Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Ren – 12 [END]
The long shot of Rikka and Yuuta captures the mood perfectly
The second season of Chu2Koi comes to an end, so let’s see what the ending brought and how the series ended up.
Going Out with a Whimper, or a Bang?
Arrrrrgh!
Since we finished up the main ‘story’ of the season with last week’s episode, being Rikka trying to awaken the Dark Flame Dragon based on some old chuuni letter that Yuuta wrote, everyone had to figure this week was entirely going to be “will they kiss or won’t they?” And that’s what it turned out to be, with the whole crew of girls trying to get Rikka in a position where she won’t chicken out, at Rikka’s request. She’s pretty deluded about what her ‘lovers contract’ actually means, tho, if she thinks it’ll get Yuuta to quit riding her about her homework or getting up for school.
No grabbing, just grading
We did get to use ‘girls planning time’ as an excuse for a visit to the bath, with attendant commentary on Rikka’s (“Dynamite!”) and Sanae’s (“Tiny”) bust sizes. It was also an excuse to get Makoto a koibito, although it wasn’t who he thought it would be, since Chihiro-kun confessed to him during the summer. It was funny, I guess, but it was also in really bad taste, since Makoto’s words (and his screams) indicate that it wasn’t really completely consensual.
It doesn’t work when you force it, Rikka
But of course, we get a big setup for Rikka to try to kiss Yuuta, full of demands and chuuni, and it’s no surprise that it completely breaks down in her embarrassment. It’s not the kind of thing you can plan. It just happens. Just like their embraces happened, just like holding hands happened, just like Rikka’s kiss on Yuuta’s cheek just happened. And while it was funny seeing Rikka’s body rebel against trying so hard, she’s lucky that Yuuta’s a really patient guy who loves her. And that he’s so good at saying the right thing (although isn’t it one of those things that the right guy for you is usually good at saying the right thing?). But because he’s so good at putting her at ease and not pressuring her, a chance for a kiss actually does come up, after Yuuta’s first kiss on Rikka’s cheek.
It’s much better when it just happens naturally
And just like Shinka says: “Would it kill you to let us see it for once?!?!?!” Of course, the cat has to have kittens (and you knew that was going to happen from the beginning of the episode) and Kuzuha has to call right then. This is anime, after all. So we get kisses on the cheek, but nothing more than a promise of more.
Shinka speaks for everyone watching KyoAni shows
Final Thoughts
There never was much of a chance this show would break much new ground. We knew the characters, we know KyoAni, and we know the story and the limitations that Rikka’s Chuunibyou puts on her. But it was entertaining nonetheless, even if I complained in the early part that we were getting a little too far away from Rikka and Yuuta (and we were, with 3 non-Rikka episodes in a row). But they got back to the main couple, and the second half of the season was nicely done, if a bit predictable and comfortable. And that’s what this show was supposed to be from the very beginning: a comfortable show to watch.
Not letting you get away, that’s what friends are for
And really, the only change from the first season to the second was moving Makoto from Supporting Character Butt Monkey to Distant Character Butt Monkey and bringing in Satone Shichimiya. While Shichimiya wasn’t ever really a ‘rival’ for Rikka as far as Yuuta was concerned, the show did deal with her feelings pretty well, showing a girl who falls back in love with a guy she never really got over before, but she’s missed her chance. It’s nice that they could stay friends, although I’m not sure if that’s really the best thing for her to do, seeing the guy she likes with someone else, although the alternative would to not be friends with the people most like her. Other than that, not a lot of character development anywhere, not a lot of movement in romance, but a nice show to watch.
