Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers – Beneath the Tangles

Banaza is the nicest merchant in Paluma, but his videogame-like stats are nothing to write home about. Nevertheless, he is kind and amiable even toward demihumans (who are often discriminated against and enslaved), treating them to a meal after a day of work. But alas, it is not to be. As he is chatting with Quinn, his assistant, he starts shining and gets isekai’d to a parallel universe by a circle of brown-robed monks and a mustached gentleman in a minimalistic bishop hat. They hope he will be the Great Hero who will lead his people against the Army of Darkness. That is, until they see his stats. When a blond, Malfoy-ish candidate with a better resume appears at another circle, His Royal Majesty the King swiftly disposes of Banaza, granting him a residence permit in the treacherous Delaveza Forest. Speaking to the lizard-like coach, our protagonist learns that demihumans are not discriminated against in this world, and he regains hope. And when he defends himself from some slimes and reaches level 2, it’s time for, repeat after me, Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers! Not to mention a legion of young warrior ladies.

Well, Banaza is a nice guy with a certain warmth to him, so there’s that. Also, the sudden reveal of the monster in the second half of the episode was effectively done, like something a good Dungeon Master would surprise his players with. “Now react to that!” Otherwise, this show is exactly what it says on the tin: a zero-tension power fantasy about a dorky protagonist whose videogame stats all say “infinite,” surrounded by an endless parade of young ladies with a variety of attires, hairstyles, and quirks. To be followed by even more young ladies, according to the preview. I think I spotted fifteen of them or so. Banaza’s origin in an isekai-style reality instead of our world saves us some explanations, but introduces lazy concepts. Why is he able to see through the prejudices of his world? Well, he’s nice like that. Okay. The music and the visuals do the job. I guess the environment of the Magic Kingdom, with its flying crystals, counts as something of a variation on the formula, and if you love run-of-the-mill isekai, there’s nothing too bad in this one. As for me, I prefer my stories not to be set in easy mode, so I won’t continue watching.

Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers is streaming at Crunchyroll.