To his advantage and disadvantage, Tower of God Season 2 refuses to hold back his punches when it comes to his rapidly expanding world. In episode 7 of season 2, “Mazino Magic,” we’re faced with a new threat: a massive conspiracy is uncovered, and the target painted on the backs of Bam’s friends grows exponentially. It also ends with a moment that hints at a significant event two years from now that could determine the fate of Bam/Viole (Taichi Ichikawa, Wangnan (Yuma Uchida), Khun (Nobuhiko Okamoto), and more, depending on the outcome. It’s a lot. This aspect of the series makes for a thrilling narrative for the most part, but it also leads to some whiplash.

A lot has happened since episode 5, when we checked in with Khun and his team. Viole is befriending his new team, and as a result, he is becoming a bigger burden for FUG. Wangnan learns in episode 6 that Viole had no desire to become a hunter. He was forced into it. Through Wangnan’s conversation with Hwa Ryun (Yoko Hikasa), he learns that Ranker Hansung (Daisuke Kishio) forced Viole into it. If Bam didn’t take the name Viole and become a trained hunter, Hansung would have his friends killed one by one. The threat intensified when he also threatened them with death if he ever failed a test.

All this builds to a crescendo in Tower of God, Season 2, Episode 7 when they face one of their biggest threats yet in Urek Mazino (Hiroki Takahashi). Urek has no desire to climb the tower, but simply wants to escape it and see the outside world. This is a fascinating contrast to Viole and co., who all want to reach the top of the tower for one reason or another. Despite the stakes and the friction between their ideologies, the animation of this fight sequence is flat. Much of the drama is built in by the score by Kevin Penkin, which does much of the thematic heavy lifting.

Although the fight is limited, the outcome provides a significant moment for Viole as he chooses to protect Miseng rather than fight with Urek. As Viole lies bloodied and broken, Urek lets her walk free after taking what he wanted from the belly of the beast they inhabit. The outcome is almost too easy until you remember Urek’s realization. Viole’s team was used as collateral damage, a last resort option after Urek killed many Rankers. This was another example of how the Tower and its political deception use the players as pawns.

The fight also has consequences for Yihwa, who realizes that her family was part of a wider cover-up regarding the babies of Zygaena, the deep sea fish, a creature worshipped as a god on the 21st floor. This realization propels her forward, motivating her to climb the tower, achieve a ranking, and make amends for all the damage her family has done. This at least gives her more character than just a spoiled rich girl. Perhaps the most exciting moment of Tower of God, Season 2, Episode 7 comes at the end.

Wangnan is faced with the decision of leaving Viole behind and finding another member, which FUG agent Jinsung urges. Viole will only bring more trouble, but Wangnan and the rest of her team can’t bear to let him down. Instead, Wangna asks Hwa Ryun for help again. He wants to find Viole’s friends. She points him in the right direction to an event called “Workshop Battle” that will take place on the 30th floor in two years. If they make it in time, they will meet them.

This seems too convenient, except for Jinsung’s meeting with the mysterious Karaka, who warns the former against developing an emotional attachment to Viole. Jinsung tells Karaka to tell the higher-ups that it is to Viole’s advantage to have more friends, which means there is more bargaining power. The scene sums up the Tower best – both those who work for it and those who are against it. Because while FUG wants to overthrow Jahad, they manipulate their chosen warriors in the same way, seeing Viole as a weapon rather than a person.

While Tower of God Season 2 Episode 7 offers plenty of narrative intrigue, it lacks visual substance, not helped by poorly executed comedic attempts that pull us right out of the drama with animations that become even flatter to accommodate the visual gags. That’s a shame, because there’s a lot of general intrigue and melancholy that forms the backbone of the series – it just gets lost in bits and pieces.

Tower of God, Season 2, Episode 7 is fantastic when it leans on its extensive world-building. However, it continues to stumble over the animation and smaller, character-driven moments of downtime. With Wangnan’s newfound information, the series seems ready to open a new chapter with more danger.

Tower of God, Season 2, Episode 7 is now available on Crunchyroll.