Ishura Season 1 Review

Okay mostly spoiler free review for Ishura Season 1, which has second season already confirmed and i believe its going to air next year.
Synopsis
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After the demon king's demise, a power vacuum disrupts the world's balance. Ambitious self-proclaimed demon kings from various realms converge in the New Principality of Lithia to claim this power. Among them is master swordsman Soujirou Yagyuu, who, alongside Tooi Kagizume no Yuno-a girl he saved from golems-seeks the throne.
Meanwhile, the Aureatia Kingdom aims to destabilize Lithia by attacking its merchandise convoys. In response, Imashime of Taren, Lithia's founder and an Aureatia defector, dispatches thief Kasasagi no Dakai to uncover the attackers' origins. As war looms, the contenders for the demon king's throne may influence the conflict in unforeseen ways. #Anime #Ishura #Review

[@SugiShogun]

Got few reviews lined up, so don't worry i will be back very soon :P

[@danielgilbert3889]

I'm glad you mentioned the description being the most generic shit ever, because I feel like Ishura really does suffer from horrendous marketing. It's presented like an Isekai or a Battle Royal but it's honestly very different from typical anime. The big tournament is basically just a backdrop for a lot of politics and maneuvering; it doesn't happen until volume 3 (and these are fatass volumes that each can support an anime season) and there's not many matches per volume even when it does start, because the lives of these characters, the political factions, and all the interweaving motives and objectives are all way more important than just a bunch of 1v1s. The description also kind of hides just how distinct the setting is, with its more middle-eastern aesthetics and magic system, and the sheer quantity of non-human characters.
The novel itself is also very distinct from what you expect in a light novel. The narrative voice and translations reads EXCEPTIONALLY well, more like a traditional fantasy novel than the often grating "isn't this how stories are written" style, the fights are easy to follow and quite epic, and the narrative knows to treat pureness of heart or strength of character as just as incredible as unbeatable fighting skills (and without pretending that purity of heart makes one a better fighter either).
I also just want to mention that this is the first anime/novel where I felt the Demon King was appropriately handled. The True Demon King was so awful that people don't want to even speak of it, can't even remember who or what it was, were driven mad simply by its presence. It was so oppressive its menace still lingers in the minds of all living beings. It's the driving force of the setting, practically a force of nature or a metaphor more than a person. It's tied up tightly with the overarching themes of the story as well: fear, despair, and having no choice but to pray someone ELSE saves you.

[@_detritus_]

A common sentiment I saw was that people were put off by most of the episodes being spent introducing characters. Which I totally get and I probably would have been annoyed if the season ended without a second season announcement. But overall I quite liked season one and I'm excited to see what fights we get in season two.

[@SugiShogun]

I can see why ppl would've been bothered by it, but ultimately this was necessary.

[@danielgilbert3889]

Lol anyone hoping intros are done with by S2 are going to be in for a rough surprise. There's a ton more Shura and important characters to introduce.