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Durarara!! (light novel)
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Feb 14, 2015 12:42 PM
#1
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What are your thoughts so far?

(If you have read the novels please don't spoil stuff that haven't been animated)
Feb 16, 2015 9:44 AM
#2
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There are six episodes, better wait until its finished before this please
Feb 16, 2015 10:36 AM
#3
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Mathias2001 said:
There are six episodes, better wait until its finished before this please


I have really seen mixed opinions so far and the important scenes really come later so peoplessthoughtd might change a lot especially if they havent read the novels.
Feb 16, 2015 10:41 AM
#4

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This sequel is definitely a lot better. The first half of Durarara was quite boring imo, it only got interesting for me, from Mikado's reveal.
Feb 22, 2015 3:05 PM
#5
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This season I feel like they're just throwing new characters in our faces again and again. In S1, characters were slowly presented and developped before we'd get their backstory, but this time it's like, oh hey there's a new girl called Vorona, you just saw her for the first time 5 mins ago but here's her childhood backstory. Like, I don't care about her at this point.

Also they try too hard with the time skips and flashbacks. And the art and animation took a horrible dive in S2.
Feb 22, 2015 9:54 PM
#6

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tsudecimo said:
This sequel is definitely a lot better. The first half of Durarara was quite boring imo, it only got interesting for me, from Mikado's reveal.


While I did like the first half of Durarara!! quite well, I feel you. For me the sequel has started off much better than the original. I struggled to watch the first few episodes of Durarara!! because I found them hard to get into.

But otherwise Shou hardly seems different from the original, it has pretty much the same kind of mood, art and story-telling (including their way of using flashbacks and whatever), so I don't really see the fuss about the differences between the two.
Feb 22, 2015 9:56 PM
#7

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I'm indifferent. I've only seen 7 episodes of this season so far and it doesn't compare to the best of s1 yet.
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Feb 23, 2015 3:49 AM
#8

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Suzie said:
This season I feel like they're just throwing new characters in our faces again and again. In S1, characters were slowly presented and developped before we'd get their backstory, but this time it's like, oh hey there's a new girl called Vorona, you just saw her for the first time 5 mins ago but here's her childhood backstory. Like, I don't care about her at this point.

Also they try too hard with the time skips and flashbacks. And the art and animation took a horrible dive in S2.


Except most characters in S1 had back stories revealed first before they had development. That was because we knew jack about them. Shizuo for example only made brief appearances some of earlier episodes of S1 and most of them had him being angry and violent hothead. It wasn't until episodes 7 that he got any proper characterization. Namie is another example of someone who only had like 2 scenes until episode 9 where delved into her backstory with Seiji. Prior to that she just some random doctor woman who had Celty's head and we didn't even know her name. So Season and Season 2 literally have not changed in style it told it's plot and handle it's characters, you did. Otherwise you don't remember clearly those episodes went.
Iron_MawFeb 23, 2015 4:21 AM
Feb 23, 2015 6:23 PM
#9
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Jagd84 said:
Except most characters in S1 had back stories revealed first before they had development. That was because we knew jack about them. Shizuo for example only made brief appearances some of earlier episodes of S1 and most of them had him being angry and violent hothead. It wasn't until episodes 7 that he got any proper characterization.


Well but that's exactly what I was saying. They presented him slowly by showing how dangerous he is, they didn't present him the first time by showing a flashback of when he was a kid and interacting with his brother (that's his backstory that they show later). They built him up so that we'd wonder what the heck his problem was. But for Vorona, as the example I was using, I don't even know her and they present me her dad and show me flashbacks of her childhood and how she likes books and stuff.

I guess Namie, as you mention, was a bit less shown off before we got her backstory, but I feel she still belonged more since Seiji and Harima's stories were very, very present at the time. So we didn't know her, but her story was related to Seiji's closely enough that it wasn't like she was a completely new character.

Looks like everyone else enjoys the action in S2 better, but as for me, I liked the pacing better in S1. Sure, it had some slower moments, but I think that's where the build up and excitement really shined through. It didn't feel like 3 separate arcs, it felt like they were very connected. Like, Hijiribe Ruri for example, she was barely present before in the whole S1, then we get an arc about her, and then she's nowhere to be seen once more... It felt very disconnected from the Dollars and Celty and the other main plot devices from the series.

