Tower of God is a webtoon that started in 2010 and is still ongoing. It was adapted into an anime in Spring 2020, and it was amazing in terms of visuals, animation, music, and the overall premise. Four years later, the anime returns under the title “Return of the Prince,” and it feels like something is off.
Tower of God Season 2 First Impressions
The animation studio changed from Telecom Animation Film to The Answer Studio, including a change in the director, so there’s a noticeable change in the art style. Both studios have some great work under their belt that many people would surely recognize. While the animation may not look as bad at first glance, it’s a major step down from the last season. The rough pencil outlines and the vibrant background are gone, replaced by something that looks digitally drawn. The animation although isn’t half-bad, although it’s leaning on the downside most of the time. But we got Kevin Penkin handling the music, so it’s not completely inept.
The real issue is the pacing. The events taking place this season feel lackluster. It lacks the charm the previous season had. Even without comparing it to the last season, this season feels like a drag. A slow start isn’t necessarily bad, but note that episodes are usually limited to 12 or 24, and seeing such pacing raises the question of how far they will take the story when there are over 600 chapters. Slow pacing in the beginning often leads to rushed endings. This season did not start with a good sign.
Aside from all that, there is plenty to like. We see a little more of the world and how that impacts the climbers who are set to reach the top. There’s an entire city and settlements laid by those who gave up climbing. There’s an economic system, trading, and markets, pretty much how modern communism works. With that, we are introduced to a new MC, Ja Wangnan, who is in crippling debt and decides to climb up the tower to settle it. We see his interaction with the loan shark and one other character and see his situation. Wangnan is an underdog, and seeing him struggle in a world full of cruel and monstrously strong characters feels uplifting. But that’s where all the good aspects end.
Tower of God Season 2 Review
I have already explained how bland it looks visually and that the pacing is kind of slow. Additionally, the OST by Kevin Penkin feels out of place in certain scenes, as if the scenes can’t keep up with it. The direction and storyboarding feel like they are from a typical anime, failing to convey the grand aspect and mystic vibe of Tower of God. Only five episodes have aired so far, and this is only a first impression, so we might see this season picking up. But I wouldn’t put too much faith in it.
[su_spoiler title=”Spoiler-Filled Review” icon=”chevron-circle”]
The writing in certain scenes bothers me. I previously mentioned that I like the new MC. While he may stay in character, it bothered me that he spared someone who has been making his life miserable from the moment he reached the current level in the tower. The loan shark tormented him and crossed the line to a point where even capital punishment wouldn’t be enough to make this guy suffer. In the middle of exacting revenge, a flashback starts playing as if we care about that guy after all the horrible things he committed. How does that make him redeemable? Wangnan shouldn’t have spared this guy, in my opinion, and it was a bad part of the writing. The story could’ve gone in a different direction, but the small semi-arc wasn’t enough to explore that properly.
[/su_spoiler]
Tower of God Season 2 Opening and Ending
The opening might be the best part of this season. It’s one of the most stylish openings I’ve ever seen, and I can’t get enough of it. The song “Rise Up” by NiziU perfectly syncs with the visuals, making it exhilarating to watch and an unskippable anime opening. The ending song “Believe” is performed by the same artists. Both OP and ED are major step up from the previous season and might fool you into thinking this season is actually
After Thought
Tower of God Season 2 is definitely one of the most anticipated anime this season. We are keeping up with it weekly and enjoying it so far, but it’s not living up to expectations, so there are some caveats. How will this season end up? Only time will tell.
Thank you for reading ♡. Let us know your thoughts and what’s your watchlist this season. Keep an eye out for more first impressions. Join our Discord server & Telegram chat for the memes and check out our YouTube channel for extra content. Take care y’all 👋.
