Summary

The Black Knight's redemption arc in The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic showcases a theme of forgiveness and acceptance.
Usato's compassionate nature and healing magic play a significant role in softening the demon's loyalties towards humans.
The pivot towards a change of setting and worldbuilding in the anime hints at future themes of redemption for other antagonists.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, Episode 12, "The True Face Of The Black Knight!," now streaming on Crunchyroll.

With the Demon Lord’s invasion averted, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic is back to its laid-back tonality and amusing antics. However, the aftermath of the war has led to several new surprising developments, with the most significant one being the Black Knight joining the Llinger Army’s ranks.

Given the Black Knight’s true appearance, it was quite evident that the series would pivot towards a theme of redemption. Though it seems that this is more than just absolution, as the Black Knight has been assimilated into Usato’s close circle, meaning this mysterious she-demon is sure to become a significant character with The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic’s progression.

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The Prisoner Of War

After the swift conclusion of the war, the Black Knight was taken in by the Llinger Army as a prisoner of war, with the purpose of interrogating the demon for crucial information. However, the Black Knight had one condition before opening up about the secrets of the Demon Lord — a meeting with Usato. The purpose of meeting Usato was initially rather unclear, though it seems that the Black Knight merely wanted to meet the person who put her in such a state.

However, the interaction between the two became rather wholesome after Usato rushed to heal the demon when he was told that healing magic and dark magic cancel each other out. The Black Knight was already on the verge of opening up to the humans, and Usato’s compassion only exacerbated the shift in the demon’s loyalties. By experiencing the warmth of Usato’s healing magic, the Black Knight immediately softened up to him, showcasing a side of demons that humans were previously blinded to.

I've never felt this before. I want to stay like this a little longer...

The Black Knight’s Redemption

With the Black Knight revealing crucial information to the humans, the Llinger Kingdom has no need for the demon anymore. While it would have been easier for the humans to execute the demon to get rid of such a threat entirely, the King had other plans. Rose is tasked with taking the Black Knight under her wing, with the goal of assimilating the demon into human society.

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While the plan may seem absurd, it’s certainly viable considering the Black Knight has already grown fond of Usato. Moreover, Rose states that demons share a strong bond with their kind, and killing one of their people would surely aggravate the Demon Lord further, resulting in a fiercer invasion. This leaves Rose with only one choice — reeducating the Black Knight.

We could watch over you in prison, but it'd be a waste of the kingdom's resources to do that forever. So it looks like turning you into an upright demon is the way to go.

From Enemies to Allies

The Black Knight had already started opening up to Usato, even looking up to him in some ways. With the demon now training under Rose and joining the Rescue Squad, the two characters have a lot more in common now. Judging by how close the two have already gotten, the Black Knight is sure to become a close ally of Usato, with some even speculating the demon will become a potential love interest for Usato.

It’s clear that the Black Knight was experimented on by the demons, nor was she ever loved by anyone on that side. This is exactly why Usato’s “warm” healing magic is so enticing for her, as it’s a feeling that she has never experienced before. It’s safe to say that the Black Knight won’t be turning on the humans any time soon, with a high probability of her becoming a credible asset for the Llinger Army later on.

What Does This Redemption Mean For the Show?

The theme of redemption is a common element in most anime, with popular shonen such as Naruto and Dragon Ball turning this into a recurring theme for their narratives. The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic seems to be following a similar path, as it has already redeemed its very first major villain.

The theme of redemption was already hinted at during Rose’s flashback of her fight against the demon Nero Argence. The expression of shock and confusion on Rose’s face as she realized that the demons are no different from humans clearly hinted at a more forgiving narrative. The same sentiments may have trickled down to this event, as Rose treats the Black Knight similar to how she would behave with any human, showing no signs of discrimination and prejudice.

Considering these events and Usato’s forgiving nature, it’s likely that the theme of redemption will extend to future antagonists. With the King’s plans of sending Usato and the heroes on a diplomatic envoy to other nations to garner support, it seems that there won’t be any demons to fight for now. However, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic’s pivot towards a change of setting is sure to add on to the show’s worldbuilding, an element that the anime currently lacks.