SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER 2ND SEASON

DESCRIPTION

CAST

ANIME ActionShangri-La Frontier
MANGA ActionShangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kami ge ni Idoman to su
ANIME ActionShangri-La Frontier 3rd Season

REVIEWS

• 

  Azzarrel

  65/100
  Mediocre second seaosn, with serious pacing and story structure issues

  Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 suffers from serious pacing issues that seem to stem from poor story structure rather than flaws in the source material.

  The season starts slowly with Sunraku searching for the magical amplification unit he needed in Season 1 to power up the loot from the Weathamon fight. It then shifts to him playing another game, where he meets players who have information on one of the remaining colossi. Up to that point, the plot progression is a little slow and lacking a clear goal, but overall still serviceable - even though the robot game’s battles, despite decent CGI, fail to leave a lasting impression.

  Once Sunraku logs back into SLF, however, the story devolves into a series of events that constantly interrupt one another, robbing the narrative of any breathing room. For instance, while en route to meet the players from the other game, he stumbles upon another enticing quest hook for a different colossus. Later, during his pursuit of the original colossus, he’s forced to help Katsu recruit players for yet another game after his team falls ill before a crucial tournament. These constant diversions, including Sunraku perpetually, but briefly returning to SLF, destroy the impact of the climax and severely diminish viewer engagement. Binge-watching might mitigate the frustration, but waiting a week between episodes - only to have unresolved plot points pile up - proves to be a major detriment.

  Beyond the subpar plot progression, the season remains mediocre overall. It attempts to appeal to a broad audience by touching on various themes but ends up feeling too shallow. Early in the season, there’s a brief exploration of SLF’s guilds reacting to a trio of underdogs defeating a colossus, but this subplot is handled superficially. Similarly, the gaming tournament arc is clearly designed to introduce challenge, stakes, and human conflict - something lacking in SLF’s focus on PvE gameplay - also fails to drive up engagement.

  The fight scenes, which were a highlight in Season 1, remain above average but lack the captivating spark they once had. This diminished impact is likely due to both the series’ waning novelty and the nature of the battles. Many confrontations now pit Sunraku against enormous non-human beasts- fights that lack the dynamic choreography of humanoid battles. Additionally, the heavy reliance on CGI for major monsters, like the underwhelming crystal scorpions, doesn’t inspire the same level of engagement as hand-drawn sequences, even when equally well-executed.

  One of my personal favorite aspects of Shangri-La Frontier is its relatively realistic portrayal of game mechanics - a rarity among gaming-themed anime. This season introduces a comic-themed hero-brawler, likely inspired by Marvel or DC games, where gameplay hinges on influencing the game world based on your character’s alignment (villains earn points for evil actions, heroes for good ones). While this concept offers a refreshing and to some extend functional alternative to the ubiquitous wave mechanics found in many modern games in the real world, it ultimately can’t compensate for a plot that fails to captivate.

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• 

  ImpossibleEel1

  90/100
  Action, Adventure, Good animation

  Completed watching Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 and it was just as good as Season 1. The fight sequences were intense and thrilling and the animation was clean, sharp, bright and full of vibrant colors making the visuals feel alive and exciting. The action scenes are not just well-drawn but also well-timed, giving the viewer a smooth and satisfying viewing experience. In this season, we get to see many different flashy skills, like Armageddon of Psyger 0 which is a dramatic, powerful ultimate move, though it takes some time to activate. The way the skill animations are handled makes each battle feel larger than life, like a high-stakes boss fight you don’t want to end. Overall, I really enjoyed Season 2. I don’t have a lot to criticize because this anime is made purely to celebrate the joy of playing a game and getting immersed in its world.

  There are, however, some subtle ideas that stood out to me. One of them was when Sanraku was caught up in the thought of keeping his unique scenario and quest to himself, as if protecting it made him special. But at that moment, Psyger 0 told him, “No matter what happens, I want to play this game with you so that I can enjoy it a lot.” That one line shifted Sanraku’s mindset. It reminded him and the viewers that the purpose of playing Shangri-La Frontier was to enjoy the game, not to chase status or become the number one player. This moment wasn’t loud or dramatic but it was meaningful. It showed how easily we can lose track of our original joy when we start treating games or even life as a competition.

  Another strong point this season is how it shows the importance of adaptability. When Sanraku was fighting his buddy Katzo using a character from Galaxia Heroes, his decisions on the spot and quick reactions made all the difference. These moments reflect something valuable: in real life too, the ability to adapt quickly and stay calm in unpredictable situations often leads to better outcomes. The anime also makes it clear that many challenges can't be faced alone. You need the support and help of your friends. This doesn’t come across in a heavy-handed way it’s just there, quietly present in the teamwork and unspoken trust between characters.

  Even though it’s mostly about enjoying a game, the anime’s world-building is outstanding. It doesn’t feel like a game at all but it feels like a living, breathing adventure. The environments, lore and character designs add so much to the immersive experience. There are a lot of skill names and fighting combos that are not only fun to watch but also cleverly implemented, as if the creators really thought through how a true Massively Multiplayer Online game would function. These details make the battles feel tactical and engaging rather than random or flashy just for the sake of it.

  One of my favorite lines from this anime is: “It is great to think about the future, but what’s the point if it makes your present this boring?” That line really stuck with me. It’s such a powerful reminder, especially in today’s world, where so many people are focused on building the future while forgetting to enjoy the present (however enjoying the present doesnt mean indulging in something that can affect in the near future). And that’s exactly what Shangri-La Frontier is about. You’re not supposed to overanalyze or look for deep meanings you’re supposed to enjoy the ride. That’s what makes this anime such a refreshing and entertaining watch. I was excited to watch the Global Game Competition but the season ends at that moment. Will wait for 3rd season.

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