Shangri-La Frontier

Aired Date:2023-10-01

Status:FINISHED

Ratings:80/100

Genres:Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Season:1

Total Episodes:25

Duration:26 min/ep

Studio:C2C

Source:MANGA

Format:TV

Director:Toshiyuki Kubooka

Review:N/A/100

Watch Online: Official Site Twitter Crunchyroll YouTube Bilibili TV iQ YouTube Bilibili Netflix Hulu

Synopsis

"When was the last time I played a game that wasn't crap?" This is a world in the near future where games that use display screens are classified as retro. Anything that can't keep up with state-of-the-art VR technology is called a "crap game," and you see a large number of crap games coming out. Those who devote their lives to clearing these games are called "crap-game hunters," and Rakuro Hizutome is one of them. The game he's chosen to tackle next is Shangri-La Frontier, a "god-tier game" that has a total of thirty million players. Online friends... An expansive world... Encounters with rivals... These are changing Rakuro and all the other players' fates! The best game adventure tale by the strongest "crap game" player begins now! (Source: Crunchyroll)

Trailer

Characters

Rakurou Hizutome MAIN

Animalia SUPPORTING

Rumi Hizutome SUPPORTING

Remy SUPPORTING

Kagh SUPPORTING

Ritsu Amachi SUPPORTING

Rei Saiga SUPPORTING

Lycagon SUPPORTING

Arinoille SUPPORTING

Branch SUPPORTING

Shangri-La Frontier: A Gamer’s Dream Ride That Packs a Punch!

Yo, fellow anime fans and gamers, let’s talk Shangri-La Frontier! This show dropped in October 2023 and wrapped its first season in March 2024, with Season 2 already out and keeping the hype alive. If you’re into VRMMO vibes like Sword Art Online but want something fresher, less life-or-death, and just straight-up fun, this is your jam. As a gamer who loves diving into virtual worlds, I was hooked from the jump, and here’s why you might be too!

The story follows Rakuro Hizutome, a high schooler who’s basically a gaming god when it comes to “kusoge” (crappy, buggy games). This dude lives for conquering glitchy messes that most players would rage-quit. When he’s convinced to try Shangri-La Frontier, a slick, god-tier VRMMO with 30 million players, he dives in as Sunraku—rocking a bird mask and shorts (because why not?). What makes it dope is how Rakuro’s trash-game skills let him tackle this polished game in ways nobody else does. He’s min-maxing, skipping tutorials, and stumbling into epic quests like it’s nothing. It’s like watching your favorite streamer pull off wild plays, except animated with some seriously crisp visuals.

The animation by Studio C2C is straight fire. The fight scenes—like Sunraku’s clash with the monstrous Lycagon the Nightslayer or the group battle against Weathermon the Tombguard—are so fluid and intense, you’ll be glued to the screen. The game world feels alive, with lush forests, creepy hollows, and unique monsters that look like they’re ripped from a real MMO. Season 2 steps it up with even crazier battles, like the rematch with Lycagon, and the art shifts subtly when Rakuro hops into other games like Nephilim Hollow (think mecha vibes) or Galaxia Heroes (retro comic style). It’s a visual feast, and the soundtrack, with bangers like “Broken Games” by FZMZ and “QUEEN” by LiSA, keeps the energy high.

What I love most is how Shangri-La Frontier nails the gamer experience. Rakuro’s inner monologues about game mechanics, like dodging unskippable cutscenes or exploiting glitches, are so relatable if you’ve ever grinded an RPG. The show doesn’t bog you down with heavy stakes—no “die in the game, die in real life” nonsense here. It’s just pure fun, focusing on exploration, strategy, and the thrill of beating tough bosses. Sunraku’s not OP from the start; he earns his wins through smarts and persistence, even dying a few times (no biggie, it’s just a game). The curse from Lycagon that stops him from equipping armor—leaving him half-naked—adds hilarious moments where NPCs and players think he’s a perv, but he just rolls with it.

The supporting cast is solid too. Emul, the bunny NPC from Rabituza, is adorable and surprisingly clutch in fights (voiced perfectly by Rina Hidaka). Psyger-0, a classmate with a crush on Rakuro, and Arthur Pencilgon, a scheming ex-Player Killer, bring great dynamics when they team up. Season 2’s group battles, like the Lycagon fight with Psyger-0 and Akitsuakane, feel like raiding with your squad in Monster Hunter. The NPCs, especially, add depth, with some perma-death stakes that make you care about them. The show also sprinkles in real-world moments, showing Rakuro and his friends chilling or playing other games, which makes them feel like actual gamers you’d hang with.

That said, it’s not perfect. The pacing can drag in the middle of Season 1, especially around episodes 6-14, where it feels like Sunraku’s just grinding without much plot movement. If you’re not into gaming, the lack of high stakes might make it feel like “just a guy playing a game,” and some folks on X have called it boring for that reason. The humor, packed with gamer lingo and mild cursing, might not land for everyone, and the story doesn’t dive deep into character backstories. If you want heavy drama or complex arcs, you might find it too light. I saw some posts on X saying it’s “generic” despite the polish, and I get it—it’s not reinventing the wheel. But for me, the charm is in how it embraces the joy of gaming without overcomplicating things.

Overall, Shangri-La Frontier is a blast. It’s like jumping into an MMO with a witty, badass friend who knows all the tricks. The animation, fights, and gamer vibes make it a standout, even if it takes a bit to hit its stride. Season 2’s cliffhanger has me hyped for more, and with a third season already confirmed, there’s plenty to look forward to. If you love gaming or just want a chill, action-packed anime, give it a shot on Crunchyroll. I’m giving it a solid 8.5/10—maybe a 9 if you’re as obsessed with MMOs as I am

So, grab some snacks, log in, and join Sunraku’s adventure. You won’t regret it!