Silver Spoon 2nd Season

haize78 Apr 25, 2015

7.5

The second season of Silver Spoon is just as good as the first, if not better. It continues and develops the story that in the first series was presented so well. There is now a greater focus on the characters and their development, and not only Hachiken as was the case in the first season: now Mikage is a main character as well. It's still set in Oezo agricultural highschool, but there is less attention on the setting and the topics connected to it, which was what initially captured your attention in the first series it being so unusual. This series dwells less on the implications of attending an agricultural highschool as it isn't a novelty anymore for Hachiken. It develops instead the characters and the themes related to the issues those characters are struggling with: Hachiken's relationship with his parents, his father in particular; Mikage's decision to not carry on the family farm and how she gets the courage to break the news to her parents; Komaba's failure to become a professional baseball player and the implications that has on his future. And of course the relationship between Hachiken and Mikage is more developed as well. There are still lots of good comedic moments, but it's in the character development section that this anime shines. To make it brief, if you liked the first season you'll have no complaints about this second season. There's more character development and less philosophical considerations. At the end of the series you don't really know what happens to our main characters: you don't know what path Hachiken decides to take, or if Mikage manages to get into college, or what happens to Komaba, or even if Hachiken and Mikage actually manage to get togther. But that's ok. It's ok if there is a third series, which I would definetely watch. But it's also ok if there isn't a continuation and it ends here. It manages to pull this off, I mean the fact that you don't feel cheated by the lack of a "proper" ending, because it isn't a plot-driven anime. It's character-driven and the characters are developed very well. You could go on writing about a person's life until the day they die, there are always new challenges to face and there are never any definete achievements, but if you're telling a story you have to stop somewhere. Anyway, as stated before, the second series does not disappoint but lives up to the expectations set by the first season.

Gzerble Mar 10, 2015

8.4

Silver Spoon's second season carries on where the first left off, completing the transition from episodic into semi-episodic with a heavy emphasis on underlying theme. This is a good thing, even if it removes some of the slice of life emphasis and moves it more on the characters. This is done by pushing the main female side character into a full female lead role. While in some ways, it takes away from the special spice that Silver Spoon had in the first season, it is the natural way to develop. There are trials and tribulations, the characters get some real development, and yet the show retains a largely optimistic feel. But the optimistic feel is contrasted by some serious issues, which are broken up by occasional humor. It is a nice way to structure a show. What really makes Silver Spoon tick is how the protagonist adapts to different facets of the agricultural life. The added element of his struggling with his own issues managed to keep everything going without becoming tired. Sure, the second season may be a little less unique than the first, but it still manages to be memorable and fun. This is the natural way for a series to develop, and that is the strongest suit of Silver Spoon. The aesthetic of a series about a way of life closer to nature and a very natural style to the writing and art is maintained. There is a bit more emphasis on the school life aspect, which is something I usually dislike, but ends up being rather elegant. While less unique, the second season is better executed. Writing (Story and Characters): While in the first season the writing was Silver Spoon's strong point due to an original premise, the second season doesn't just recycle it but goes for developing the series alongside the characters. It is a good choice, and adds depth. It isn't quite as reliant on the charm of the setting, and does well to develop the characters well. It goes for less of a goofy feel, but doesn't make it into an all-out drama. As the story becomes more character driven and less slice of life based, it feels like it matches the growth of the characters with a cleaner and more focused narrative. It breaks a little of the heavy reliance on the main character (who is now one of two main characters), and goes for a more modern approach. This shows a hint of ambition, an attempt to make both the world and the characters more well rounded. The sacrifice made is losing a bit of the light hearted edge from the first season, but is executed well. Mentioned earlier was the move from a single main character to two. Silver Spoon does this organically, as a natural continuation of the first season. It allows for character growth and added depth, but removes some of the importance of the supporting cast. This is a good tradeoff as the character section doesn't get stagnant. There is attention paid to the flaws of the characters, and not the classic trivial ones ("so clumsy!" "oh no, I lack self-confidence!", you know). The writing matures along with Silver Spoon. It is something that most shows fail at, but here it doesn't. Perhaps this is because the seasons are so short (eleven episodes?!), but this has to be mentioned. The writing is more streamlined from a story perspective in order to allow the show to move away from the heavy reliance on the main character as a guide, and gives a bit more drama for the viewers. Overall, a good choice. Art (Animation and Sound): Exactly as the first season, Silver Spoon's artwork remains good. The animation is nice and solid, the audio is very intelligently used, and they work together well. It brings life to the writing, and the writing makes the art work. The style and quibbles remain the same, so you can read my review of the first season if you want to go a bit more in depth. Overall: Silver Spoon's second season is a natural development from the first, and is even slightly better (by the slimmest of margins). While it is less slice of life and more teen drama, it remains well executed and charming overall. If you liked the first season, then coming back for more is the natural thing.

kingofdemons Oct 10, 2015

10

Story: This next season just took it to a nother level right from the start I think I was better then the frist one how they made all the cast and characters more in to main cast poeple than anything this is what I like to see out of anime. And plus this show hasmade me seen life in a new light on how everyones dreams and goals are just as high as everyones else's Thank You for making this show it has changed my life for the better. Animation: Just as great as the frist season Sound: great job and the soundtrack again so cool and very nice Characters: all of them are good and I love how there are love interest's in the show and how they are making them more and more close little by little like Aki Mikage and Yuugo Hachiken you can see little by little are is love for each other going on for those to and I hope in the end they get to gather and have a Famliy.