Story & Characters: The second season starts us off with our couple needing a place to stay after their little place burns down. Their journey takes us to the Arisugawa's bathhouse, where they own a backhouse for Nasa and Tsukasa to stay in. The series mostly starts out great because it's still fun and a lot of snide remarks towards their privacy are easily found. It's mostly enjoyable and an easy way to get back into the mood that Tonikawa seeks to take on.
Nasa and Tsukasa still take up the bulk of the plot, unsurprisingly, and are mostly unchanged from the first season. That, however, is a problem in itself - neither go through any meaningful character development. They discuss their future together and take steps to be make sure their life is the way they want, but there's very little in the way of conflict or even minor problems arising, making them somewhat bland for the season's duration. Kaname and Aya are also mostly unchanged, though with them sharing the premises with our main couple now, it's easier to slide in more jokes with them and it usually works out in a humourous way.
Ginga Onimaru is a new addition to the series and he comes off as more over-the-top than I felt was really necessary. He brings a different tone to the series, but aside a few moments, he's mostly forgettable. Kyuuma also appears in a few episodes, but I fail to see how she adds much to the series at all. Nasa's old teacher Naoko Yanagi I actually welcomed because she somewhat mirrors how nervous Nasa was early on in season 1. Tokiko is a relative of Tsukasa's. I feel like her point is to move the plot along, especially with regards to Tsukasa's past, but this fails because we really aren't left with any backstory that was sorely missing in season one for our main wife. It could very well lead to something later though.
This season certainly doesn't lack for a quick laugh every now and then because there are a few amusing and great moments to be found still. I wouldn't say dramatic, but certain situations kind of just resolve themselves in weird ways, which was probably this series' greatest strength.
The biggest issue with season two is it really just feels like the same thing over and over again. Sure, our characters go to different places during the course of the series, but it all feels far too similar. Season 1 excelled in different situations with some surprising outcomes, but the entire duration of the season is a bunch of dates. While they aren't terrible on their own, there just isn't any attempt to either mix it up, or develop any of our characters. It just feels kind of thrown together. This is especially disappointing because we basically know that something's different about Tsukasa, but we don't have a clue as to what. (Story: 5/10, Characters: 6/10)
Art: Tonikawa isn't really the best looking series, but I'd also argue that it doesn't really need to. It looks solid enough that you'll get the idea of what they're going for and even if it looks a little flat at times, it was never near offensive. I haven't really seen anything that Seven Arcs has put out aside this series, but they seem to be solid enough. (6/10)
Sound: I'm not entirely sure why people love the OP from the first season so much, but it never appealed to me - this season's didn't either. Both it and the ED were fine, but nothing special. The OST feels like it's mostly unchanged and was also kind of just there. VO talent from the first season returns, leading with Zach Aguilar (Nasa) and Lauren Landa (Tsukasa), both of which were solid. Erika Harlacher-Stone returns as Aya as was likely the best of the cast. Newcomers Kimberley Anne Campbell (Kyuuma) and Suzie Yeung (Naoko) were also strong here. I couldn't find a confirmed listing, but it does sound like Cindy Robinson voices Tokiko - she's always strong in those roles. (8/10)
Overall: TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You Season 2 was fine overall, but it really doesn't push any boundaries and doesn't attempt to make us worry about our couple. I'll likely check out the four-episode sequel that was announced, but this series seriously needs some more character development and differing plot lines in order to keep appealing to me. (6/10)
