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Apr 9, 2022
First and foremost, can I just say how I adore Unison Square Garden's music?? It's a blast listening to it every start of the episode.
*might contain some minor spoilers*
Bonjour, people!
It's been a year and a few months since I last saw the T&B franchise and I must say, wow, it's like 11 years have not passed since the last season. The animation and designs stay almost the same, with only a few character changes. Just like the last season, there's comedy in between serious situations (but it's really well done).
But we're not here to reminisce about the familiarity of the anime. Let's talk about
...
the new stuff.
Plot/Story (8/10):
After the last incident, heroes now work in pairs (I forgot why; Agnes tells why in either ep1 or ep2). In later episodes, NEXT villains have declared war against NEXT heroes. Ourobouros is involved, yet again.
The first few episodes of the anime are like a repetition of its predecessor. The first few episodes show the relationships between the NEXT hero duos, or "hero buddies", whereas in every episode Barnaby and Kotetsu help others have a better partnership with each other, since the two of them are the veteran "hero buddies" or duo.
After episode 8, things start to take a darker turn, and the plot moves. I won't spoil but it does. Stakes are high and it's frighteningly scary for every duo. I don't know if I'm satisfied or what with the end, but I'm sure looking forward to the other half of the anime.
Sound/Music (9/10):
It's kinda nostalgic, idk but it is.
The opening is by Unison Square Garden, who also sang the anime's first opening in s1. It's really good (it's a bop!)! I'm not that fond of the ED, but probably because it's not my type of music, but it's not bad.
The voice acting is also really good! Many VAs voiced their characters yet again, making it more nostalgic for viewers. So yeah, in terms of VA, nothing much has changed. Emotions can also be heard through their voices, which explains a lot.
I can say nothing bad about the sounds in the background; it's always on time. Whatever is playing on the back emphasizes the current event in front of you, so no complaints.
Characters (9/10):
I think this is where T&B shines most.
I might sound exaggerating when I say I love every character, but I do. They're really fleshed out and are not at all perfect. I love how every new character's backstory was told in a way that we, the viewers can understand without taking a whole episode for it. I also love how their backstory reflects why and how they act the way they do (Ryan, Subaru, and Thomas, for example; you'll see what I mean when you've viewed the anime). The old characters are just like what they are in the past anime, so if you liked them, you'll also like them here.
Personally, I still like Barnaby and Kotetsu the best. Probably because they're the duo with the longest history (and best chemistry within the Stern Build NEXT hero buddy system). I'd say I really love Blue Rose and Ryan's partnership as well, but nothing tops T&B. Like, the respect and trust for each other; no other duo has both. Either it's only respect, trust, or nothing at all. You can see in each episode how much trust and respect the two have for each other, so yeah.
Okay, but after watching the last episode, it feels like each duo is heading towards the path Kotetsu and Barnaby once took, and yes, to a better partnership. Istg nothing beats the last episode (ep13).
Art (8/10):
Still the same as 11 years ago. Still the same as the previous movies. It's like the anime was produced after a year of s1's release, lol. It's still pretty, though. There are little to no inconsistencies in between scenes too! :'))
Overall enjoyment?? 10/10
To be honest, I was afraid that things might change because of the many changes in personnel, but it seems like there's nothing to worry about! I still absolutely adore the anime, the characters, and the music! I'd say a decade of wait was too long, but it was worth the wait.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 19, 2022
OKAY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, YOU'VE GOTTA FORGET EP 16 AND ONWARDS OF SEASON 1 TO GET THIS...
...and if we're clear on this, then you get here: the kyoto-hen arc.
To start off, I would first like to tell you that this has spoilers, probably from the anime, and the manga.
Now that's settled, let's start.
First, I get why people hate this anime so much: the characters. And I swear, half the cast did get on my nerves. Probably thought that they weren't even vital to the story. So what changed my mind?
If you don't have enough patience, and if you don't read or aren't planning to
...
read the source material for Ao No Exorcist, then, I pity you. You're missing a lot, no kidding.
Characters: 9/10
Let's start off with Shura. Okay, I've seen comments about her being a drunkard, better yet, about her being useless. But if you've at least tried to read the manga, you'll manage to see her backstory. You'll understand her better as to why she acts the way she acts.
But it doesn't end there.
In that same arc, you'll see Shima (yes, the pink-head everyone keeps telling that's useless??). And as a matter of fact, he actually plays a big role this whole time. Well, maybe not for the whole time, but at least in the following arcs after Shura's.
Next up, Shiemi. It's an understatement to say that I've encountered people that dislike her. They call her useless, annoying, etc. I won't deny the annoying part, since sometimes, she is (but tbh I understand her hard-headed personality since I'm kinda like her too), but I tell you, she's not useless. No, not in the very least, especially in the recent chapters whereas she's actually from an old lineage of (actually idk I forgot), but they are vital to the story. I can't say she's less annoying, but at least, she grew up, even a little bit.
I can't really say anything much for Konekomaru, since he's annoying, and yeah, he's still the same in the manga, which is the total opposite of Bon.
Bon in the later part of the manga gets to be an apprentice of Light, a high-level exorcist. I kinda liked the growth this gives him, working under someone kinda stubborn and messy. He also becomes a better friend to the twins, so yeah, character improvement.
For Izumi (did I remember her name right?), she gets a bit of a character background check, which kinda explains why she acts the way she acts (which is also justifiable given that her sister was taken away from her if I remember that correctly). Anyways, she and Bon helps Rin in the recent arc, and even becomes a better friend too! Okay, character development too.
Rin and Yukio kinda became better brothers, especially Rin. Well, at least, in the recent chapters.
Also, may I add that in the recent chapters, we get Shirou's origin story, which features Rin and Yukio's mom, Yuri! From this backstory, we also get to see how Rin matures more, or at least, grows up a little.
Plot: 7/10
Now, I haven't got much say in the Kyoto-hen plot, since half of it was predictable. To say the least, it was entertaining to watch. Nothing out of extraordinary that can make you gasp or shout or jump, but it's not bland either. The pacing was kinda rushed towards the end, or maybe that's just me.
To the people that say that this wasted the potential that it had, especially for having a good cast but never doing them justice, I hope you read the manga. Kyoto-hen is the starting point to where the plot expands even more as the characters grow.
Art: 7/10
Beautiful backgrounds. The CGI was kinda weird on some episodes. Other than that, the animation is solid. Nothing too weird or too bad.
Music/Sound: 7/10
Okay, season one's op beats this, but nonetheless, beautiful opening by the same band. Besides that, nothing stands much for me.
Enjoyment: 8/10
Did I waste a day watching Ao No Exorcist? Yes.
Do I regret it? No. In the least, it's a pretty good decision.
I pretty much enjoyed this sequel more than the first one since this stuck on to the manga better, and the pacing is so much better compared to the first season. Even better, you can at least see some character improvement here, which definitely was the missing factor in season 1.
At the very least, what I can say about this anime is: this isn't for viewers who are quick to judge and are impatient since kyoto-hen is just the tip of the iceberg. So unless you have the patience, then go for this anime! Would definitely recommend!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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