Gate 2

About Gate 2

Looking for background on Gate 2 (GATE 自衛隊 彼の地にて、斯く戦えり 第2クール)? This action, adventure and fantasy series by A-1 Pictures (2016) starts out like this. The premise: Several months have passed since the infamous Ginza Incident, with tensions between the Empire and JSDF escalating in the vast and enigmatic "Special Region" over peace negotiations. The greed and curiosity of the global gifts have also begun to grow, as reports about the technological limitations of the magical realm's archaic civilizations come to light.

Beyond that: Meanwhile, Lieutenant Youji Itami and his merry band of female admirers struggle to navigate the complex political intrigue that plagues the Empire's court. Despite her best efforts, Princess Piña Co Lada faces difficulties attempting to convince her father that the JSDF has no intention of conquering their kingdom. Pressured from both sides of the Gate, Itami has to consider even more drastic measures to fulfill his assignment.

With action at the core, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Rory Mercury (Risa Taneda) and Lelei la Lelena (Nao Touyama) are two of the characters you will meet early. This one is best suited to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. The run is 12 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with A-1 Pictures, which means the visual identity of Gate 2 follows that studio's craft. Because it leans on action, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. At 7.5/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. On the casting side, Risa Taneda voicing Rory Mercury gives the lead role a recognizable voice. Released in 2016, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.