The series is just as it always has been, mediocre at best. If you enjoyed previous seasons, come watch this one, but if you are not enjoying previous seasons, don't bother to watch this one.
This review is based solely on the anime. No outside source like LN considered.
Art and Music: 7
Art and music is on the same level as season 4 part 1. The art is very consistent. Nothing remarkable but is nice to see. Animation is also on the same level. Into episode 3, not many battles fought yet (if any), but so far it is not boring. The music while doesn't feel out of place, it definitely can get better.
Story and Character: 5
Overall, the plot is very straight forward. Picking where we left of, and into episode 3 nothing much changed. Not many throw back or background story and "side quest" explored yet.
Story telling from every character's perspective is also still done great. Everything is in balance. From bell's party, the hestia family, as well as the viewpoint from people outside the dungeon.
However, the way they portray their character is also as bad as previous season. Bell, while is the main character -many dubbed deus ex machina of the series- and is portrayed very strong being able to slay the fastest monster of the middle level dungeon with ease. Once again having trouble dealing with the problem this time. The direst one so far. On previous season, as Bell can instantly overcome a challenge within one episode, the series failed to make audience feel any character development. To feel any danger to the beloved main characters at all.
This as a cycle happened every episode. Where one character faced a certain challenge and being able to overcome it right on site. This makes the story of each episode felt too similar thus boring.
The story is stuck between wanting to have a strong masculine main character or a weak lovable more feminine main character. One must pick one or the other and can't have both. Or one'll end up with half-assed character in the likes of Bell Cranel.
On top of it all, I can say maybe each episode is only worth 65% content. Despite choosing to instantly resolve any "minor" challenge within a single episode, the director dare to include a previous episode summary. And a lot of self-speech. If they have the spare duration to include a summary, it would be a lot better to actually make the character development more believable.
There are even a lot of examples where directors filled the opening and ending song with actual content to make the series more intriguing. To build deeper connection with the audience.
