BASTARD!! -Dark God of Destruction- 2022 Edition Review: What is the appeal of the Hell's Requiem Arc, Season 2?

BASTARD!! -Dark God of Destruction- 2022 Edition/Hell's Requiem Arc/Season 2 - Comprehensive Review and Recommendation

The second season of "BASTARD!! -Dark God of Destruction-" (2022 Edition/Hell's Requiem Arc), which began streaming on Netflix on July 31, 2023, has attracted a lot of attention not only from fans of the original manga but also from anime fans in general. The work is based on the manga of the same name by Kazushi Hagiwara and is an animation produced by LIDEN FILMS and directed by Takaharu Ozaki. With a total of 15 episodes, each 25 minutes long, it provided viewers with deep emotions and excitement.

Story and Characters

"BASTARD!! -Dark God of Destruction-" is a fantasy action story starring the magician Dark Schneider. The story begins when a 14-year-old boy, Lucius, takes on the sealed soul of Dark Schneider. Dark Schneider is a demon who once nearly destroyed the world, and his power is immense. However, his goal is not simply to destroy, but also to fight to save the world.

In this second season, titled Hell's Requiem, Dark Schneider and his companions fight against the rising demons once again. In particular, Dark Schneider's great power and the human drama of the characters surrounding him are beautifully portrayed. The personalities of Lucius, Tear, Note, Yggdrasil, Gala, and the new characters are all outstanding, drawing viewers in.

Animation and Music

The animation by LIDEN FILMS faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while using modern animation techniques to provide beautiful visuals. The battle scenes in particular are overwhelmingly powerful, with Dark Schneider's magic and the attacks of the demons depicted realistically. The character designs also closely follow the image of the original work while adding the unique charm of anime.

In terms of music, the background music and theme songs play an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the intense music in the battle scenes and the gentle melodies in the moving scenes stir the emotions of the viewers. The theme songs are also impressive and express the theme of the story well.

Director and production staff

Director Takaharu Ozaki is known to be a fan of the original work, and his passion is reflected in the film. Under his direction, the entire staff worked together to bring out the best in the original work. In particular, they paid close attention to the development of the story and the portrayal of the characters' emotions, making it possible for viewers to become immersed in the story.

The production team at LIDEN FILMS respected the worldview of the original work while pursuing its own unique expression. In particular, the use of CGI and the beauty of the background art have been praised. The voice actors' performances are also excellent, and they express the individuality of the characters well.

Viewer reactions and ratings

The reaction from viewers has been very positive, especially from fans of the original work. Many have commented that they were moved by the charisma of Dark Schneider and the story that depicts the growth of the characters. The quality of the animation and the wonderful music have also been highly praised.

On the other hand, opinions are divided on the differences between the original work and the anime. In particular, some viewers feel dissatisfied with the omission of detailed settings and episodes from the original work. However, overall, the work is highly regarded as one that has firmly retained the appeal of the original work while adding its own unique appeal to the anime.

Recommendations and Future Outlook

The 2022 version of "BASTARD!! -Dark God of Destruction-" / Hell's Requiem arc / Season 2 is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the original work, but also to all anime fans who love action and fantasy. It is especially a must-see for those who are interested in the charisma of Dark Schneider and the human drama of the characters. Also, do not miss the quality of the animation and the wonderful music.

Looking ahead, there are high hopes for further sequels. There are still many episodes left in the original work, and by making them into an anime, there is a possibility that the story will be told in even greater depth. Also, expectations are high from viewers to see how Dark Schneider's exploits and the characters' growth will be depicted.

Overall, the 2022/Hell's Requiem arc and second season of "BASTARD!! -Dark God of Destruction-" is a wonderful work that firmly retains the charm of the original while adding its own unique charm to the anime. It can be said that it has provided viewers with deep emotion and excitement, setting a new standard for fantasy action.