K: Return of Kings

Ymarsakar Oct 7, 2015

8

(No Spoiler review) [All Episodes seen so far, update at end] This is the second anime season of "K". If you haven't watched the first season, it'll make a lot more sense if you watch that first. What the K franchise is about (and there's a movie Missing Kings which ties in the two seasons here) is a reconstruction of history from WWII, which led to superpowers being developed amongst certain factions of humans. So this gets to the heart of what hierarchies are about, what feudalism was about, and how an organization changes depending on the leadership and the membership. You get a mix match of various different organizational ethics and ideals, such as the Yankee youth gangs that focus on comradeship and strength or the police forces that focus on Order and maintaining civic security and peace. There's also some modern or random stuff thrown in, since the feudal factions are split between 7 Kings, I think. So 7 overall factions, minus the internal factions. The first season generally only focused on 3-4 of those factions. This series is hard to explain. It has action, yes, but it's not actually about action sequences. The first season was about leadership and duty, pretty much. Second season is a continuation of the events from the first season, so after watching episode 1, there's not much I can say about it other than that it looks good so far. Updated to Ep 4 now. This starts off a little bit slow introducing the various characters, but it is a direct sequel to Missing Kings and Season 1 of K, so a lot of flash backs to previous events in Missing Kings, but if you didn't know what happened in Season 1 of K, you would be pretty easily lost by now. A couple of loose ends that people were wondering about, were tied up, including the really big "plot" device. Currently the episodes are setting up another plot arch and has focused more on cool flash action sequences, the visuals, and introducing the characters to people who are new. The fight choreography or setup is very flashy, with a lot of weapon twirling, special effects from powers, and so forth. Whether people will like that or not, no idea. Up to you. To help people new to this series, the "Kings" are individuals given power by the Dresden slates found during WWII, those slabs of stone people see all the time under protection. Each King has its own special power, which they can then hand to loyal subordinates, like oaths of feudalism. I'm exposing some of the plot arcs of the first season, but either the reader already knows about this if they are a fan of K or the new viewer will have need of this critical world building information. Otherwise you're just seeing characters run around with cool powers, which I don't think encapsulates the complexity of K's world building. *************** Now that the season has ended, I can give a more final rating and review. The overall plot arc has ended, so there won't be a need for another season for this story line. The ending was pretty absolute in terms of how many plot lines were tied up. Compared to the first season of K, this one is more action packed, more centered around the various powers and politics even of the world. It's also not constructed in the same way, so don't expect the "life and death drama vibe" of the first season of K.  Overall, I enjoyed the first season more, because the story was constructed using a more mysterious and interesting mechanic. This second season I'm reviewing here, ties things up very nicely and provides closure to some unresolved plot lines from before. The first season of K had the central themes of family and loyalty to clan or friends. The second season of K introduces a different theme, on top of the first one: the evolution of humanity using de-centralized chaos. I found myself in agree with that on principle, but the methods they used weren't something I could agree with. That was interesting on an intellectual level, it was hard to match that up with the previous vibe. So while K the first season got 5/5 from me, this one due to reductions, only got 4/5 or 8/10. Still good, but not quite as impactful as the previous story.

dayumdazai Jan 6, 2016

9.5

**there are spoilers, be warned** If you loved the previous season of K and K: Missing Kings, you will not be disappointed with K: Return of Kings. Story: The story is a continuation from K: Missing Kings that starts out with HOMRA with Anna as their new King/Queen, Munakata with a damaged sword, and Kuroh and Neko still frantically searching for their King, Yashiro Isana or Adolf. K. Weissman. Amidst the mayhem, the Nagare Hisui (the Green King) has come out of hiding with the recent death of the Gold King to steal the Dresden Slates and free their power to everyone. The great thing about this continuation is that it doesn't focus on a single character primarily like in the first season of K. It more revolves around the characters, the situation, and how they interact from their various POVs. It shows a lot of themes of loyalty, comradery, and questioning right ideals vs. wrong ideals. Of course, it isn't perfect. A lot of the backstory you need to either infer or look up, but overall the story in itself is truly unique and concludes excellently.  Animation: I'm biased because I think it's stunning. You can see the differences between k and K: Return of Kings and they have truly improved. I loved it.  Sound: I love the music that this show offers because it is a good reflection of the story in my opinion. A more electronic feel while having a drive to it. They repeat music quite often, which can be the negative side.  Characters: There is definitely fanservice within the show- which I get, but at the same time there could be so much more character development between the characters if that wasn't there. Again, this show was fantastic because it entered around not a single character. There was significant developments in the characters of Munkata, Anna, Yata, and Fushimi. Other characters developed, yes, but these four had a significant change since season one and the audience was able to see that growth withing K: Return of Kings as well. Again, I'm biased because the literature that underlies this show is phenominal to me and I adore it. I understand not liking the show, but at least give it a shot!

SEGHE Sep 19, 2023

7

Title: K: Return of Kings - A Grandiose Continuation of Power Struggles Story (7/10): "K: Return of Kings" picks up where its predecessor left off, delving deeper into the complex web of political intrigue and supernatural powers that define the world of the Kings. The story successfully builds upon the foundation laid by the first season, offering more insight into the history and motivations of the various clans and their Kings. While the narrative can be convoluted at times, it retains its sense of mystery and suspense. It's worth noting that the series assumes familiarity with the events of the first season, and newcomers may find themselves lost in the intricate plot. Comparing it to the manga and novels, the anime captures the essence of the source material, but some details may be more fleshed out in the written versions. Animation (8/10): "K: Return of Kings" maintains the high-quality animation standards of its predecessor. The character designs are visually striking, and the action sequences are fluidly animated. The use of vibrant colors and visual effects enhances the supernatural elements of the story. The anime excels in portraying the unique abilities of each King and Clan, creating visually captivating battles and confrontations. Sound (8/10): The sound design in "K: Return of Kings" is impressive, with a memorable soundtrack that complements the series' grandiose moments. The opening and ending themes are catchy and suitably epic. Voice acting performances are strong, with the cast effectively conveying the complex emotions and motivations of their characters. The sound enhances the overall atmosphere and impact of key scenes. Characters (7/10): The characters in "K: Return of Kings" continue to evolve and reveal more layers of their personalities. The struggles and conflicts faced by the various Kings and their clans add depth to their characters. While some characters receive more development than others, the series does a commendable job of exploring the complexities of their relationships and loyalties. Newcomers and fans of the first season will appreciate the character growth and interactions. Overall (7/10): "K: Return of Kings" successfully builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering a visually stunning and politically charged continuation of the series. It maintains the enigmatic atmosphere and complex character dynamics that fans of the franchise have come to expect. While the story can be intricate and may require multiple viewings to fully grasp, it rewards those who invest in its world-building and character development. My overall score for the anime is 7/10, reflecting its ability to captivate and engage viewers in its grandiose tale of power struggles and supernatural intrigue.