Shin no Nakama ja Nai to Yuusha no Party wo Oidasareta node, Henkyou de Slow Life suru Koto ni Shimashita 2nd

If you liked the exploration of blessings from Season 1, then I think you'll like this season too. Season 1 asked the question "Do you have to live as your blessing dictates?" and answered it through Ruti overcoming the life consuming blessing of the hero and gaining the freedom to live as she wants.

But what if the person with the hero blessing actually wants to be the hero? Season 2 features Van, the "new" hero, and instead asks "Is simply doing as your blessing dictates enough to fulfill your role?" The clash in ideologies between Van, a devout follower of the Almighty who confers blessings, ... and Gideon, the previous hero's guide who has learned to live outside those blessings, makes for a compelling central conflict.

Within Van's party, Theodora (now going as Esta) tries to advise Van to be more flexible, as she's learned from Gideon, but Lavender (a mysterious fairy who loves Van) keeps telling him he's fine as he is. The last member of the party, Cardinal Ljubo, seems to want to use Van, but somewhat comedically throws his arms up in the air when it comes to actually controlling his actions.

Meanwhile, in Zoltan, Ruti is learning to live a normal life with help from Tisse. Much of the extended cast returns to Zoltan as well, and there are plenty of fun episodes with them all. While there isn't as much focus on Red and Rit's romance as there was in the first season, there's still development, and Rit's love for Red makes for an interesting parallel with Lavender's love for Van later on.

The conclusion of the season was very satisfying and wrapped up everything nicely. Overall I enjoyed this season slightly more than the first, since I was more invested in the plot around blessings than the comfy romance (though both aspects are good), but if you care more about Red and Rit's romance I think you'll like the ending as well.

Round 2 of Banished from the Hero's Party - Welcome back...to staleness that doesn't compare and even uphold to its prequel counterpart.

Like the majority, I loved Shin no Nakama a.k.a Banished from the Hero's Party when Season 1 came out in Fall 2021, that showcased a different side to the Hero's Party fantasy shtick that left me wanting for more. And now that Season 2 is out, the unfortunate reality (as is everyone concurring) is that novelist Zappon's story elements...do not hold up to the standards of the prequel.

A retrospective, otherwise, it's where to really begin with Season 2's content. The continuation with Volume 5 ... of the LN and beyond (to God knows where) with Ruti finally acknowledging her older brother Red's intention to settle down with Rit in Zoltan and live the life of freedom away from trouble, she, along with her bestie Tisse, also settles down in Zoltan, trying to make sense of the freedom that Red, Rit and the others like elf Yarandrala and giant Danan are now living. The sense of letting go of the troubles of a Heroic life, it's getting used to a slow life where the mundane becomes precious time spent with friends, it's a new feeling for Ruti and Tisse, that swords and shields are nothing compared to baths and meals, at the obvious expense of lives lost against moral company. And to be fair, it's a renewed feeling that it takes time getting used to, which Season 2 showcases a lot more from the brocon and her trusty loyal assistant's POV.

The things above ain't that bad...until you consider who the antagonist really is for Season 2. The whole trip about Ares and him getting served back in Season 1, really make for a good antagonist worth hating and seeing him get his karma and ass being beaten, it's such a treat. And the sequel here...opted for a new Hero who thinks that the Goddess has enshrined his Blessings to him, and that he must be loyal to her cause for the sake of others' Blessings being a nuisance. It's clear as day that the Hero in question, Van, is being brainwashed himself, but to the extent of being worse than Ares is not something I can complement about, being a weaker antagonist than the former leader who's all sorts of messed up. I mean, we get it that "life is not a bed of roses", but this sequel just gave me the feeling that the story elements past Season 1, which I thought would be good (until it wasn't), it's just a shame that the writing suffered tremendously here.

Even without the help of Wolfsbane for the studio collaboration, Studio Flad made decent use of sticking close to Season 1's quality, which it did, and makes me feel relieved. Not like I've expected animation to carry the show with its good storytelling (from the prequel) but being largely unchanged...when you think about it, it's likely for the better.

The OST may still be the same, but the theme songs have gotten worse. The same pairings of Yui Nishio and JYOCHO are back, though I find that the former's OP song is a decent fit given the change of POV, but the latter's ED song...is a very messy song that though carries the spirit of Season 1's musically sound and great song, does not translate well onto here.

Dear good golly God, Shin no Nakama, you've could've been great or at least back up the quality of Season 1, but Season 2 here just does not give you justice. For a lack of a better story plot, despite the slow life being just as prevalent as it does the second time around, it's just a disappointment of a follow-up.

Just watch Season 1 only, and close the anime gate from there on out.

While season 1's story had a lot of issues but underneath had a beautiful romance developing. Season 2 has nothing developing with a new story with the same issues.

Characters: 7/10

Everyone is still as nice and sweet as before. But the problem is that since Red and Rit are now a couple and engaged, and Ruti has retired from being a hero; this season gives nothing for these characters to do. There are 3 different romance plots that go nowhere since they're only used for jokes, specially Ruti's love for her brother (which would have been interesting to see Red dissuade her if they didn't sweep ... it under the rug). So from ep 1 to the last, these characters remain unchanged.

Story: 6/10

But there is a plot, somehow. There's a new hero and he's a nutjob. You know because 10% of an episode shows how sociopathic he is, until later episodes focus on him. But again like last season, the story refuses to go deeper than it is. The stakes are buried underground as the protagonist tells you again that "you're more than your blessing". And somehow he believes it and apologizes, but because the stakes reside in a cemetery, there's little to apologize for.

Animation: 6/10

It's not an A-lister so of course it's not going to be top notch. It's not bad but not good. But I noticed they lean into the comedic aspect by making more chibi faces. So that's something.

Overall: 5/10
I prefered season 1's gutless story with a side of beautiful romance than season 2's lackluster story with a side of nothing. The story is so lacking that if you watch only the last 2 episodes you won't miss anything important.