Warning: Spoilers for Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers episode 2
At first glance, Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers takes a cookie-cutter approach to ostensibly every aspect of the already trope-heavy isekai genre that’s too often overly abused. However, the way in which this new Crunchyroll series treats what should be an important part of every isekai series is substantial enough to make Chillin in Another World worth the watch, even if everything else ends up being a blatant ripoff of every isekai. Luckily, Chillin in Another World isn’t the only recent isekai to do this.
To be precise, Chillin’ in Another World has already leveraged the protagonist Flio’s original life to impact major decisions he makes after getting reincarnated in a massive way.
Too often, an isekai protagonist’s previous experiences play an insignificant role in the second world, except wanting to live differently, like the ubiquitous “quiet life”. Sometimes it’s even skipped over completely. However, Chillin’ in Another World takes Flio’s frustration at not being able to change how demihumans are mistreated in his first life to help oppressed or villified creatures in his new home world.
Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers Explores Common Genre Issues
Based on the light novel series by writer Miya Kinojo & Katagiri; produced by J.C. Staff
Episode 1 briefly touched upon Flio being advantageous in this regard when he showed kindness to a demihuman who was carrying out Flio’s exile, though it didn’t get him far or make any real impact on the story, since Flio was branded a criminal. However, the second and latest installment fully capitalizes this to affect not just a popular trope in isekai, but one that is oftentimes riddled with controversy. Flio outright refuses to subjugate a demon named Rhys he was battling despite his gaming power system’s unrelenting persistence in the matter. As a result, Rhys is so impressed that she allows herself to become enamored with him and essentially gives Flio no choice but to allow her to follow him.
As alluded to, the type of relationship that transpires ends up pandering to a common trope in not just isekai but in many fantasy series, especially since Rhys transforms into a beautiful woman with adorable cat ears. However, it also allows Chillin’ in Another World to reject a problematic situation that can understandably turn viewers away. Rhys is free to make her own choice. This isn’t the case in recent series like Beast Tamer, where the protagonist forms a likely unbreakable contract with the humanoid female creatures he tames.
How This Twist Holds Up Against Other Recent Isekai
Of course, the reason why Flio’s refusal to subjugate Rhys is so noteworthy isn’t just because it ostensibly addresses a relationship that many viewers might have an issue with. It’s because of an opinion Flio had in his former life that he was powerless to address their impacts on major events and relationships in his new life, because he now has the power to make a difference. Although other isekai often neglect this dynamic, there are many that don’t, including the recent series The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic.
What Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers gives viewers is something more tangible and easily digestible that, hopefully, critics will notice so they don’t disregard the series as “just another Isekai,” especially if this trend continues.
The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic‘s scenes from its first “normal” world, which some might say are overly long, originally served as a way to illustrate how much of a facade one of the characters named Suzune Inukami had put up before getting transported. Later on in the first season, she even has a flashback to her former life to further explore how important this new world is to her. Of course, while notable, this is more an example of character development, when what Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers gives viewers is something more tangible and easily digestible that, hopefully, critics will notice, so they don’t disregard the series as “just another seasonal isekai”, especially if this trend continues.
Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers is simulcasting on Crunchyroll.
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