Read the conclusion on the last paragraph to avoid spoiler.

Spoiler alert! This article may be considered as spoiler for some people. Especially for those who haven’t even watched Nirvana In Fire 1 series.

Nirvana in Fire 2 (NIF2) review

This is my review of Nirvana in Fire 2 after I’ve watched it until the 15th episode.

- Continuation from Nirvana In Fire 1 (NIF1)

Since there’s no special epilogue in NIF2, and all the casts and plots are different, we might assume that this is a completely different series. Well, the only continuation is only the timeline. NIF2 has around one generation time different from NIF1. The three (3) ex-slave children from NIF1 are already old in NIF2 and all adults in NIF1 are dead in NIF2.

- No Single Main Character

NIF1 has a “superhero” feeling where there is only one (1) main character that is super genius, Mei Chang Shu. All the main and small plots in NIF1 are revolving in this main character. That is not the case with NIF2. NIF2 has no single strong main character. It focused on a Chang Lin clan (household) as the main focus. The clan is quite smart and quite good at martial art, but nowhere near the level of Mei Chang Shu of NIF1. They are smart, but not genius.

- Viewers Expectation

When viewers were watching NIF1, they would have a clear expectation. “Oh it’s a movie about military adviser? White cloth with fan? It’s a spin off of Kong Ming isn’t it? With NIF2, most viewers will be judging Will this be as good as NIF1? If we ignore NIF1 and try to evaluate NIF2 as its own, NIF2 will be just an ordinary Chinese period drama.

- Ordinary Conspiracy Series

NIF1 is unique because Mei Chang Shu, the main character is hell bent on revenge towards the bad emperor. This made NIF1 has a [dark justice] feeling. The word “revenge” has a negative connotation to it, however, NIF1 has successfully change the mindset of all viewers so that the viewers will also hope that the revenge is carried out because it’s good and justifiable.

NIF2, however, is going back to ordinary plot, there’s one evil genius, and the Chang Lin clan is trying to solve the wrongdoing of this evil genius.

- Level of Tricks / Conspiracies

What makes NIF1 such a big hit is of course the level of tricks or conspiracy. One action from the main character has implication to all four (4) clashing parties in the series. Some of the conspiracy and the handling of it, are mind blowing to readers. Those are deeply thought strategies from the writers.

Up until the 15th episodes of NIF2, there are no such deep strategies. There are strategies, but all of them have been simple one hit one counter strategies.

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Conclusion

NIF1 is a great series. NIF2 is a good, not great, series. Watching it as a separate Chinese period drama as its own, NIF2 is also enjoyable with no repetitive flashbacks to lengthen the plot. If I give NIF1 with 5/5 stars, NIF2 would be 4/5 stars. This is my review of Nirvana in Fire 2 after I’ve watched it until the 15th episode.