This rubbed me the wrong way
Technically, the show was still very well animated by Kyoto Animation, although the shine may be wearing off of these battle scenes a bit, given two seasons of this show plus Kyoukai no Kanata using the same style. And we really didn’t have too much in the way of chuuni battles here anyway. I have to classify the OP and ED as ‘disappointing’, in that they don’t make me want to listen to either of them. They’re just songs that play at the beginning and the end of the show. There are some interesting themes in the OP, but they don’t really go together well, and aren’t cohesive at all, while the ED is just outright boring. Part of me wonders if ZAQ has run out of good ideas, but we’ll see about that in the future.
And sending you on to bigger and better things.
Overall, I liked this season, it was a nice watch of a show that you figured you knew what you were getting, and weren’t disappointed to get it. I have to think this is going to be the end of the series, but it was a cute one from start to finish, and a great example of moe KyoAni.
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Chuunibyou ended on an acceptable note, if anything. A little progress in Yuuta and Rikka’s relationship is better than nothing at all and Satone was a happy addition to the cast with her chuunibyou infused enthusiasm. That’s about all that could be said about this series for me.
You have no idea. This is yuri season! How dare they defile its sacred presence with abominable BL element!
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Well, you joke, but I feel like I have to say that’s not my reason for disliking it. 🙂
They ended up using Satone better than I thought they would early on.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s not a joke. I didn’t like it and it really rubbed me the wrong way. While I’m fine with yuri, I’m not a fan of the other half.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
They just p**ped on Isshiki’s character the whole season… >.>
Now he’s become another ethnic race with an unwanted boyfriend.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Being a side character that exist solely to be shat on is suffering. Hell even Yasu fares better compare to Isshiki ^_^;
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 110 comments
poor isshiki aka tomoki jr indeed he got worst season ever from demoted to living prop even worse that “grab” why him?
oh rika & yuuta give even had nibutani, dekomori, & satone make it work yet another time season to wait on.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
As you say very well, as long as you were comfortable with what they delivered, you were entertained.
I would like to say I was completely comfortable, but I was mildly off, to say the least. I think that comes down to the whole “just once, just once, don’t go with the tease”. But I guess that is what makes them the storytellers, and me the audience.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I do wonder at what point KyoAni’s reputation as never having a kiss on the lips drives their decision-making rather than the decision-making driving the reputation. If there was an appropriate time for two characters to kiss, it was these two right now. A committed relationship, long-developing, weathered many storms, and the time was right, and they still didn’t do it. Not that I’m saying they’re actively trolling, but that the reputation has become more important than the story or the characters.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
It rather has become more important, hasn’t it.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I ended up liking this season a lot more than the original. I guess it’s because I hate watching couples try and win each other over, I just want them to get to the confessing part. I’m a bad sad they skimped out on a full-out kiss when Rikka seemed to really be ready for it, but oh well…I guess it just reinforces that they’re not the typical teenage couple being fueled by raging hormones. It was a cute ending, with Satone passing on her energy to Rikka and getting over her crush. At least partially over him, I would think. These things aren’t usually fully healed emotionally for a while even if she’s mentally over it.
And yeah…I hate how “gay character feeling up the uninterested straight characters in a bath house” is becoming a thing in anime. It was so distasteful in Hamatora that I dropped it then and there :/ It’s not exactly the funniest joke…
Ughhh I want more chuunibyou T_T
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I’ve become wary of calling things a trend or a ‘thing’ with just two instances. Sometimes you just have the same thing happen in a couple series that happen to be airing at the same time. I don’t know if it’s really happened much in other series, certainly not any that I’ve seen, but it’s not a good message at all.
I also prefer when we’re seeing a couple work things out. That’s one of the main things I liked about Golden Time and it was nice that there was never a question of who the couple was in this show.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I dunno, man. The exact same thing has also been in Persona and I have the feeling I’m just forgetting a few other instances. It’s not a huge thing, but it’s definitely happened a few times before.
I totally prefer it when they work things out sensibly too. (Well…as sensibly as odd, pseudo-magical contracts are) Good communication is key!
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Is it wrong that I find it OK with P4 and Hamatora usage of the joke and I don’t think its discriminating gay people?