Shy 2nd Season

Simply put, if you at all liked Shy season 1, you’re going to love this season. Season 2 is an improvement in essentially every way over season 1. It’s got a better story, more action and we see Teru fully come into her own as a hero. The Shinobi arc was the highlight of the season and while it started a little slow, when it really got going it was so good. Cliffhanger after cliffhanger and just being left on the edge of your seat wanting more Shy!

By now you really know if you’re going to like Shy or not. This season is more ... of the same in terms of Teru being adorable and dealing with her social anxiety, saving the day here and there and balancing her responsibilities as a hero with her duty as a student. This series is refreshing to me because I prefer female MCs who I find are often written better than their male counterparts. I think a lot of people can empathise with Teru’s struggles in the same vein that people relate to Peter Parker balancing school, a job and girlfriend with being spider-man.

Shy season 2 does everything season 1 did better+expands on the world substantially including introducing new characters and concepts(shinobi) and fleshing out the villain’s goals and plans. One of the main complaints of season 1, which was the lack of action for a hero battle shonen is also addressed. There’s a lot of fights in this season, but they’re not just mindless battles for the sake of it. I like how the author uses fights for the characters to convey their feelings. There’s a lot of thought that goes into the action in this if that makes sense. Shy’s ability isn’t really about just beating people up, it’s about being a light in the darkness for those who feel alone and hopeless and the way the big set pieces play out this season reflect that.

Really just had a lot of fun with this season. I know it doesn’t have the highest score or hype which is a shame because it is truly one of the best ongoing shonen in my opinion and one of the best MCs.

Shy season 2 gets 9 out of 10.

The heroism speech presented in Shy is definitely one of my favorites.

Shy's idea is that heroes are not law enforcers, they are not there to punish but to protect. It doesn't matter if you are a civilian, a hero or a villain, everyone has the right to be saved because it is easy to judge but we don't know the reasons why someone becomes a villain. The story shows you all the information you need to understand, comprehend and empathize with the characters, but it is always consistent with the message of never judging others, since we are not in a position to do so. ... The image of the hero, that existence that shines so brightly as to eradicate the darkness of hearts, is what he wants to establish throughout this season.

One of the positive aspects is that every detail counts. Everything that is told to you throughout the 12 chapters will have an impact on the climax of the story. Whether it's a little anecdote, a technique for skipping rocks in a lake, or information about the town of one of the new characters, everything will be relevant towards the end of the conflict. Shy is not a perfect heroine nor the strongest, but she is certainly the one who tries the hardest. That's why people feel comfortable with her, because SHY will never abandon you, even less if you're suffering.

The pace of the story is the most questionable, the first half can feel a bit heavier because it feels like nothing happens. The characters have a lot of dialogue that seems as if the chapter goes by slower than it should. Although this is made up for in the second half, where everything explained in the first part takes on more importance. Even so, it means that you have to watch 6 chapters of something that feels like it's going nowhere. Shy is an anime that needs patience and understanding to meditate a bit on the message. If you're looking for typical superhero action, you might be disappointed, as it's probably not going to deliver what you're looking for.

The bad guys aren't that bad, nor are the good guys that good. In the end, it's all about each person always being aware that they have to keep trying to reach the ideal version of themselves. Shy leaves me with many lessons that need to be meditated on and assimilated in order to try to bring the heroism of the screen into real life.