Since Komi-san S2 is a seamless continuation of S1, much of what I wrote in my review of S1 still stands.
Thus, I won't repeat myself, I'll just talk about what I liked and didn't like this time around and what my hopes about season 3 are.
I did like that we got more one on one interaction between Komi and Chadano. There were a few episodes and scenes that, while not really standing out, just cranked up the WAFF to a new level.
My standout in that regard was the scene when Komi and Chadano made plans for their class trip to Kyoto. As an aside, that they headed to Kyoto for a class tip is no spoiler, I have yet to see an anime set in high school where there a) isn't a class trip and b) that class trip doesn't head to Kyoto or Osaka.
The way that scene was set up was just very in character for the two of them and also really sweet. Plus, we got to hear Komi properly speak outside of a phone call which was a nice bonus. I can finally say that her VA fits her character really well.
In general, I'm pretty impressed that the show managed to strike a balance between deepening the friendship / blossoming romance between Komi and Tadano while also introducing many new characters with their own standout quirks.
As an aside, speaking of friends and quirks, Yamai is still incredibly insufferable. I had to pause a few episodes multiple times cause I just can't take a ton of her in one go. Like, there are funny bits around her, no doubt, but when she has more than 3 minutes of screen time in an episode it becomes tiresome really quickly. And yes, I do know I have an irrational dislike of her, but so be it. She just is the single character that sticks out like a rusty nail in this wholesome show. I said it in my first review and I'll say it again, the show could do with a lot less of her.
Of those new arrivals, I actually like Katai the best, he's a nice dude who's just unfortunate enough to look like a delinquent. In that regard, he kind of reminds me of Ryuuji from ToraDora even though Kitai's no main character. Furthermore, it was really nice to see some of Komi's friends' personal life, I really enjoyed the bit at Onemine's house (Onemine's best girl after Shouko and we know it) or the iceskating bit where Chadano taught Katai and Komi how two do it.
However, the rapid-fire-introduction of new friends also reminds me of a "friend of the week" pattern. While I'm happy to see our cinnamon bun thaw more with each new character, it's still a bit.. predictable. Like, the character shows up, and interacts with Chadano and/or Komi, bam, by the end of the episode they're on the latter's friend list. At times, that same pattern repeated itself multiple times per episode as each episode covered between 3 and 4 chapters of the manga; sure, the chapters are short, but at times it's like a Gatling gun of new stuff, y'know?
As for the technical aspect, it was solid. It kept the quality of season one pretty well and there were a few instances of off-model characters or slightly sloppy work when the corresponding character wasn't the focus of the shot, but overall, good work, studio OLM. As with S1, the voice acting was top notch, I'm still a huge fan of Najimi's VA who does a great job of sounding neither too feminine nor too masculine, driving the point that Najimi's gender is uncertain home on an audible level while still being very entertaining.
What else... I like the new opening and ending, but I don't love them anywhere as much as I loved S1's OP and ED.
TL;DR - cute, fluffy, funny, continues S1 well, but too much Yamai and too many new friends in too little time; however, more depth is given to Komi and Tadano's relationship and Komi's other friends.
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