GOBLIN SLAYER II

DESCRIPTION

CAST

MANGA ActionGoblin Slayer
NOVEL ActionGoblin Slayer
MOVIE ActionGoblin Slayer: GOBLIN'S CROWN

REVIEWS

• 

  SoloWingGreekie

  55/100
  A sterilized, disappointing seasonal, unbefitting of a mature show.

  God, this feels like the most disappointing seasonal of Fall to be honest.

  I thought the first season was pretty fun, not perfect, nor anything to grant it a stay in the minds of weebs after it was over, but an entertaining piece with a very interesting idea that executed it perfectly with decent animation and a very exciting DOOM-esque soundtrack.

  The most stay it had on people, mostly Twitter, was the "controversy" of the first episode that displayed the depravity and violence of the goblins, ignorant of the fact that that was the point, and what made the first appearance of the Slayer memorable and important, which allowed the show build on a proper foundation and premise. It was a scene made to make you demonize goblins and sympathize with the Slayer. It didn't matter though, because that was the kind of publicity a relatively unknown show like Goblin Slayer needed, after all, there's no bad publicity, as long as you say the name right.

  That said, it came as a shock to me that at the start of the first episode, and every episode following afterwards until the end...came a warning about the violent themes and scenes that might trigger people.

  This to me, while at first may seem fairly harmless, is one of the first signs of how the show got sterilized. For what reason, I do not know, it still has a 17+ rating, and from what I know of other shows of that rating, they didn't need a blatant warning like this. The other reason, comes from the animation.

  White Fox did a good job animating the first season, all things considered. The combination of hand-drawn animation and CG, combined with the immaculate sound design, and context given by the Slayer and first-hand experience of the Priestess, led to perfectly delivering the cathartic violence and horror the show got known for. It makes sense why they were good at delivering that violence, as they had experience with other shows of similar rating, like Akame Ga Kill.

  Liden Films however...has none of that experience. While they have animated some lesser known shows that have explicit violence, it's clear that they're more comfortable with lighthearted shows or shounen shows that aren't as explicit or gorey like Goblin Slayer. It's clear that the animation and visual design has taken a drop in quality evidently by just looking at the character designs, but beyond that, the action scenes lack the dynamic energy that the first season has. The action feels more hollow, less gorey, less viscera, and less energy, with even sound design taking a nosedive in quality as the main theme is overused without any good execution. As a result, this diminishes the quality of the show, and turns it from a R18+ show to something akin to a 12+ show, something it clearly isn't, but clearly masquerades as.

  Thankfully, the story is fine...ish. I think the first half of the story was fine (a bit lacking though), but the second half fell flat on it's face when it picked up the pace. I think it did a good job in trying to expand Goblin Slayer as a character. The first season concluded by finally getting to know the man behind the mask, his backstory, why he does what he does. The second season starts by getting to know the man personally, with all the nuances, his ambitions, his life, his regrets, and how he improves socially. Where before he was socially outcast among adventurers, here he has talks with fellow, more experienced members, and his own teammates. He gets included more with guild activities, and he helps new adventurers personally, and by the end, he is left happy, a clear, coherent sign of character development that I enjoy.

  By the second half however, it decides to pick up the pace, or at least it tries to, until it's too late. The elven kingdom arc feels half-baked, with a climax that has a lot of potential for development for the Priestess, but never goes anywhere. It seemed like a filler arc without any substance or development, sure, it helps with the worldbuilding, and we have a touching moment where a survivor interacts with the Slayer (it was executed pretty poorly, however), but it could've been omitted without any loss of meaningfulness, and it's clear that a lot of stuff was cut from this arc to save time, if the terrible animation and combat scenes didn't make that evident enough for people. Time that doesn't even feel like it amounted to anything, because the final arc of the season is over and done by two episodes, without any emotional impact, or any proper conclusions, as if it was another enemy of the week Slayer and crew had to deal with. It even omits characters that were thought to be of some importance, like the Swordsman who had the same glow in his eyes like the Slayer, which I found ridiculous to say the least, why would you tease a character and then give him only a cold open's worth of screentime? It just doesn't make sense.

  Overall, Season 2 of Goblin Slayer was a disappointing mess, and an example of how not to handle a sequel properly by an animation studio, either by indifference or inexperience. I believe it has some qualities of the first season still in there, but they're more or less muddled by the drop of quality everywhere.

  Ironic, the scene that gave the show a chance in the spotlight is what ultimately doomed the sequel, whether it liked it or not. Sterilization, a fate many a shows mired with people that can't conform to disturbing themes have fallen into, and many that can't recover from.

  If there will ever be a third season, let's hope they won't fall prey to the same mistake twice.

