The first season of Shadows House disappointed me. As a result, I felt very little excitement for season 2. Not having any expectations at all, I saw a series I cared very little for slowly start to redeem itself. Episode by episode, I was perplexed because I noticed this was getting better and better. I found it hard to believe that this was happening. Story wise, everything was coming together nicely. Everything made sense, and was properly explained. The pay off during this critical point in the series felt extraordinary. Characters I didn't care for were having episodes of focus and meaningful character development. Half way into it, it got even better, as it refused to slow down. I was surprised every week.
I found a lot of inspiration in Kate, and came to highly respect her struggle against the parasitic and corrupt powers of the Shadows House. I was won over by John's silliness and funny behavior, charmed by Lou, and moved by Maryrose. I came to really admire Emilico, a character I used to despise, as she also showed a lot of meaningful growth in waking up towards the reality of their situation. I came to empathize with her, as she realizes what she has lost, and what is going to happen. I was moved to care about her, to my own shock. Through horrible realizations, she begins to become a great character as she takes her own stand against the order. Shadows House became my anime of the season in the end, and I never imagined that would happen. However, Edward is still a bastard.
Soon enough, I was cheering Kate on. Seeing her outsmart her opponents, take a stand among all the cowards, and gloriously craft of plan of action turned her into my favorite character of this series. I was on the edge of my seat trying to put the pieces of the mysteries together. Every week I was itching for more clues and information. It got to the point I started to look forward to each new episode more than anything else on my list. I had fun theorizing. I felt I was watching a real mystery story unfold, not like the ridiculously convoluted one Summer Time Rendering became, that I can no longer take seriously anymore. Tragedies played out that really moved me, and left me sitting back thinking with emotion.
What really came crashing down on me by the end, is just how horrifying of a situation the so called living dolls are in. The Shadows are parasites, and practically preying on their lives. Through brainwashing and manipulation, these kids get used up and tossed away when they are not needed anymore.
On a production standpoint, The art is very appealing to me in it's style and look. The use of colors, and gracefulness of the characters adds to this. It looks beautiful, though the animation doesn't have much going on. Many times, your just looking at a frame while the characters talk, since half the cast have pitch black faces. I don't look for perfect animation, and would be petty to knit pick so much. To an extent, issues like this don't bother me. Shadows House Season 1 is known for it's spectacular OP and ED songs. I was nervous to listen to the ones in Season 2, since the bar was set high. Fortunately, they are also of great quality.
Essentially, Shadows House is a story about revolution. The oppressive side has elements that begin to realize the abuse of power and authority, and it begins to crumble. In an effort to stop what the Shadows House is really up to, as it is wicked, a war breaks out within the order. The politics of the series grew and matured greatly compared to season 1. Many of the characters carry a revolutionary passion in what they believe in. Living dolls and Shadows come together, and a rebellion starts to play out within the shadows, as there is a lot of secrecy in the Shadows House.
This season is overall weaker than usual. Regardless, I'll remember it for the time Shadows House redeemed itself to me, and really moved me.
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