Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 1 opens with the shogunate interrogating Yamada Asaemon Jikka. He is the only survivor to return from Shinsekyo and is expected to explain what happened on the isle. But Jikka is uncooperative and dismissive, treating their serious questions as trivial, revealing very little about the horrors of the island.
His vague answers led the shogunate to send him back to Shinsekyo with another Asaemon called Shugen and some Iwagakure shinobi. Shugen considers the mission a duty, especially to find their missing comrades, but Jikka is not so keen on going back.
Jikka leaves, taking with her one of the creatures from the island as proof of its dangers, to dissuade any further expeditions. But the decision to go has already been taken. Surprisingly, Shugen shows no fear of the creature and can even sense that it is already dead from a distance.
Rien and the rest of the members of Lord Tensen are practicing Tao on the island calmly, unaffected by the chaos. Meanwhile, Sagiri, Yuzuhira, Nurugai and Shion meet up, change clothes and plot their next move. Quietly Yuzuhira devises a strategy to escape with as many Asaemon as possible, potentially lessening her punishment.
Sagiri quickly understands Yuzuhira’s intentions, and doesn’t object. Sagiri continues to be determined to find Gabimaru, whom she believes is still alive. The group agrees to follow Yuzuhira’s plan, hoping to find him.
Meanwhile, Gabimaru, who has lost most of his memory, is escorted by Gantetsusai, Mei and Fuchi as they make their way up to Shinsekyo Castle, without knowing Sagiri’s team is heading the same way.
The journey is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Choubei and his younger brother, Touma. Choubei hits Gabimaru without hesitation. Gabimaru apparently kills him by snapping his neck, but Choubei instantly regenerates, revealing that he is immortal.
They get into a vicious fight. Gabimaru attacks mercilessly, ripping through Choubei’s body, but each wound is quickly healed. Choubei is more irritated than injured by Gabimaru’s attacks.
Choubei then uses Tao to shatter the earth sending shock waves across the battlefield. Gabimaru tries to fight back, but his memory loss is impacting his control over Tao.
Meanwhile, Touma goes after Gantetsusai, thinking that with only one arm he must be weak. But Gantetsusai counters him easily and beats him, angry at being underestimated. Touma orders Dochi to attack the others, and Fuchi is put into battle.
The battle heats up, and Gabimaru starts throwing off his reservations and joining the fight. He burns himself and unleashes a fiercer attack, for a moment overwhelming Choubei.
Gabimaru says Choubei’s desire to live is a weakness when facing a man who has nothing left to fear in death. But the remark only serves to spur Choubei on. He is intent on protecting his brother, and he completely embraces Tao, becoming a red, monstrous figure more akin to the creatures of the island than a human being.
Episode Review
Hell’s Paradise returns after three years, and it begins with a brief recap before it gets serious. The episode quickly reintroduces key players and sets up another dangerous mission back to Shinsekyo.
Gabimaru is still one of the most interesting characters in modern anime, and it’s fun to see him fight against people of equal power, making the season even more fun. Also his amnesia allows for possible character development and more emotional stories in later episodes.
Sagiri and her group might not have a long scene, but her will and emotional connection to Gabimaru are still present, leaving hope that they will meet again.
The fight between Gabimaru and Choubei is certainly the highlight of the episode. Their combat is fast, brutal and unpredictable, an exhibition of both physical brutality and mastery of Tao. Their dialogue gives real heft to the action, particularly the idea of survival versus accepting death.
In short, the season premiere does a nice job of getting the series humming with good pacing, intense action, and story threads that promise to be interesting. If this episode is any indication, the rest of the season is setting up some more impressive battles and emotional depth.
