Goblin Slayer Episode 2

Responding to the massive controversy sparked by the first episode of Goblin Slayer, it’s quite amusing to see Crunchyroll put a user discretion warning at the start of the episode. In hindsight, the controversial scenes in question weren’t too shocking in manga form, but with the audio that  comes with an anime adaptation, it may have been a bit much for some people. Hopefully this episode can prove that Goblin Slayer isn’t a show that tries to ride off controversy, but one that’s willing to embrace its dark fantasy.

Episode two begins with a flashback to the Goblin Slayer’s childhood, where we’re introduced to Ushikai Musume. Like the Goblin Slayer or Priestess, we’re not given her true name, but I’d rather call her Ushikai than childhood friend. From the characterization she’s given in this episode, she may seem a bit airheaded but is rather attentive and thoughtful when it comes to the Goblin Slayer. She stays up late waiting for him to return and grows concerned as other adventurer’s look down upon the Goblin Slayer. Perhaps deep inside, she feels a seed of guilt for leaving him back then, unable to help him when he became the Goblin Slayer. Nevertheless, I doubt her presence would’ve done anything but add to his traumas.

The Goblin Slayer’s history is revealed through more flashback, and a haunting narration from the Slayer himself. He describes the terrors he experienced as a child, watching his friends die, his sister tormented and then killed. After that haunting, horrifying and somber description of what happened in the past, one can’t help but understand the cold rage boiling within him. His monologue is my favorite part of the episode, and is both poignant and sobering, not topped with smoldering rage, but with a cold, calculating anger. It’s been long enough since the incident that the anger within him does not flash red, but is rather a frosty blue.

We’re also introduced to some other adventurers from the guild, notably a lancer clone, a witch, a saber clone, and a Guts clone. It’s nice that the show is trying to add character to the world by introducing other adventurers of various types, but I can’t help but feel like it’s a giant make believe Dungeons and Dragons campaign with all the stamina potion and questing lingo being thrown around.

When the Goblin Slayer arrives in the Guild Hall, he’s met with whispers and stares. The others insult his smelly and outdated armor, and even go as far as to accuse him of cowardice. If only they knew the calculating brain inside that helmet, one that has given every item on his body a purpose, to perfect his art of killing goblins. Perhaps they’ll learn to appreciate him in the future, I personally hope they do. He’s the best at what he does, taking the jobs nobody wants, the jobs that kill rookies, the goblin ones.

Overall, it’s quite the enjoyable episode, giving character to both Goblin Slayer and the world around him. Perhaps now people will understand why he acts the way he does, after all, he’s someone who lost everything at one point.