In Summer 2024, the first season of Shoshimin was released, landing its spot as one of the most underrated animes to come out of that season amidst other shows that were stronger in its popularity, such as the second season of Oshi no Ko and Alya. Nonetheless, the first season stood out for its slow and sober direction—giving a unique vibe from a lineup that's cluttered with bold and loud counterparts. Another factor is its grounded nature with how it handles its mystery, whether it's one-off mundane mysteries or multiple-episode mysteries, combined with its direction, ultimately giving this anime its own unique pedestal amidst the others—uniquely different that I often find myself guilty of saying that this show is a “Hyouka clone", like what I've given in my review of the first season.

It was until the latter half of the first season that the story progressed—including its stakes. However, we've never really eaten half of the fruit with its progression since the first season ended abruptly. It was only 9 months later that we got to see that other side of the fruit. With that said, has it held up with the quality the first season had left it behind? More importantly, has the series progressed enough to distinguish itself from being just a “Hyouka clone”? ***

Season 2 of Shoshimin returns in full swing, diving into a mystery that unfolds across multiple episodes. However, the series remains true to its core—not by making the mystery itself the main focus, but by emphasizing how the characters react to it. Following the events of Season 1, we see the main characters, Jougorou Kobato (Shuichirou Umeda) and Yuki Osanai (Hina Youmiya), take separate paths, but at the same time, grow closer together as characters as the episodes go by. In the second arc of the series, these characters would feel closer than ever despite its arc that's mainly focused on past events. Season 2 continues to explore these diverging journeys while introducing new characters, such as Takahiko Urino (Teppei Uenishi), who has been in this facade forefront the series had put him in.

Aside from that, this season is mainly divided between its mystery aspects and its dramatic aspects, mainly with the ramifications of the end of season 1 and how it affected characters moving forward. Jougorou and Kengo (Makoto Furukawa) are mostly playing more in the sidelines, but they had been more firm as characters—especially with the stakes of the mystery—and the later decisions of Yuki, who is mostly playing the same as she did in Season 1, but knowing a brand new context from her, has played more of a heavy presence than she already did, especially when she's on screen. There's also Tokiko Nakamaru (Yume Miyamoto), who is a new character that's mostly playing as a minor character, but her presence lets us understand more about Jougorou’s current standing in season 2.

And Characters aside, Season 2’s first long mystery arc “The Autumn-Exclusive Kuri Kinton Case” is one of the most captivating mysteries the series had shown. Its nuanced nature of the mystery, multiple red-herrings, and coupled with the viewer following three paths of the same mystery, is a rather interesting and uniquely-captivating direction—a structure that vaguely reminds me of the film “Zodiac” by David Fincher. The second mystery arc “The Winter-Exclusive Chocolate Bonbons Case” however, is by far my favorite arc of the entire series. Its mystery is multilayered with a structure that's genius while playing with concurrent and past separate timelines whilst wovening into one. In my personal opinion, it makes the anime “Erased” more embarrassing than it should've been.

Its captivating characters and an intriguing plot wouldn't be as captivating as they should have been without its animation and direction. Though it's not as flashy or stretching its technical bounds, a clever use of cutting and stitching scenes—reminiscent of early studio shaft works—coupled with beautifully captivating cinematography and mixed with its calm yet heavy use of its whisper-like sound design combine to make one of the most underratedly enthralling animes to have come out recently. Season 1 already had these kinds of qualities as well, but season 2 took that foundation and polished its poking areas—producing a flawless production.

However, not every area in the series can be captivating for many. For instance, the subtlety of the given hits by its mystery and the hidden resolutions of certain characters of the series—a trait that came from the original creator Honobu Yonezawa and a trait that can be seen in Hyouka as well—can be a treat for mystery fans, as the gaps the series left are big enough that they can just interpret the scenarios but small enough that it doesn't ruin the built-up mystery and progression of the story. However, if you're not a mystery fanatic, these moments can easily pass over your head, and at moments you'll be annoyed that there are characters with seemingly rushed resolutions. Nonetheless, it's merely a subjective matter. ***

Conclusion

Despite the series title claims to be “ordinary”, it has definitely deviated away from it (for the better) as its groundedly captivating mysteries took over and fed our cravings for mystery stories. The second season of Shoshimin had lived up beyond the expectations, and has broken away from the bold of being a “Hyouka clone” to a series that firmly stands with itself with the mysteries it provides, the quirks of the characters, the mundanely captivating atmosphere, and the uniquely directed scenes that's purposefully subtle yet boldly captivating. Truly one of the most impressive, and underrated animes that have come out in Spring 2025. ***