Stark700

A series based on dating. Date a Live wastes no time adapting this concept by having Shido Itsuka date various girls/spirits, earn their feelings, and kiss them to seal the deal. As a harem show, you’d expect all the girls drooling over him. While that’s partially right, it also adds additional elements because those so-called girls aren’t actually normal as part of society. Instead, they are spirits, born with supernatural powers who are viewed as a threat to their world. Date a Live II continues directly after the events for season 1. It continues to mush around its formulation of dating and turns it intosome gimmicky show – dating becoming the solution to save the world. Based off the light novels written by Koishi Tachibana, one noticeable attribute to this adaption is the shortened length. Rather than a full one cour show (the typical 12-13 episodes), this sequel only focuses on 10 episodes adapting volumes 5-7. The main concern is rush and this should be expected. I confess to myself that the sequel is disappointing when it comes to adapting faithful material. The show decides to omit various parts to get more time for the main actors and actresses. In this case, it’s the spirits. After all, Date a Live II is a stardom for some new characters such as a pair of twins, new AST (Anti-Spirit Team) members, and even a rising idol. The catch is that some of the focus on other character are scrapped to replace their stardom. The sequel is essentially divided into two halves although the first arc has slightly less material than the second. Still, Shidou remains the focus of the show as the bachelor as he tries to save spirits and the world. The first episode has mostly anime original material but this comes off as disappointing. There’s harem antics thrown in your face fused with a whirlwind of misunderstandings. To make matters worse, the show decides to add elements from classic soap operas to appeal to these misunderstandings to somehow make them more amusing. And this comes out as dishonest as Tohka falls for every single scenario she feasts her eyes on. Neither does the initial set up show any improvement with other characters as they still want to get into Shido’s pants such as Origami. On the other hand, Shido himself has become more confident. He finds adjustment to his new lifestyle now that Tohka, Yoshino, and Kotori are living together. His relationship with these girls/spirits almost feels like a family as they give him the same pleasure as he gives them. And while the show is still regarded as a harem, the feelings the characters show are more honest and innocent especially in the case for Tohka. Comedy is indulged in this series with some welcoming aspects. While a lot of it seems repetitive, there are also other more refreshing parts such as a little gender bender not previously seen from season 1. The characters behave the way they should be with various personalities. Origami for instance is still her usual self and tries every single moment to get close to Shidou using some questionable yet amusing methods. Then, there’s the classic Date a Live gimmick: the multiple choice. While it is featured once again as a strategy to deal with runaway spirits, it has less prominence with some of the questions lacking flavor. Yet, it isn’t really what’s being asked that shows the humor but rather Shido’s way of responding. It flirts with the idea of how Shido pretends to get attention of the spirits while methodically see how they react to them. While it makes its point effectively, it still falls under the wish fulfillment and generic tropes. By this time though, it should probably be something the audience should expect from Date a Live. Emphasis on the date. Director Keitaro Motonaga crafts his ideas from behind the scenes. Known for some of other series in the harem genre such as Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka, Majikoi - Oh! Samurai Girls, and the first season of Date a Live, one might question the direction of this sequel. This can come as a hit or miss especially for fans who are familiar with the material, specifically from the light novels. As mentioned before, the pacing suffers with certain elements omitted whether it would be part of the plot, humorous gags, or even character cameos. But an important factor to take notice of is the way characters are depicted. For instance, while the Yamai twins retain their personalities, the focus on them seems to be shortened with other characters. Even though Shido is the main protagonist, the subtle relationships he develops with the spirits can feel crude and stereotypical. It doesn’t even attempt to hide itself whether it’s be the fan service (such as the classic beach episode) or the seductive poses characters throw into Shido’s face. In essence, Date a Live makes the show looks itself more like a mission, to accomplish a purpose and move on. This at least applies to most of the supporting characters in the form of conquests for Shido. It doesn’t necessary develop his character or even express his personification in any ample way. But for someone like Shido, responsibility becomes part of his life. When there’s trouble, he needs to be prepared. While the first arc didn’t give Shido’s impression of this, the latter half sees an improvement with his strategies. He isn’t just more confident but also fights for beyond the scope of the mission. In retrospect, he becomes more mature and takes his job more seriously with even some admiration to see how far he goes when trying to save a friend. After all, the spirits gets stronger and his life becomes more in jeopardy. For the spirits, they offer diversity. We see a sharp contrast in their persona when comparing the first and second half of the story. Shido has to respond accordingly and think outside the box in order to prevail. He does get a little bit of help though from an unlikely ally, and one that fans adore from the first season with her yandere tendencies. Taking in the account of action, the show doesn’t cease to make this its way whether it’s aerial battles, ground level warfare, or even a battle of psychological integrity. Shido finds himself in moments of despair and desperation as events become more jeopardizing to peace. Even Kotori finds herself outmatched in some circumstances. And with new characters introduced such as Sir Issac and Ellen from the DEM industries (a military corporation for developing mecha units), you can expect a bit of clash of egos. Not only has that but characters such as Origami also found herself on the edge and in trouble throughout the season as she battles against her adversaries. Despite the mecha gears looking more suggestive though, there is credibility to the action with high caliber weapons in operation, superhuman maneuvers courtesy of the spirits, and even Shido’s risky moves. As the majority of the cast returns to the sequel, you should be familiarized already with their personalities. Unfortunately, their development lacks in terms of characterization as the show focuses more on sealing the spirits and less so when Shido isn’t on dates. Furthermore, the fan service never ceases as the first arc is saturated with ecchi. But again, this is Date a Live we’re talking about a – franchise that pokes at fun the concept of dating to add its own ‘save the world while you get to date girls’ trite. Artwork remains generally the same as characters returning from the first season hardly goes undergoes any significant physical changes. In other words, it still remains generic as hardly anything stands out with Shido’s character design. On the other hand, the new spirits such as the Yamai twins and the idol Miku has some attractive figures. Background visuals remains stale although more lively and natural when the series takes on a beach setting. But remember that fan service never ceases whether it’s be the traditional swimsuits or the libidinous camera angles. It doesn’t cease to hide the teasing either and tires honestly to appease itself with stupidity. There are some cute moments though and decorative outfits in particular with the show’s second half that is more colorful. But overall, it’s still lacking. Although soundtrack isn’t a powerhouse, it does improve more in this sequel whether it’d be the action scenes or emotional scenarios. The bittersweet moments are focused more intensely to bring out some credibility to character relationships. Some of the dialogues may also seem cheesy but offer humor with their speech mannerisms (i.e. the contrasting tones of the Yamai twins). On the other hand, Miku’s voice feels egoistic, lacks serenity, and in general aspect sounds like a spoiled brat with annoying tones. The song she sings aren’t attractive either with her soft but squeaking style. Thankfully, the OP and ED songs has more features that makes the franchise what it is. 10 episodes and that’s how Date a Live II decides to adapt the second season. The disappointment of story development in terms of a more accurate adaptation puts a stain on this show. At the same time, the fan service is like a bed bug that infests itself at any opportunity it has the chance. The first half of the season focuses on this exclusively with the twins while the second part tries out a little different with a bit of gender bender. But still, the comedy can be pleasant if you’re into the show’s gimmicks. The characters also offers something new; contrasting greatly between the two arcs but still refreshing. There’s even a favorable character that makes her ultimate return with great anticipation. But if you’re anticipating to watch this sequel, just be ready for another journey of dating sim and shenanigans.

