Re: Genshiken Season 2
The first season was beyond amazing IMO. One of my top 5. OVA was decent.
A couple things that stood out to me during the first season:
(1) No real main storyline. Episodes could pretty much be stand-alone, which goes against my normal taste. Still, the characters were memorable and lovable, and ever episode left me rolling on the ground.
(2) No major inter-personal conflict. Instead, the plots were driven by minor things, like uncomfortable situations or a bruised hand. In fact, most of the time the characters are too shy to even talk to each other. There's an entire episode of just Kasukabe and Madarame sitting in the club room together, not talking. Even Kasukabe's constant friction with Genshiken is nothing more than comic relief.
Prior to watching, I was expecting the series to be a bore, but it turned out to be one of the most touching and hilarious portrayals of otaku culture and an absolute joy to watch.
The second season:
Unlike the first season, it's much more driven by a central storyline (the doujinshi con). Also, it starts out right away (episode 2) with some uncharacteristic clubroom conflict and flaring emotions. It's only 2 episodes in, so I'm trying not to be too quick to judge, but it does seem to have somewhat of a different feel to it. However, considering how I loved the first season, maybe I can only be let down. That and it's been 3 years between seasons. Either way, I'd say I'm enjoying it, just not as much as the first.
New second season characters:
Ogiue: Thumbs up.
Kuchiki: Just bugs me. Totally doesn't fit in, but I suppose that's his purpose.
