Review of Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow

Oki, I'm going to do this the other way around. So. Although I'm recommending this, its not a good anime. Because "recommend" implies liking it and you can like/enjoy bad media. But the rating is: 7. I know the sauce, but I'm gonna review this anime, this season only. Spoiler free. The visuals are amazing. I'd say thats its strongest point. The art style, the designs, the color palette, the animation, VFX, cinematography, everything is very good. Sure, there are some tiny problems with high lvl combats, because it is hard to make a 10 sec animation when the manhwa has a page with just a fewpanels, but still ended up enjoyable.
The audio is good. The ost is decent, the OP is very good (with visuals on par), the ED kinda meh (with visuals on par). (Side note: the OP is a wet dream for those who read the manhwa, lots of references you won't get them in this season. Also, the scenes are out of context, so you can watch it safely, won't spoil big time). The VAs did a good job. I need to say that the MC's VA is (subjectively) very good; when he gives commands its exactly how it sounded in my head. Also here, for the new character in 12th episode (spoiler free), I was hoping a different style of talking. I've always imagined a different tone.
High production value, good mixing etc. I'd say all is the same as last season, or maybe even a little bit better.

Now, the big things. So. Usually you go for the "bright" stuff at the start of the story (1st season/volume), to hook the viewers in. And they did. They gave us some sort of a back-story, world-building, how the "magic system" works etc. Then you need to get a bit serious and go a character arc. Or more, of course. So, the plot got a bit more easier to follow. But we didn't get a character development. Or, not really. We found out more about him, sure, but that can't be called "growth". (Sometimes it feels like they went the opposite way.) If you feel generous, you can consider this season still as part of the previous one, something like "introducing a couple more supporting cast". I mean, the production certainly does, the episodes' title continuing the previous one's numbering. So this isn't 2nd season per se, more like 1st season 2nd cour (as some other anime like to call it). Enough about this, lets get back.
Like I said, the story is the same, an easier to follow plot, some kind of character development (for others), new characters. The main "issue", the MC is still OP. Even when the fights get intense, its not like we're worried for him, more like we are curious as to HOW he'll win. But thats a general problem with any source material from China or Korea. Almost all MCs are like this, with some "cheat level" powers, so its not like I had high hopes. Don't know about "we", but at least I'm waiting for that moment of awesomeness when he smirks and then destroys his opponent. Maybe its because I know how the story goes, so I'm not that invested in it. There are a couple of things I don't like in the source material, so I already know that I'll also won't like it here then it will happen. I'm mostly watching for the visuals and some over-the-top action scenes :))) At least, you gotta admit that the idea behind the story and the colors used for the designs are fantastic :)) Oh, while on this subject, I don't like what they've done with the new character from 12th episode (again, spoiler free). The manhwa made it more "wow". The back-story, the voice (in my head), everything is better in the source. Just a fyi. Maybe some of you will get this reference: think Hunter x Hunter. When you see the episode, you'll know what I mean.

So, not the greatest season in terms of plot and character growth, but still lovely art style and enjoyable as fk. for the next seasons, the story will get better, and also a lot worse, so its up to you if you wanna keep watching. Again, you can enjoy bad media, but you DO need to know it is bad :)))
I'm giving it a 7, for everything studio related and some good ideas plot-wise.

Have a lovely evening.