Tower of God Season 2 has been a thrilling ride, and Episode 7 continues to build on the tension and intrigue that fans of the series have come to love.
This episode is particularly significant as it build up the Tower’s most legendary figures, Urek Mazino, and sets the stage for future conflicts and alliances.
While the episode has its moments of brilliance, it also leaves some room for improvement, particularly in the animation department. Let’s dive into the key elements that make this episode stand out.
A High-Stakes Encounter: Bam/Viole vs. Urek Mazino
The highlight of Episode 7 was undoubtedly the confrontation between Bam, now known as Viole, and Urek Mazino.
This encounter was highly anticipated, not just for the clash of power, but for what it reveals about both characters.
Till now, Viole was seen as an uber strong character, not just by the characters in the series but also us viewers. This was evident by how the opponent’s of Wangnan’s team had forfeited the test, resulting in them ending up in this particular situation.
And now, this fight acted as a reminder that there was a vast gap in power between Bam and the upper echelons of the Tower.
From the outset, it’s clear that this fight was not just a simple test of strength. And Bam, though proficient, was not a match for Mazino. Saw how he defeated those rankers with ease?
But for all the hype it had, Viole and Mazino’s clash was nothing more than a short demonstration of Bam and Mazino’s capabilities. It was also not helped by the fact that the animation was a bit wonky. However, Penkin’s score certainly was spot on for it!!
Before the two of them could go at it completely, their fight comes to an abrupt end as Bam takes a hit from Mazino to protect Miseng, who had unwittingly stumbled into the fray chasing the Zygaena baby.
For me, Bam’s choice of action here was quite important. He’s gone through a lot after being betrayed by Rachel.
And despite the immense pressure he’s under from FUG and the weight of his new identity as Viole, his decision to protect Miseng shows that Bam remains the kind-hearted and protective person he’s always been.
Another particularly interesting about this whole encounter is how it subtly reinforces the idea that while Bam may have been separated from his original group of friends, his new teammates are just as caring and supportive.
They may not match Bam’s strength, but their willingness to stand by him, even in the face of overwhelming odds, is a testament to their bond. We can safely say that our boy is in good hands.
This is further reinforced when Wangnan and the others are given a chance to let go of Bam from their team, and get to save their lives. However, they choose to stick with him, and proceed.
I can safely say that this episode will certainly make Urek’s stocks shoot up. More importantly, the whole subplot with the Zygaena, actually brought something else to light too!
Tower Politics and the Bigger Picture
Beyond the immediate action, Episode 7 also delved into the darker aspects of the Tower’s politics.
The revelation that the Yeon Family has been manipulating the Zygaena population for profit once again showcased the corruption that permeated the Tower, and is reminiscent of real life dirty politics!
By reducing the number of Zygaenas, the Yeon Family has driven up the value of the Zygaena flowers, ensuring their control over this valuable resource.
I was surprised by how Yihwa, who is from the Yeon family herself, was in the dark about the whole Zygaena situation. It says a lot about how families have their dirty secrets and not everyone is in on it.
That said, her determination to clear her family’s was pretty good, and lays the foundation for her character to develop as we go up. But I won’t expect too much at this case.
As a TOG fan, I can say that character development of all side characters is not a plus point of the series. That comes with having such a large cast.
While the Zygaena is a one off incident, such politics will become more and more common as we continue to go up the Tower with the character. So, I’d say, brace yourself for more.
Author SIU has done a particularly good job in intertwining politics with action in the series, and that for me is definitely a big highlight. These selfish motivations and darker undercurrents creep in, even in the midst of tests, and act as reminder of how cruel the world can be sometimes.
This subplot also ties back to earlier episodes, as it was Yuri’s request for Mazino to take the baby Zygaena which potentially undermines the Yeon Family’s monopoly. She did it at the behest of Repellista Jahad, as this was her prize for helping Yuri track down Bam.
The connection between Yuri and Urek Mazino also is interesting, and it would be fun to see how that develops in the future.
Setting the Stage for Future Events
While the duel between Bam and Mazino was touted as the centerpiece of this episode, it’s clear that Episode 7 is more of a setup for future events.
The looming Workshop Battle, one of the most pivotal arcs in Tower of God, is hinted at, and fans can look forward to seeing Bam’s old friends reunite with him.
It would be particularly exciting to see how Bam’s new and old allies will come together in this high-stakes scenario.
Moreover, the episode also touched on the growing tension within FUG, particularly with the introduction of Karaka, a FUG slayer with his own agenda.
Viole/Bam is being groomed for a specific reason by the FUG – to be the weapon that strikes down King Jahad, and they don’t want anything holding him back, certainly not his teammates who don’t match up to him in strength.
While Jinsung might have allowed Wangnan and others to continue their journey to the Workshop battle with Bam, Karaka clearly doesn’t seem to have such an intention.
Karaka’s distrust of Bam’s new team and his willingness to take drastic measures to control Bam can be seen as hints to the darker turn the story is about to take.
The contrast between Ha Jinsung’s more lenient approach and Karaka’s ruthless methods is something that highlights the internal conflicts within FUG, setting the stage for a subplot that will definitely have far-reaching consequences for Bam.
The FUG strongarmed and coerced Bam into joining them, and now clearly, they will try to strongarm him into doing more nasty things. No wonder he looks so sad. Poor boy.
Also, I don’t know if you noticed – Karaka is also wearing a ring that is similar to Ja Wangnan. Any guesses?
Final Thoughts: A Solid Episode with Room for Improvement
Tower of God Season 2 Episode 7 delivers on multiple fronts, offering some action, some character development, and political intrigue.
However, the episode isn’t without its flaws. The animation, particularly during the Bam vs. Mazino fight, could have been more dynamic. I was hoping for an extended battle between the two, but was left wanting more.
Despite this, the voice acting, especially for Urek Mazino, was exceptional, bringing the character’s larger-than-life personality to the forefront.
In conclusion, I’d say Episode 7 is a strong entry in the Tower of God series, setting up key storylines and offering glimpses of the challenges ahead.
As the series moves towards the Workshop Battle and deeper into the FUG storyline, fans can expect even more intense battles, complex character dynamics, and shocking twists. I do pray that the animation matches the story that is set to unveil in the coming arc.