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CAST

ONA DramaShiguang Dailiren II

REVIEWS

• 

  Xiphodon

  100/100
  The perfect setup for a major arc

  Yet again, Link Click hasn’t failed to deliver as always, and has given us a great setup and incredibly interesting reveals in a short prequel to the main arc we’ll be eagerly looking forward to.

  Warning: This review contains minor spoilers for this season of the show. Although I strongly recommend to watch the show first, I have tried my best to not give any major spoilers.

  Timeline: This season is a prequel. It is set some time before season 1 and season 2, when Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang are still students of the Guidu University.

  Important thing to note is that Cheng Xiaoshi doesn’t have his powers yet. Somehow Lu Guang has some powers. What kind of powers? Well, he says some kind of “divination” powers, so let’s believe him for now.

  So, after the one hour long first episode, the main antagonist of the season, Liu Xiao is introduced. Liu Xiao is the younger brother of Liu Min, who is currently a student in Bridon. He claims to have a “superpower".

  

  In the third episode, our main duo heads to Yingdu (Bridon) after Cheng Xiaoshi finds a clue to where his dad might be. Following the clues, they reach to a hint- ‘BAHATI’, which turns out to be a restaurant.

  So, our duo reaches there, and at the restaurant, they meet Xia Fei (Felix) who works part time at a modelling agency, and is a physics student. He tells them that he knows the manager of the restaurant, and can help them if they have got any questions.

  

  Major spoiler:
  Since Lu Guang is from the future, he has been very carefully observing every event and trying to remove any uncertainty that might be caused due to any change of events. Lu Guang seems to have some kind of plan on his mind. This is truly how any time travel anime protagonist should proceed (unlike a certain “time loop” anime where the mc just does random bs, and stuff happens).

  So after gathering information from various sources, even though some unexpected events occur, our duo decides to approach Vein, the owner of the modelling agency that Xia Fei works for, since he seems to have a good number of connection, in order to find a certain person.

  

  In the last episode, Cheng Xiaoshi meets this person, and incredibly interesting stuff is revealed. A lot of stuff happens in this episode, and we aren’t given much explanation, since Cheng Xiaoshi himself knows nothing of what happens. Even when the huge reveal is made, we aren’t babysat through the explanation, and it is explained very subtly. The season ends on a massive cliffhanger (as always), and our duo returns to their hometown. Some mysterious events further happen in Yingdu even after the duo’s departure.

  Animation & Visuals - 10/10
  As good as previous seasons, if not a step up.

  Audio and Music – 10/10
  Amazing voice acting, banger OSTs, everything fire as always.

  OPs & Eds – 10/10
  Never ever disappoint, probably haven’t heard such a soothing song as the ED in a while.

  

  Character Designs – 10/10
  Easily the best of the best character designs I have ever seen in any piece of media. Diverse, natural, simple, attractive, just perfect.

  

  Enjoyment – 10/10
  Great subtle comedy, humor that caters to everyone’s taste.

  

  Plot – 10/10
  As I mentioned, this is a setup. When the setup is this good, just imagine when we receive the payoff, it will be legendary.

  Overall – 10/10
  This is like one of the anime where so much stuff happens in such a less span of screentime. I can’t think of any element it was lacking in.

  If you ever want to see ‘actually’ how mystery is created, if you ever want to see how sad backstories are written, if you ever want to experience the thrill of a mystery anime, if you ever want ride an emotional rollercoaster, please do yourself a favor and watch Link Click.

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• 

  raymondtv

  100/100
  A beautiful prequel that seamlessly paves the way for Season 3

  Link Click Bridon Arc.

  

  ---

  Why is this season necessary? Is it just a filler? Does it have any real story that corresponds to the original plot within the first 2 seasons? Why was it released after season 2 if it's a prequel?

  Handedly, these are all good questions. Those of which I will be answering as I give my thoughts and opinions on this season.

  **Keep in mind that these are all strictly my thoughts. I am an avid Link Click fan, but will try to keep my words as unbiased as possible. Everyone has their different takes and opinions on this season— my review can and likely will be different than others.

  When watching Bridon Arc, MAKE SURE TO CHECK FOR SCENES AT THE END AFTER THE ED

  Spoiler tags will be used as they are intended.
  
  TIMELINE: Before Season 1
  WHERE: Bridon (London)
  ARC NAME: Bridon Arc/Yingdu Pian/Yingdu Chapter
  WHEN TO WATCH: After Season 2

  CURRENT WATCH ORDER: Season 1 + extras, Season 2, Bridon Arc

  ---

  I’ll be reviewing this arc in stages. Going from my pre-watch assumptions, my during watch thoughts, my general review of the season (post watch) as a whole, and my ratings individually.

