English Dub Review: Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers “A Level 2 Hero Candidate”
Overview
Based on the Japanese light novel series written by Miya Kinojo and illustrated by Katagiri. The story follows Banaza, a merchant, who has doubts about a world with racial discrimination of otherworldly creatures. One day, he’s summoned to The Magical Kingdom of Klyrode in another world as a hero candidate. However, his level 1 abilities and stats are on par with those of ordinary citizens. At least until he’s left abandoned and somehow reaches Level 2…
Our Take
Banaza, an ordinary merchant from Paluma, finds himself thrust into the annual battle against the Dark One’s demon forces, despite lacking any combat or magical skills. To compound matters, a misfortune renders him unable to return home. Deemed unworthy as a hero and abandoned in a foreign world, Banaza finds himself cast aside to the fringes of the kingdom by a douchey king intent on his removal.
Despite Banaza’s predicament, the story doesn’t really pick up until he somehow reaches “Level 2” of his abilities that end up surprising even himself (and the audience) as he inadvertently becomes overpowered which is signified by an Infinity symbol which he had no idea what it means, much to the shock of those around him. As he assumes a new identity and embarks on quests, he proceeds to help a young girl which ends up having unforeseen consequences…
Overall, while the episode sets up an intriguing plot with Banaza’s massive changes in this fantastical realm. It felt quite by-the-numbers in its story tropes. It almost feels like Rising of the Shield Hero but minus the drama or controversy. And with the way it ended, I’m curious to see how it all plays out.
Short of getting Roiland back, which I'm sure isn't going to happen, I don't even think they could get much better than the new voices from the previous season. And the ratings for season 7 weren't much lower on average than for season 6; it was pretty much just a normal season-to-season drop that most likely would have happened regardless.
I mean, look at the actual averages:
Season 1 - 1.57 million viewers Season 2 - 1.97 million viewers Season 3 - 2.33 million viewers Season 4 - 1.52 million viewers Season 5 - 0.96 million viewers Season 6 - 0.56 million viewers Season 7 - 0.42 million viewers
Ever since season 3, it had been having steep drops even with Roiland still involved; the season 6 to 7 drop is actually the smallest-percentage drop it's had since it started dropping, and if anything it's possible that changing the voice actors actually *boosted* interest a bit and prevented it from dropping even more.