***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for both Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai and Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Ren. Reader discretion is advised.***
Series Synopsis
Upon entering high school Yuta Togashi (voiced by Jun Fukuyama) hoped to abandon his delusions. Now in his second year, it turned out doing so was much harder than expected. Trying his best to avoid it, Yuta got involved with the fantasy world yet again.
This time, though, he was able to find a group of like-minded people. Among them was Rikka Takanashi (voiced by Maaya Uchida). Through unwavering perseverance, Rikka got Yuta to embrace his former self.
And at the same time, the two fell for each other.
Rikka and Yuta’s relationship is a surprise to no one. They've been inseparable. Despite that, both Rikka and Yuta aren’t too sure how the whole dating thing works. Though together for several months, they’ve struggled with even holding hands. A feat they've yet managed to do.
Awkwardness aside, they love each other. Yet, the power of delusions, particularly Rikka’s, are nothing if not exhausting. It takes a special kind of patience. A challenge both are willing to take.
Series Positives
 |
| Yuta |
If you've read my review of the first season of Chuunibyou, it’s no secret how much I fell in love with it. From the hilarious humor to the heartwarming romance, I could not and cannot praise it any higher. Needless to say, I was looking forward to season two. And the OVAs. And the feature film. Yay, there’s still more to see.
The charm hasn’t gone anywhere. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Ren was just as funny, just as sweet as its predecessor. In fact, because of the strength of its predecessor, season two was able to expand. This was the next step.
 |
| Rikka |
In saying that, there was also a tradeoff. Season one hit right in the feels. It was intense, moving, and powerful. As well as silly and goofy, when appropriate. The ending, in particular, was great. But that came about because of the nature of the story. Rikka and Yuta became a couple. That was a tall barrier to climb. And without changing the kind of series this is, there’s nothing of that scale to conquer anymore.
Due to that, Ren wasn’t as impactful. As compensation, this season was much more adorable. |
| Saone |
Now season one was cute. But season two put it to shame. If you didn’t fall in love with Rikka the first go around, it's made impossible this time. But not just her. There was also Shinka Nibutani (voiced by Chinatsu Akasaki). As well as Kumin Tsuyuri (voiced by Azumi Asakura). Both were in and were great in the first season. I didn’t mention them because…I don’t know. Plus, there was also the newcomer, Saone Shichimiya (voiced by Juri Nagatsuma). I’ll talk more about her in a bit. Hell, even Yuta had a moment or two that made me smile.
I did have a better time with the first season. Only through circumstances was season two not as meaningful. But I still thought it was great.
Rikka and Yuta’s Relationship
Since the beginning, Rikka and Yuta worked well together. They were the kind of pairing that seemed like an eventuality. I’m not just saying that because, you know, romance story. They were natural together.
That’s why season one was so good. It was more than them being obvious. The story could've gone that route. Instead, it built a solid foundation.
Here were two individuals with a unique outlook on the world. Sure, at times, it was a bit troublesome. But it was an aspect they accepted. As well as cherished.
The climax for season one was as powerful as it was because of how deep their bond was. These two becoming a couple was a highlight. A highlight that, again, the second season couldn’t replicate. There was nothing that could replicate it. Yet, from that rose an opportunity. An opportunity Ren took full advantage of.
How does such a unique couple, be a couple? For both of them, this was their first relationship. It was a mystery. They wanted to be close. They wanted to do...whatever boyfriends and girlfriends do. Except, Rikka and Yuta made things more awkward than they should've been.
They are the Dark Flame Master and the Wicked Eye. They were not bound by the limitations of mere mortals. Too bad they were and they recognized it.
Sure they (and by “they” I mean Rikka) went over the top. Nothing felt right unless it was a spectacle. But emotions don’t always work out that way. Feelings of anxiety, trepidation, and even jealousy are serious. Seeing these two work through those barriers was fun at worst. And sweet at best.