Still, some characters seem to be getting interesting so it's not like it might not become as good as S1 in the later arcs. Especially Aoba, like I really can't tell what he's gonna do but he's getting slowly built up for something big, and that's way more exciting than some of the other new characters that got thrown in our faces.
Feb 23, 2015 6:28 PM

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I loved season 1 in the sense that it introduced the characters slowly and the plot was great and for me at least, the problem wasn't that the pacing was weird, it was that the show itself was so different that it took me a few tries to get into. I wasn't used to a different character every episode, but now I love it like that.

I do like that the pacing is a little quicker in the new season, but it felt kinda fast. There were just suddenly new characters and a relationship and while the action was nice, I wish they would slow it down a bit. Have an episode for each new character, revisit the old characters a little more within those episodes. I don't know, I just hope that the first arc will be good.
Feb 23, 2015 6:38 PM

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Suzie said:
Jagd84 said:
Except most characters in S1 had back stories revealed first before they had development. That was because we knew jack about them. Shizuo for example only made brief appearances some of earlier episodes of S1 and most of them had him being angry and violent hothead. It wasn't until episodes 7 that he got any proper characterization.


Well but that's exactly what I was saying. They presented him slowly by showing how dangerous he is, they didn't present him the first time by showing a flashback of when he was a kid and interacting with his brother (that's his backstory that they show later). They built him up so that we'd wonder what the heck his problem was. But for Vorona, as the example I was using, I don't even know her and they present me her dad and show me flashbacks of her childhood and how she likes books and stuff.

I guess Namie, as you mention, was a bit less shown off before we got her backstory, but I feel she still belonged more since Seiji and Harima's stories were very, very present at the time. So we didn't know her, but her story was related to Seiji's closely enough that it wasn't like she was a completely new character.


But the exact same thing is happening here. Vorona first briefly appeared episode 5, introduced in ep 6 where learned what kind of person she is and finally delved into into in ep 7. The only difference is that happened a little sooner (and less randomly) because the central focus here is tighter than in S1, but this something hardly worth caring about. Frankly sounds you don't like her character rather than how she appeared.

And just like with Seiji and Namie, Vorona revealed more about Simon and Dennis giving them some relevance now despite part of the cast for ages.
Iron_MawFeb 23, 2015 6:49 PM
Feb 23, 2015 6:45 PM
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I think the only problem I have this season is the pacing. I loved the pacing in season 1 while in this season, its too fast in my opinion. Not a full light novel in one episode like one aniem but still too fast.
Feb 23, 2015 7:21 PM
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For the pacing there's no helping it. Compared to season 2 which was 3 vol in 24 eps this time they have to do the remaining 10 with 39 eps or less. They already omitted some scenes but vol 5's not fully covered yet and vol 6 is kinda long so they really have to rush if they want it to be done on time.
Feb 24, 2015 8:35 AM
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To be honest both seasons have similar feels, the only difference being new characters. Preference is going to be subjective since the show and the plot is entirely character driven in this anime. I personally like season 2 better so far. Didn't like season 1 much because I only liked Izaya and Shizuo and most of the screentime went to the three most boring characters (imo). This season has added tons of characters I WANT TO SEE. Verona, Shizuo's brother, the twins and Aoba.
Feb 24, 2015 2:38 PM
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yuigadokusonmaru said:
For the pacing there's no helping it. Compared to season 2 which was 3 vol in 24 eps this time they have to do the remaining 10 with 39 eps or less. They already omitted some scenes but vol 5's not fully covered yet and vol 6 is kinda long so they really have to rush if they want it to be done on time.



The woudn't have this problem if they simply tried to do 4 volumes in 25 episodes instead of half the time. They try to adapt it fast and not adapt it GOOD. Its still pretty good but the pacing does ruin a lot of things including character development, buildup and many scenes tat would be interested
Feb 24, 2015 4:38 PM
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Jagd84 said:
But the exact same thing is happening here. Vorona first briefly appeared episode 5, introduced in ep 6 where learned what kind of person she is and finally delved into into in ep 7. The only difference is that happened a little sooner (and less randomly) because the central focus here is tighter than in S1, but this something hardly worth caring about. Frankly sounds you don't like her character rather than how she appeared.

And just like with Seiji and Namie, Vorona revealed more about Simon and Dennis giving them some relevance now despite part of the cast for ages.


Alright let's keep this fun going...
I'm not sure what made you think I just don't like Vorona's character. I don't particularly like her because she's barely developped, but I don't dislike her. And that's beyond the point. Her character doesn't seem to have much impact into the story (so far, maybe she'll mix well into the story later) besides kind of wanting to kill Celty..... kind of just because. So I feel like the average viewer wouldn't care too much about her backstory since it has nothing to do with any of the other characters (except that 5 seconds Simon cameo lol).

