Welcome to DanMachi Episode 2 a.k.a. “Extreme Apollo Obstacle Course.” One of the things that I enjoy most about DanMachi is that they put it all out there, unashamed. Some shows spend 30+ episodes and have only the subtlest hints of relationship advancement or expression of how the participants feel – DanMachi is interested in no such thing. Confession during a run-and-gun fight? You got it! Getting friendzoned causes you to march right up the enemy and demand a duel. Okay!
Episode 2, aside from the very unexpected revere confession scene, sets up some interesting mechanics for the remainder of the season. First of all, I suspect we are about to see how to switch familias – a mechanic particularly important for the growth of the Hestia family. I also think this will be a condition for the wargames to bring Lili to the stacked loli family, where she belongs. Secondly, we are seeing more of the inter-familia politics that were hinted at the end of last season – which to me is a nice detour for the continued dungeon exploration (which caps out fairly quickly). Also, the politics help prevent Ais from swooping in and saving the day, which is a good limiter on her over-poweredness.
Apollo and co. look like pretty typical baddies at first glance, but I think he illustrates the growing notion in DanMachi that deities are not stable when it comes to their “children”. The more you look at it in that light, Hestia’s affections for Bell are, well…a bit much. If the genders were reversed, this would be a rather short show with an incarceration ending. The deities affections will factor in later, I assume, as we learn more about Bell’s Zeus connection. By the way, Bell very well could have accepted Hestia’s proposition – after all, he is a mixed descendant of Zeus, so that sort of thing is apparently possible.
DanMachi has jumped right back into the Dungeon world with both feet. The quality hasn’t suffered a major dropoff and we’re seeing more of the city itself. I’m always wary of too much politicking in shows, but so far it seems to be nice and clear cut. The character creep with Apollo is quite manageable, so no complaints there. I’m hoping we get this cleaned up so we can get back to progression raiding, but so far I’ve enjoyed this deteour. You go little rabbit! Jump over the sun!
