Jun 26, 2015
Nisekoi: is a series that's a little difficult to judge. It doesn't do anything particularly new or groundbreaking for the genre, but it doesn't have to. This sequel series to last year's Nisekoi is still just as fun to watch as it's predecessor, and that's all that really matters.
One of the biggest differences between Nisekoi: and Nisekoi (S1) is the tone of the plot. While season 2 definitely has some standout moments, the drama surrounding Raku's childhood promise and what's in his pendant has been significantly toned down, as the series instead chooses to focus more on the comedic side of things. Now, this isn't
...
necessarily a bad thing -- It simply depends on what you liked most about the first season. If you enjoyed seeing the characters interact and poke fun at each other, you'll most definitely enjoy the majority of what Nisekoi: has to offer.
On the other hand, if you were hoping to finally discover just who holds the (quite literal) key to Raku's heart, you may be slightly disappointed to hear that there's not much development on that front. Personally, I feel this is Nisekoi:'s greatest fault -- Quite a few of the episodes have a "filler" feel to them, and the overarching story of the series never really moves forward. Thankfully, the main characters are still just as entertaining to watch as they were before, and there's a handful of new characters who join the cast this season.
Normally, new characters would be a good thing; they keep things fresh, while providing a new dynamic for the main cast as a whole, right? In Nisekoi:'s case, that's not exactly true. The new characters are neither as fleshed out nor as fun to watch as the main cast, and I found the few episodes that feature them to be a bit of a drag. That's not to say that they're bad characters as a whole -- They just seem to appear out of nowhere with no real motive or explanation, and that made it hard to actually care about them. What bothers me is not that the characters are annoying or interfere with the story, it's that they're introduced but never expanded upon.
Of course, this doesn't apply to all of the new characters we meet this season -- Not at all! It's only 2 or 3 of them that serve little purpose. Chitoge's workaholic mother, whom only appears in two or so episodes, stands out to me in particular as a wonderful new, albeit short lived addition to the cast. Her relationship with Raku is quite amusing to watch, and her strained interactions with Chitoge allow us to see an entirely different side of the titular gorilla-girl heroine. Haru Onodera, Kosaki's feisty little sister, seems to be somewhat of a divisive character; you'll either love her or you'll hate her. Lastly, Paula McCoy and Fuu are forgettable at best, as they don't really contribute anything worthwhile to the season as a whole.
One of my favorite episodes actually focused on Shu, Raku's best friend. Usually relegated to comic-relief, it was a breath of fresh air to see him get some much needed, yet somewhat unexpected character development. My absolute favorite episode, however, was episode 11. A true treat for any Onodera fans, episode 11 features Kosaki in the spotlight, and it's both hilarious and heartwarming. Seeing things from Kosaki's perspective also proves to be welcome change of pace, even if the first half is a bit silly. It also helps that episode 11 also features some wonderfully detailed animation when compared to the other episodes this season.
On the more technical side of things, the art, sound, and animation of Nisekoi: are wonderful, all on-par with the first season. Nisekoi:'s art is extremely pleasing to the eyes, and just like the last season, there's a plenty of unique scenery. The animation is exceptionally well-done all around, though there are occasional dips in quality. The OST is mellow and whimsical, fitting nicely into each scene. The opening credits feature some of the most unique visuals I've seen in a while, and the song itself is very catchy and energetic. The ending songs frequently switch around depending on what character starred in the episode, but they're all equally pleasant to listen to.
In the end, despite a couple of issues with the story and a few bland characters, Nisekoi: is still a highly enjoyable ride all the way to the end -- it's my personal favorite Spring anime this year, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to any fan of the series.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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