The latest episode of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun (Season 4, Episode 5) doubles down on one of the series’ strongest suits: turning broad comedy into genuine character moments. What begins as a setup for a music festival quickly becomes a deeper look at Soi Purson, the Misfit Class’s quiet phantom musician, and the complicated legacy he carries. Between a potentially biased judge, late-night heart-to-hearts, and the emotional stakes of keeping the Royal One classroom, this episode balances laughs and earnestness in a way that feels quintessentially Iruma-kun.
Table of Contents
Poro as a Problematic Judge: Jealousy and Bias
One of the episode’s most effective conflict engines is the arrival of Poro as a judge for the festival. On paper, he’s an entertaining antagonist: talented, opinionated, and a little too in love with the old days under Derkila, the last demon king. But the show smartly presents Poro’s hostility as personal—rooted in professional jealousy and unresolved feelings toward Sullivan—rather than random villainy. That sliver of realism makes his potential bias feel threatening in a way that’s more narratively interesting than a straightforward obstacle.
Poro’s resentment stems not only from feeling undermined by Sullivan but also from an almost-romanticized loyalty to Derkila. His fixation means he can’t evaluate the Misfit Class impartially, especially with Sullivan’s grandson, Iruma, at the center of things. The danger isn’t that the class might lose a nicer classroom; it’s that an unfair assessment would undercut Purson’s chance to be seen for who he is. By making the antagonist a flawed person with relatable grievances, the episode raises the stakes without losing comedic momentum.
Purson’s Arc: From Gag to Fully Rounded Character
Across five episodes this season, Purson has transitioned from a one-note gag to a layered character. This installment spotlights that transformation: the jokes about his quirks (no black coffee, awkwardness around girls, baby-talk to cats) remain, but they’re now placed beside real emotional beats. We learn that Purson struggles under the weight of family expectations and that his musical talent is as much a refuge as it is a talent.
The Pressure of Legacy
Where Purson once existed as a punchline, the episode explores how his family’s ambitions and his own affection for them create a trap. He’s not rebelling out of spite—he’s afraid of hurting the people who love him. That ambivalence is mirrored in Iruma’s backstory, which makes their growing friendship feel earned. The show avoids melodrama by keeping Purson’s revelations grounded in small moments—tired admissions late at night, long lists of petty embarrassments, and a desire to be appreciated for himself rather than his lineage.
Iruma and Purson: A Friendship Built on Shared Vulnerability
The all-night chat between Iruma and Purson is the episode’s emotional nucleus. Framed with the series’ usual physical comedy—Iruma literally collapsing as Purson talks—the scene still lands because of the honesty beneath it. Iruma can empathize with Purson’s struggle to defy parental expectations, even if the specifics differ. That recognition matters: Iruma has recently experienced a loving family for the first time, and he understands the difficulty of choosing personal happiness over pleasing those you love.
This exchange reinforces a recurring theme of the series: friendships in the demon school are frequently the first place characters get to be themselves. For Purson, the Misfit Class offers a rare space to express his musical gifts and personal insecurities without immediate judgment. The episode shows how important that safe space is, not just for plot reasons, but for genuine character growth.
The Music Festival: Stakes, Community, and Performance
What could have been a simple contest becomes a battleground for belonging. The Royal One classroom isn’t just a physical prize; it’s symbolic of acceptance, reputation, and the right to exist on one’s own terms. Losing it would sting all of the Misfit Class, but for Purson it’s especially meaningful. The festival is framed as his opportunity to shine in his own way and, crucially, to be recognized by peers who appreciate him as a person.
Meanwhile, the episode keeps the comedic beats alive—Ronové’s meddling, the rival classes, and the showy drama of judge bias—all while letting quieter moments breathe. That tonal agility is one of the series’ strengths: it never treats character development as separate from humor. Instead, the two feed each other.
Small Details That Pay Off
Little elements—like Opera fetching Purson from school—add texture and remind viewers that the world is populated by characters with lives outside the immediate plot. These touches keep the episode from feeling like mere setup and make the eventual festival outcome feel like a payoff for a community that has grown together.
Why This Episode Works
At its best, Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun mixes light-hearted absurdity with sincere emotional beats, and Episode 5 nails that balance. The show uses comedy to reveal character rather than to obscure it: Poro’s bluster, Purson’s quirks, and Iruma’s clumsy empathy all serve the larger theme of finding a place to belong. This approach keeps the viewer invested in both the competition and the characters involved.
If you want to watch the series, it’s available on Crunchyroll (rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Crunchyroll
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Final thoughts
Episode 5 of Iruma-kun Season 4 is a reminder that strong character work can elevate even the silliest setups. By making the music festival about more than a prize—about identity, family expectations, and recognition—the show gives Purson a meaningful spotlight while preserving the series’ signature humor. The result is an emotionally satisfying installment that furthers multiple arcs and keeps the Misfit Class as endearing as ever.