S1 had some great story-telling because all the characters seemed to be so closely interacting with each other. So when the Hollywood arc starts and there's just Ruri all over and the other Heiwajima, it already feels a bit disconnected. I think it was a pretty weak arc for that reason. I don't know of any person who, while watching S1, ever paid attention to Ruri and thought "I sure would like to know more about this girl!". In that sense, at least Vorona is interacting with Celty at this point.

And lastly, S1 had some very impactuf arcs about its main characters. The first arc being about Mikado and the Dollars, the second being about Anri, and the last about Masaomi and how the three of them come together. For now, S2's arcs are about barely introduced or completely new characters, which just doesn't produce the same kind of interest.
Feb 24, 2015 9:28 PM

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I didn't really like the first arc of Shou and I feel like some parts are fairly rushed. However, having read Volume 5+6, if the anime can pull it off correctly (hopefully with better animation than episode 7) Shou has a good chance of being superior.
Feb 24, 2015 9:38 PM

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Not enough Shizou my only complaint so far.
Feb 25, 2015 1:15 AM
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Suzie said:
Looks like everyone else enjoys the action in S2 better, but as for me, I liked the pacing better in S1. Sure, it had some slower moments, but I think that's where the build up and excitement really shined through. It didn't feel like 3 separate arcs, it felt like they were very connected. Like, Hijiribe Ruri for example, she was barely present before in the whole S1, then we get an arc about her, and then she's nowhere to be seen once more... It felt very disconnected from the Dollars and Celty and the other main plot devices from the series.

I agree. I find the discrete arcs format nearly unbearable (hence me not wanting to watch the remainder of the Monogatari, Haruhi and Clannad series beyond their first season), and I really hope that something rectifies the situation soon in x2. Discrete arcs is for computer programs, not TV programmes.

Having said that, we do currently have both the Saitama arc and Russian arc going on at the moment. It's only the Hollywood arc that has really been forgotten. But still, we don't quite know what Ruri is, so that's not completely finished.
mudriFeb 25, 2015 1:38 AM
Feb 25, 2015 3:47 AM

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So far I'm already liking this more than the first season.
Feb 25, 2015 11:28 AM

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I don't know if i like this more or if I only waited too long for second season and now i'm hyped. Anyway I love it.
Feb 25, 2015 2:40 PM

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Suzie said:

Alright let's keep this fun going...
I'm not sure what made you think I just don't like Vorona's character. I don't particularly like her because she's barely developped, but I don't dislike her. And that's beyond the point. Her character doesn't seem to have much impact into the story (so far, maybe she'll mix well into the story later) besides kind of wanting to kill Celty..... kind of just because. So I feel like the average viewer wouldn't care too much about her backstory since it has nothing to do with any of the other characters (except that 5 seconds Simon cameo lol).


Saying her backstory nothing do with the characters in cast, i.e Dennis and Smion is like saying Shizuo backstory has nothing to do Shinra and Izaya. Saying that her backstory doesn't developed her is like saying Shizuo's didn't developed him. Doesn't make any sense it just shows your obvious bias to S1. That fact you think she wanted kill Celty just because shows that weren't even paying attention to her character at all.

S1 had some great story-telling because all the characters seemed to be so closely interacting with each other. So when the Hollywood arc starts and there's just Ruri all over and the other Heiwajima, it already feels a bit disconnected. I think it was a pretty weak arc for that reason. I don't know of any person who, while watching S1, ever paid attention to Ruri and thought "I sure would like to know more about this girl!". In that sense, at least Vorona is interacting with Celty at this point.


This is also nonsensical. DRRR!! is about watching characters new and old interact with each other. Even S1 you had bunch new characters (Haruna, Nausjima etc) introduced and the story focusing on them while a lot of the older cast of the previous arc either disappeared into the background (Mika, Seiji etc) or played a supporting role like Mikado. DRRR!! is about Ikebukuro and it's inhabitants itself and the stories it tells.

lastly, S1 had some very impactuf arcs about its main characters. The first arc being about Mikado and the Dollars, the second being about Anri, and the last about Masaomi and how the three of them come together. For now, S2's arcs are about barely introduced or completely new characters, which just doesn't produce the same kind of interest.


Those arc weren't sole about those three and new characters where always introduced to drive the conflict.

