This Series is one of my all-time favorites and I implore everybody who gave up on season 1 to give season 2 a real shot.

Some background on my history with this series: When I first tried to watch season 1 I was immediately turned off by the fanservice. It isn't anything particularly revealing or lewd, it just seemed like the show was going to center around lewd gestures and jokes with a bit of skin shown as well. Which in and of itself isn't a problem, it just isn't really for me. I dropped it after the handwashing scene. I just couldn't. But a friend of mine encouraged me to read the manga so I did and I am so happy that I did because this series is one of the most wholesome series I have ever read. I find myself smiling constantly while reading the manga. This series has a very undeserving bad reputation. For some people, Nagatoro bullies too hard early and they can't get past that, which is understandable, she is quite annoying in the beginning and Hiyakasudere characters aren't for everybody. For some people like me, it was the early nonstop fanservice. I am here to tell you that both of those things gradually calm down, although I would be lying if I said they ever fully go away - they don't. But they do decrease in severity and frequency.~~~Now on to my actual Season 2 Review

Plot: This season takes a very welcome turn. Not that season 1 was bad, but there was very little plot and the characters didn't really become super likable until the last third of the season. In this season you start to see a plot start to form a little more than just the episodic adventures of two dorks. We still get that, but with the

Spoiler, click to view

Judo arc being introduced, we start to see a goal for our leads

and a plot starts to form. There is no Attack on Titan style crazy plot twists or depth, it is very simple and straightforward, but that is all it really needs to be at this point. It is entertaining. 9/10.

Animation: Slight downgrade from Season 1, which considering the genre, was a very visually appealing season. This season you can feel a slight decrease in quality but the series is still very visually appealing and the animation is done well for what it is. The animation quality does get better as the season goes on. 8/10.

OP: I am a huge fan. I love when you can tell that the musicians are genuinely having fun while playing. There isn't a single instrument in this song that doesn't rock your socks off. The opening sequence is very fun, cute, and actually hilarious. I lost it at the glasses pushing up part, I am not smart enough to find a better way to phrase that so that is what you are all getting. 10/10.

Characters: Most of this will be spoiler tagged because there is a lot to say. But know that I give it a 10/10, the characters that were barely even likable throughout the majority of season 1 all step up. We got some wonderful character and relationship development this season.

Spoiler, click to view

We are already seeing the massive changes in Senpai (I don't think they have revealed his name at this point so neither will I) from the sushi scene where he actually goes for the abomination that Nagatoro put together, simultaneously being adventurous (not at all like how he used to be) AND bailing out Nagatoro when she was getting teased for creating that "sushi violation". Absolute Chad move. What is interesting and subtle, is that we are seeing Nagatoro battle with herself a little bit more. She still teases him but she backtracks a bit now. Watching her balance her teasing with encouragement when she knew that Senpai was trying to invite her to the zoo was a real treat that didn't seem as apparent to me when I first read it in the manga. Very well done and it shows how she is growing, pushing herself to be better and even though her character development at this point is much more subtle, it is present and it is adorable to witness. Gamo is best girl as always, helping to guide these two dorks towards what they really want (each other) as the perfect wingwoman. We get to meet Anetoro. Need I say more? The characters make this show what it is. Their actions, reactions, personality, and development all feel so natural and unforced. It is so refreshing to see. Easy 10/10 and I would go higher if I could.

~~~

In Conclusion: This season benefits off of the legwork that the first season did. It makes me appreciate the first season even more, because it had to establish this status quo within the series so that the second season could capitalize on it. In my opinion, __Season 2 of Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro should stand alongside the romcom greats like _Kaguya-Sama.___