At first I was surprised by how much visibly older Rudeus looked, but I think that's just because I'd forgotten how much Rudeus aged in the final episodes of the prior season. Looking back and comparing them makes me realize how much subtler the change is than I first imagined: S1/C2 poster vs. Now.

Commentary:

• Is it just me, or is that "cinematic" postprocessing effect more intense now? It feels "shakier" than S1 and I was kind of hoping that they would only use it during sidestory episodes...
• This shot is giving me serious deja vu. This has to be a callback to a prior OP/ED, right?
• Oof. Been there, buddy. Time for depression arc
• Oof! Mega depression arc incoming...
• What's up with the cliche of making panic attacks sound like a flash bang? So weird, but at least Rudeus gets over it quickly through the power of, uh... I hope that's not hair, but it's probably hair.
• How all healthy relationships begin. Calling this a "red" flag would be a little too on the nose, huh?
• I totally got baader-meinholf'd when the subleader called their battle plan a "dandoori". Translator's note: dandoori means "plan" 😄 -- well, according to the Pikmin 4 translation team it's "[...] the art of organizing your tasks strategically and working with maximum efficiency to execute your plans quickly". Good word imo
• Sad Rudeus is kind of a buzzkill, isn't he?
• Yay battle cured his depression and now it's impact frame time!
• Wouldn't be an isekai without one of these scenes. I give it 2 more episodes before they're beloved and cheered upon... or not! I suppose bribery makes for an efficient shortcut.
• omg... it's worse than I imagined. Why can't you just be normal, Rudeus?
• Oh, right... yeah kind of forgot that he's super depressed.
• I know I was against the hair thing, but somehow this now feels like a step backward. Can we go back to the hair thing, please?