And we’re back. I say this as if GOBLIN SLAYER hasn’t been off the air for five years or three years since the movie released in theaters. I’m surprised it’s taken so long for Season 2 to happen. Season 1 was pretty controversial when it premiered but that publicity presumably helped the show, rather than hinder it. I can’t say the staff caught up with the light novels at the time as there was actually enough material for a second season by the time the first one finished airing. Maybe COVID played a part. Maybe the production committee simply slept on the property. Regardless, GOBLIN SLAYER is finally back. I enjoyed the first season, warts and all, so unless the show jumps the shark in the next elevent weeks, I’ll be continuing my episode reviews for it.
We have a change in studios. Instead of White Fox, Liden Films is animating Season 2. I don’t feel that strongly over the change. White Fox did a decent job but their output did look a little rough at times, especially the ones done in CGI. Liden Films is a pretty capable studio so unless they’re strapped for cash and time, I say GOBLIN SLAYER‘s animation is in good hands. That said, the show does look a little different so it’ll take some getting used to.
A big concern I have with Season 2 is what GOBLIN SLAYER can possibly do going forward. I mean, it’s in the title. The show is literally just some dude slaying goblins. There’s only so many ways you can spice that up. Both the Season 1 finale and GOBLIN’S CROWN can reasonably serve as stopping points so I wonder what lies ahead. Naturally, much of this season premiere is spent setting things up. We begin a few months after GOBLIN’S CROWN. Noble Fencer has set up a training school for adventurers and the guild has received a surge of applicants as a result. Among the new recruits is a Wizard Boy (Mariya Ise), who for some reason is hellbent on hunting down goblins. Meanwhile, Priestess (Yui Ogura) attempts to get a rank promotion, having adventured for one full year. When Wizard Boy mocks Priestess, Female Knight (Yukiyo Fujii) proposes that Wizard Boy attempt to fight goblins with Priestess as the party leader.
There’s signs suggesting that Wizard Boy is the brother of Wizard (Kotori Koiwai), one of Priestess’s original teammates. The show curiously brings up the original party, even going as far as flashing back to the infamous scenes depicting their unfortunate fates. There’s also Wizard Boy having the same hair color and, well, being the same class as Wizard. Assuming he really is Wizard’s brother, it’ll be interesting to see his reaction when he realizes who Priestess is. The boy is already rude enough to Priestess so it’s possible they’ll be on thinner ice.
The Wizard Boy may want to cooperate with Priestess, however. All the adventurers alienate him for mocking Priestess, either because she’s their friend, it’s offensive to mock a priest, or it’s really stupid to pick on someone who provides valuable utilities in an adventure. There’s also the fact that Wizard Boy wants to fight goblins. At this point, it’s abundantly clear that them being a low level threat is more of a misconception than a fact. Priestess is quite informed on how to deal with goblins so if Wizard Boy wants to avoid an early grave, he should listen to her.
Honestly, I find it insane that the guild isn’t convinced on promoting Priestess. The assumption is that she’s being carried by her teammates, all of whom are Silver Rank, the third highest rank for adventurers. It’s not entirely contrived but it is a weird notion considering that the guild has already promoted Priestess before. Was that just a freebie for her? I suppose however that this ties into the whole plot with Wizard Boy. Putting the newbie’s attitude aside, leading a rookie is a good opportunity for Priestess. Assuming all goes well, she’ll get to show how far she’s come along as an adventurer.
I like how even though you can’t see his face, Goblin Slayer (Yuichiro Umehara) is bothered with Priestess being denied a promotion, maybe even offended. Looking back at Season 1 and the movie, there’s a plethora of moments where Goblin Slayer’s plans would not work without Priestess’s powers, the most notable being his fight against the Goblin Lord. If not that, Priestess has also made plenty of solid judgement calls in the middle of a fight. More than anyone, Goblin Slayer knows how much Priestess has grown. Had the others not suggest that Priestess work with rookies, I can see Goblin Slayer advocating for Priestess to the guild on her behalf.
You also have Goblin Slayer looking out for the new adventurers. Despite Wizard Boy’s attitude, Goblin Slayer offers him a place to stay and he tries to warn the boy about how dangerous goblins actually are. There’s also a scene where Goblin Slayer gives pointers regarding the use of potions to a rookie Rhea Fighter (Sayumi Suzushiro). Goblin Slayer later asks Guild Girl (Maaya Uchida) about Rhea Fighter and he learns that his advice ultimately saved the girl from a nasty injury. It’s considerate moments such as these these that add some humanity to the character. I find it funny that Goblin Slayer now recommends to rookies that they hunt rats as opposed to goblins. Part of me thinks he’s defaulting to it after his conversation with Rookie Warrior (Seiji Maeda) and Apprentice Cleric (Ayasa Ito) but I guess he’s not entirely wrong in thinking the rats are either easier or less traumatizing to deal with compared to goblins.
Speaking of goblins, is Goblin Slayer sitting this next adventure out? I can see him doing that for Priestess’s sake but telling him to stay out of a goblin related quest sounds like a tall order and he might be worried for Priestess’s safety. Maybe he’ll tag along as a vanguard and leave the leadership over to Priestess.
OP: “Entertainment” by Mili
ED: “Kasumi no Mukou e” by Yuki Nakashima
Watch GOBLIN SLAYER II on Crunchyroll
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