DGFischer

The one thing I learned when viewing Is the Order a Rabbit? Season Two is that the whole series is driven by the three S's: SILLY, SEXY, and SELF.

For Is the Order a Rabbit, SILLY is simplicity itself.  The comedic banter between the five girls (seven, as we must throw in the two major additions, Maya and Megumi, Chino's classmates and BFF's) is the best examples of animated speech degenerating into misunderstanding resolved by girls having a better view of their friends and maybe themselves.  One key situation was a series of girls stalking girls being stalked by girls.  The chain of the concerned and curious ever expanded to include the entire cast.  The campout featuring 'zombie pranks' was pure fun, even though Chino wasn't impressed.  Based on four-pane manga, the plot rarely thickens, but season two did feature double-episode presentations.  One featured Mocha Hoto, Cocoa's older sister and impetus to Cocoa's obsession with being Chino's big sister (Chino and everyone else who could use a senpai with a motherly touch).

SEXY is harder for Is the Order a Rabbit.  In fact, the fanservice was downplayed in the second go-around.  It centered on the aspects of 'skirtplay' and 'chestnotice' as the kawaii style was always in evidence.  The worst aspect in this was a tendency for Chiya to break out of her kimono into something more alluring.  Alluring, but not extravagantly so.

SELF led to the more boring moments of the season, but these were the crucial elements as we watch the girls strive toward becoming 'cute adults.'  The visit of Mocha explained much about Cocoa's extroversion toward Chino.  Introverted Chino becomes less frigid thanks to her friends, rough-edged Maya and graceful Megumi; in the last episode, the pair reveal why they were attracted to Chino.  Military-minded Rize begins to soften as she learns the feminine side of life.  Syaro learns to accept her impoverished status and her basic insecurities melt away.  Chiya still remains the perfect 'Japanese maiden,' but recognizes that perfect still needs improvement.

Basically, SELF-ACCEPTANCE is the big theme for season two, which, if you haven't figured this out, the final closing theme in episode last will help this notion dawn on you.

The animation reminds one on Non Non Biyori, except a picturesque European town takes the place of all the rural vistas in that other series.  The coloration is a soft pastel (one character, Blue Mountain Aoyama, seems to blend in almost invisibly).  The music is warm and sweeping, incorporating all the voices of the seiyuu as they intermix their voices in that almost identical comic wit.

If kawaii isn't your thing, the second season offers a better explanation behind the sweetness these girls convey.  It's the iyashikei touch.  And such character studies can be worth the viewing time.

Season three, anyone?