Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation

In the year 2027, the video game Phantasy Star Online 2 is all the rage at Seiga Academy. Every student is on board the fad—except for Itsuki Tachibana, a well-rounded student who doesn't play video games. Due to its popularity, the game is currently under review at Seiga Academy to see if it has a negative impact on the students. Consequently, this causes Itsuki to catch the attention of Rina Izumi, the perfectionist student council president who aims to prove that the game is not to blame.

To accomplish her objective, Rina recruits Itsuki as the student council vice president and tasks him with learning to play the game while keeping his grades up. Now obliged to report his daily findings of the game to Rina and analyze its merits, Itsuki carries the fate of Phantasy Star Online 2 in his hands.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation is the eighth project in the franchise, commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of the Phantasy Star Online video game franchise. The anime series features a completely original storyline and all-new characters.

Episode Videos

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Related Anime

Other:	Puso Ni Comi
Prequel:	Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Tachibana, Itsuki

Main

Aoi, Shouta
Japanese

Izumi, Rina

Main

Suwa, Ayaka
Japanese

Suzuki, Aika

Main

Ichimichi, Mao
Japanese

Matoi

Supporting

Satou, Satomi
Japanese

Quna

Supporting

Kitamura, Eri
Japanese

Patty

Supporting

Asumi, Kana
Japanese

Tia

Supporting

Iguchi, Yuka
Japanese

KID

Supporting

Inoue, Kazuhiko
Japanese

Zeno

Supporting

Kimura, Ryouhei
Japanese

Casra

Supporting

Kamiya, Hiroshi
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Kawaguchi, Keiichirou

Director

Iwanami, Yoshikazu

Sound Director

Nagaoka, Yoshitaka

Episode Director

Yamada, Taku

Episode Director

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Opening Theme

"Zessei Star Gate (絶世スターゲイト)" by Shouta Aoi

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Ending Theme

"Rare Drop☆KOI☆Koi! One More! (レアドロ☆KOI☆こい！ワンモア！)" by Rina Izumi (Ayaka Suwa) & Aika Suzuki (M.A.O)

Reviews

Apr 3, 2016

drtalos

Recommended

Story:6
Characters:6
Animation: 6
Music:8
Overall:7

One might think because I played Phantasy Star, PSII, & PSIII, Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast and Gamecube, PSO episode 1&2 on the Gamecube and Xbox, PSO portable 1 & 2 on the PSP, and PSO Zero on the NDS that I might have a bias for this anime. How could I? Because I never played PSO 2! Just not core enough to make that happen. In reality I only allowed my love of this series to add a point to my final score. PSO2 the Animation is at best a 6, but 7 to me as an enormous ... fan of the video game series. Just for reference I also play a ton of Monster Hunter, Freedom Wars, Ragnarok Odyssey, Soul Sacrifice, God Eater, Toukiden, and all the Dark/Demon Souls games - so clearly I’m a well rounded gamer… It is worth mentioning that every hunting game/action RPG has it’s roots in PSO, and the influence this game has had on the world of video games is no small matter.

What I like. If someone had never played a video game, let alone an action massively multiplayer online game, the first few episodes of this anime are like an instruction manual teaching the viewer what these games are, including a smattering of etiquette within the online multiplayer realm. I loved this, and thought PSO2tA mixed these qualities in admirably into the introduction of characters and story. To any gamer of merit, this may of come off as obvious and redundant, but I’m sure i’m not alone in my appreciation, and suspect more than a handful of people gained something while watching the lighthearted presentation. I considered the animation quality to be slightly above average, except in isolated “in-game” sequences that I found astonishing. There is an appealing hand drawn/CG video game quality. The visual mix of black backgrounds with neon outlines from the video game is captured perfectly. Sadly these sequences are infrequent, and not always consistent in quality. The sound and music are (in my mind) the best qualities in the show, with strong opening and closing credits. The background soundtrack music does a good job setting the tone, and VG sound effects are used just enough to keep the PSO connection. This anime may have attempted to present online gaming as mainstream and desirable, but this community is still niche. While not a fan of advertisement, I still liked the homage payed to interactive online experiences. Anyone who has spent 1000’s of hours online may question the value of time spent, but there are true moments of fleeting greatness that can be shared in this unique environment.

What was adequate. Character and Story. An academy setting, female dominated cast with a dorky/naive/overachieving/ultimately cool male student protagonist… wow, I loved this character mix in Martian Successor Nadesco, however this anime is 20 years old - and *it* used this mix in an intentionally stereotypical manner to make fun of itself and the entire anime medium.

What I didn’t like. It took too long for the story to kick into gear, and the important events to unfold. Even when it does, there is a lot of filler for a short run anime. This does not have the spare density of say, a FLCL. Like so many video games of this type, all PSO incarnations rely heavily on style, atmosphere, and music for overall addictive success. The soundtracks from PSO and PSO episode 1&2 are hauntingly epic, with an electro clarity that made these game experiences unforgettable. While the music in this series is very good, it isn’t good enough to live up to the standard from many of the games. The same might be said of the visuals, which gamers hold in such high regard.

Ultimately I rate this anime as a 7 because of my bias, being after all Phantasy Star trash, and I enjoyed watching every episode.

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Apr 2, 2016

AllenHavens92

Mixed Feelings

Not the best but not the worst, Phantasy Star Online 2 seems to be around the middle where it’s “just okay” (as the main character would put it).

Despite this being based on a video game (a sequel of a spin-off), the story is not set in the game itself. Rather, the game is featured as a game. Also, I believe you don’t really need prior knowledge of the actual game to be able to watch this series as it does a bit of explanation with the game jargon. It has a very simplistic plot, which makes it an easy watch.

The characters, while nothing special, are ...

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Jan 21, 2017

CodeBlazeFate

Not Recommended

*SPOILERS FOR PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 THE ANIMATION. DON'T WATCH THIS ANIME. IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME*

Advertising a game isn't the easiest thing in the world. Making an anime that is based on a game (whether it be an adaptation, a tie-in, or just something to promote the product in question) is even harder. Hell, the movie industry has had an exceptionally hard time trying to make a movie on these same grounds that actually worked well. That being said, you need to try to keep the spirit of the game you're promoting, as well as make something that can be a good gateway ...

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'Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation: Episode Oracle' TV Anime Announced for 2019

At the Phantasy Star Kanshasai 2019 event on Sunday, Sega announced a new TV anime based on its Phantasy Star Online 2 game series. Titled Phantasy Star Online 2: Ep...read more

Mar 10, 2019 2:16 PM by Sakana-san | Discuss (19 comments)

North American Anime & Manga Releases for March

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for March Week 1: March 7 - 13 Anime Releases Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation Complete Collection DVD Pha...read more

Mar 6, 2017 10:25 AM by Sakana-san | Discuss (12 comments)

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Recent Forum Discussion

It makes sense that they'd make this series... vigorousjammer - Sep 19, 2015	4 replies	by Lucifrost »» Jul 17, 2022 2:37 PM
Poll: Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation Episode 3 Discussion Stark700 - Jan 21, 2016	35 replies	by Shikkakku »» Dec 11, 2020 4:07 AM
Poll: Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Jan 14, 2016	51 replies	by Shikkakku »» Dec 6, 2020 6:25 AM
Poll: Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Jan 7, 2016	132 replies	by Shikkakku »» Dec 6, 2020 12:56 AM
Poll: Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Mar 31, 2016	64 replies	by TechOtaku »» Apr 29, 2020 9:22 PM

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