The announcement of the second season of MEGALBOX surprised us all here at Honey’s Anime and while we worried about the second outing of this sci-fi boxing series, the end product was truly incredible. MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD returns us to the boxing gloves of Joe but not the tough Joe we left in the original season. In this new season, Joe has become a shell of his former self and the journey to his previous form is filled with emotional drama and incredible character development. Joe doesn’t just return to his former form but actually becomes a stronger person after enduring years of self-torment/destruction. Plus, MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD summons up returning characters such as Yuri, Sachio, and other minor players in Joe’s life giving them new stories to tell and new ways of seeing the big world of MEGALOBOX. Entering this second round of MEGALOBOX isn’t just another fight but a new battle that is—in many ways—better than the first.

Joe’s path to his former home has him dealing with former fighters and new challenges but these new battles feel almost relatable. Joe’s biggest battle stems from the loss of his friend/teammate Gansaku Nanbu which causes Joe to spiral into depression. This loss forces Joe to run away from everything including his new home—Gym Nowhere—and those who relied on his strength. This intense journey might seem like a Rocky movie but in many ways, we can see ourselves in Joe.

After Joe’s retreat back into the underworld that is underground MEGALOBOXING, Joe begins to rely on the help of others to return the spirit that he lost. We imagine our various otaku adventures where we fall victim to various losses and challenges but then rely on others to press forward and become stronger than before. Yes, the world of MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD is coated in sci-fi ideals and movie-esque concepts but the battles Joe goes through—and we don’t mean the boxing matches—are relatable and addicting. Every new episode is more exciting than the next and we can only pray for a third season of MEGALOBOX to air sometime in the future.

MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD’s story puts a lot of the fighting we saw in season 1 aside for most of the season but that isn’t to say this season doesn’t deliver some epic battles. Watching Joe go against Sachio or witnessing Chief try to win a small MEGALBOX tourney to save his small home still hits us in the heart even now. Each battle in MEGALOBOX was a push to get Gearless Joe to the top but in MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD these battles push Joe to become a better human being. The heart of MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD is massive in comparison to season 1 and we truly loved watching Joe battle in the ring and outside of it.

Our only complaint—and it can be considered quite opinionated—is the weaker soundtrack accompanying MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD. We loved the retro vibes of the first season’s stellar OST but season 2 delivers a Spanish-oriented OST that works for the story but doesn’t deliver the tunes we really had hoped for. Most songs in MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD are forgettable—especially the OP and closing—which does diminish the soundtrack as a whole. Does the weaker OST ruin MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD? Not at all but we won’t be toe-tapping and replaying the songs like we did when MEGALOBOX season one ended.