The main plot of Dollars revolved Mika, Seiji and Mikado
The second around: Haruna, Nasujima and Anri
The third: Horoada, Saki, and Kida
The fourth:, Ruri, Kauska and Celty
And now the fifth: Akane, Chikage, Aoba, Vorona, Slon and Mikado

It is the same damn pattern. I don't what you're issue is in not liking the 2nd season, but it's definitely not the show or it's writing, because it pretty much like as the first season with slightly faster pacing.
Iron_MawFeb 25, 2015 2:48 PM
Feb 25, 2015 4:21 PM
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mudri said:
Having said that, we do currently have both the Saitama arc and Russian arc going on at the moment. It's only the Hollywood arc that has really been forgotten. But still, we don't quite know what Ruri is, so that's not completely finished.


Yeah that's true. If they manage to bring Ruri back into the mix in a way that works and blends with the other arcs, this problem will be mostly dissolved.

I don't always dislike arcs but in comparison to the way they were handled in S1, the ones so far feel a lot more clumsy and... really they just feel like arcs, without much repercussion to the story.

Jagd84 said:
Saying her backstory nothing do with the characters in cast, i.e Dennis and Smion is like saying Shizuo backstory has nothing to do Shinra and Izaya. Saying that her backstory doesn't developed her is like saying Shizuo's didn't developed him.


Ok I'll humor you. You saying a girl whose only interaction with any of the known cast is a scene of about 10 seconds, and that those characters she interacted with are background characters who, especially Dennis, barely had any lines in all of the first season... And you're saying that that is equivalent to a recurring character who, all throughout S1 interacted with many other main characters and whose relationship with Izaya in particular is constantly lampshaded. I think their level of involvement with the main cast is like night and day.

Jagd84 said:
Suzie said:
S1 had some great story-telling because all the characters seemed to be so closely interacting with each other. So when the Hollywood arc starts and there's just Ruri all over and the other Heiwajima, it already feels a bit disconnected. I think it was a pretty weak arc for that reason. I don't know of any person who, while watching S1, ever paid attention to Ruri and thought "I sure would like to know more about this girl!". In that sense, at least Vorona is interacting with Celty at this point.


This is also nonsensical. DRRR!! is about watching characters new and old interact with each other. Even S1 you had bunch new characters (Haruna, Nausjima etc) introduced and the story focusing on them while a lot of the older cast of the previous arc either disappeared into the background (Mika, Seiji etc) or played a supporting role like Mikado. DRRR!! is about Ikebukuro and it's inhabitants itself and the stories it tells.


True, it's a good point to say that Durarara is about all of Ikebukuro. I still kind of think Ruri was brought into the mix and back into the background too fast, but eh, I'll say you win this one.

Jagd84 said:
Suzie said:
lastly, S1 had some very impactuf arcs about its main characters. The first arc being about Mikado and the Dollars, the second being about Anri, and the last about Masaomi and how the three of them come together. For now, S2's arcs are about barely introduced or completely new characters, which just doesn't produce the same kind of interest.


Those arc weren't sole about those three and new characters where always introduced to drive the conflict.

The main plot of Dollars revolved Mika, Seiji and Mikado
The second around: Haruna, Nasujima and Anri
The third: Horoada, Saki, and Kida
The fourth:, Ruri, Kauska and Celty
And now the fifth: Akane, Chikage, Aoba, Vorona, Slon and Mikado


Can't agree with this though~ I would certainly NOT say the second arc was centered on anyone else than Anri or that the thrid arc showed a lot of Horada (lol.. I'm sure most people don't even remember his name). Sure, the arcs all had some more important and less important characters, but they had all some themes going on that tied them more closely to one character in particular (like I was saying, Mikado, Anri and then Masaomi). But whichever one would describe each arcs, it's still a fact that they were centered on the "main cast" and that this problematic 4th arc was, out of the blue, very centered on a character that we'd barely seen before. (I can't allow you to say the 5th arc is about Slon lol, he just showed up and barely did anything lol).
SuzieFeb 25, 2015 4:42 PM
Feb 26, 2015 5:55 AM

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I'll regurgitate this piece I posted on my tumblr earlier.

My only big complaint with x2 so far is that it’s very obviously rushing through several different stories, whereas S1 took the time to set up and interweave three stories into one big cohesive story. The first part of S1 was clearly the Dollars arc, but by the time that climaxed the Yellow Scarves arc had been hinted at a lot and the Saika arc was already well underway. That was neat & cool, it made stuff seem less out of nowhere and kept characters relevant longer.

But in x2 it’s just okay here’s the Hollywood arc and now that’s over bye Ruri we’ll see you again for a brief cameo next season, now let’s talk about the Russians.