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• 

  oliveirafre

  72/100
  A simple, yet enjoyable story about a man who really dislikes goblins

  First of all, let's talk music. WHAT AN OUTSTANDING SOUNDTRACK (even having a new intro song by Mili)! The music for this series goes beyond hard, the intense tracks do such an amazing job at getting you pumped for action scenes, seriously if you like metal, you will fall in love. The intense tracks stood out the most to me while watching, however, while re-listening to the OST I noticed how many great and memorable laid backed tracks the show has in general, it is seriously some of the best fantasy music out there, with a similar vibes to Heartstone's main theme, so go give it a listen (especially the intro), even if you don't plan on watching the show!

  Again this season, I really loved the story. I still love the unique perspective Goblin Slayer offers, showing us the world through the lens of a simple adventurer who could easily be replaced by any other adventurer, while contrasting it with the deeds of the heroes who have inhuman amounts of power. Yes, the setting is as basic as basic fantasy settings go (DnD), however, the unique protagonist and perspective he offers creates a memorable story nonetheless.
  I also think the story resonates so much with me because of its pacing. To me, every plot point just flows into one another like butter, there are no points where it starts to feel rushed or dragged out, scenes and arcs just flow naturally into each other, all the while still offering punctual faster and slower points. However, this great flow is also one of the flaws of the show in a way, because it's related to Goblin Slayer's simple and repetitive structure that every arc shares, which makes the story become predictable : first the slayer will receive a quest (or need to do something), the he goes to do it, kills goblins, but then realizes something more than just goblins was there, so he ends up having to kill that too. It's a fine structure, but the fact it's reused so much makes it lose a lot of the original punch (especially since its reused trice this season).
  Nevertheless, it's still a consistently great anime that, in my opinion, contains no low points and is definitely worth your time. It's nothing revolutionary, but it also doesn't try to be more than it really is, it's a fun, simple, DnD inspired story with well developed characters, a banger soundtrack (seriously, go check it out) and good looks. Everything looks fluid. I really liked the redesigns and though I do get why some people could disagree with this season simplifying the designs, I still think it's a perfectly fine trade off since it means we aren't getting 3D this time around. I just think it's good looking.

  Low 7. It would've been higher, but its very predictable structure means that it becomes predictable, which limits how much impact the story can have (especially so for the last episode).

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• 

  moistmossyroc

  73/100
  Is that a goblin? Sure as hell better not be.

  Overview:
  
