Understandably, fans’ enthusiasm as they approached Tower of God season 2 episode 12 was quite low, particularly given the series’ recent trajectory. The so-called “climactic”showdown at the Hand of Arlen in episode 11 made it clear that a lull was imminent before the Workshop Battle arc officially kicks off. Released earlier this weekend, Tower of God season 2 episode 12 indeed turned out to be an uninspired and fairly uneventful episode.
In fact, the little plot advancement in Tower of God season 2 episode 12 stands out as one of just two significant positives, even as The Answer Studio seems to cut corners at every turn. The pacing continues to drag, inducing a sluggish, go-through-the-motions feeling that encourages fans to binge the series in December rather than watch it weekly.
Tower of God season 2 episode 12 review: Direction and narrative progress are the only saving graces
As previously mentioned, Tower of God season 2 episode 12 has only two highlights worth applauding. The first is the direction concerning Khun Aguero Agnes, featuring him grappling with recent events and trying to come to terms with Bam’s survival as Jue Viole Grace. Scenes depicting him navigating smoke-filled rooms, accompanied by dialogue and static-laden images, create a palpable atmosphere.
This visual metaphor emphasizes Khun’s internal struggle, particularly as the white smoke transitions to a stark black, culminating in a white light at the tunnel’s end, symbolizing the significance of this revelation for Khun and his bond with Bam. These sequences represent The Answer Studio’s rare moments of effort.
The other major positive in Tower of God season 2 episode 12 is less commendable, amounting to minimal plot advancement that technically pushes the story forward. The new developments reveal that Bam and Khun have switched teams, in addition to Edin Dan’s survival. While these points advance the narrative, they hardly compensate for the multiple shortcomings in the episode.
On a positive note, although minimal, the vocal performance by Nobuhiko Okamoto as Khun is memorable and effective, capturing the emotional weight of the character’s journey throughout the events. Okamoto’s understanding of Khun shines through, lending credibility to his portrayal.
Tower of God season 2 episode 12 review: Negatives include poor animation, questionable decisions, and more
Even in the brief fight scenes in Tower of God season 2 episode 12, the animation feels flat, unremarkable, and disappointing. Although these scenes didn’t call for exceptional treatment, their overall simplicity, combined with the corners cut during the Wangnan scene, leads to major frustration. While it appears the budget is being preserved for the Workshop Battle arc, this plays back into the almost-offensive tactic of prolonging excitement.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the episode fails to give Bam, a central character, the attention he deserves, especially with the anticipated time-skip into the Workshop Battle arc approaching. A cliffhanger involving Dan’s status or Khun’s response to Hwaryun’s proposal, instead of focusing on Bam, would have been a better choice. Considering Bam’s own emotional journey, particularly after reconnecting with Khun, more emphasis on him in this episode would have aligned with the developments viewers are eager to see.
Ultimately, Tower of God season 2 episode 12 does not reflect a highpoint for the series; in fact, it can be viewed as the lowest moment overall. It’s evident that The Answer Studio is primarily focused on rushing to the Workshop Battle arc without much innovation or financial investment. Fans can only hope that the latter half of this highly anticipated second season will redeem the experience they’ve endured thus far.
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