Episode 2 ,"Beautiful Shackles", fits the format and feel or an Otome game, adds an elements that provides speculation and is a good first step for the Gods` long journey.
In an Otome Game, the player is introduced to one character at a time and the stage of the game is focused on that specific God in order to get to know them.This most likely the format that the anime is trying to implement by having each episode center around one character the most in order to flesh them out. And in this episode it focused on Apollon, but without pushing everyone to the side completely.
However still because of that not much is known about the supporting cast aside from their archetypes. Furthermore, the show adds a few more side characters and most of them don`t get that many lines. Hopefully along the way the series will flesh out all the characters as it progresses.
The inclusion of Zeus binding their the powers of the other deities to teach them about humanity may seem cliche - especially for those who have watched the Thor movies or read Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello- however if it isn`t broken don`t fix it.
But by taking away their powers it means the audience will not be seeing them in their divine forms, made worse by the fact their true forms are in the opening credits.
Episode one established the characters and the status quo, with this episode it shows things getting started for our characters.
This new element in the story does bring up speculation as seen in the preview in episode 1, they have their powers. So if that future is correct, Yui will succeed in helping them understand humanity but some kind of terrible event will still occur. It spoils it to a degree that Yui will get through to them however this series does appear optimistic so there is no reason to expect it.
The young deities have their funny moments as they acclimate to the school, demonstrating how new it is for them to even be in a school and be human. Their humanization comes further as it is seen they can relate to Yui, how helpless and unsure they are of the situation, but they are willing to meet the challenge and they know they are not alone.
The fact that not all the students agree on the situation foreshadows that it will not be easy for Yui to teach them. That just because Zeus drops in a nice, well rounded, likable human that does not mean Yui can magically solve everything and get everyone to get along. that it is going to take time.
The opening takes a few listens in order to get a feel for it, but it is indeed upbeat and energetic. Coupled along with a techno beat sells reminds viewers that this was based on a video game and gives a carefree feel. The sequences really sell how , despite these characters not being human, they are going to school like mortals and it captures the sense of fun this series is going to have. Weird how they didn`t put it into the first episode as it excels higher than the ending credits which has very limited animation.
Despite the teasers, the lack of knowing the characters beyond their character stereotypes, and even being a little slow, the series still shows promise as a charming, fun diversion.
Kamigami No Asobi episode 2 receives a 3.8 out of 5.
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