  Definitely toned down and a lot less exciting as the first one. The edge has been dulled one could say. Instead of the very graphic and teetering into NC17 territory, it simply doesn’t tow any line like it. The depictions and such are more or less shock without the value. Could even say it is a great value brand compared to what came before.
  Anyways, there are a few small arcs that get covered. The first being a fair turn off. A lil red headed boi comes out and decides he knows everything, he is the best, the one, he can’t be beaten. Yet reality shows he lil B. As in, the full interpretation of it. All talk no bark, an old dark in a young body without the knowledge of the years. Quite sad, but more than anything annoying. Yes, indeed, it is the annoying type of sad. Our main man GS, for some unknown reason…ish, befalls his pity onto him. Houses this bastard only for him to complain of the generosity.
  This boy is however related to a certain somebody, who is being talked down to by everybody around for the way she died. The boy, being her sister is of course not liking it, yet this only feeds into his annoyance. With this boys arrogance, he is on a goblin slaying mission… then fails horrendously, couldn’t even do nothing except cry to be honest. A shameful showing for his proclaimed greatness that all saw the facade of.
  Bit of a training arc with this little shit involved, village attacked, he has his moment and well finally disappears the rest of the season. Although this was a third of the season, a shame. Straight into the next arc of the elf getting married :flushed:. Ah, not that elf though, it’s the sister and her, wait a minute, her cousin. Well, you know, sometimes its best to not ask questions of the backwoods towns. Keep it in the family is what goes on, may the blood never leave this fam I guess.
  This is a big celebration though, no matter who the two are that are getting married. Elves don’t often marry and when they do, the celebration must commence. Goblin Slayer and friends are invited. Cow girl and even the guild lady are brought along on this adventure. Before leaving Big ole bitty maiden that is petrified of goblins and GS have another talk hehe. Pre for the next arc though.
  The travel is not long before the goblins make their heinous showcase once again. They are short lived with the presence of the one dubbed their demon. Making it into the elves forest and the celebration occurs… the goblins decide to try and crash the party riding on what is apparently an elephant, but its not GS just doesn’t quite know they are different creatures.
  To find the source of who committed such acts, GS and gang head out to the north. Find the spot and crash in to say hello. These goblins are starting to experiment in a bit of the dark arts. While it did not last long it does show some goblin tribes have a bit too much time on their hands and favor the dark lords.
  Things are taken care of in a wash of a victory… something that the elves will have to figure out how to clean up later. GS is about the killing not the responsibilities post mortem. With the goblins finally dealt with and no longer to tarnish the cousin sister marriage, the feat and fun can commence. Upon their return to the guild, they had taken a quest to kill even more goblins, those little shits never die. Extermination is not enough, genocide is a must in these instances. But, oddly this time is a sea goblin, or not a goblin a large no goblin involved endeavor of the long fish slaughter.
  Big ole bitties is in need of a strong independent GS to guide her to the capitol. Where he and he alone can be the one to help get her to there. Eh, his mates can tag along too I guess. Some goblins with a peculiar mark on their back are found, killed and the capitol awaits.
  Priestess and elf :mrclean: decide to take a refreshing bath while they wait in the city before they all head back home. However, this is cut short by a certain princess that decides she is strong and independent without either of those two aspects. Common theme this season to start and end it on that.
  She causes trouble for the priest, by being a thief and stealing something very precious to her. She is pissed now. A lucky coincidence is that this princess decided to go on an adventure to show how little of those two aforementioned aspects she has, immediately getting nabbed by those strange marked goblins. Oh, and this is not even a horse ride distance out of the city. Can probably see the location from the gate. Safe to say, if she couldn’t handle the other side of the moat, there truly was no hope for this damsel now in distress.
  GS and crew overhear about this and immediately head out to rescue said princess in the utmost secrecy. They quickly find where the princess got captured outside the main gates. Following the trail of goblin back to their hideout, down the hole and there she is. Sitting on a sacrificial alter. This time the goblins are even more hardcore of their dark artes. With them now doing blood sacrifices hehe. Although partially failed, they were able to summon a single arm of a greater demon. Which was excessively powerful for what it was. With the way it was killed pretty quick witted.
  Sadly this was not the last worry. They were deep in this fortress. They needed to escape. Be it easy to get back to the entrance, cleaning up the remnants as they go. Only to exit the front gates and see endless rows of goblins anticipating their arrival. Luckily GS is batman and prep worked the big ole bagitobotitymity sword maiden. She decided today was not the day to be held back by the fear that encapsules her today. As succumbing to it would only result in GS’s death. Knowing that they have a bit of a down low special connection she there for him when needed. Pops a spell that showcases why and how she gained her rank. Followed by an army behind. Immidiatly followed by GS walking the all too familiar path of home and thinking, wtf, aint nothing change, I just kill and come home… again and again. A topic of inner development that is pushing to better allow for his humanity to come into question, Even if by the end he sort of shrugs it off. Should hopefully be further expanded in the next season if there is one.

  Visuals/Music:
  
  Similar to the first season the visuals are very nice. They are clean and showcase a darker theme. Not as much as the last season but still I would say on par with it. The flashy effects, blood and combat injuries not left to black blobs or some censored mess. Animation and fluidity of the movements is solid and well done. No real complaints. There could and might be fixes done to Blu-ray release. Mainly with the background or enemies at times not feeling the most alive. It does feel like budget cuts in this aspect, but in this current season and the past few mappa studioes really puts a high bar of what high quality animation is in the current day.
  Music is great as well. Mili doing another opening with her voice being nice and soft while portraying the visuals to compliment the darkness of what makes goblin slayer, goblin slayer. OST’s while on a similar tier to what the opening sets, well sometimes they are not placed the most appropriately. There were a few times they felt a bit out of place. Felt more like a lack of variance that was needed to fully capture every scenes moment properly. Looking at the OSTs from a stand alone perspective and they are simply :pacha_perfect:. The ending… well it helps to compliment with a bit of a brighter mood compared to the rest. Offers a nice balance when compared to the rest of the OSTs. No complaints either. Only real problem was the placement of certain scenes.

  Final Thoughts:
  
  I recommend it to those who watched the first season. It may be a bit of a drog at times to get though, it is worth it though. Have it on as a secondary thing, not too much happens that would need utmost of focus.
  As feared from the ending of the first season. They have taken the tone down approach to showcase the story. Obviously, this was a must to maintain funding and the capability to produce another season. Sad as it may be though, would have loved to see the studio go hard on for pushing the limits even further… as improbable of a scenario that would have been.
  The background notion of GS starting to question himself I do believe could go somewhere and take the series to similar heights if it is executed properly. This may even work well to offset the dark themes and transition to a more softer goblin depictions, but the source material and adaptation will define if that’s the path they follow. As it is now, its good but not great. There are great aspects, just not enough of them to make the show a favorite by any stretch.

  Characters (main) – 4/5
  Characters (sub) – 4/5
  Enjoyment – 3/5
  Visuals – 4/5
  Music – 4/5
  Story – 3/5
  Overall Ratings - Rec: 3/5 Raw: 73%

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