Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S

Four years ago, if you told me Season 2 of Kobayashi was somehow even better than the first, I would’ve thought you’re crazy, especially with a Kyoto Animation that no longer has Yamada OR Takemoto! I mean, Season 1 was pretty much perfect in every way, and I thought themes were already so well-explored that there’s no way a sequel could live up to that quality. Boy, was I wrong, because Miss Kobayashi’s Maid Dragon S blew me away! It’s rare to come across an anime that’s this pandering to my taste, but I am so glad I get to indulge once more in thesucculent goodness of this cloyingly adorable show of found family. But before I even talk about the profuse comfort I feel from the show’s overall narrative, I absolutely MUST talk about the prepossessing, utterly stunning animation! Even without 2 of their best directors, KyoAni still has one of the absolute most talented staff in the industry. They only work on a small handful of projects a year, but they pour so much love and heart into each and every one of those projects, and it really, REALLY shows. What’s even more impressive is that they somehow keep improving from one project to the next, taking all of what they’ve learned from the previous project and building upon it. It’s so exciting just to see what they’re going to do next, and the moment that OP played in the first episode, I had quite a euphoric eureka experience. The way each shot zooms into each character in this high-acceleration way, only to transition to the next character, looks EXACTLY like Nichijou. Not only that, but it looks so much better than it too! Nichijou had characters mostly still, or doing simple motion, but Maid Dragon took it a step further and made each shot have amazingly complex character animation alongside the zooms to create such a remarkable display of talent. Then I looked up that Ishihara, director of Nichijou, is directing this project, and it made me SO excited for no reason. Fast forward 10 minutes, and then we get one of, if not, THE most impressive energy blasts I’ve ever seen in the past 10 years I’ve been watching anime. Witnessing that for the first time had me floored and outright flabbergasted by just how incredible the animation is (I need to find out the animator responsible after this review). Even just the way each character moves looks spectacular. I remember, towards the end of episode 2, the way Tohru jumps between Kobayashi and Ilulu, the way her dress spins around in a circle, the way she randomly throws a peace sign in front of her eyes, the way wildly flails her arms, and that amusing expression she has on her face, it all adds up to such a delightful experience. This is a sakuga nut’s wet dream. I seriously can’t stop gushing about the animation because it’s just that good! I couldn’t tell you how many times I hit that left arrow just to rewatch a clip. In this audiovisual medium, the animation is the most important aspect of a show. You can have a story by reading a book or watching a Hollywood movie, but you’re not going to get stellar animation. For me, animation has LIMITLESS potential, because you’re not bound by reality like you are in live-action. So, it’s baffling to me that so many studios don’t take full advantage of the medium. So many anime has the same cookie-cutter look, and here we have KyoAni just flexing on everyone. And that’s just the surface! Beyond that shiny surface is an unexpectedly down-to-earth portrayal of found family. Each and every relationship is awkwardly intimate in its own amusing way, but they instill a profound feeling of warmth and comfort for one another. It’s that sense of acceptance and welcoming that makes the show feel so unabashedly genuine. It feels as though, no matter who you are or where you’re from, whether you’re a nutcase on the street who wants to destroy the city or an adorable loli who needs some affection, there will always be someone who can accept you for who you are and welcome you with open arms. Even if you don’t have a home yet, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a home waiting for you, and that sentiment is just so sweet. Dragons represent those “weirdos” who believe they don’t fit in with society, that they must ostracize themselves from the rest of the world because they’re just too “different” or some bullshit like that. They claim to be independent when really, they just need the comfort of a friend just as anyone else would. I really appreciate how shamelessly forthright the show is with its fetishes. Every dragon has balloon tiddies, aside from Kanna and Fafnir (for obvious reasons). While I’m not into that myself, considering the show’s themes of acceptance, I quite admire the confidence to include this in the show. This season, we’re introduced to a new red-haired dragon, and she’s both a loli AND big-titted. It looks goofy as hell, and I love it. KyoAni has a reputation for subdued fanservice, so I’m glad they didn’t hold back in a lot of these ecchi scenes, because it isn’t totally vapid. It’s a strangely taboo subject matter, but sexuality plays a major part in one’s life, and many people have been shunned for their odd preferences. Allowing Maid Dragon to explore this near-universal aspect of one’s life only adds to its already thematically rich narrative. Also, it’s just great comedy. Having most of the cast be world-ending fish-out-of-water dragons adds a unique slant to an otherwise tired genre. I mean, epic action scenes have no business being in a slice-of-life, and yet it’s some of the best I’ve ever seen. So yea, if I haven’t made it clear yet, I love Maid Dragon. Just watching these characters interact and finding solace within one another fills me up with so much joy. And the way the show just sprinkles in brief nuggets of wisdom makes it all the more reassuring. And above all, it gives me hope, hope that I will one day be able to find my own home and create my own family, and also hope that great anime like this will continue to be made. Thanks for reading!

