The popular anime series, Shangri-La Frontier, continues its second season with the release of Episode 40, titled “Carrying the Torch of Ambition, Part 5”. This episode marks a significant turn in the narrative, showcasing the aftermath of a major battle and setting the stage for a new adventure.
The Story So Far
For those unfamiliar, Shangri-La Frontier follows the exploits of Rakuro Hizutome, known in the game as Sunraku, a dedicated “trash game hunter” who finds joy in mastering notoriously bad video games. His unique skills, honed through countless hours of battling bugs and glitches, are put to the test when he dives into the world of Shangri-La Frontier, a massively popular VRMMORPG.
In the first season, Sunraku’s journey began when he was recommended to play the god-tier game, Shangri-La Frontier. After easily clearing the first area, he encountered a unique monster called Lycagon. This encounter left Sunraku with a curse, which motivated him to seek revenge and defeat Lycagon. He also met a bunny named Emul, who became his companion and guide, leading him to a secret area and introducing him to Vash, a powerful rabbit boss.
Episode 40: “Carrying the Torch of Ambition, Part 5”
Episode 40 picks up after Sunraku and his companions, including Psyger-0 and Akitsu Akane, have faced off against Lycagon the Nightslayer. The episode’s events are crucial to the overall plot of the series.
Battle Aftermath
Having defeated Lycagon’s shadow, Sunraku believes that the curse on him will finally disappear. However, instead of his curse being lifted, he receives an even stronger one, much to his surprise. The group, now with deepened bonds, and accompanied by Emul and another rabbit, then head towards their original destination, Fiftysia.
New Unique Scenario
The team accepts a new unique scenario EX called “The Flame of Courage That Dispels the Darkness.” This suggests that while the battle with Lycagon may be over, new challenges and quests are already emerging for Sunraku and his friends.
Abyss City Arc
Following the events of Episode 40, the series transitions into a new arc known as the “Abyss City arc,” officially titled “Towering Sky, Abounding Ocean, a Race to the Abyssal City.” This arc introduces new characters and complications for the group. The new arc sees Sunraku needing to meet Rust and Mold in Fifticia, whom he met in Nephillim Hollow. Sunraku is attempting to follow the lead to where Ctarnidd is.
Season 2: What to Expect
Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 premiered on October 13, 2024, continuing the story of Sunraku’s adventures in the virtual world. The season is set to have a total of 25 episodes, following the same pattern as the first season. The second cour of Season 2 began on January 5, 2025, with a new opening theme song “Frontiers” by Awich and ending theme song “realitYhurts” by CVLTE.
Key Highlights
- New Arc: The season is now moving into the “Abyss City arc,” promising new challenges and characters.
- Character Development: Episode 40 highlights the strengthening of bonds between Sunraku, Psyger-0, and Akitsu Akane.
- New Challenges: The unique scenario EX and the stronger curse are setting the stage for new and difficult battles.
- Animation: The animation is handled by Studio C2C.
Release Schedule
New episodes of Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 are released every Sunday. Episode 40 aired on January 19, 2025. The schedule of the following episodes is as follows:
- Episode 41: January 26, 2025
- Episode 42: February 2, 2025
- Episode 43: February 9, 2025
- Episode 44: February 16, 2025
- Episode 45: February 23, 2025
- Episode 46: March 2, 2025
- Episode 47: March 9, 2025
- Episode 48: March 16, 2025
Where to Watch
The series is available on several platforms, including:
- Crunchyroll: Streams the series outside of East Asia.
- Muse Communication: Licensed the series in Southeast Asia.
- Prime Video: Also offers the second season of Shangri-La Frontier.
- YouTube: Muse Philippines Channel and other official channels stream episodes with English subtitles.
The Popularity of Shangri-La Frontier
Shangri-La Frontier has garnered significant popularity for its unique take on the VRMMORPG genre. It originally began as a web novel in 2017, written by Katarina, before being adapted into a manga, illustrated by Ryosuke Fuji, in 2020. The manga has achieved massive popularity, winning four consecutive reader polls and surpassing 10 million copies in circulation.
The anime adaptation premiered in October 2023, and it is produced by studio C2C. The story follows Rakuro Hizutome, who uses his skills from playing bad games in a world where VR games are the norm.
Conclusion
Shangri-La Frontier continues to deliver exciting adventures with its engaging characters and unique take on the gaming world. Episode 40 marks a significant turning point, setting the stage for a new arc filled with challenges, new characters, and more of the action that fans have come to love. With the “Abyss City arc” underway, the series promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as Sunraku’s journey continues.
