Embracing Cringe: 'The Eminence in Shadow' Season 2 Sets a New Trend

Article Summary

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 continues to captivate fans with Cid's hilarious and cringe-inducing antics as he strives to become the ultimate shadow broker.

Cid's immense power does not overshadow his foolishness, as he remains unaware of the actual threats unfolding around him. This adds a comedic touch to the series. Moreover, the show deviates from the typical isekai formula by highlighting Cid's eccentric character and his drive to experience imaginative situations, which makes him a flawed yet captivating main character.

The return of "peak anime" is here with the recent premiere of The Eminence in Shadow Season 2. This show's first season was a massive hit, quickly becoming a fan-favorite series. Anime enthusiasts from around the world were captivated by the eccentric endeavors of Cid Kagenou (Seiichiro Yamashita) in his quest to become the ultimate power broker in the shadows, or as he prefers to call it, an "Eminence in Shadows". Season 2 has only solidified and expanded that dedicated fanbase. As the first season came to a close, viewers were introduced to a magical fantasy isekai world, where the story's complex protagonist, Cid, strives not to become the ultimate hero or the greatest villain, but the character who disrupts the story, showcasing his power from the shadows. Creator Daisuke Ozawa and Studio Nexus take the fantasy world, progenitor vampires, the Lawless City, and its gangster-controlled districts to new heights in Season 2. Cid's elder sister, Claire, takes on a more prominent role in the opening story arc. However, what stands out the most in Season 2 is Ozawa's ability to spotlight more of Cid's outrageous antics as he delves deeper into his personal fantasy realm. In his journey to become the ultimate shadow broker, Cid exhibits even more cringe-worthy edgelord behavior. It is these cringe-inducing moments that make The Eminence in Shadow incredibly compelling and uproariously funny. This is all about how The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 transforms cringe into the epitome of cool.

Image via NexusThe Eminence In Shadow

Cid Kagenou creates an elaborate plot to fight the Cult of Diabolos and builds his organization, the Shadow Garden.

Release Date October 5, 2022Main Genre AnimeSeasons 2Studio Nexus

Season 2 of 'The Eminence in Shadow' Shows Off Cid's Dorky Charm and Foolishness

In Season 2, the story begins with Cid's sister, Claire (Rina Hidaka), who has just won the prestigious Bunshin Festival. Excited to investigate the increasing vampiric activity, she persuades her brother to accompany her to the Lawless City. However, their arrival coincides with a zombie ghoul outbreak caused by the celestial phenomenon known as the Red Moon. Cid, being thrilled by the chaos, takes this as an opportunity to have some fun in the city. When Cid encounters ghouls for the first time, he is saved by Mary (Ai Kakuma), an ancient vampire hunter who advises him to run for his life. Repeating Mary's serious lines, Cid transforms into his Shadow persona and embarks on a mission to eliminate ghouls and rescue innocent bystanders. It's amusing that Cid copies Mary's lines, showcasing his dorky charm and his tendency to imitate anything he finds cool. Even his catchphrase, "I need more power," is borrowed from Vergil of the Devil May Cry series.

The key to The Eminence in Shadow lies in Cid's paradoxical nature. Despite his extraordinary power and innate brilliance, he remains oblivious to the fact that the Red Moon, an extremely rare celestial phenomenon, is responsible for unleashing a ghastly zombie outbreak. Unbeknownst to Cid, the city's progenitor vampires, under the leadership of Crimson (Tomokazu Sugita), seek to resurrect the legendary vampire, Elizabeth (Saori Hayama), also known as The Blood Queen. Meanwhile, amidst the ensuing chaos, Cid nonchalantly uses the situation as an opportunity to refine his Shadow character routine and pilfer whatever money he can, completely oblivious to the impending cataclysm brewing in the heart of the city. The series derives its comedic essence from Cid's blissful ignorance of the perilous circumstances surrounding him, while the narrative stakes remain genuinely high. Other characters typically confront the antagonists until Cid eventually arrives, dispatching them with effortless ease, much akin to Saitama in One-Punch Man. Cid's antics are characterized by a tongue-in-cheek humor, with Ozawa and the talented animators at Studio Nexus fully embracing and accentuating his absurdly over-the-top persona. Despite his reincarnation in a fantastical realm, Cid remains an eccentric, delusionary teenager, fully committed to embodying the most stylish, idiosyncratic, and audacious shadow broker persona, all while relishing life to the fullest.

