(warning, very indepth and long - do not read if you have word-o-phobia)
Story:
For some, the story progresses a bit too slow for their liking. For me, the pacing was also a bit slow. But I still enjoyed the ride. Others complain about the slow development between main characters. I felt that the slow development is intentional for such a realistic work. In many other romance animes, characters fall in love after such a short period of time. This anime uses the first season's development SO EFFECTIVELY, which gives it a backstory for any interactions between characters. Many people don't understand that the first season was a buildup of emotion and drama into the second season. They don't understand that INTENTIONALLY, there is less comedy in the second season. BECAUSE SHIT HITS THE FUCKING FAN. Comedy was NOT THE SELLING POINT OF THE FIRST SEASON (although a main part of it)! People are forgetting the deep monologues, the building tension, Episode 12's conclusion monologue which fucking killed me. The memories and feelings build on top of one another. It's a slow ride. But a damn good one. But not many understand that.
Art:
It took a while to get used to the art in the second season. I enjoyed the new looks (it was more accurate with the Light Novel), but I just couldn't help but notice that the exaggeration of Hachiman's and other characters' looks in the first season highlighted their own roles extremely well. But Studio Feel did adapt them very well. Backgrounds were amazing as well. Kyoto, the school, StuCo room, the Service Club room itself, etc. All very well done. Lighting, too. As for animation, there were some sequences I felt a bit iffy about, (first 30 seconds of the first episode: I'm talking about you), and an extremely emotional scene where... Feel probably should have made Hachiman look a bit more anime-like instead of going for a more realistic style. (Not only for aesthetic purposes, the contradiction between his design and Yui and Yukino's designs really don't match up in that one scene, making it hard for viewers to concentrate on the emotional sentiment). Other than this, I loved the new art. I really did. It brought new light to the characters. Also the subtle changes in the OP's art really had me thinking.
Sound:
I wish I could give sound an 11/10, but sadly, I cannot. You need an explanation? Here: Go to YouTube and search up Oregairu OST. There's your explanation. Oh, look up Yukinoshita's theme, Yukitoki (piano vers.), and Hello Alone (Ballad vers.) I'm 100% sure you'll like them. The OST's are SUPERB. OP and ED were good, but I liked the first season's better.
Character:
Ahh... If you thought ART and STORY were long reads, it is time for an actual essay.
Of all the animes I have watched, this has got to be one of the most emotionally sophisticated and realistic ones I've seen. Hachiman, the main character, is the most likable MC I have EVER seen. He is neither whiny or wishy-washy. He is blunt and unforgiving. He is also compassionate at times. Yet he has flaws, and he KNOWS he has flaws. 8man is batman. 8man knows he's a loser and accepts it. I could go on and on about 8man but I doubt anyone would want to read a review like that.
Yukinoshita Yukino is a character that everyone has seen before. The supposed "Ice Queen" who reigns supreme, doesn't have many friends, and has a cold attitude. Yet, underneath the surface, she has complex feelings and quirky and cute hobbies (Pan-san). Her banter with 8man is witty, funny, complex, and shows she enjoys their exchanges. Her backstory provides her with an excuse of how she acts sometimes. I will leave you with a quote from one of my posts:
"Yukinoshita hates his methods. She does not hate him. Her whole philosophy of life is to help people solve their problems, and I quote the first few episodes of the first season, "and help them stand on their own feet." She hates Hachiman's methods because 1. It is self degrading, 2. It is a temporary fix, although it is effective, and 3. It does not take into account others' feelings. She does things her own way, by being "cold," she is trying to help Hikki. So no, she does not hate him. Otherwise she would not give him the time of day. That is the kind of girl she is."
Yui-mom is hot, wait what. Yui as a character, is one of my favorite. Her development from season 1 is astonishing. She went from cute but insecure and always matching the mood with others, to cute, still insecure but more aware of her own flaws and her strong points, having genuine friendships, and cute. Did I mention cute. The writer definitely placed her as the link between 8man and Yukino. Without her, their relationship between each other would have been strained. She's the lighthearted, slow-witted, but still intelligent girl. She's the foil to the ever-serious Yukino.
I'm going to touch base on three important side characters: Iroha, Hayama, and Hiratsuka-sensei
Iroha, introduced extremely late into the whole overall story, is still an important side character because she paved the path between Hayama and 8man. Not only that, she made him realize something - that he was doing what he was doing for himself, because 8man WANTED something. I won't go any further, but she is an important and cute(?) character.
Hayama, is the most interesting side character. I disliked him, but as time goes on, I'm starting to understand his perspective more and more. He knows what 8man is doing to himself, and he KNOWS that 8man knows about everything (referring to the drama, sorry, no spoilers), but is feigning ignorance. He is an excellent foil to 8man, yet at the same time, viewers can't help but imagine what he's thinking.
Hiratsuka Shizuka. R.I.P. season 1 sensei (imo she was much prettier 1st season).
Although not much is said about her backstory, we can infer that she has had a rough childhood as well. Much like Hachiman, she was a reject, but she forged through it all. In one of the most important scenes of the anime, she is truly a "sensei" to Hachiman, on life itself, and influences his next decisions.
Overall:
Sorry for the length of this review.
There's still so many things to touch base with, the subtle ironies of the show, or the deep connotations of Hachiman's monologues, each and every one. I wish I could analyze each of them for viewers, a piece at a time, but my fingers already ache from typing this.
This review was a more practical one than an emotional one, explaining everything to the best of my ability. read MisterImouto's review for the emotional standpoint, and to understand why this anime would resonate so well with some viewers. I agree with every word they said, and did not feel that I needed to repeat their words, and thus made this review.
