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MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Story: 9

As a continuation of the K series, I was a little skeptical about it. Sequels tend to disappoint, but I'm happy to report this was NOT the case. In fact, I felt this was a step up from the first season. It felt like the pacing was more even, there was suspense, a feeling of "Ohh I get it now", and feels galore (read: Mikoto goddamn Suoh). There was a point in the film you thought that they were going to do the Bleach thing, where an OP enemy taunts the MC, they think of the person they want to protect, go ... even more OP and defeat them, but it was a nice surprise to find that it didn't happen. Also, some of the vital questions from S1 are answered about Kings. Yes, Anna was an obvious choice for Aka no Ou, but it was well done, no immediate perfect control from her, and it was the perfect catalyst for Munakata Reisi to highlight his emotional baggage from S1. It didn't answer all our questions, but it did set up a perfect premise for tying up the threads in S2.

Tl;dnr: they got better

Art: 10

It's the K project, enough said. The action sequence feels like a well co-ordinated dance, the CGs are so smoothly integrated it feels good. There was the issue of the backgrounds though, they felt a bit too artificial at some point. It was justified in the surreality of being a dream though, and the powers were as OTT awesome as expected. The colour symbolism was extended as usual and at any point in time, you know who's who just by looking at them.

Tl;dnr: oooh pretty shinies

Sound: 11/10 if possible

I've said it before, the K project is amazing with sensory input. The recalls of music from S1 really set the nostalgia factor in the exposition scenes. The OST was harmonious and soft, with beautiful orchestral escalations. The effects and voices were were the same as before, which is a relief. Yu Yu Hakusho was one anime that bowled me over with how badly a viewing is affected if you change voice actors without justification.

Tl;dnr: I could listen to the music all day

Character: 9

I'll be straight up, there's not much character development, just a quick Kuroh montage squeezed into the last few action sequences. There's also the psycho-dancing-evil-onnisan-returns thing, which is typical, but K: MK seems to pull it off. He is generic, and very pretty, but the pure yandere and passion he pours out saves it from overall blandness. There's also the ninja lady, it's so obvious it's a trap- only women in K wear heels (however small they are) and have boob-armour. The comic humour we get from her is priceless though. Munakata freaking makes a joke about ninjas! MUNAKATA! Fushimi and Misaki are their usual confrontational selves. There's a nice cameo from the overlooked HOMRA and Scepter 4 characters, plus a touching reconciliation scene.

Tl;dnr: be still, my beating heart

Enjoyment: 10

As with S1, K is a lovely escape from everyday life, I highly recommend it for casual or serious viewing. It's not hard to understand, it works as a standalone movie too, but you can also draw references and inferences based on the events of the previous season. It ends on a bittersweet note again, inspiring but also unfulfilling. As a device for hyping up S2, it's done the job.

tl;dnr: hype for S2

Overall:

It's a touching piece, it ticks all the right boxes, gives you a bit of humour and then murders your heart. The usual stuff. K project is something you can connect to emotionally if you've ever felt heartbreak/sorrow/loss/nostalgia and all that good stuff. You won't regret watching it.


Tl;dnr: fluff fluff murder

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!!

So I watched K: Project the first episode when it aired, but was devastated that I couldn't find the rest. A few years later, I've found and watched the entire thing, and I can say without a doubt it was worth every damn second of my time.

Story: 8

While there is the outwardly generic "city-ruled-by-opposing-factions" and the "institution-vs-viligilante" tropes, K follows the butterfly effect of a politically motivated murder. The pacing is superb because a lot of the time, you get both exposition and action at the simultaneously. Then, there's the constantly switching POVs, telling you more about the plot while focussing on a ... character. It is essentially wrapping a rotten apple in sticky chocolate. Beautiful on the outside, it leaves you slightly horrified and traumatised by the end...

tl;dnr: poison dart in a raisin tart

Art: 10

No one can disagree that K is a visual masterpiece. There's panning, distortion, foreshadowing and a superb use of colour. From the beginning, the warm colours of Homra make you feel at home, then the slight unease of the sterile Scepter 4, to the opulence of Misashira tower and the detachedness of the Himmelreich, colour is everywhere. Its what you see in the contrasting fights, the eyes and *headshot* I can't even put it into words how fluid the action is, everything just naturally tumbles from one place to another.

tl;dnr: eye candy extravaganza

Sound: 10

Melancholy and upbeat is the best way to describe it. When the orchestral music comes on, you feel it in your chest. The opening is a bit heartbreaking because it reflects the angsty, walls closing in feeling you get from the MCs. Best part is, it's not overdramatic or overdone. Also, the voices. Mikoto's deep voice sent shivers down my spine every time he spoke, Reisi's voice is like silk, the dialogues are just so natural! Even when there were cringey "you baka/uragirimono" type conversations (read: Fushimi v. Misaki) and the loudness was annoying, it built the atmosphere for the plot. The voice acting was generally on point

tl;dnr: orgasm in my ears

Characters: 10

Like I mentioned in the story section, its the contrast between characters that really tied the thing together. The Kings are each distinct, but you can feel the loneliness, the pressure weighing down, the struggle to keep your loved ones safe annnnd.....them failing. Tragically. With horrible consequences. Speaking as a fangirl, some of the moments made me go OMG KISS ALREADY, the sexual tension is well done. I do however, dislike the lack of female leads. Anna tends to be just a damsel in distress fixture, while Seri is bitchy MILF type (or a Riza Hawkeye ripoff, whichever you prefer). Even so, they do fit into the universe perfectly, and their attitudes aren't fake or overly fanservice-y. Rage and helplessness are also major themes, and the character reactions are relatable, you can see yourself reacting the same way.

tl;dnr: real af

Enjoyment: 9

There were moments when you'd go like, okkkk there's the plot hole or just look away for a bit because on screen didn't matter. But that's fine because that is a needed break from all the emotions going on. I have seen many negative reviews for the anime, but I'm firmly convinced that it's for a slightly older audience, 18ish in my opinion. Why? Because there's betrayal, angst and morbidity, and if you are feeling any kind of pressure, K will kick you in the gonads because every character shows that strain of waiting, not feeling adequate and every other emotion in the spectrum. I personally cried at Episode 13 and the heartbreak is so bittersweet I'd erase my memory of it just to feel it all over again.

tl;dnr: Oh the feels....

Overall: 10

I am definitely watching K: Return of the Kings, already seen K: Missing Kings, and am reading through the prequels. Watched the radio dramas, read the card game and basically went full out otaku on it. It's the first series to hit home at me from the gorgeous animation to the fleshed out relationships. Like Durarara it works with a wide cast, and it does sometimes leave you underwhelmed, but if you have any free time, I recommend it unreservedly.

tl;dnr: go watch it