Without going back and double checking, I am pretty sure they are rearranging material a bit compared to the manga (I haven’t read the source novels). My memory is that we didn’t get any story from Mia’s POV until much later, after Philia had pretty much settled into Parnacorta.

I like the change though and I hope that they continue to tell the two stories in parallel. The best part of this story is how the bond that the sisters share is portrayed. Basically everybody else in this story is pretty one-dimensional and lacks any depth (with one notable, spoilery exception). However, the two sisters are really the focus and the most interesting part. So, rearranging the story to have both of them present throughout is a great change. It should also help some of the pacing complaints I had with the manga that won’t show up until the end of the season.

Paying close attention to the OP, I am pretty confident now that only the first LN volume is getting adapted this season. That is about how far the manga has been translated as well. I think it will serve as a great stopping point and climax, so it is a good choice, even if it means that things might be slow sometimes (though it’s not like they could animate fast things anyway).

@rikka@ani.social

The episode makes it seem like Mia wasnt paying attention in saintess school when they were covering the whole “summon pillars, set up barrier to weaken monsters” thing, when Philia’s departure led to the number of magical beasts go unchecked.

Unrelated ramblings: I like that the second prince is aware of the problematic nature of the whole buying a saintess thing. Judging by how her former kingdom treated her, I initially thought saintesses were in a living force field battery kinda scenario. Also does the Second Prince have the Dead Mom Hairstyle? Mia gives me early Lacus Clyne vibes for some reason.

Mia is about ready to burn Girtonia to the ground, and they’re gonna deserve it, lol.