Yasuhiro Takemoto’s influence is clearly gone and very missed, but I don’t think anyone could complain about anything other than that. Call me a baby, but after the arson, I had a really hard time returning to Kyoto Animation, and rewatching Takemoto’s work in particular was honestly draining and left me an emotional wreck. From a practical perspective, you could make the argument this show has the greatest opening in anime history, because it does the best job of letting the viewer know exactly what they’re in for. Tatsuya Ishihara is a rightfully beloved director who carried this studio through its nascency, but with himhelming the project, it’s hard not to feel a palpable sense of emptiness where Takemoto’s brilliant storyboarding used to be. The opening is still a great time, and it brings back Ishihara’s fun little zoom-in trick from Nichijou, so I don’t want to rain on the parade any more than I already have, but you get the point. No matter how good it is, it’s not the same. This series demonstrates the loss we’re going to have to live with, as well as the talent and passion which will help us do so. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid was originally authored by Coolkyoushinja, and while I say this with love, Coolkyoushinja is a serious degenerate. Their hyper-fetishized sex comedy is ridiculous, but in its own weird way, it has charm. It’s ironic many viewers found these elements hard to swallow in season one, because they were actually dumbed-down compared to what they were in the manga to make room for more emotionally grounded storytelling. This was Takemoto’s vision for the anime: putting less focus on the gag-comedy and elaborating on the themes which the manga merely scratched the surface of. Yamada Naoko did the same thing with K-On, a series which many are surprised to learn was adapted from a 4-koma manga, because she filled in so many gaps in its plot and characters at her own discretion, the result was genius. Doing this is a double edged sword, though, because it comes at the cost of giving people the wrong impression of the source material, so if the adaptation were to fall into different hands and become more faithful to the manga, the change could be jarring. This is what happened with Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S. If season one felt like a typical Kyoto Animation show, this season feels like pure, unadulterated Coolkyoushinja. The fanservice is kicked up a notch, and the fetishes which were omitted from season one appear in full force. From futanari to oppai loli, all the hentai tags which were missing from Takemoto’s adaptation have found their way into Ishihara’s, and if it wasn’t for the fact Kyoto Animation doesn’t put nudity in their shows anymore, this would be a 1:1 adaptation of the manga. The comfy found-family moments from season one were what made the show feel so genuine and mature despite its appearances, and much like Yamada’s adaption of K-On, this season made me face the realization these touching moments either weren’t in the manga, or were based on much more standard drama. While none of this is to say this season has no emotional depth, it certainly never again achieved the same show-don’t-tell subtlety or contemplative atmosphere which season one could so naturally shift into and out of. I know this review has consisted almost entirely of comparisons which, in a certain light, may not seem positive, but I promise I’m being totally neutral. Whether you prefer a more faithful adaptation of Coolkyoushinja or one more in line with Takemoto’s vision is entirely up to you. I just want everyone to known this is a fundamentally different show from season one. And this isn’t just about Takemoto either. Mikiko Watanabe, Yoshiji Kigami, this was never going to be the same without these people, but those they left behind truly cared about doing it justice, and their love shows. For whatever you may think about its new creative direction, the series is still overwhelmingly delightful, the characters are still the most endearing people on the planet, and the animation is still extravagantly beautiful. It is, indeed, still a fantastic show that melts your heart and makes you smile, and it’s clear Kyoto Animation is trying to make a statement. They want the world to see they still have the talent and passion which has always made them who they are, and even after sustaining such devastating losses, they’ll continue being a source of joy for so many and producing by far the most polished, technically impressive anime the industry has to offer. Thank you for reading.