Portraying Shadow for Cid Is a Performance in 'The Eminence in Shadow'

Image via Nexus

In Season 2's third episode, the introduction of The Blood Queen Elizabeth exemplifies the show's contrast between cringe comedy and high stakes. Cid's sister, Claire, suffers a severe injury, and forces Cid's allies in Shadow Garden to confront Elizabeth in a battle. Although the battle carries significant consequences for the entire city, the situation takes a comedic turn when Cid finally arrives. Cid's tardiness is due to his looting of the vampire tower's treasury in a desperate attempt to secure funds for his Shadow activities. Observing the fight, characters like underworld leader Yukime (Shizuka Ito) marvel at the absurd and extravagant nature of the confrontation. Cid's approach to combat is focused on projecting a dark, edgy, and cool image, as for him, portraying Shadow is akin to a performance.

During the battle, Elizabeth's initiation of her powers begins to wreak havoc on the gold coins concealed within Cid's slime suit. As Cid strives to safeguard his treasure, he unintentionally employs his abilities to shield the innocent bystanders nearby, unbeknownst to them. Witnessing the scene, Beta, a member of Cid's Shadow Garden, misconstrues Cid's actions as a selfless effort to protect his comrades, when in reality, he is solely focused on preventing Elizabeth from annihilating his precious gold coins. The comically absurd disconnect between Cid and his support group contributes to the entertainment value of the situation.

Following the battle, Claire fully recovers from her severe injuries, but she has also been endowed with a newfound power bestowed by Aurora, the Witch of Calamity, identifiable through a distinctive mark on her hand. However, Cid's oblivious nature once again takes over, failing to realize that his sister has merged with Aurora. Instead, he concludes that Claire is embarking on a personal journey of adolescent "chuunibyou," a term referring to teenagers with a penchant for grandiose delusions and elaborate fantasies. They often wrap bandages around their arms to conceal a supposed "hidden power" or mention unlocking abilities through magic circles and alchemical formulas. Cid, being well-versed in such fantasies, misconstrues his sister's situation based on his own experiences. These hilariously wild misunderstandings introduced by Cid further enhance the comedic aspect of the show.

During the final battle, Cid unleashed his most powerful attack, "I am Atomic," but to everyone's surprise, this version turned out to be a healing spell. This remarkable spell restored the city's residents to full health, transformed the ghouls back into their human form, and even cured Elizabeth of her insatiable thirst for blood. The catchphrase "I am Atomic" has become a symbol of inspiration for fans of the show, sparking a wave of enthusiasm and countless reaction videos. It embodies Cid's fantastical beliefs, simultaneously evoking awe, hilarity, and absurdity. However, Cid later exposes his true motives for saving the Lawless City, revealing that it was not an act of kind-heartedness. As he states at the end of the episode, "If I'm ever in financial trouble, I can always return...because the Lawless City is my piggy bank." Cid's rescue of the city was solely driven by his desire to exploit it for monetary gain in the future.

'The Eminence in Shadow' Is Not a Generic Isekai Series

In Season 2 of The Eminence in Shadow, Ozawa and the anime staff have successfully taken the concept of "cringe" and transformed it into a comedic element that sets the show apart in the isekai genre. The typical isekai narrative involves an average character who gains extraordinary power in a fantasy world, but The Eminence in Shadow breaks away from this norm. Instead of pursuing power, wealth, and romantic interests, Cid, the protagonist, strives to become the coolest Eminence in Shadow and live out the fantastical scenarios he has imagined since childhood. This unique perspective, combined with Cid's pragmatic worldview and his obliviousness to the events happening around him, creates a continuous source of comedy that is evident throughout the second season.

Cid, the protagonist of the series, defies the typical squeaky-clean and noble character found in isekai stories. Instead, he is a dense and absolute lunatic who occasionally helps people, either by coincidence or to align with his Shadow persona. Despite his flaws, these imperfections make him all the more interesting and entertaining. If Cid were more virtuous, The Eminence in Shadow would lose its comedic nature. Now, a new twist emerges as Cid adopts the persona of a rogue secret agent, John Smith, complete with a clichéd domino mask. He epitomizes the masked anime characters, adding a touch of absurdity. Hopefully, Cid's delightful delusions will continue to provide enjoyment throughout the rest of the season. The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

Editor's P/S

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 is a refreshing take on the isekai genre, offering a unique and entertaining storyline that breaks free from generic tropes. The show's protagonist, Cid Kagenou, is a complex and flawed character whose cringe-inducing antics make him both endearing and captivating.

The way the show embraces cringe and transforms it into something cool is truly remarkable. Cid's over-the-top persona and obliviousness to the world around him create genuinely hilarious moments that keep viewers entertained throughout the season. Overall, The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 is a must-watch for fans of the isekai genre and anyone looking for a good laugh.