Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest (Episode 2) – Pandora’s Box
Unable to move up, Hajime is forced to burrow deeper into the labyrinth, facing tougher and more vicious monsters, but that just means he can get stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, his classmates struggle to come to terms with his death!
What did you watch?
After last weeks pretty disappointing affair, I am back for more. Don’t be surprised I sat through twelve weeks of Fairy Gone, so this shouldn’t be that shocking. Anyhow, this is episode 2 or Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest. The first episode pretty much went from commonplace to edgy badass, so we’re well on our way, but it would be nice to learn some more about the characters. Get ready to be thrust into the spoiler zone!
What happened?
Hajime still has no idea how far into the labyrinth he’s fallen. We discover later that the bridge that he fell from was level sixty-five and that was already the deepest anyone had gone, so he’s pretty deep. Hajime has been surviving on the remains of monsters and slowly building an arsenal of skills and weapons, but he appears to have reached his limit on this level. If he wants to get stronger he needs to move on, however, his transmogrifying skill cannot help him get up. He has no choice but to go down, deeper into the abyss!
Back at the surface, Shizuku is watching over Kaori who has been unconscious since Hajime fell – five days ago! She recalls the events leading up to the disaster, how their class had been summoned to another world to defend it from a demon and monster army. Finally, Kaori wakes and asks about Hajime, but Shizuku has no good news to tell her. They agree to get stronger and go back and find Hajime, no matter the costs. Meanwhile, Hajime has descended another forty levels and found massive door protected by two giant cyclops. What could they be guarding?
What did you think?
Last week’s episode was underwhelming and while we still haven’t quite made up for it, this was a big step in the right direction. I felt like the flashbacks weren’t too intrusive and we learnt a little more about the situation and some of the characters. It feels like they should have put these two episodes together as a double-length first episode. There’s going to be thirteen total, so it wouldn’t have changed much of anything. At the very least, it has given me hope that the series will recover.
What was your favourite moment?
When Hajime managed to defeat the cyclops and open the door, he walked into a room filled with a strange presence and fantastical effects. There at the far end was a girl embedded in a floating stone cube. She begged him to free her. Hajime simply turned around and headed for the door, reasoning that if someone had seen fit to imprison her down her, it was a terrible idea to release her. Then, she said the one thing that would get him to turn around. She had been betrayed. I loved that whole scene and the way that it played out. It was far more realistic.
What was your least favourite moment?
I’m still not a huge fan of some of the CGI. In the scene where they were being told about why they were brought to this world, the colour was much lighter and more pastel, but it didn’t fit with the bold lines and the flatness of the colours. It just didn’t look that good and when it’s up against the darker than dark labyrinth scenes, it was really noticeable.
Who was your favourite character?
Hajime has changed so much in an episode it’s almost like he’s a completely different character. It’s definitely been a change for the better, although it would still have been more effective to have seen more of him before the change. At least we now have an edgy badass running around fighting all sorts of crazy monsters, eating them, and gaining their abilities. Now, he’s just saved Yue, an immortal vampire with the ability to heal instantly. As crazy as it seems, I wonder if he’s going to end up eating a part of her… I know, I said it would sound crazy, but she can heal instantly, so it’s a win-win situation… I’m sorry…
Who was your least favourite character?
We got a brief glimpse at the guy that may have fired the shot at Hajime. If not, he’s just this terrified idiot, but it seems unlikely. Other than him, it was just brief interactions. There was Shizuku training with her sword, so she’s clearly safe and going to be a cool character. Then, there was Kaori and she was unconscious for most of the episode and when she was awake vowed to save Hajime. Also safe. Finally, it’s not going to be Yue. She’s a vampire and no doubt going to be a very powerful ally for Hajime. I think I’ll just give it to the first cyclops that lasted a couple of seconds against Hajime. Protect your weak spot!
Would you like some more?
Believe it or not, but I am actually kind of excited for this series now. It was definitely a big turn around. I still maintain that the first two episodes should be merged into one as that would certainly reduce the risk of viewers giving up after the first one. There’s a lot of potential and Hajime using a lightning power gun that shoots holy water bullets is clearly going to devastate a fantasy world. See, I can change my mind…
Other posts in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – The Monster of the Abyss
- Episode 2 – Pandora’s Box
- Episode 3 – The Golden Vampire Princess
- Episode 4 – Guardian of the Depths
- Episode 5 – The Maverick’s Lair
- Episode 6 – Worthless Rabbit
- Episode 7 – The Great Reisen Labyrinth
- Episode 8 – Reunion with the Past
- Episode 9 – Dragon Slayer
- Episode 10 – The Goddess’ Sword
- Episode 11 – The Monsters’ Day Off
- Episode 12 – A Looming Shadow
- Episode 13 – The Best at Being the Worst
- Season Two
- Episode 14 – Irregular
- Episode 15 – Burning Light
- Episode 16 – Black and White
- Episode 17 – Reunion
- Episode 18 – Memories from the Bottom of the Sea
- Episode 19 – Someone Important
- Episode 20 – A New Vow
- Episode 21 – A Disturbing Darkness
- Episode 22 – Invasion of the Capital
- Episode 23 – God’s Apostle
- Episode 24 – Betrayal
- Episode 25 – A New Journey
- Bonus Posts
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I feel this show just wants to rush as fast as it can to get to the point where Hajime basically has a harem so it can end up feeling like every other isekai. It just doesn’t seem to want to take the time the books took to really make us see these characters as anything other than standard tropes. Honestly, the only reason I’m not dropping it at this point is I want to see whether they can still pull an alright anime out of this even though as an adaptation it has already just fallen flat on its face.
Yeah, I can see that. Hajime’s transition from nobody the edgy badass has been far too quick and without taking the time to no him before had it has less impact. It was far improved from what has got to be the worst first episode I’ve seen in a long time.
I hate to say it, but I really enjoyed this series. I think it used subversive humor to good effect. Also kind of liked the characters, too. This looks a lot different to me than the other Isekais; in fact, it feels like a critique of them.
Maybe I’m just imagining it, but if that’s the case, it’s a fun illusion!
That’s cool. You’re allowed to enjoy whatever you want. I found this series to be really frustrating as it seemed to have some good ideas and promise, but never really delivered on it.
It felt rushed at times and pedestrian at other times. I wonder if I’d feel different binge-watching it over the weekly schedule. Maybe, I’ll give it another go in preparation for season two!