English Dub Review: Tomb Raider King “The Owner of the Tree of Life”

Overview

Jooheon wins several relics at the Midas auction house, but Chairman Kwon wastes no time tracking him down.

Our Take

Picking up from the previous episode, the show continues Joo-Heon’s increasingly aggressive quest to secure as many relics as possible before the future he remembers catches up with him. This episode wastes little time putting that goal into motion, with Joo-Heon rapidly expanding his collection while effortlessly bulldozing anyone who gets in his way. Despite how ruthless he can be, there’s still a surprisingly fair side to him, as he generally has boundaries he refuses to cross. His deadpan attitude and the episode’s ridiculous comedy also help keep his increasingly brutal methods from making him completely unlikable.

The rest of the proceedings also give the relic system some much-needed depth by exploring how these artifacts function beyond simply giving Joo-Heon another overpowered ability, as some are revealed to be sentient entities that, if not handled properly, could either curse or kill the wielders of specific relics, could either curse or kill you if you don’t develop a certain skill level. The Code of Hammurabi makes for one of the more memorable displays, while the additional details surrounding relic poisoning, affinity, and dominance make the power system feel more thought-out. Even Joo-Heon’s remarkably calm demeanor has a purpose, as his ability to maintain control plays an important role in how effectively he can use his powers. These smaller details help flesh out the setting without getting too bogged down in exposition.

Overall, this was a stronger and more entertaining chapter that finds a better balance between action, humor, and world-building. Joo-Heon’s rapid accumulation of relics keeps the story moving, while the added rules surrounding them give his growing arsenal some much-needed substance. The series can still be ridiculously excessive at times, but that over-the-top energy is becoming part of its appeal. With Joo-Heon continuing to prepare for the challenges ahead.