Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen [Season 2 Episode 2]

“Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World” Season 2, Episode 2: A Battle of Love and War, But at What Cost?

If you’re a fan of Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World (or KimiSen for short), you probably tuned into Season 2 with high hopes. After all, the first season gave us a solid mix of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue, wrapped in a world where astral mages and the Empire are locked in an endless war. But Episode 2 of Season 2 has sparked some heated discussions—and not all of them are about the plot.

The Story So Far

For those who need a refresher, KimiSen follows Iska, a soldier of the Empire, and Aliceliese, the princess of the Nebulis Sovereignty. They’re sworn enemies, but their fates keep intertwining in ways that blur the lines between love and war. Season 2 picks up where the first left off, diving deeper into the conflict and the growing bond between Iska and Alice.

Episode 2, in particular, was supposed to ramp up the tension—more battles, more political maneuvering, and more of that slow-burn romance we’ve come to love. But instead of praise, the episode has been met with a wave of criticism, mostly centered around its production quality.

The Elephant in the Room: Animation Woes

Let’s address the biggest talking point first: the animation. Fans have been vocal about the noticeable dip in quality compared to Season 1. One commenter on MyAnimeList put it bluntly: “They made one decent-looking episode and now they went broke, lol what?” Another added, “Every new episode looked even worse than the previous one, so I’m not surprised at all.”

The backlash was so intense that the studio, Studio Palette (with Silver Link also involved), announced an indefinite delay for future episodes to “maintain the quality of the production.” Some fans are skeptical, joking that “They replaced the COVID excuse with ‘maintain the quality’ now.” Others, however, appreciate the honesty, with one saying, “I’d rather have anime and its animators take longer to make a series, resulting in good art/animation, than be rushed and everything suffer as a result.”

The Plot: Still Holding Up?

Despite the animation issues, the story itself remains engaging. Episode 2 delivered some key moments—Iska and Alice’s interactions continue to be the highlight, and the political stakes are higher than ever. Fans love the dynamic between the two leads, with one commenter noting, “Their chemistry is what keeps me coming back, even if the animation is rough.”

That said, some viewers feel the pacing is off. “Everything that happens on this show, you already know it’s gonna happen,” complained one fan. Others are more forgiving, arguing that KimiSen was never about groundbreaking twists but rather about the emotional journey of its characters.

The Bigger Picture: Industry Struggles

The delays and production issues aren’t just a KimiSen problem—they reflect broader challenges in the anime industry. Overworked animators, tight schedules, and budget constraints are common, and KimiSen is just the latest victim. As one fan pointed out, “Mismanagement is common in anime productions these days, and there’s no COVID excuse anymore.”

Some speculate that Silver Link shifted resources to other projects, leaving Studio Palette to handle KimiSen alone. “The issue is that Silver Link moved almost all of its staff to other projects,” one commenter claimed. If true, it’s a frustrating reality for fans who’ve waited years for this sequel.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Wait?

So, should you stick with KimiSen Season 2? If you’re invested in Iska and Alice’s story, absolutely. The heart of the show is still there, even if the visuals aren’t always up to par. But if you’re here for top-tier animation, you might want to temper your expectations—or wait and see if the delay leads to improvements.

As one fan wisely put it, “I wish they had delayed it to raise the quality.” Here’s hoping the studio takes the time to deliver the KimiSen we all deserve.

Until then, we wait—and maybe rewatch Season 1 to remember why we fell in love with this world in the first place.