  1: My thoughts before - NR
  I’ll admit, I was a bit worried about how much information they could and eventually would cram within 8 episodes— only to find out that there were actually going to be 6 episodes instead. With even little runtime, I had expected a rushed season with no genuinely exciting twists. Not only was this a prequel and (typically) nothing inherently bad could happen in it; but leaving barely any room for the element of surprise was what ultimately concerned me. Because of this, I drew to the conclusion that, “Perhaps it’s just going to show how the two got their powers without any drawback as to what happens later in the show.” And so, my high expectations dropped to a minimal level as I waited for December 27th to arrive. Although, the constant shots bilibili fired every time they released a new PV, trailer, or OST MV was making it very hard for me to not expect the highest of them.

  ---

  2: My thoughts during - 9/10
  The first episode twisted my heart in so many different ways. Not only was the animation a visual step up from the previous seasons, but so much was already revealed within the first ten minutes. Cheng Xiaoshi being obviously dead and confirming the theory that his powers were passed onto Lu Guang, Qiao Ling ALSO being dead, some kind of burning building, and what another fallen body that looks to be Officer Xiao Li. The introduction to our new antagonists was relatively smooth despite the fact Xia Fei was the one who got arguably more screen time than the rest. (Not complaining as Xia Fei is my child and he deserves the world.) The transition to the sometimes out of context cliffhangers that bring in suspense when being not as bad as it seems in the next episode was enjoyable. Providing relief after relieving the trauma of previous cliffhangers Link Click is fruitful of. Although, they did not disappoint with genuine thought provoking endings.
  The last episode. To keep this as spoiler-free as possible, all I will say is Link Click surprised me with how well it summed up the new occurrences. It gave just enough shock that when the ending played (cliffhanger, of course) it makes you shout: “Oh, come on!!!”

  ---

  REVIEW (post watch) - 10/10
  I was very worried that the show wouldn’t wrap things up very well. And while there still are a handful of questions, I believe the next season will provide some kind of explanation for these lingering questions as did Bridon Arc with Season 2 inquiries. Overall, everything about this season was incredible. It allows just enough breathing room for theories while not being an entire 12 episode season. It was enjoyable, easy on the eye and BEAUTIFUL to look at— but also easy to swallow. We are shown sides of our main characters that we haven’t seen before. We also get a look into Lu Guang’s trauma and how he is coping with the (END OF SEASON 2 SPOILERS → ) loss of Cheng Xiaoshi The new characters are portrayed in a way that makes it somewhat difficult to hate them but also difficult to love them. Despite the quick and belated intro of one character who pops up quite literally within the last two episodes— it felt like they fit pretty well within the story. Though I do admit, their place did feel a bit odd as they play a key role in the main characters development.
  As a conclusion, this season did not disappoint. Whether you’re a big fan or a casual watcher, I’d say this season was worth the bit of wait as not only somewhat of a filler while we wait for Season 3; but just as a good story in general.

  ---

  OP/ED - 10/10

  As always, they’re beautiful to look at and have bits of lore scattered throughout (good luck fellow theorists decoding all of the hidden lore) while simultaneously creating such wonderful music. Even if the season was terrible, the OP and ED are enough to carry it on its shoulders. The imagery is gorgeous— the use of light and portrayal of white corresponding to Cheng Xiaoshi’s “angelic purity” is so pretty to look at and analyze. The symbolism of being “parted from your body” in Lu Guang’s sense hurts so bad but makes so much sense at the same time. The lyrics tie in so well to the story and very obviously display Lu Guang’s outlook on the situation. All of these factors combined make the OP/ED as close to perfect as humanly possible.

  Character design - 10/10

  

  Simple but beautiful. The outfits all suit their respective character while also being a bit comedic for people like Lu Guang who is given Cheng Xiaoshi’s clothes that completely conflict with his mood and vibe. Characters like Vein are beautiful to look at with all of the connected colors and detailed design that also remains simple.

  Plot/Story - 10/10
  Again, I was worried it wouldn’t unfold as well as it needed to. But it really did its job as a prequel— shining light on key details of characters' backstory while introducing characters that support the main characters in ways that flesh out their development. The ending flows in a way that flashbacks (or flash forwards because of the timeline) to Season 2 and paves the way for the story that will unfold in Season 3. It concludes itself as a prequel but allows the cliffhanger to do the speaking and give out the notion of what is to come.

  Cliffhanger - 10/10
  While it wasn’t as suspenseful and worrisome as the first two seasons, it still was just that— a cliffhanger. It adds unease after a “good ending” and provides context into the fact that there is more to come and the main characters haven’t seen the worst of it.

  As a wrap up, if it wasn’t obvious, I rate this season really high. Not only are the visuals stunning, but the story was laid out really well in the amount of time it took for Season 2 to release vs Bridon Arc. Season 2 opted for around 2-3 years while Bridon Arc took roughly a year. Yes, there were less episodes which would be an explanation for this— but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
  A nice Christmas gift from the Link Click creators if I do say so myself!

  I hope you all enjoy this season as much as I did. And don’t forget to be on the lookout this September 13th. Who knows, you might just catch a roaming Lu Guang stressing about ways to save his beloved roommate.

  091305

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