Mononogatari 2nd Season

It's a crying shame that zero review has been written for this season of Mononogatari so far, so here I am.

It continues right where they left off at the end of the first season and doesn't skip a beat. So those who missed the previous 12 episodes won't be able to enjoy much of what 2nd season offers, and there are plenty.

Mononogatari brings a pretty decent entertainment value with right amount of mixture of supernatural, folklore and creative action. Sprinkled with dry humor, character growth of the MC (who was as stiff and boring as a piece of plywood in ... the first half of season 1) and subtle development of romance between the two protagonists, the show has been a revelation.

Now with 5 episodes to go and the final conflict just about to boil over, try not to blink... Oh and the OP is such a banger.

There you have it, my 1st MAL review short & sweet.

Score: 8/10 NO SPOILERS

Mononogatari returns with its 2nd season, promising a continuation of its gripping tale of supernatural encounters and human perseverance. While the show maintains its eerie charm and engaging narrative, it does stumble in a few areas that prevent it from reaching its full potential.

One of the standout positives of this season is the deepening of character development. Their dynamic remains the emotional core of the series, resonating with viewers on a personal level.

Mononogatari's unique approach to incorporating Japanese folklore into its narrative continues to be a strong point. Each spirit encounter draws from a wellspring of cultural mythology, showcasing the producers' commitment ... to authenticity. The show's art direction and animation enhance these supernatural entities, making them both terrifying and mesmerizing.

However, the series is not without its shortcomings. One notable drawback is the pacing. While the slow burn approach can be effective in building tension, at times it leads to episodes that feel stretched thin. This pacing issue occasionally tempers the show's momentum, detracting from its overall impact.

Additionally, the introduction of side characters proves to be a double-edged sword. While some of them inject fresh energy into the story, others feel underdeveloped and distract from the main narrative. This dilution of focus diminishes the emotional investment viewers have in these secondary characters, undermining their potential impact.

In conclusion, Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari 2nd Season remains an engrossing supernatural journey with notable improvements in character development and continued dedication to Japanese folklore. Its atmospheric animation and haunting spirit designs provide a visual treat that fans of the genre will appreciate. However, the pacing issues, underdeveloped side characters, occasional animation inconsistencies, and predictable plot devices prevent the season from achieving perfection. Despite these drawbacks, the series earns a commendable 8/10, primarily due to its ability to resonate emotionally and maintain a compelling narrative core. With a more refined balance between its strengths and weaknesses, Mononogatari could easily become a staple in the realm of supernatural anime.

Mononogatari season 2 completely fails in all Shonen related aspects and has spent the whole season building up tension and setting up cliffhangers just to c**kblock the audience at every possible turn. The anime seems to have a vendetta against the mere thought of letting Hyoma even think about cooking. Episode after episode he has done nothing but be angry and get his salad tossed. I understand that its basic Shonen formula to let your protagonist get his a** beat, but usually this would be used to build tension and give the audience a sense of catharsis when the mc finally pulls out the Glock ... and overcomes the big bad. However that whole "overcomes the big bad" part never happens leading to this perpetual cycle of disappointment as the audience is left wandering if Hyoma was ever going to do anything in the first place.
If there is an eventual payoff then I will change my review, until then 6/10, romance was okay.