Tl;Dr: "Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid" has always been about experiencing new things, and it's only fitting that S2 follows suit. In its absence the show we know and love has become bolder, tackling familiar SoL topics with a measure of character growth that's sure to resonate with viewers. S2 isn't afraid to stray from its sketch show formula, introducing flashbacks which showcase how much our dragons have grown. Of course, the series' trademark comedy makes a welcome return, embracing innocence and community with a leisurely atmosphere. Hilarious and wholesome in equal measure, "Dragon Maid" is back, and better than ever. 8/10~ *** Was I praying for a secondseason of "Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid"? Nah. Look. Before you break out the pitchforks, please believe that this is coming from a fan who adored S1. For all the wholesome happiness "Dragon Maid" (DM for short) doled out back in 2017, I wasn't exactly clamoring for a sequel. Unlike countless one-season wonders that are crying for an anime follow-up to this day, DM didn't strike my skeptic self as the type of show that would either benefit from a continuation or significantly build upon the status quo. Oh, how wrong I was. Having completed this series' spectacular sophomore outing, I'm pleased to report that it's a worthy instalment for the franchise. S2 came not only with the realization of just how much I've missed DM, but also with surprising improvements. This sequel is one for both the skeptics and those dearly in need for some fun this anime season. Let's come together and discover what "maid" this season so dang special. The dragon gang's all here, as if they'd never left. The series premiere sets us right on-track with one of the funniest meta sketches yet, as everyone's favorite maid^ Lady Tohru finds herself taking her services to a Japanese maid café! The familiar fun doesn't stop there, with the rest of the cast in full swing. Kanna continues to redefine cuteness with her many playful childhood adventures, often accompanied by a lovestruck Saikawa. Meanwhile in the working world, Elma the sweet-tooth learns more and more about the worklife crunch of a middle class office worker. Takiya helps with her taxing load as a reliable colleague by day, before grinding out MMORPGs as a full-blown otaku by night, alongside the sullen NEET Fafnir. And lest we forget, our flirtatious Lucoa is still doing all sorts of unspeakable things to her beloved Shouta-kun, an eager mage-in-training. Finally, at the beating heart of this lovable community is Miss Kobayashi, a kindhearted dragon ambassador with an achy back and a knack for reaching out to her friends in need. Her affinity for booze is only matched by that of sharing thoughtful advice as a mentor for our scaly pals. Things seemed the same as they have ever been. S2 simply maintaining the series' trademarks of great comedy and wholesome joy would already have been cause for celebration. If S2's episodes were just Tohru trying to feed Kobayashi her tail for 20 minutes, you can bet that I'd still be happy to laugh along each week. The lively, likable goofballs of DM had won me over long ago, so just watching their daily lives play out would have been enough to satisfy my SoL cravings. But to my surprise, S2 seemed intent on taking its entertaining formula to new heights. Take, for example, the introduction of a brand new cast member: the fiery Chaos Dragon Ilulu. Her backstory is sobering stuff, and her arrival draws some parallels to how Tohru's second life on earth got off the ground. The developments didn't stop there, as DM continued to spread its wings in new directions. I found myself taken aback by how much of S2 built upon the simple gags and sketches I'd grown accustomed to. S2 offers a great deal of thoughtful character maturity hand-in-hand with hilarious childlike shenanigans. In order to explain where DM's growth comes from, we need to go back to the roots of this series' simple success. DM celebrates the fun of discovery and unity. S1 achieves this goal through the charming interactions between dragons and humans. For eons, these ditzy dragons have observed our human world from a distance. Now that they're finally able to experience our lives firsthand, the dragons embrace our mundane day-to-day activities with excitement and curiosity. Most of S1 is dedicated to these dysfunctional dragons settling into their new lives. The comedy and cuteness that ensues from our dragons' hijinks stems from them setting aside their differences. Getting together in harmony can be a wonderful exchange, allowing all from different walks of life to learn new things and foster new bonds. DM's many moe elements and comfy vibes further demonstrate how fun and rewarding this cultural experience can be. This solid, sweet foundation can still be seen and enjoyed throughout S2. However, this sequel doesn't shy away from broadening its horizons in unexpected ways. S2 shifts focus from the dragons' pleasant present experiences to their lives in the past. Shocking truths and revelatory origins of our friends come to light, through various flashbacks that deviate from DM's typical tone and fluff. From these glimpses into the distant past, we're introduced to unfamiliar versions of our fire-breathing friends. Viewers will get a glimpse of what it's like to be a dragon, and where their selfish way of life differs from ours. At the same time, these origin stories tell us that maybe Tohru and the gang haven't changed that much at all. Perhaps they've always sought to see the world in a new light - to be kind, to be happy, to be loved. Perhaps the human world was a gateway to finally meeting those desires. Here on Earth, a second shot at life presents our dragons with opportunities not possible in their previous realm. Before, these mythical creatures were content with isolation and chose to avoid the trivial activities of lesser beings. Now, having kept their horns hidden, our friends can fully explore what it means to be a part of a community, with shared struggles and relationships. Finally, these age-old beings can embrace simple innocence, and find all kinds of fun with friends and loved ones. For the first time, our dragons get to learn the meaning of selflessness, and how to act for the wellbeing of others. And let's not forget Kobayashi's end of things as well, as she muses over her own new life as a role model (and love interest) for our dragons. S2 portrays these brief arcs brilliantly, in ways that