“I’m hoping that the second season manages to stay in touch with the romantic and character-specific side rather than the stupid goofiness of having eighth-grade syndrome. Or even strike a balance between the two. Because the show only seems to shine when it does just that; gets that balance between dumb and decent”.
And Kyoto Animation must have listened to me because season two does a great job of striking a balance between the humor and the romance, while adding in another character who, at first, you feel will bring the series into the love triangle poo-poo garbage spectrum, but actually becomes the best, most relatable character in the series.
Pros
1.) Striking the Balance- The first season’s first half was nothing but establishing what eighth grade syndrome is and how it affects the characters, but did it in a comedic and awkward way. It then spent the latter half getting the romance going. This second half was good, not great, but managed to create an interesting romance that I wanted to see to completion. Season two balances the two aspects really well. Some episodes are centered on the comedy, others on the romance, all culminating in a central story arc about Yuuta and Rikka being the most awkward and strange couple on the planet. The humor itself isn’t particularly funny; I’ve never really enjoyed this series for the humor. But the romance is given enough time to give us character development, some silly situations, and a lot of romantic development. There’s no dry portion of the show and fans of either aspect of Chuunibyou should be sated by what’s presented.
2.) Mature Execution of the Love Triangle- The moment I saw new character Shichimiya Satone was entering the fray, I figured the show was going to fall straight down the gutter. Imagine my surprise after seeing how well the triangle was executed without giving in to the typical tropes and situations. The love triangle itself isn’t presented until later on in the series, but becomes most of Satone’s character through these episodes. She’s in love with Yuuta, she’s his childhood friend, she had a chance to have him, but she decided to instead focus on being a magical girl. When forced to see that Rikka can balance being a weirdo and being a lover, she gets really lovesick. And she could move in on Yuuta and fight Rikka for his love, but instead we see her trying to cope with these feelings and get rid of them. And this is such a little thing to so many people, but love triangles in anime, books, and TV always become immature battles for a person’s heart that don’t compel me or pull me in because of how immaturely it is presented. The fact that Satone mopes about it, is trying to get him out of her head, respects the boundaries between Rikka and Yuuta, and tries to find a way to change her feelings is such a well done process. If this anime lives on in my mind for anything, it will be Satone’s character.
3.) Cute Romance- Despite how awkward and weird it is, the romance between Rikka and Yuuta is adorable as hell. Rikka is so scared to even hold hands and the way her friends push her and gossip about it all is realistic and fun. All the characters work so well together to help produce an outcome for this romance. I don’t want to call it mature, because the characters are far from, but it is well written. It’s a romance you can remember with a smile and a warm heart.
Cons
1.) Humor- This is a series that I don’t find funny in the least. Maybe I’m not deluded enough or never had eighth grade syndrome so don’t understand the humor. I enjoy the awkwardness, but it isn’t as funny as the awkwardness of Welcome to the NHK or Watamote, possibly because of how cutesy everything is. And I think awkward, weird humor about people like Tomoko and me only work if done in realistic, and not so cutesy ways. Then are these characters who still kind of suck…
2.) Dekomori and Kumin- Need I say more? To tell the truth, Dekomori is actually bearable in this season. She’s still a bad, unfunny, and annoying character; but I did think the development between her and Nibutani was a nice touch. Kumin is just…there. Maybe that’s the joke. But ultimately I hate useless characters who add nothing to the overall story.
Overall
I enjoyed this season a lot more than I did season one. Putting the focus on the romance, handling typically immature ideas in a mature way, and giving us Satone, the cutest goddam weirdo around; Chuunibyou does a lot right and is a definite watch for all fans of season one. Those who didn’t like the first season won’t find anything that will change their minds, though might appreciate some of the things I mentioned.
