You can watch the full series, including this episode, on platforms like Crunchyroll or Prime Video . Episode 85 | Black Clover Wiki | Fandom
Episode 85, serves as a classic "breather" episode for Black Clover . While it doesn't push the Royal Knights Selection Exam arc forward in terms of action, it excels at character building and lore expansion. The Good: Lore and Character Bonding
Like many long-running shonen anime, Black Clover uses this episode to recycle some footage and extend scenes to give the manga more breathing room. Verdict
The highlight of the episode is Captain Yami's flashback to his first meeting with William Vangeance. It provides a rare, grounded look at these two powerful captains as young Magic Knights under Julius Novachrono. Seeing their early rivalry/camaraderie adds weight to their current roles.
Episode 85 is essential viewing for fans who care about the relationship between Yami and William, but if you’re looking for Asta’s next big fight, you’ll have to wait. It’s a warm, funny, and informative detour that helps humanize the Magic Knight Captains.
Coming off the intense battles of the Royal Knights exam, some fans might find this episode frustratingly slow. It is effectively a "waiting room" episode while the exam results are tallied.
Most of the episode takes place in the bathhouse at the Black Bulls' hideout. It leans heavily into the "found family" theme, showing the squad relaxing after the high-stakes tournament. The banter feels authentic to the group's chaotic energy.