are both hilarious and heartwarming. Viewers get to live vicariously through the wholesome antics of the dragons, in large part thanks to Kyoto Animation's immaculate attention to detail. Seriously, they've outdone themselves once more with this one. There's no reason why a Slice-of-Life show should wind up being a legitimate contender for prettiest anime of the year, let alone contain stunning action cuts that put proper shounen seasonals to shame in the visual department^^. This season is sensational; probably the only downside I can propose is that of sequels in general. DM is still going to have moments that fall into "moe -blob" territory, and risqué jokes featuring Saikawa and Lucoa are still bound to raise a few eyebrows. This sequel is a sizable step-up over what came before, but shouldn't be expected to change the minds of those who dislike the first season. But as for the rest of us existing DM enjoyers, we can rest easy in knowing that S2 has deepened its already-enriching experience, on both a thematic and emotional level. Truly, a must-see sequel. *** STRAY RAMBLINGS (SPOILERS): - ^Sorry, Georgie. You did scare the shit out of me when you started showing up at several places at once. - ^^The fantastic animation quality is made way more impressive given that many key staff members were youngsters. Due to recent events, KyoAni being shortstaffed on talent was a serious possibility. Putting their trust in youngsters for some truly phenomenal cuts and visual choices just makes me love this awesome studio that much more. This production model bodes really well, and I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for the kind of sakuga talent that'll bloom from this youth development in the years to come. - THE. KANNA. EPISODE. IN. NYC. GAVE. ME. DIABETES. - I think Elma's workplace story in Ep 9 doesn't get enough credit. I'm really surprised at how the sketch played out, given how unassuming Kobayashi's office culture must have been to a local audience. The things Elma were stressing over are practically non-issues over in Japan. Work culture is known to prioritise the company over the individual, to the point where workers feel bad about using mandatory annual leave. Plus, Elma's "lobbying" for workplace reform marks the rare occasion where the dragons challenge the human way of doing things. It was a pretty profound statement really, all while being a lighthearted watch at the expense of Elma's tremendous efforts. - S1's OP & ED are the better of the franchise's pair IMO, but I'm not complaining about what we got here. fhána's hook is unstoppable. SING ALONG, PAPARAPAPA... - BEST GIRL: Strictly in a waifu sense, Lucoa can get it. But how can I not shoutout Kanna for being so damn adorable from start to finish? AHHHHH~ *** Thanks for joining me on this quick read! Now if you'll excuse me, watching Elma eat candies has got me craving for dessert. As if this show wasn't sweet enough as is! If you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other reviews for seasons past and present, peace~

July 2019, I was taking a usual afternoon ride on the Tokyo Metro when an urgent news alert came across the in-train TV’s. The famed Kyoani studio had been the subject of an arson. Immediately my mind thought of all the people who would have been hard at work on what should have been a typical weekday afternoon. Sadly, to all of our dismay, 34 people, including the director of Maid Dragon, tragically lost their lives that day. Kyoani have been my favourite anime studio for years now. They have created so many magical experiences that have taught me and so many others life lessons.For such a studio to be attacked, over such a senseless reason, really broke my heart. I got a chance to pay my respects at the site of the fire a few days later along with several other fans. It was truly surreal to see the number of people who showed up in support of a studio that had done so much for so many. It was always a question of when, not “if” Kyoani would comeback. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the president of KyoAni was adamant in his intent to rebuild the studio and continue working on projects. The Violet Evergarden movie was pretty close to completion before the fire, so Dragon Maid is really the first full project Kyoani have made since the fire. Although Takemoto Yasuhiro tragically passed away in the fire, Ishihara Tatsuya has stepped in and continued to build on the amazing work Takemoto did. If Maid Dragon season 1 was a funny, wholesome slice of life story, Maid Dragon S is a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, forgiveness and optimism. While I had a lot of fun in Dragon Maid season 1, I can’t really say there was ever an episode that got me emotional or really made me think. I found the plot of Maid Dragon S to be a step up in every regard. We have the same beloved characters we met in the first season, plus additions like Illulu who aren’t just there for jokes, but for legitimately moving moments. Illulu in particular has one of the best character arcs I’ve seen in a while. The tone in general feels much more serious. While we still have those comedic moments, Quetzocoatl’s boobs, Tohru sexually harassing Kobayashi, etc., it feels almost secondary to the plot. Which is always welcome. Kyoani are known for their stunning visuals. Whether it’s Kyoukai no Kanata, Violet Evergarden or Hibike Euphonium, they’ve consistently blended top notch storytelling with beautiful art and animation. Maid Dragon might not be the first show to come to mind when you think of animation and visuals, but let me assure you no expense was spared by KyoAni for this season. The show really does feel like it had years of development behind it. There’s several fight sequences particuraly during Elma and Tohru’s backstory arc and Illulu’s development arc, that are better than any shonen fight scene we’ve got this year. Of course in this type of show, things like that are not the sole focus, but it’s always nice to see the staff go the extra mile. I thought the pacing was fabulous throughout the season. Every single member of the cast got a backstory/development arc that adequately set them up for future development and arcs. The only thing I didn’t like was how fast it felt like episodes went by! Maid Dragon S is the perfect comeback for Kyoani. After so much tragedy, they’ve managed to craft a project that encapsulates acceptance and moving on from the past at the perfect time. Welcome back, Kyoani. Maid Dragon S gets 10 out of 10.