‘Hell’s Paradise’ Season 2 Episode 6 review: “Hindering and Restoration”

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of the Tensen’s actions. Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 6 showcases the best of the best of the characters that we know and love by putting them in the worst possible situation. The catalyst of the season starts here and now, so buckle up.

So far in Season 2, some fight animations have felt awkward and stilted. Episode 6 immediately fixes that issue. The absolute mastery of fight animation shines through in spades throughout. The battle between Yuzuriha (Rie Takahashi) and Gabimaru (Chiaki Kobayashi) versus Ran (Junichi Suwabe/Yūko Kaida) takes center stage. This perfectly structures the rhythm and pacing of “Hindering and Restoration.”

This fight is the first of five that the main party will be dealing with over the rest of the season, so it’s nice that the highlight of this episode was on this fight alone. It showcases the best parts of all three of their fighting capabilities, their weaknesses, and their ability to overcome obstacles in such a short amount of time.

“Hindering and Restoration” finds time to explain the power systems amid the fighting.

Even with the main focus of the episode on the fighting, Episode 6 also drops some organic Tao lore. Season 2 been bogged down by the amount of information delivered. Episode 5 in particular fell victim to this—but “Hindering and Restoration” hits that balance just right. Ran not only explains how the Tensen were able to trick the main party, but also goes into their ability to protect themselves against tao that would normally harm them. This information, if they can get it back to the rest of the party, can only help them get the elixir of life and escape the island.

Although featured in only a handful of scenes, Rien drives the narrative forward. Their desire to commit to and finish the Rite of Just Consumption is, put simply, impressive. They know exactly what they need to do and who to sacrifice to bring the Grandmaster’s plan to fruition. Their cruelty often undercuts their dedication, but it really comes through in Episode 6 as we see them prepare the ritual and figure out what is happening to the other Tensen.

But even with the worldbuilding and insights into the other characters’ actions, the main emotional throughline is Gabimaru and Yuzuriha’s fight with Ran and what it reveals about both of them through it.

Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 6 highlights the changes both Gabimaru and Yuzuriha have undergone.

Yuzuriha saving Gabimaru was the absolute highlight of the “Hindering and Restoration” for one reason: it’s the moment her character flips on its head to reveal just how much she has changed since the beginning of the series. Additionally, Gabimaru steps up and saves Yuzuriha by taking a devastating hit from Ran. The way this scene intersperses with flashbacks of the two talking about putting their own survival first makes it hit that much harder. It’s an emotional scene that shows how much both of them have changed for the better. They’ve both become more than the shinobi they started as.

This isn’t a core part of Hell’s Paradise, but the theme that people can and will change to protect those close to them is definitely a huge part of Season 2. We also saw it with Sagiri in Episode 2 when she shares her tao with Gabimaru to help him heal after fighting Chōbei.

At this point in the anime, she very clearly views Gabimaru as a close friend, not a prisoner. She chooses to go against the very reason she was brought to the island to help heal him. These scenes show the tremendous growth the cast of characters has achieved in such a short time.

Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 6 perfectly exemplifies what makes the anime so special. The MAPPA animators pull out all the stops to showcase the action choreography that they’re known for. “Hindering and Restoration” shows what Hell’s Paradise has to offer. Beautiful animation and stirring action combined with character development when you least expect it. Episode 6 is, by far, one of the best episodes in the series.

Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 6 is available now on Crunchyroll. 

Images courtesy of MAPPA/Crunchyroll.

Kayla Chu

Made up of feminism, sports, and cheap wine.
Questions, comments, inquries please be sent to kaylamchu@gmail.com