Netflix’s BASTARD‼ -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy season 2 sees the return of Dark Schneider as he goes up against his former friend Kall-Su, as the threat of Anthrasax looms larger than ever.
Story
To save the Samurai Corps from the attacking Sorcerer Shoguns, Yoko opts for a dire spell, but Schneider manifests finally and makes quick work of the Shoguns.
Kall-Su sets his sinister plans in motion, influenced by Anthrasax, and sends the Shoguns to go find the fourth seal, Sheila, in King Crimson Glory — the city made by angels.
Yoko and crew arrive there too and Dark Schneider and Kall-Su finally battle. Kall-Su breaks out of Anthrasax’s spell, just as the seal is broken too and the God of Destruction is released. Dark Schneider and others help defeat a figment of Anthrsax.
Sorcerer Shoguns unite with the Samurai against a common enemy — Anthrasax — who also releases Demons all over the world, preparing to defeat Dark Schneider before all of humanity.
Performances
The performances from the entire cast range from adequate to great. Two notable performances stand out. One is Kishō Taniyama as Dark Schneider, who lends so much chaotic energy and pizzazz to the character.
The other one is Takehito Koyasu as the most flamboyant and daring vampire, Di-amon, incorporating voice inflections and mannerisms that make the character so unique.
Positives
The animation continues to be the best part of the show and the second installment is abundant with spell-binding visuals the animation on the battle extravaganza is what makes the scenes that much more appealing.
The glimpse, nods, and references to the heavy metal genre do not always work but when they do, as is the case here, they really land well.
Negatives
The female characters all continue to suffer from incompetent writing as they stumble, gasp, moan, and cheer even as ultra-powerful and capable people.
The Samurai are reduced to a motivational club that keeps throwing their quotes of camaraderie and philosophy of life left and right while managing to achieve little to nothing on the battlefields.
The Sorcerer Shoguns experience a similar fate which is worse since only two of them manage to wreak so much havoc at the beginning of BASTARD‼ -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy season 2.
Verdict
BASTARD‼ -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy season 2 is a fun little camp adventure but falling into the same pitfalls of anime and not moving past the outdated tropes keep the anime from reaching its potential.
Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy season 2
Director: Takaharu Ozaki
Date Created: 2023-07-31 12:30
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Also Read: Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy review: Doesn’t belong in the 21st century