StyleF1re

Updated: 13, July 2016 Once again, the momentum of an ambitious premiere is carried straight into a brick wall. Although I reserved my expectations heading into this sequel, I certainly anticipated more than ten episodes of a disgrace. Date A Live II strayed away from the merits which put its prequel on the map, such as the charms of the vivacious heroines or remarkable humor tied to a spectrum of dating simulation choices. It was only yesterday that an udon shop launched an eventful assault on the core group (en route to a local hot spring). It was only yesterday that Shidou matched wits and fistsagainst true adversity, juggling a batch of pressing demands with everything on the line. It was only yesterday that players were ripe with presence and not confined to restrictions of a dismal cause. While Date A Live's strengths permeated well through a lively bunch headlining season one, there was no vibrancy to replicate that success in this second act. The Berserk twins were pure lighter fluid to one of the most staggering time sinks I have witnessed in this genre. Was it really too much to ask for with yin-yang personalities serving no purpose other than to get Shidou hot? And as for the Diva, I hated to see her unique sexual preference and tastes overshadowed by her foully variable and one-dimensional personality. The premise for this sequel was collectively lacking in soul and impact. Most of, if not all the battles, were saturated with cheap chatter among combatants stirred together with a high concentration of pretentious drama. The most obvious misunderstandings were blown well out of proportion while new rivals and antagonist powerhouses seemingly made their appearances out of thin air. The more easygoing school events and concerts did little to support the effort or lighten the atmosphere. It would be great if the upcoming movies, OVAs, and/or TV sequels can rebound and inject Live-liness back into this series. Nonetheless, the signature trademark of the glasses schoolgirl accurately sums up this installment. It really was that lame!