REVIEW: ‘Noblesse’ Episode 2 – “A Reason to Fight/Nobility”

Coming off a fun season premiere, Noblesse Episode 2 unfortunately loses a lot of steam. Two new nobles are introduced, but even they aren’t enough to add excitement into the plot(?) of this episode. The Crunchyroll Original is animated by Production I.G. and based on the webtoon of the same name.

Noblesse Episode 2 introduces two new nobles, Seira and Regis, who are investigating the recent incidents occurring in Japan. They infiltrate the high school and are placed in Raizel’s class. Frankenstein gives M-21 more background on the nobles, and how they used to look after and protect humanity because humans were so much weaker than them. The title of the show comes from the old phrase noblesse oblige.

Essentially, the nobles have an assumed responsibility to take care of humanity, to which M-21 scoffs at. He believes that the nobles are entitled, and looking down on everyone else. Upon discovering that M-21 is a modified human, Regis and M-21 clash. Just as things are going to come to a head, they are notified that the rest of the group has been confronted by a gang on their way home from school. As per usual, the gang has a bone to pick with Shinwoo. Regis is surprised by Shinwoo’s ability to fight them off and protect his friends without the assistance of nobles, to which M-21 reminds him that humanity has come a long way.

For all that was said above, this episode was unfortunately forgettable and unexciting. There was also no explanation given as to why Seira and Regis were able to sense that M-21 was a modified human, but even after remarking on something seeming off about Raizel in class, the two still believe Raizel and Frankenstein are humans. It also didn’t help that the main fight of the episode was just Shinwoo once again getting into trouble.

The humor that was so endearing last episode fell flat this time around, with a few exceptions. The show is rehashing the same bits from the pilot, instead of exploring more of how these characters are unique. Raizel’s quirks were humorous because he had just awakened, but when they are suddenly shared by Regis and Seira, it negates any uniqueness his character had. The best scene was by far when Frakenstein and M-21 were essentially parents walking in on the kids having a party and messing up the home. The humor was promptly ruined by Shinwoo, though. Yes, his character is brash, but it is very hard to believe that he would be bold enough to invite strangers to live at his principal’s house.

With so many well-animated action shows this season, it is disappointing that this supernatural series seemed to spend more time with the duller fight. What could have been a satisfying bout between M-21 and Regis was instead given a couple awkward frames and speed lines.

After having so much fun in the first episode, Noblesse Episode 2 rehashed too many gags and failed to deepen any relationships between established characters. There is potential with new nobles Regis, and Seira, but currently only the former seems to have any desire to speak.

Noblesse is streaming now on Crunchyroll.