Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1 Evaluation

Shangri-La Frontier returns with an in depth, deeper dive into the damaging, intriguing MMO world that shares the identical identify because the title of its manga and light-weight novel. Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1, “Half-Bare Birdman and the Gang in Golem Paradise,” offers a wonderful, snippy transition from the place Rakuro Hizutome, or Sunraku in-game, (Yuma Uchida) and the numerous plot factors left off. The primary season has an odd finale as a result of it genuinely leaves off introducing a lot to the Shangri-a Frontier world however screams the tone of ‘tune in subsequent week to seek out out extra,’ just for followers to attend a number of months for this new season.

The gorgeous visuals proceed to be animated by C2C, with the content material remaining to be pulled from the thoughts of Katarina (creator of the sunshine novel and manga). Even the manufacturing has returned, making certain the standard and animation fashion might be fluid from season 1. Toshiyuki Kubooka additionally directed this episode, and Kazuyuki Fudeyasu wrote the script. It’s nice that the animation is simply as fairly as final season, exhibiting off the colourful flames and embers that drift off in a single scene.

The opening theme tune for Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 is “QUEEN,” carried out by the well-known Japanese artist LiSA, who sings the enduring themes for Sword Artwork On-line, Destiny/Zero, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. otoha performs the ending theme, “Dancer within the Darkish Evening. ” The music video was simply launched per week earlier than the season 2 premiere, and it’s actually on model with the rock and roll beats for an motion anime like Shangri-La Frontier.

Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1 seamlessly introduces the premise of the present. Rakuro transitioned from beating buggy, crappy VR video games to one of the crucial intricately-designed MMO video games referred to as Shangri-La Frontier. After Sunraku teamed up with Towa Amane, aka Arthur Pencilgon (Yoko Hisaka), and Kei Uomi, aka OiKatzo (Makoto Koichi), to take down one of many Seven Colossi, he needed to proceed the sport story. However to take action, he wanted to get a magical operations unit.

The primary scene re-introduces Sunraku’s now-balanced get together consisting of his trusty, cute vorpal rabbit NPC companion Emul (Rina Hidaka); Bilac (Miyu Tomita), Emul’s older sister and the now-Historic Craftsman due to Sunraku leveling her up; and Aramiyas (Hiromu Mineta), who has an odd obsession with Bilac, and is the Grasp Swordsman of the Cait Siths in Cazzeria. The ragtag group is touring by a golem-infested space, with a few of them resembling the explosive droids from Star Wars Jedi Survivor.

This primary battle scene with the principle get together in opposition to the newly-introduced golems is a unbelievable technique to hook audiences again to what they beloved from season 1. It incorporates crisp animated motion and wonderful dialogue back-and-forth of Sunraku determining the way to beat the brand new enemies. Additionally, it reveals how the get together works collectively as a group for the primary time.

One of many main mysterious cliffhangers from season 1 is Sunraku assembly somebody named the Professor—no, not the one from Netflix’s Cash Heist. The Professor has the avatar of a Magical Lady however the voice of an older gentleman, a stunning twist. This plotline will get considerably sorted right here, too, in Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1.

The episode ends with some not-so-happy Pencilgon and Katzo eyeing Sunraku and his get together from a close-by cliff since he was seen ghosting an e-mail from Pencilgon from season 1. This can be a cool technique to re-introduce these characters whereas teasing extra to return. It might have been good to see Rei Saiga, aka Psyger-0, on this episode, however she ought to have some scenes quickly. Hopefully, Rei’s story will get fleshed out extra in the true world.

Whereas most viewers are interested by world-building, offline connections are simply as pleasurable in Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1. Hopefully, Rei will lastly have the braveness to talk to Rakuro and never instantly confess her emotions. It should even be extra fascinating to be taught who the Professor is in actual life. Based mostly on the trailer, Sunraku may also be coping with constructing a clan, in order that could possibly be one other layer. This additionally opens the opportunity of many new characters being launched this season.

Total, Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1 is off to an excellent begin. The animation continues to be clear in these dynamic fights; the strain and comedic beats are timed properly (Aramiyas’ flirtations with Bilac are actually questionable); and the storytelling presents many desirable plot crumbles for audiences to nibble on.

Will this season see a rematch of the newly improved Sunraku versus Lycagon the Nightslayer, and can Sunraku beat it? Solely time will inform with this season’s story.

Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Episode 1 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.