Mar 28, 2014
"Oh, a second season!"
This is my expression when I heard that chuunibyou will have a second season.
Chuunibyou Ren is a second season of "Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!" produced by Kyoto Animation (Hyouka, Free!, Clannad) that debuted in 2012. Chuunibyou Ren got many attention thanks to the popularity of the first season. The series became popular because of it's unusual theme (chuunibyou syndrome for example) and many other potential things. But, how about Chuunibyou Ren? Is it better than the first one?
My answer is no.
The story itself is actually the continuation of the series. But, I felt that the story is rather a side
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story or maybe expanded story of what happen with our beloved character. The plot wasn't move at all because of the character struggle to keeping the chuunibyou syndrome or loving someone normally. The main problem is Satone Shicimiya, a character that isn't necessary at all. She's just there to make a forced conflict between Yuuta, Rikka and She of course. All of the character are still acted Chuunibyou as well. The little conflict from first season showed up again in the second season, like conflict between Nibutani and Dekomori for example. Every episode had different story to tell like school trip, fake person, etc. But sadly, it makes the story not focused on the main plot at all. That's why I called the second season just like a side story or expanded story. The story isn't going anywhere. Some of you maybe watch chuunibyou because of it's epic chuuni battle that's really out of mind like the first season. Well, get ready to disappointed because there are not much chuuni battle in the second season or maybe I can call it not as epic as the first season. At least for romance comedy, the romance between our main character got developed even not much and also the comedy still hilarious as always. The balance between drama, romance, and comedy are structured well in the series.
Kyoto Animation popular because of it's high quality anime especially in the artwork. The artwork of chuunibyou were really typical for Kyoto Anmation especially in the character design. They always used moe-style character that's really fit with the genre. The background was rich and colorful with some CGI that well blended with the hand drawing that makes it fascinating. The artwork of chuuni battle also somewhat interesting and always waited in every episode. The battle artwork showed us that Chuunibyou is not a regular romance comedy, It can be mecha and action as well. The chuuni world, the action explosion, the weapon design are just really fit the theme.
Of course if there is epic battle, it can't be epic if the music is just plain music. The music itself almost half of it were already existed in the first season but KyoAni knew that. So, they updating the music with new tune and fresh music. The only problem is the OST are not much used especially the battle OST. When I watched the first battle, the OST were epic but, I'm not heard it again until the end of the series. The voice actor and actress really fit with the character and they really know the habit, chuuni, and expressions of the character especially for Juri Nagatsuma (Satone) that I think the VA is as good as the first season. The OP "VOICE" by ZAQ really describe what is romance with a shaking animation that's very rare to see and the ED "Van!shment Th!s World" by Black Raison d'être that's just like a regular ED but more ear-candy and addicting.
Another problem of Chuunibyou Ren is, the characters are not as interesting as the first season, Isshiki for example. He is just there to make some laugh than, we forget about him. Another example is our new protagonist, Satone Shicimiya. Satone is a truly unnecessary character and her existence is actually can be necessary if Kyoto Animation can make her better with not just a character that's just there to make a regular conflict. Rikka and Yuuta got some development at their contract but still, it's not enough. Some other character like Nibutani, Dekomori, and Kumin also get a "little" development but, I felt that they're "forced" to get development.
Overall, Chuunibyou Ren is a series that you MAY missed this season and also, it taught me that a second season is not always needed or better. Because of it's weak story and lack of character development that are not too appealing, the series became worst than it's first season. It's very disappointing debut from Kyoto Animation. Well, I'm still can watch it until the end because I'm one of chuuni-fans and wanted to see more of them. I'm really recommend this just for someone who curious enough about what happened between our beloved character.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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