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| Director Junji Nishimura and series composer Mamoru Oshii's comeback into Rieko Hinata's novel from Season 1 exactly a year ago to this day, the journey continues into its 2nd split-cour. Cocco's OP and Maaya Sakamoto's 2nd ED, are just decent. Continuing where Season 1 left off, the truth about both the Flame Fiends and Fire Hunters in a fiery battle, left Touko almost losing her life after slaying a fiend by her own hands, aided by Koushi's sister Hinako. Even worse, the fiends are increasing, which forces the fire hunters to take them down, Touko included with Akira's lunar sickle and Kun's power, plus the wolves once Koushi came to aid. Touko having an inkling that the Flickering Flame had renounced in her memories, that would be the trigger point of her undoing if she decides to wield it much further, with Kanata therefore giving it to Hinako. Koushi, realizing that Hinako is remade by the gods, means that the Okibi family must know a thing or two. Seeking the muku paper now to oppose divine rule by the gods, Akira leaves Touko to be healed, while leaving Koushi and Kun to fend the lighting cannon, then go with Temari to plead with the lady goddess. Koushi looking for help, only to find Hibari anticipating the spiders coming into the capital as a rouse from the flame fiends, with help from human insiders to penetrate the place. Truly, with all the new story elements, how would stopping the Lord of the Fire Hunters take its course? Sadly, even with a year's break, Signal M.D.'s production values seem to be the same or worse...as if it was originally going to be a 2-cour anime, which is definitely the case here. Such a missed opportunity for the elephant in the room to shine. |
KANLen09Jan 19, 2024 11:45 PM
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| Let's hope the animation won't scream "time constraints" as much as the first season. 20 episodes were rumored even before season 1 aired apparently. This is confirmed to be the last season btw, I guess they will adapt the novel fully (it has 4 volumes). 火狩る (hikari) - "fire hunter", pronounced the same as 光 (hikari) - "light" I don't remember much, but I'll manage somehow. I remember the OP being really good in season 1. I like that one better, but this one is good too. It's name is 飛花落花 - "fly flower fall flower", may be a reference to 飛花落葉 (hikarakuyou) - "scattering of the blossoms and falling of the leaves; the impermanence of worldly things" I find it interesting how the same VAs can voice both important characters in high profile anime, and characters in unpopular anime like this one. For example, Touko has the same VA as Faputa, Koushi has the same VA as Gojo (from My Dress-Up Darling), and Hibari has the same VA as Fyodor and Akaza. Visuals are eh, but the story is actually quite interesting. Looking forward to more. |
EmbientJan 14, 2024 9:17 AM
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| So the end of season 1 was just one episode away from a very messy, and exciting battle. I really missed the still illustrations cuts. And how Temari is strangely detailed. Touko is too good killing fire beasts. Send her away. |
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| It's back and right into the action, all that super slow build up in S1 seems to be paying off. |
| Hikari no Ou is back, despite its not-so-great animation, the story is captivating, and I like it from a narrative perspective. The OP and ED are decent, although I preferred those from the first season. The story continues where it left off in the first season; the fire demons enter the capital, leading to a chaotic battle against the hunters. Touko faces several demons but ends up exhausted, seemingly having a connection with Tokohanahime, the former lord of the fire hunters, and the flickering sparkle. Touko is taken in by some Samaritans while the others continue their journey. Koushi and Kun head towards the lightning canyons, and Akira goes to the divine palace to present herself to the Goddess. Everything concludes with the spiders entering the capital through the tunnels, where Touko is located. A decent but rather continuous start, as if you don't remember much from the low-profile first season, you might feel lost. |
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| Well, I thought I would feel more lost but I remember most plot points surprisingly. Decent follow-up episode though it's a shame animation continues to be as lacking as in Part 1. That said, it seems still-illustrations got a visual upgrade. |
| it's been months since i've watched a single series and i didn't check the airing date of the second season at all, yet it so turns out by fate that it was to be premiered tomorrow. err, today. (the one and only time i checked out of curiosity.) this was an amazing and emotional first episode of the second season. not even sure why it was that emotional for me! hikari no ou is the best! looking forward to more brilliant illustrations and developments. |
| The first cour ended pretty abruptly last year, so it's nice to see this back to wrap the story up. Admittedly there's a bit of a disconnect since there was a lot of lore present from the last season and it's been an entire year since then, but I'll try to get myself as up to speed as this season gets underway. Still very interesting in terms of storytelling, though the budget/time constraints in the production remain very plain to see. |
| Yup, animation-wise not much improved, but the story is just as intriguing and captivating as ever. Hopefully S2 concludes the story. I'm really curious to see how it all ends. |
| I understood nothing, but it's still somehow compelling to watch. |
| If you haven't watched "Fantastic Children", don't talk about "best anime". Thank you. |
| Not a fan of the stills. The first 1 or 2 were a novel idea but then it made me think they were behind schedule. I don't remember everything, but it started coming back. |
| I ended up reading the synopsis' from the first 9 episodes and re-watched episode 10 and it jogged my memory. Touko became a badass by killing a couple of fire fiends and it makes me wonder if she will become an official fire hunter someday but for now she needs to recover. Koushi ran off to launch the 2nd lightning cannon and even though Hibari interrupted him it looks like Koushi will get to set it off based on the next episode's preview. While the animation remains subpar the stills look a little better and the storyline is keeping me interested. |
Reply to setsuna777
enjoyed it but could have used a stronger season premiere.
curious to know why people hate the animation, yes it's not the best but not the worst either. 🤔
curious to know why people hate the animation, yes it's not the best but not the worst either. 🤔
| @setsuna777 It's not that animation is bad, it's barely there, with lots of still shots. Personally, I don't hate that, the anime still has its charm. At least they are being creative about it, with beautiful artwork to highlight the important moments. |
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| Ah, I forgot a lot of the stuff from the first cour ngl but don't want to rewatch either. I'll just go with it for now. Drawings start degrading few minutes into the episode. Action board is a PAN over harmony cel, and Miyazawa hasn't appeared after ep 4 either. |
| forgot about this show. hinako jumping around like rabbit of caerbannog from monty phython was unintentionally hilarious. firing a lighting gun in that rain is going to make for one hell of a spectacle as electrical drag around the perimeter of the beam strays and bounces around at low altitude. basically like buck shot and bird shot on a grand scale. just remember kids: Front Towards Enemy. i am having a heck of a day with "error posting" that has never happened before. better update the os and restart i guess. hope it's not MAL. |
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| Poor animation as before. That heavy use of still pictures never change. |
| So these "gods" screwed with Hinako....yeah I think they all need to go. |
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