The two main protagonists of this series, in a safe-for-work scene. Now if only you can say the same thing about some of the scenes in the final episode…
In my attempt to reduce my backlog further, I’ve chosen to watch the second season of the Kodomo no Jikan series, aptly titled Kodomo no Jikan ni Gakki. The first season has already been reviewed here in this blog post. The phrase ‘second season’ is probably misleading, because this follow-up only has 4 episodes, all coming straight into DVD just like Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is. This ‘second season’ is a 2009 anime, therefore it will have the chance to grab the ‘Anime of the Year 2009’ title from the current incumbent, Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei.
Story:-
Continuing from the end of the first season, which is a deviation from the original manga’s storyline, the three main protagonists and their homeroom teacher has advanced a year in the school life. The best character in this anime has her own separate sub-plot as the school prepared from their annual sport festival.
The director really has done a very good job concatenating the second season with the first, even if the ending of the first season is not canon. He does it by using some well-placed flashbacks that not only helps bridging the impossible, but also refreshed the memories of those who have watched the first season in the past. You cannot skip the first season before watching this title, it is a must watch (watch the uncensored version, the censored version is retarded). Some of the dialogues for a certain character in this anime has been altered though so that the integration is successful.
One notable difference between the first and the second season is that the latter wasn’t watered down unlike the former. I usually doesn’t mind censorship in broadcast versions of any given anime titles, but the censorship in the first season is so excessive I complained about it in my review of the first season. But even after obtaining the uncensored version, I still have the feeling that the first season was watered down when compared to the manga.
But that doesn’t happen in the second season anymore. What you see in the manga, can be seen in the anime. Being published straight to DVD does have its advantages. The director doesn’t have to hold back anymore, therefore he simply animate what you can see in the manga straight onto your TV screen. And that sir, can be off-putting for a significant number of people.
My previous review in this blog is for HighSchool of the Dead, known for its significant amount of fan service. Comments about that review in my Facebook page mentioned that fact a lot, understandably because ecchi fan service is an integral part of the said anime. Well, this anime, unrestrained by the codes of broadcast television, easily topped what you can see in HighSchool of the Dead. If HighSchool of the Dead basically contains lots of ecchi moment, this anime has one foot into the door leading to soft-core hentai. And I am not talking about your conventional hentai here, instead I am talking about the ‘dangerous’ kind of porn (hint: the one that has a certain bipedal brown bear as its mascot – popular in places like 4chan and SA).
Summing it in a single sentence: this anime made HighSchool of the Dead looks like the tame SpongeBob SquarePants in comparison.
Being only 4 episodes, there’s not much character developments happening in this season. Only the two friends of the main female protagonist has their characters improved a bit. One of them, Kuro Kagami is definitely still the best character in the series. There are no overt ending to this second season, probably paving the way to a still-unconfirmed third season. And if there is one, a straight-to-DVD release is far preferred.
Character Design:-
My comment in the same section in my review of the first season still applies.
Voice Acting:-
My comment in the same section in my review of the first season still applies. Actually, a couple of characters seems to have regressed.
Music:-
The OST is still non-existent as it is in first season, and unfortunately, the OP theme is not very good either. Only the ED theme is of any good.
Animation/Direction:-
For the animation quality in this anime, my comment in the same section in my review of the first season still applies. Meanwhile, the director has done a real good job in the second season as mentioned in the story section above. Definitely a positive aspect for this anime.
Conclusion:-
9 out of 10. This anime reaps the rewards for sticking more to the manga. And you should read the manga too, which is a very educating experience. But still, Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei will retain its trophy for the time being.
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