Quick Note: I don’t like repeating what I said from my last review for the first season unless for comparison sake. Feel free to check out my Arakawa Under the Bridge Review Part 1 if you haven’t.
Arakawa Under the BridgeXBridge continues where the series left off. The animation and art style still retain the same quality and consistency from the previous season. How you experience the weird atmosphere is still carry over in the sequel. The cinematic techniques use in illustrating the narrative are the same with some added improvement. Some innovations in the comedy are the shifting perspective to other character's viewpoints. Instead of the standard where the protagonist is the main focal point of the story. This time side characters have the same role as Kou's in giving off some satire commentary on bizarre situations. The show provides more character exploration and exposition. It showcases a combination of interaction between the supporting cast, it spices up the already establish comedy of the show and thus delivers unexpectedly fun to watch outcomes.
The fact it’s no longer about Kou’s meeting each resident from the bridge anymore. The story focuses attention on the daily lives of each resident co-existing with each other’s weird behaviors. The show is becoming more of a well-written slice of life comedy which is a little bit different from the initial rom-com with social satire commentary the first season focus on. The show comedy is becoming more of a risk-taker by partly exploring some experimental and referential style on its humor.
Characters become more lovable. We got the chance to learn more about the resident’s personal interest. This gives depth to character ideas and motivation. Providing a far more relatable cast and adds some variation. It makes the show have a uniform theme on each character's core personality that doesn’t feel random and out of place.
In the first season, the story focus is more on Kou’s character development and internal conflict. The second season, on the other hand, reveals a marginal fraction of Nino’s background story as a Venusian. Though they gave some hints on Nino’s past, it wasn’t explored enough to be considered a consistent plot progression. Nino's past serves more as a soft catalyst to progress the story. Well for once we got a real plot but it was not the main focus of the story in general. The comedy is still good as the first season and characters are still fun and for me, that's what matters for now.
When you think the OP of the first season is weird enough. "COSMOS vs ALIEN " by Etsuko Yakushimaru will blow you away out of orbit with its outrageous shenanigans. Though it took me some time to love it. But as I continue to watch the anime I learn to love it more than the 1st Opening Venus to Jesus.
"Akai Coat by Suneohair just becomes of one my all-time favorite guitar pop-rock in the entire franchise. Smoking with a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere, it blends to the feel-good slice of life aspect of the show. A welcome edition in the show and a solid piece to remember for years to come.
What’s new about the Characters?
We got to know more about P-ko, Whitey, Jacqueline, Big Brother Billy, and Last Samurai. A nice dose of exposition is always welcome in my taste for it provides more content in the show. Last Samurai was a normal person after all with some awesome sword skills. Billy and Jacqueline's relationship by far is the most convincing romantic relationship in the series I have ever seen in a comedy show. Whitey is a capable athlete that is supported by his own family, who knew right? And Exploring P-ko background interest is indeed a respectful type of fan service for me. She also took a role similar to Kou for representing to the girl side which is lovely, while Kou's represent for the boys.
The Amazoness is a great addition in the show bizarreness. Kobayashi, Yuu did a good job of expressing two different voices, from the intimidating muscular warrior women's voice to the cocky and quite annoying “ganguro” like Japanese highschool girl mannerism. Thought the Captain is the complete opposite. I never liked his style of humor but I admire his talent as a manga artist. He’s just too normal for Arakawa Under the Bridge standard and he’s doesn’t contribute much to the comedy and main plot. For me, he’s an unnecessary edition, unlike Amazoness that did something fresh in both comedy and plot.
Speaking of character development. When it comes to Kou’s and Nino’s Relationship. They do slowly progress as a solid couple with some little love quarrel here and there. The serious romance is at the minimum but their cute and funny bonding is still enjoyable to watch.
[SPOILER SECTION if you haven’t seen the 2nd season proceed to the FINAL THOUGHT SECTION]
[COMEDY HIGHLIGHTS]
These are the specific scenarios that I enjoy in the entire series. Here the Following.
The Isolation Chambers between the Boys and the Girls
This might be the funniest social experiment on people in solitary confinement I have ever seen in an anime. It has an accurate satire on the topic which is plus in my book on creativity and uniqueness. Imagining this set of bizarre characters confine in 7 days in a closed space is a comedy of itself.
Getting Tired of Qwik-Kits Gag Routine.
The Iconic ending gag of the anime gets removed permanently because it’s become too repetitive and got replace with Kou’s daily lesson instead. The only instant the show tries to break the status quo. Chief getting sick of it is evidence of itself. Sadly it was introduced on the remaining episodes of the show. Though I wish I get more of those Daily Lesson Gags, it quite fun to watch.
The Traditional Japanese Tea Party.
This might be one of the most interesting satires of nitpicking. It’s funny how they explore the topic of pretentious people VS elitists. The gag is all about how they go all out on finding each other’s flaws is pretty funny. This type of scenario is really common in internet forums nowadays. A lot of people pretend they know everything and embarrass to admit defeat and will do everything just to prove they are right. Resulting in people hurting themselves for being pretentious.
The Clash of Titans! The Difference Between Girls and Boys Diet Routine.
This is the funniest moment in the entire Second Season. I love how the comedy built upon this episode. Starting from the simple but funny strawberry diet of the girls, to the satire of men getting slimmer body than girls, somewhat hilariously gay. Escalating to Sister's Manly Military Boot Camp Training that cracks my vocal cords from laughing so hard. A satire of a totally different level. It doesn’t end there. It later becomes a well-crafted parody of shounen anime that is fueled with pure testosterone and masculinity.
You’re just a girl with superior genes worthy of accepting my seed and bearing my child!
-Tetsuo
And then soon I forgot I was watching Arakawa Under the Bridge and Not Baki the Grappler or Jojo Bizarre Adventure to an extent. This is by far the best comedy of the entire season. Oh, wait? Power? Tetsuo? It’s this an Akira reference?
[FINAL THOUGHTS]
Arakawa Under The Bridge X Bridge did a very good job as a sequel to an already successful series. I like how it becomes more creative when it comes to comedy and extending the story. The sequel also shed light on characters that didn’t get enough spotlight from the first season. I love how some character development in this show took an unexpected turn. The OST’s remain the same and good as ever and the new OP and ED is surely a good thing to have in the show.
Though, to be honest, I did get a little bit disappointed in the show's final episodes not because the comedy was bad or the characters are getting boring but the fact that this anime didn’t end in a closed conclusion. I understand that the manga is still ongoing from the time they made the second season but I wish these anime get pick-up again for the series finale.
Arakawa deserves the 3rd season. Studio Shaft did justice in the adaptation of the show. It is always nice that the studio put some effort into retaining the visuals intact and the overall theme. The best thing the sequels offer that it tries to innovate and come up with new ideas to keep the show fresh and engaging.
So far this is the first anime sequel review I made so this might come-out different from my usual writing where I always give the main message of the show. But Yeah I already discuss it in the first season and I don’t want to repeat it.
Overall Score [7.9/10] The Reason why it's a little bit higher than the First Season Score is because of Better OP and ED song.
My Final Verdict for the Sequel in Numerical View
Story [7/10] Good Comedy but lacking a Solid Plot for a Sequel
Character [8/10] Still very Good for What They are, No Complaints.
Art [8/10] Visual is always Nice and Clean to Watch. With some Surprising Presentation from time to time.
Music [9/10] S2 OP surpasses the S1 and ED for S2 is amazing, to say the least.
