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The continuation of Honey and Clover, directed now by Tatsuyuki Nagai, who gets right down to business: the climax of the relationships between the characters is almost immediately dealt with.  While Mayama confronts Rika with her desire to push everyone away, Yamada is attacked with a surprise confession from Nomiya.  Meanwhile, Hagu experiences a life-changing event that forces Takemoto and Morita to take action…

With subtle character design changes and musical shifts, Honey and Clover II is still at heart the same story simply ramped up to its inevitable conclusion.  While comedy is still present, it mostly takes a backseat to the plot climaxes and the ultimate result of the friendships between characters as they all truly begin the next stage of their lives.  The pacing is faster and gets to the point much quicker, sacrificing much of the airy quality of the show for dramatic tension and release.  Ultimately, however, the show is still a mere extension of the first and the quality certainly does not change in the interim space.

As a series, this show will both make you tear your hair out over character choices while at the same time laughing your ass off at the left-field moments of humor.  You will feel happy for some, angry at others, and wistful for what could be, all of which is the entire point of the show.

Only, you’ll be doing it without hair or an ass.