Tower of God season 2 episode 18 review: A good start to the Workshop Battle is held back by cut corners and missed opportunities

Given the steady improvements the series had been making over the last few weeks, fans were optimistic for the official release of Tower of God season 2 episode 18. Premiering on Sunday, November 3, 2024, the installment was so highly anticipated for it missing the start of the Workshop Battle Arc.

Unfortunately, Tower of God season 2 episode 18 was as much of a mixed bag as previous weeks were. Some questionable decisions held down the improvements that were previously made. While the overall quality is still continuing to improve, the corners The Answer Studio is cutting are simply too significant to avoid breaking viewers’ focus when they occur.

Tower of God season 2 episode 18 review: Continued general improvements and significant story development are the major positives

Expand Tweet

Tower of God season 2 episode 18 continues the mixed-bag status the series has had in its most recent episodes. In general, the series’ animation is continuing to improve week-by-week. Scenes generally feel more alive than before, even if the bar is low enough to still call the current result relatively wooden. Nevertheless, it still deserves commendation considering what the Return of the Prince Arc put out weekly.

These improvements particularly shine in the eighteenth episode as a result of the expressiveness that which characters have. This is one area where there actually is enough improvement to call it truly adequate. The changes have been very subtle, but their impact is far from understated despite this. There are also unique directorial choices with respect to expression which are equally well-done and impactful, specifically with Miseng and Verdi.

Speaking of Miseng, she also has one of Tower of God season 2 episode 18’s shining animative moments. Her first strike is well-produced in general but is particularly impressive in the context of relative improvement for the second season overall. The initial fight in the Workshop Battle Arc, unfortunately, peaks early at this point in terms of animation, but it’s still impressive.

Tower of God season 2 episode 18 review (Image via The Answer Studio)

Another major highlight in terms of animation quality comes from a focus on Varagarv, the Mad Fighting Dog of FUG Slayer Baylord Yama. His power is quickly displayed during this first round of the arc’s titular tournament, but the scene is well-produced despite the quickness. The animation here is acceptable, but the real highlight is the directorial aspect of it, heightening the perceptive impact of his abilities and apparent strength to fans likewise.

The final specific point of noticeable animation/production quality increase comes from Bam’s round, where several participants try to worship him as Jue Viole Grace. Bam’s reaction to them is negative given the circumstances of his current emotional state, and the scene where he takes them all out is well-produced, particularly when Bam launches a massive wave of shinsu at two of them.

Bam’s scene in Tower of God season 2 episode 18, is also a success from a narrative standpoint, as the culmination of the confusion he’s felt towards his role as a Slayer Candidate. His feelings are made clear here and, considering the presence of Bam’s original allies, seems to be leading towards his departure from FUG. Xia Xia reprimanding him for his comments at the installment’s end likewise heightens the tension for this hypothetical climax.

Expand Tweet

Further apparent set up for such a conclusion is Anaak and Endorsi Jahad’s conversation in Tower of God season 2 episode 18’s closing scenes. It’s made clear that people are starting to catch on to who Bam is, which likewise sets up at least his original allies to try and rescue him. All of this is especially well done for the fact of how rewarding this slow build to Bam’s reunion with his friends is when looking at season 2 overall.

There’s nothing else the series does particularly well in this episode, but there are other areas adequate enough to not be called true negatives. Voice acting is one, with the only true star to shine this season being Saori Hayami as Rachel. The pacing also continues to be acceptable, both in terms of how it feels in the moment and when comparing it to the source material.

Tower of God season 2 episode 18 review: Cut corners are the only major negatives

While Bam’s skirmish scene against his fellow Workshop Battle contestants was one of Tower of God season 2 episode 18’s positives, there’s also one moment that holds it back. This is a major cut corner in the final shot, which jumps to show Bam in a new position from a completely new perspective. What’s especially jarring is that this isn’t mid-fight but rather after its end, making the jump feel disorienting and taking viewers out of the experience momentarily.

There are other examples of cut corners in the episode as well, with a similar approach to the Bam scene above coming during Miseng’s rampage. However, it’s also more acceptable here since its mid-combat, giving it a sense of motion and life which Bam’s scene lacks. While still reprehensible, it’s much more acceptable as a viewer than what happens in Bam’s scene.

Tower of God season 2 episode 18’s Bam scene is also critiqueable for the lack of visual impact it has given the significance of his emotional epiphany. A more stylized approach would’ve further emphasized the importance of Bam’s words and made the skirmish more exhilarating. While the scene is good, period, it’s missed (or deliberately skipped) opportunities like these which are holding the series back from that next level of production quality.

Tower of God season 2 episode 18 review: Final thoughts

Expand Tweet

While no Workshop Battle Arc episode has been great yet, they’ve been consistently good, and are a small amount of budget and artistic flair away from being great. The series’ narrative continues to be its high point likewise, especially with respect to Bam, his emotions, and the revelations he’s experiencing while realizing what being a Slayer means. Hopefully, The Answer Studio jumps the qualitative shark in season 2’s coming, final weeks.