The second season of "I Stand on a Million Lives," which aired its first season in October 2020, will begin airing in July 2021. So, today, I'd like to look back on the first season and discuss the highlights of the second season! For those of you who haven't seen the first season yet, or those who dropped out after the first episode, I've compiled a list of the interesting parts of the show!
What did you honestly think of the first season?
A defective version of the first episode, made entirely from materials from "Irasutoya," was released, but it received mixed reviews. It's been talked about, but I'm sure many people are wondering if this first episode will really entice them to watch it. However, the biggest problem isn't that. It's the sudden plot twist, where the reader is transported to a virtual MMORPG world and forced to complete a quest without any explanation. This is also true in the original work, but the setting leaves the reader behind right from the beginning. I think this was particularly evident in the anime. I think many viewers felt left behind when the story suddenly unfolded and they were transported to the world of a virtual MMORPG. This work has a lot of premise, but doesn't really explain it.
What do you think of the animation?
The characters were cute and there were no fatal flaws, but honestly, I wouldn't say it was particularly high quality. The action scenes weren't particularly dynamic. Still, the characters were genuinely cute, and the main character was dynamic. As for the animation, it wasn't as bad as people were talking about, and it wasn't particularly good in the action scenes. It's neither good nor bad.
Was it boring after watching it to the end? No, it was interesting!!
It was interesting! This is purely my personal opinion, but as someone who has read the original manga extensively, I don't think it would upset fans of the original. In fact, since I was familiar with the setting, it was easy to get into. What makes this series so interesting is the dynamics of the protagonist, who is ultra-rational and prioritizes achieving his goal. He's the kind of guy who tries to complete the game alone because the other players are so useless, but he's not a heartless guy who doesn't care about his teammates; he does it because it ultimately saves everyone. What's more, his mental strength in a misguided way is also interesting. I think the dynamics of this protagonist were well-expressed.
It's interesting because it fills in the gaps in the original work!!
This series' first 12 episodes are the equivalent of three volumes of manga. So, it's packed with content. The only thing that leaves viewers behind is the initial setup. The rest of the story is denser than the original, and even details missing from the original are filled in. I liked how the main character, who is a great player in the game, is portrayed as a crappy game in real life. I think your impression of this anime will probably be very different depending on whether you've read the original work or not.
If you've read the original work, you'll enjoy it! So read the original work!
This anime might leave you feeling left out if you haven't read the original work. However, if you've read the original work, understand the setting, and understand that the protagonist is a bit of a weirdo, I think you'll enjoy it! It's also interesting because it adds elements not found in the original work! So, it's a work that you can enjoy watching the anime after reading the original work, and if you've already read the original work, it's an anime you can already enjoy. "I Stand on a Million Lives" is currently being serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, and volume 11 is currently on sale!
Here are some highlights from the second season, which will begin airing in July!
New Characters & New Quests Added
The new characters and new quests introduced in the final episode of the first season are undoubtedly a major highlight. The content of the fourth quest changes dramatically, addressing issues relevant to modern society, such as religious conflict. The fifth, sixth, and seventh quests also feature modern social issues, laying further groundwork. Characters introduced in the fourth quest will also make a reappearance. The story is getting even more interesting, so it's definitely worth checking out.
The dangerous protagonist is also in top form!!
The protagonist commits a murder during the fourth quest and is shocked to learn that it was real. However, he's the kind of guy who ends up saying things like, "All worthless people should just die," and has already come to terms with it. Even if he has to kill someone in the future, the protagonist will no longer hesitate. His companions are disgusted by him, but he's still a reliable presence. Going forward, the quests will become even more difficult, so the protagonist's rational thinking, judgment, and ability to act will become indispensable, even if they're disgusted by him. This guy's spectacular performance is the highlight!
This is where it gets really interesting!
In the original work, the quests for the first, second, and third weeks were simple: the protagonist was suddenly summoned to another world and forced to play a virtual MMORPG. However, the atmosphere changed completely in the fourth week's quest, with the theme of religious conflict and a very intense plot. From this point on, the mystery of why the protagonist is being forced to do such a thing gradually becomes clear. The fifth and sixth weeks become even more intense. The first season didn't move forward at a rapid pace, but instead focused on the story, making it well worth watching. Given the progress of the original work, the second season will likely cover the content of weeks 5 and 6 by episode 12, so it's definitely worth watching!
[I'm Standing on a Million Lives, Season 2] Review of Season 1 and Summary of Highlights of Season 2
I've shared my thoughts on Season 1 of "I'm Standing on a Million Lives" and some highlights of Season 2! The "Irasutoya" version, which was released as a special edition, was novel, but the content left viewers somewhat behind. To be honest, I think many people dropped it after the first episode. However, the adventures of the somewhat dangerous protagonist are fascinating, and the story gradually gets more intense. The original work also gets more interesting in the fifth and sixth weeks, so I think it would be a shame to give up after just one episode. Season 2 will begin airing in July, so be sure to tune in!
