“Our Last Crusade Season 2: A Rollercoaster of Love, War, and Confusion”

Let’s cut to the chase: Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Season 2 is like that friend who shows up late to a party, spills soda on your couch, but still manages to make you laugh by the end. The series, animated by Silver Link and Studio Palette, originally kicked off in July 2024 before hitting a nine-month hiatus (yes, nine whole months!) after Episode 4—only to return in April 2025 to wrap up its 12-episode run. For fans who stuck around, it was a wild ride of forgotten characters, sudden betrayals, and that classic “Romeo and Juliet with magic vs. science” tension we (sort of) loved in Season 1.

First, let’s recap the vibe: Iska (the Empire’s top soldier, science side) and Alice (Nebulis Sovereignty’s second princess, magic side) are still trying to end the war between their worlds—while also low-key crushing on each other. Season 2 picks up right where Season 1 left off… if you can remember where that was. Spoiler: Most people couldn’t. One fan on MyAnimeList joked, “Our Last Crusade, or ‘Who the F*** Are These People?’” and honestly? Relatable. Another admitted, “I know I watched Season 1, but I don’t remember it. I gave it a 5/10.” The show doesn’t bother with a recap, so if you’re not re-watching Season 1 first, you’ll spend Episode 1 squinting at the screen like, “Wait, who’s Sisbell again? And why is she running from Zoa?”

Sisbell, by the way, is the key player here. She’s a mage with weird “see the past” powers, and she’s on the run because if she doesn’t get back to the Empire fast, she’ll be labeled a traitor (and start a war—oops). So Iska agrees to help her, which immediately makes Alice jealous. Cue Rin (Alice’s maid, who some fans realized shares a VA with Ai Hayasaka from Kaguya-sama—mind blown!) side-eyeing Iska like he just ate the last slice of pizza. The first few episodes feel like a rom-com masquerading as a war story: Alice and Iska keep almost running into each other, Rin is overprotective, and there’s a lot of “will they, won’t they” energy amid the chaos.

Then the hiatus hit. And when the show came back? Fans were confused. “Holy crap, this came back? Color me shocked,” one user wrote. The break didn’t help the already disjointed plot. The middle episodes dive into political drama: Hydra, a sketchy noble family, is plotting to overthrow the Sovereignty’s queen (Millavair Lou Nebulis VIII) by framing the Zoa family. Talisman, Hydra’s leader, is the big bad—think a sneaky chess master who’s been pulling strings this whole time. But the reveal feels less “oh snap!” and more “wait, who is that again?”

The action picks up in Episodes 6-12, with one-on-one battles galore. Iska fights Talisman (because MCs always fight the main villain), Alice’s crew takes on goons in the palace, and there’s a huge war between the Empire and Sovereignty outside. The fights are flashy—think magic blasts and sword duels—but some fans thought they dragged. “This episode feels all too common in shonen manga,” one评论 said about Episode 7. “Just a bunch of one-on-one battles.”

But let’s talk about the good stuff: the romance. Iska and Alice’s star-crossed love is still the heart of the show. Even when Alice declares war on the Empire (oops), she can’t bring herself to hurt Iska. Their scenes together are sweet—like when Alice lets Iska go after he delivers a message from the queen, or when they sneak quiet moments amid the fighting. It’s the kind of “forbidden love” trope that makes you go, “Aww, they’re so cute, even if their worlds are trying to kill each other.”

The ending? A cliffhanger. Big time. Sisbell gets captured, the Hydra family’s plan isn’t fully foiled, and Iska is left fighting for his life. Fans were split: some were frustrated (“Why leave us hanging?!”), others thought it set up Season 3 nicely. One user summed it up: “This season was kind of disjointed… but I’m a sucker for these Romeo and Juliet stories. 6/10.”

So who is this show for? If you loved Season 1’s cheesy charm, or you’re into fantasy romances with a side of war, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you hate slow pacing or forgetting characters, maybe skip it. But for those who stuck it out? It’s a reminder that even messy shows can have moments that make you smile.

Final thought: Our Last Crusade Season 2 isn’t perfect. It’s late, it’s confusing, and the hiatus didn’t do it any favors. But if you’re here for Iska and Alice’s banter, some cool magic fights, and that “will they end the war?” tension, it’s worth a watch. Just don’t forget to re-watch Season 1 first. Trust me.

— A fan who’s still waiting for Season 3 (please don’t take another nine months).