Dec 18, 2024
For a novel reader, 2nd season is truly disappointing. The story feels rushed and lacks depth, failing to make logical connections to the first season. Important hints about Hinami's character and her motivation to help Tomozaki are nowhere to be found.
This small details what made the story interesting, after the initial "life improvement" setup begin to fade away. What’s left is a somewhat strange and overly simplistic school romance. So, what did anime-only fans miss?
While the theme of these volumes was romance, there was more to it. First of all, it was a logical continuation of the story. Tomozaki decided “to do what he wants.”
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But what exactly does that mean? How should he balance improving himself through tasks with staying true to himself? Hinami is still not a fan of Tomozaki’s approach and keeps pushing him. This ongoing struggle, doubts, endless conversations finally transform his baseless resolution from season one into a true lifestyle. This is why, by the end of the season, there are no tasks left in play—Tomozaki doesn’t need them anymore. Beautiful.
Hinami pushing feels weird, and sidestory of Hanami first BF (how i wish it were animated), explains what feels wrong. She doesn’t wish for a happy romance for Tomozaki. Instead, she waits for him to become disappointed and disillusioned, just as she is.
Hinami’s past starts to resurface, but the anime completely brushes it off. Kikuchi sees through Hinami's facade. Every line in the script hurts her. The “perfect” Hinami can’t help but ask what Tomozaki and Kikuchi learned during their interview with her classmates. While everyone else is focused on the romance, Hinami is forced to confront herself. This culminates in her losing it and almost threatening Kikuchi after the play, revealing her hollow, real side. (WHY WASN’T THIS ANIMATED?). Completely breaking her character first time in the story.
The real Hinami also appears earlier in the Hanabi arc—cold and vengeful. There were more peaceful solutions, but Hinami chose to hurt Erica through her best friends, her love, her image, and her pride, all while ignoring everything she had taught Tomozaki before.
At the end of the day, the second season made me want to reread the novel. I guess that’s good enough.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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