Summary
Hiro Mashima is renowned for his adventure-based fantasy anime, andEdens Zerois one of his latest works that has dominated theSpring 2023 anime line-up. The first season’s initial success led to the series' second season being confirmed for 2023, indicatingEdens Zero’sgrowing popularity among the anime community. Mashima excels in conceiving novel fantasy worlds, and his previous two works are a testament to his expertise.
InEdens Zero’scase, however, Mashima has pivoted to theniche of space operas, though not without keeping the concept of adventure intact. The bold intermix of magic-like powers coupled with a symbiotic relationship with androids has given the show a one-of-a-kind narrative, one that never fails to disappoint audiences. Season 2 doubles down on the same premise, albeit with a much more grim storyline. These new developments have driven the series’ popularity further and have allowed it to differentiate itself from its light-hearted predecessors.
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An Entirely New Power Ceiling
Season 1 had alreadycemented Shiki’s unprecedented powerand his raw potential for becoming the next Demon King. However, Edens Zero’s second season takes this up a notch, deeming him an even greater force than before. With the introduction of Overdrive and new powers for Gravity Ether Gear, the series has set a new ceiling in terms of power-scaling.
The initial part of the season focused on Drakken Joe and his fiendish grip over the Sakura Cosmos’ underworld. His incredibly high power levels were deemed a major threat right from the beginning, with many doubting Shiki and the crew’s chances against such a behemoth. However, Shiki defied all odds and defeated the king of the underworld and cemented himself as the true Demon King. Defeating a member of the Oracion Seis Galactica is no joke,especially since Drakken Joewas hinted to be on par with his fellow Galactica members such as Poseidon Nero and Elsie Crimson.
Shiki’s steep power-scaling may seem slightly problematic considering he went from rivaling the likes of Jinn to defeating an Oracion Seis Galactica member within one season. Furthermore, this pegs Nero and Elsie as god-like beings since the two are speculated to be far above Drakken Joe’s power levels. Edens Zero could potentially fall into a power-creeping trap, and it’s up toMashima to counteract this pitfallin newer seasons.
A Shift Towards Grim Undertones
Unlike its light-hearted predecessors, Edens Zero takes its narrative rather seriously, a fact apparent from the grim and despair-ridden undertones it presents. From Shiki’s demise in World 29 to Rebecca’s corroding body on Foresta, the series has left no stone unturned in terms of giving viewers a harrowing experience.
The series has always been rather dark since season 1, especially with Hermit’s tragic backstory and Kurenai Kogetsu’s atrocities. However, Season 2 doubles down on these subtexts, showcasing the true depravity of mankind.Dr. Muller’s experimental crimes, Drakken Joe’s murderous antics, and Shura’s android genocide orders are just a few examples of the dark twists season 2 embodies.
New Allies Aboard the Edens Zero
Compared to season 1, the current season has seen a massive increase in the addition of new faces toEdens Zero’scharacter roster. The series has adopted a running theme of redemption, as some of the newest characters aboard the ship are Kleene and Laguna from the Element 4, and the mercenary Jinn. Despite being Drakken Joe’s henchmen and working for his syndicate, the three of them have slowly assimilated into the main cast of the show.
However, these three characters aren’t mere side-characters as the spotlight has been shed on their backstories multiple times, especially on Jinn andKleene’s traumatic past. The brother-sister duo intended to stay aboard the ship simply to seek treatment from Sister, though they stayed long after Kleene had fully recovered.
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Laguna, on the other hand, stayed aboard with the false premise of finding a new home within the Aoi Cosmos. However, his true intention was later revealed, acquainting viewers with his goal of finding a group that could take down Poseidon Nero’s empire. With profound goals and fleshed-out backstories, these three characters are bound to become a permanent part of Edens Zero’s ever-increasing crew.
The Ever-Expanding World of Edens Zero
WhileEdens Zero’sworldbuildingis already quite profound compared to other shonen anime, season 2 cranks this up by introducing hordes of new planets and an entirely new cosmos. Be it the sandy Planet Sandra or the verdant Planet Foresta, venturing into the Aoi Cosmos has already acquainted fans with a number of new places with unique atmospheres and topographies.
Worldbuilding is an integral part of any adventure anime, and Mashima’s previous works sidelined a major chunk of their own worlds. However, the author has stepped up and focused onEdens Zero’sworldbuilding quite thoroughly, giving fans a unique experience with every new planet the crew explores.
Season 2’s Fan Reception
With season 2 upping the ante,Edens Zerohas received a strikingly positive reception compared to its previous run. Accurately gauging fan reception this early on for the series is likely to bring in a few inaccuracies, though it still offers a perspective of the current fanbase’s opinions. The series' rating on MyAnimeList has slightly improved compared to the previous season, jumping from a score of 7.30 to 7.44.
On the other hand, IMDb’s rating presents a highly promising picture for the series. The entire season has averaged above 9.0/10, a fair increase from the previous season’s average of around 8.0/10. Season 2’s high acclaim can easily be attributed to its high-paced, action-packed arcs. Moreover, the season has kept a strongemphasis on growth and development, making characters more profound and in-depth. Overall,Edens Zerohas maintained a promising presence among the anime community, indicating the possibility of a season 3 being in the works.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
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