My favorite moment in the show came during Rikka and Yuta’s date to the local aquarium. It was one of the rare times they were alone together and Yuta decided to take a little initiative. He asked if Rikka wanted to hold hands. Nothing fantastical. Except remember, these two are huge dorks. This was something they had been unable to do up to this point. How the rest of this scene played out caused me to f@#$ing lose it.
And from this one tiny moment the rest of the series became established. Each step they took in cementing their relationship felt like a huge accomplishment. On the outside their pacing may have been slow. For them it was the precise right speed. They didn't have to go any faster. They didn't have to go any slower. They were always going forward in their own way. Sooner or later they would reach the level they both wanted to be. During that, they only had eyes for each other.
This is why I think Saone was a great addition to the cast. The story could've made her a bitch with zero to no effort. The setup up was right there. A past childhood friend shows back up out of nowhere. This friend has suppressed strong feelings of affection, only to have those feeling dragged out upon seeing the current state of things.
I can’t even begin to tell you how many stories I’ve seen act on this premise. A person who would try to drive a wedge between two characters. Two characters we want to see be together. Ren didn’t do that.
Saone didn’t deny her feelings. That wouldn't be healthy. Yet she also knew she had her chance, but didn't take it. Regret didn’t diminish how she saw Yuta. In her imaginative mind, Yuta was a hero. A hero who fell for Rikka. And Rikka was the one trying to save her hero. Saone neither had a right nor a desire to break this connection.
Even with all this, all the complications of "the other person" still came about. Ren proved that a romance doesn’t need an unwelcome rival to show the strength of a relationship. All a story has to do is show the strength of the relationship. Rikka and Yuta are going to be together, I would bet, for the rest of their lives.
Series Negatives
If you’ve seen the show, you’ve maybe realized I’ve skipped talking about Sanae Dekomori (voiced by Sumire Uesaka). It was intentional. Yeah okay, she wasn’t without merit. Yet, she did something that annoyed me and I couldn’t help but see her as a selfish little brat afterward. I don’t feel compelled enough to make a segment dedicated to just her. Except, it did irk me something fierce. I couldn’t go through with the review and not mention it.
In fact, there were a few things in this show like that. On more than one occasion, there was obvious padding. Are you kidding me? These instances were beyond unnecessary.
For example, the group got into a napping competition. I am not making that up. Even though I kind of got a kick out of it, there was no purpose to it. It was a one-time thing that never got any buildup and was never mentioned again. The show wasted an entire episode on this. Why?
These were the things the first season could've gotten away with. That's because season one was trying to introduce us to these characters. There was more time for a little pointlessness.
But Odyssey, what about Saone? She was a new character, right?
That’s true. Except she wasn’t in the episode. Or even if she was, she didn’t play a key role in it. So, it made even less sense to have it in here.
Was this that big of a problem? Not in the slightest. However, why waste your time on nonsense? Why not spend more time with, oh I don’t know, your main couple? Maybe, just maybe mind you, the show wouldn’t have felt the need to c@#$ tease us like it did at the end.
Speaking of the ending, it was fine. Too bad it was clear with what it was trying to do. Throughout the review, I’ve said season two was in no position to replicate season one. I never said it didn’t try.
It tried to be big. It tried to be epic. It tried to be emotional. And it tried to force it so hard. God damn it, even the trigger moment was the same. Much less deus ex machina reliant, granted. But it was Yuta again finding a random ass note telling him what to do.
Final Thoughts
Despite giving this season all little more s@#$, I still enjoyed the hell out of it.
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Ren was a great follow up to the original. Same fantastic characters. Same hilarious humor. Same heart-melting cuteness. It was everything I loved about the first. Rikka and Yuta are one of my favorite anime couples. I would love to see how far they go.
Where do we leave the rest of this franchise? As for the OVAs, I think I’ll watch them just for myself. The film, though, will get its own review one day. Regardless of how those play out, you’re left with a series that's worth checking out.
 |
| Google+ Facebook Twitter |
No comments:
Post a Comment