slasher Katana and repeats that he is going to surpass his limits. Nacht mentions that “he hates that phrase.”
Day 2 – managing Unite
After two days, Asta and Liebe continue to fail at entering Unite. Asta also notices that the injuries he receives in his black form are now shared with Liebe. Asta and Liebe begin bickering, but Nacht interrupts them and informs them that their time is up. He then traps the two inside his Dark Prison Hunting Ground spell.
As Nacht attacks them, Asta enters his black form but realizes that he cannot dodge the attacks because he cannot sense Nacht’s ki. Meanwhile, Asta and Liebe wonder why they cannot Unite and think about why they want to get stronger. They both come to the same conclusion that “they will not let the other die.” With their shared desperation and determination, Asta and Liebe finally manage to Unite, shining within the darkness of Nacht’s spell.
Asta releases a single slash that cuts through Nacht’s spell and negates part of his transformation, even though the attack does not touch him. Impressed by Asta’s potential and the power of Anti Magic, Nacht admits defeat.
The Magic Knights charge the castle
A demon emerges from the ground towering over the town. Zenon says he knew the Resistance would attempt something on the day the ritual began. He explains that they were planning to release the demon on the people anyway. He tells the Resistance that they are not citizens of the Spade Kingdom, as only the strong are considered citizens. With those words, the Qliphoth Advent Ritual begins.
Meanwhile, the Magic Knights charge toward the castle. Fuegoleon asks Nacht if the people outside will be okay, and Nacht assures him they are fine. After explaining how the Qliphoth Advent Ritual works and the layout of the castle, the infiltration squad splits into three teams, with each heading to fight one of the Dark Triad. Nozel Silva, Fuegoleon Vermillion, and Dorothy Unsworth handle the Dark Disciples blocking their teams’ paths while the rest continue onward. Back outside, a figure flies up and punches the demon. As the Resistance watch in shock, the figure reveals herself to be Mereoleona.
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