Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this Webtoon Review. Please read with caution.

On September 15, 2020, I started Tower of God Volume 2: The Hell Train’s eighth story arc: “The ‘Name Hunt’ Station” and finished on September 17. All the old characters returned in this arc, but new fan-favorites—like Ja Wangnan and most of Team Sweet and Sour—were left behind on the train. This story arc centered around Team Leesoo, Team Novick, and Team Baam reuniting and competing to claim Kaiser’s name—the undisputed ruler of the ‘Name Hunt’ Station.

The conflict of interest between Team Baam and Team Leesoo caused them to split for most of the arc. The divide came down to Androssi Zahard, and how she lost her name to Kaiser. Team Leesoo needed Kaiser’s name to save Androssi’s position—and life—as Princess, but Baam needed the name as it was the key to getting them on the Floor of Death where Rachel was.

Androssi did not react well to Baam choosing another girl over her, which reminded me of how comedic she can be with her tantrums. Khun’s self-aware comment about her temper tantrums was spot-on. Androssi’s reaction and Baam’s insistence on chasing after Rachel is comparable to rejecting someone who’s interested in you for someone who’s quite toxic and wants nothing to do with you. I have missed Androssi so much.

The rules and hierarchy of the station—based on names and no-names—was fascinating to read, and a welcomed change of pace from the previous arc regarding Hoaqin and his clones being White, Daniel and his not-so-effective love story with Roen, and all that was Rachel. This arc was more reminiscent—and nostalgic—with all the familiar faces running around the pages.

There was more Zahard’s Princess lore and Ten Great Families lore introduced during this arc through Kaiser’s backstory, Androssi’s character arc, and Yuri Zahard’s continued involvement in addition to two more Zahard’s Princesses being introduced in the narrative.

Tower of God had been touching the Princess subject here and there, but this arc was the most attention it had gotten in a while. The 13 Month Weapons made their way back into the story with Yuri betting the Green April in a bet for Khun Maschenny Zahard’s Yellow May, the restrictions behind being a Princess—no falling in love—was addressed through Kaiser and Androssi’s stories, and the foreshadow on Princess Maria was just icing on the cake. Sometimes, I forget Androssi is literally risking her life by flirting and throwing herself at Baam the way she does.

The artwork on the fight scenes were magnificent as always—somehow always getting better with each passing arc. The intricate details on Khun Ran’s and Baam’s fight scenes were the main highlights in this arc. The character designs were also beautiful, with Androssi being drawn more beautifully every time I see her. The artwork also made the emotional moments shine brighter. When Baam reached out to Kaiser and said her true name, that was an incredibly gorgeous scene made stronger with how it was drawn.

The unexpected Karaka appearance—an evil FUG Slayer mentioned here and there throughout Volume 2—was amazing toward the end, as it helped set-up the next arc with his brother. The implied brother in question made me squeal gleefully. The next arc is going to have a strong focus on one of my fan-favorite characters! I’m looking forward to climbing up the Tower and seeing what happens next in the story.

Thanks for reading this Webtoon Review, everyone! I’ll see you all at the next stop on The Hell Train!

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