IMO the art style was a downgrade from the first season and definitely from the 2018 3 special episode. I think its because it was because of the COVID-19 delays. You will probably notice a lot of cut and copy scenes, and cgi looking out of place, or bubble heads to show expression if you know what I mean. It made the show feel a lot more childish, whereas the first season and 2018 specials had a much more serious approach, it set a completely different tone.
The sound was really nice, I enjoyed listening to both the OP and ending OST.
The character development was really the weak point in this season considering that the entire season is practically meant to introduce all the characters. It might be because I saw the drama version of this and they did a better job with the back stories. There was really a lack of emotion in this season which is the main job of this season. Compared to even the first season and not the drama, in the first season imo they did a much better job. For example portraying Ye Qiu being stoic and yet lost/hurt from his termination, Tang Rou you could feel her frustration of losing to Ye Qiu and that motivated her to learn to play glory, or in the 3 episode specials Yifan's loss felt like a crushing defeat for him. One suggestion I make is to watch the movie right before episode 7, I think that gives a lot of insight into Ye Qui's past and his decision in episode 7, even if you have already seen the movie it brings up the feels. Just one example that if they played the back stories right it could have a much strong impact. Although it wasn't actually meant to be played there so you have to read between the lines a bit to understand what I mean. Also, episode 2 introduces a minor character, but in the anime they made his part so minor that it makes you even wonder why he was written into the story. It really should have shown more of Ye Qiu's past because the dialogue between Ye Qiu and this minor character should have a lot more meaning, but instead it just felt kind of random and you have no idea what Ye Qiu is talking about or why they are really talking.
My enjoyments of the first few episodes were mediocre, but I did enjoy the shameless duo at the end. Though imagine if they did everything right, would've been even better.
Overall the season could have been done much better through the use of character development but instead just glossed over so much detail that the season is meant just as an intro of characters and hopefully for plot development in the next season. What they fail to realize is that what makes shows like this enjoyable is the character development not the plot. Just like in sports shows when you know the team is going to win because thats just the way they are written, but it is the emotions they feel during each match that draw us in. In Quan Zhi Gaou Shou you just know that they will ultimately win even without watching, but will they be able to draw us in for next season? It will be difficult IMO because they did not spend this season to tell us why each of the players are joining the team, what is motivating them?
