A strong episode for the dub. It balances intense soccer action with genuine emotional stakes. While the dub’s hyperactive tone won’t win over sub purists, Episode 43 is a highlight for anyone who enjoys a dramatic, unapologetically anime sports showdown.

– A thrilling prelude to the climax of the Zeus arc.

The episode does an excellent job showing Raimon’s complete helplessness against Zeus’s physical and tactical dominance. The dub’s sound mixing for the impact of shots and blocks is punchy and satisfying. The reveal of Zeus’s “enhanced” state (via the forbidden juice) is suitably dramatic, though the dub slightly downplays the darker implications compared to the sub.

The dub cast shines in the tense moments. Aphrodite (originally Afuro Terumi) sounds appropriately smug and divine, with a chillingly calm delivery that makes his “God’s Playground” hissatsu feel truly oppressive. Endou’s English VA nails the desperation and defiant hope, especially when he refuses to give up after Raimon gets crushed in the first half. Some side character voices are still a bit grating, but the main cast carries the emotional weight well.

This episode marks a major turning point in the Inazuma Eleven dub, finally delivering the high-stakes match against Zeus that the season has been building toward. The dub continues to embrace its over-the-top energy, and here it works in the show’s favor.

Here’s a sample review for Inazuma Eleven (English Dub) – Episode 43:

The background tracks are well-matched to the scenes, and the dub doesn’t awkwardly silence the original score. The opening and ending themes remain the energetic pop-rock tracks that dub fans have grown to love.

The dialogue captures the original’s spirit while adding some fun localized flair. Aphrodite’s taunts about “mere mortals” land effectively, and Gouenji’s quieter moments feel surprisingly natural. The term “hisstasu” is kept, which helps preserve the series’ unique identity. However, a few lines feel rushed or overly cheesy even by Inazuma standards—particularly the mid-episode motivational speech.