So I have to be honest, while I *loved* the first season - and I really did love it, my rating for it is a 10 (which is a rating I am very reserved with), I also loved it because of the "gimmick". What I am trying to say is that it was a season where I felt there were a few incredible, top tier episodes that rank as among the best episodes I have ever seen across all of TV, but then the rest of the season could often feel a lot more average in comparison. There was sloppiness to it, some amazing highs
...
that hit fantastically well, but the rest of it wasn't coming together quite that well.
So I was not sure whether I'd be able to love the second season too. Obviously the gimmick, the element of surprise, was gone. You can only do that once. Now the second season would have to stand on the basis of its story, plotting, pacing, characterization and interactions, theming, and I simply wasn't sure if it would be able to do that as well. And for the first couple of episodes, it honestly felt like it wouldn't be able to. The first couple of episodes feel very flaccid and sloppy, and it felt like my worst fears regarding this season would be coming true.
But this season really hits its strides from there on out. The theatre arc is used to do some fantastic psychological deep dives into a lot of characters, new characters are introduced, and new dynamics and interactions are seen, new harsh realities about the entertainment world are learnt, new relationships are formed while existing ones grow and evolve. Oshi no Ko is often at its best when it turns a lens to the realities of the entertainment world, and season 2 is another unflinching look at how uncompromising and brutal on the very creatives that fuel it the world of Japanese entertainment truly can be. Oshi no Ko is often at its best when it delves into the psyches of its characters - and season 2 does this repeatedly, multiple times, with multiple characters.
And obviously there is the larger story. It takes its time to get to it, but Oshi no Ko's second season does finally start to move things along as far as the bigger plot line goes. I don't want to delve into any specifics, but there are multiple holy shit moments, multiple scenes and reveals that gave me goosebumps, as the narrative context, the visual framing, the animation, and the music all swelled to a crescendo of realization and the weight of the moment upon me.
And yes, like the first season, this is a beautifully drawn and animated show, with multiple frames that are works of art in their own right, and a lethally effective use of music that could positively be weaponized into a form of emotional warfare. The new opening and ending hold up their ends of the bargain, bringing a fantastic new flavour to set the stage and close things out respectively. Opinions will be divided on whether or not these are better than the first season's now iconic ones (personally, I think Season 1's Idol is a better opening than this season's Fatale, and I think this season's Burning is a better ending than Season 1's Mephisto), but that doesn't really matter, the broader point is they're fantastic nonetheless.
And really, that's what it comes down to. Do I like this second season more than the first season? To me it is - it is comprehensively better executed on every single front across the board, it addresses the first season's weaknesses while building on its many strengths, it is far more consistent, with far fewer lulls than the first season (and the lower points being better than the lower points in the first season were), and it has its own incredibly high highs - they don't match the impact of season 1's highs, but they are *very* great regardless, and it all balances out to me preferring the second season overall. But I can very well understand why someone might prefer the first season - the first season at its best is *amazing*, and if it resonates with you in those moments, few other things can measure up to that.
All of which is to say, both of these are amazing seasons. You aren't guaranteed to like season 2 more than season 1 (I do, sure, but that doesn't mean you will). But even if you don't, you're going to love it a lot regardless. Oshi no Ko is 2/2 now with two top tier peak seasons of television. I can't wait to see what Season 3 brings to the table.
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Oct 6, 2024
[Oshi no Ko] 2nd Season
(Anime)
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So I have to be honest, while I *loved* the first season - and I really did love it, my rating for it is a 10 (which is a rating I am very reserved with), I also loved it because of the "gimmick". What I am trying to say is that it was a season where I felt there were a few incredible, top tier episodes that rank as among the best episodes I have ever seen across all of TV, but then the rest of the season could often feel a lot more average in comparison. There was sloppiness to it, some amazing highs
...
Feb 10, 2024
Sousou no Frieren
(Anime)
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Frieten is a masterpiece. The way it takes its time slowly building up two separate sets of characters by juxtaposing them against each other and relying on universally resonant and identifiable, human themes makes its storytelling hit so much harder than you'd expect. On the face of it, and if broken down into its constituent elements, it feels almost run of the mill in its makeup. Then you watch it (or read it! The manga is great too), and it just hits so different.
You add a gorgeous art style, beautiful music, great voice work (in Japanese AND English, this is the rare anime where both ... |
