REVIEW: ‘Tower Of God’ Season 2 Episode 5 — “The Other Team”

Tower of God Season 2 Episode 5 is the best installment of the season thus far due to the writing that unravels throughout the episode. While the animation remains stilted, the direction in Episode 5, “The Other Team,” utilizes engaging tricks to create formidable drama as we watch this part of the story unfold. While Viole (Taichi Ichikawa) is unsure whether he’s out for revenge against what Rachel (Saori Hayami) did to him, Khun (Nobuhiko Okamoto) is decisive. It’s an emotionally explosive episode despite playing everything tight and guarded, as Khun is a character who relies more on his analytical skills than emotional tethers.

That skill and his feelings for Bam meet where the greatest source of tension comes from in Tower of God Season 2 Episode 5. Between his plotting, engaging direction, and music that helps amplify the stakes and tension, “The Other Team” demonstrates the best of what Tower of God is capable of. The story weaves us through different possibilities with clever shots that indicate the characters’ true thoughts.

And it almost catches us off guard as we momentarily believe that Khun truly cares for Rachel as she continues to pretend she’s unable to walk. But it’s not just Rachel who is playing Khun. Instead, Khun plays her, devising a scheme to get back at her without their old team losing their way or spirits.

Because Khun knows that Rachel killed Bam, he also knows that it was Bam’s death that unified their team. So, he plans to divide the team with Shibusu (Takuya Eguchi). Shibusu will lead the rest up the tower while Khun will stay with Rachel, keeping up both facades. She can play the wounded heroine while he plays her caretaker, bonded by their love and the loss of Bam. In the interim, he builds a new team of strong members, instructing them not to get close to Rachel but to play the role of her friend. He’ll deceive her with a new group that has no attachments to who she is or who she represents.

It demonstrates a ruthlessness of character that is perfectly fitting for this world. While people like Wangnan and even Viole are either compassionate or still wondering about their place and motives, Khun and Rachel understand precisely what they need to do to survive or get what they want. Khun wants revenge as Rachel killed “his dearest friend.” This is a striking contrast to Episode 4, where Wangnan forgave Lurker despite him having only just killed his friend, Nia (Natsuko Abe). Neither are depicted as wrong in their emotional responses, but the differences remain.

The direction is superb in Tower of God Season 2 Episode 5. Little moments, such as Khun washing his hands moments after holding Rachel, speak to his disgust for her. There are also the bigger ones, such as when Khun’s eyes light cold blue in the dark, the moon hovering behind him, as he shares his plan with his new team. It’s here where the score from composer Kevin Penkin swells, becoming something epic and alien. Penkin’s work also shines in Rachel’s suite, creating something eerie and haunting, a reminder of her true character and the lengths she’ll go to reach her goals.

Not everything is a success, however. While it makes sense to add more characters now that Khun needs a new team, the sheer volume of the cast is exhausting — especially when remembering pivotal roles from Season 1. Add to that the significance of rankings and power players, and things get dizzying quickly. It’s been mentioned before, but to its credit and detriment, Tower of God is a dense series, interweaving plot threads and world-building as audiences struggle to keep up with every name, faction, power player, and potential threat.

Despite the additions, however, Season 2 Episode 5 moves at a strong clip. The real shortcomings continue to be some lackluster animation, with a visual presentation that’s too stagnant despite evident efforts to clean up the production value. It’s not bad, and moments throughout the second season stand out. But the visuals lack energy.

As plans are made in Tower of God Season 2 Episode 5, the series delivers one of its most gripping and well-written installments. With layers of character development and plotting unraveling throughout the episode, the series hones in on the peculiar spirit and definitive intrigue that makes it such a compelling watch.

Tower of God Season 2 Episode 5 is out now on Crunchyroll.