Shangri-La Frontier - Episode 8
Even though this is one of the best-animated episodes of the season so far, it's also the episode where Shangri-La Frontier loses me.
The pacing felt noticeably slowed down. Things have been initiated in the last few episodes without offering any real resolution.
Eight episodes are already in the books, and the number of quests or relevant progress can be counted on one hand.
While these quests are supposed to be difficult and demonstrate how merciless this world becomes when it stops holding back – I'm starting to wonder: What is this all building towards?
Level Grinding
I like the series precisely because of its relaxed, adventurous lightness. But "risk-free" and "directionless" are two different things. The last episode and a half consisted almost entirely of Sunraku's training marathon.
Sure, that may be important – but the amount of time dedicated to it feels concerning, especially since the "reward" for it is that he's made an honorary citizen of the rabbit-people. Is that a joke or a plot point? No idea.
More Fun Required
Furthermore, Sunraku's self-doubt in the fight against the Treant Magus: the scene felt unnecessarily inflated. His moment of realization – "I can't be sloppy anymore, or I won't get anywhere" – felt artificially forced.
The series is at its strongest when it exudes silly, absurd adventure vibes!
While the comedy landed well here (the finale elicited a loud snort from me), the typical sense of discovery was missing. Hopefully, the next quest will bring back more of that playful momentum.