Also the animation is worse.
Feb 26, 2015 10:34 AM
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As a quick reminder, I'll say this: what we should be feeling now is concern, not disappointment. Essentially, the new season started with an arc that would be more fitting for Baccano!, then we just had an episode focused entirely on the Russians. However, notice that the next episode (going by the preview) features Rocchi heavily, and I doubt that they can hide the Russians at this point. So, we still have two plots going on, which is what the first season did.
Feb 27, 2015 4:51 PM

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Noellage said:
I'll regurgitate this piece I posted on my tumblr earlier.

My only big complaint with x2 so far is that it’s very obviously rushing through several different stories, whereas S1 took the time to set up and interweave three stories into one big cohesive story. The first part of S1 was clearly the Dollars arc, but by the time that climaxed the Yellow Scarves arc had been hinted at a lot and the Saika arc was already well underway. That was neat & cool, it made stuff seem less out of nowhere and kept characters relevant longer.

But in x2 it’s just okay here’s the Hollywood arc and now that’s over bye Ruri we’ll see you again for a brief cameo next season, now let’s talk about the Russians.

Also the animation is worse.


Yep. I really liked how the pace was slower last season. The atmosphere of the show was different (to me).
Feb 28, 2015 4:48 AM
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Suzie said:
This season I feel like they're just throwing new characters in our faces again and again. In S1, characters were slowly presented and developped before we'd get their backstory, but this time it's like, oh hey there's a new girl called Vorona, you just saw her for the first time 5 mins ago but here's her childhood backstory. Like, I don't care about her at this point.

Also they try too hard with the time skips and flashbacks. And the art and animation took a horrible dive in S2.


This is what I came in here to post, so... Thank you?

I posted in several episode discussions that it is formulaic in their flash forwards. I posted in the last episode discussion (7's?) something like, "who needs character development of characters we have when you can just add new characters."

While I assume things get better --- if something is amazing for the last 1/3 and a giant disappointment for the first 2/3, it probably averages out to less than good (at least for me). With that math - (1/3*10)+(2/3*4) = 6, at best, to me. That even assumes it really will be a masterpiece of an ending. I'd assume it is really (1/3*5+2/3*4) a 5, for me. I don't really score things by episodes - this was just a hypothetical given people are suggesting it gets a lot better.

Anyways, nice to see old favorite characters.... Briefly, while I'm shown these random characters I don't care for nor am I provided time to like.
Feb 28, 2015 12:05 PM
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1979
I enjoy Durarara Shou more than I enjoyed Durarara. I don't know why. But the animation was better in S1
j
Feb 28, 2015 12:26 PM

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Some like it slow, others like it fast. I like both
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Feb 28, 2015 12:35 PM

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Its just too fast, but I really liked the episode 7: an episode to one character with a good pacing(with a very good title too :) ). I liked the non-linear way to count the story.
Feb 28, 2015 3:30 PM

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Season one seemed more substantive than 2...

Perhaps I need to watch 1 and 2 back to back once season 2 is complete. I am not getting the same vibe I did in the first season.
I'm not the protagonist of a novel or anything, I'm a college student who likes to read, like you could find anywhere. But, if for argument's sake, you were to write a story with me in the lead role, it would certainly be a tragedy. - Kaneki Ken
Mar 9, 2015 1:18 AM

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It still early to tell i guess. As for now Durarara (the 2010 ones) still better IMO.
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Mar 9, 2015 1:28 AM

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Both to be honest, i can't choose.
Mar 9, 2015 10:49 AM
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So far I am really liking this season. I also really liked durarara, even know alot of my friends hated it.
Apr 30, 2015 10:14 AM

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436
I only watched the anime and in my opinion both season are awesome. But i felt that in durarara shou they tried to add more character that to me aren't important at all. If you liked the first season maybe you'll like this one.
Apr 30, 2015 10:18 AM

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10536
I'd say x2 over first season. But honestly, I don't know the reason. Both are basicly same quality, except for the art.
Apr 30, 2015 12:07 PM

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I love both seasons but first one is a bit entertaining for me after all.
May 2, 2015 2:16 PM

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Definitely the prequel.
May 4, 2015 1:38 PM

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The supernatural was more prevalent in the original.
May 6, 2015 11:50 AM

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Anime form: 1st season.
Novel form: Vol. 4-6.

Honestly though, aside from the animation issues, the second season just has this problem of seemingly rushing through everything, and that problem came into existence because of too few episodes. They had 24 episodes for volume 1-3 and only 12 episodes for volume 4-6, after all.
Heck, we didn't even hear Yoshikiri and Gin's names yet orz
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