Overall Rating
Excellent
Story: 5
Dialogue: 5
Animation: 5
Entertainment: 5
|
Jormungand got a second season after all. I might be late to reviewing it, but I got to it after all, and now I’m glad I did.
Story -- The concept is the same old, yet the story got pushed up a notch. Although there’s still a fair share of seeming side tracks for getting to know the characters, there is an overarching plot. It may not make sense at the very start, but there is a definite grander scheme to it, and it does make sense in the end. Which is, by the way, a still slightly annoying end, as it seems a bit too open to me. There’s no particular doubt as to what’s going on, but there could be at least a bit more. Oh well; might be just me. I never got into the manga, so I'm not quite sure whether it's the 'real' end anyways.
Putting that aside, the story in its whole is still unpredictable, quite intriguing, as close to realism as such a show can get, and this time actually shows a message where the first season let that one drown in blood and craziness. It’s not shoved in your face, as the fair share of shounen anime would; instead, in the end, it’s still one twisted conflict and your share of twisted ethics for eventual peace, and where I can with certainty say I've been torn about the ideas Jormungand displays, I can also say that it's intriguing--the ideas themselves, and what has lead the particular characters to those ideas. I'm not about to spoiler any more than I already have, but as long as you're in not only for the blood and craziness, the entire thing should be able to get those li'l gears in your head turning.
Speaking of characters, those are still the same knwon. And they’re still one of the series’ crazy attraction points. Koko is still loco (~Spanish for ‘crazy’), and those she recruited are still as richly designed and unbelievably strong as during the first season. Those that didn’t quite yet get the chance to shine before are taking the spotlight this time. Character development seems to be done better this season. Where it might not be abundant in everyone, heck, it's only one seaon, and the psychological factor at least in the main characters certainly makes up for that.
There’s still funny moments in the character interaction, yet more dramatic ones this time around as well. The dynamics of the whole group are shown in a realistic and oddly enough relatable way, and though some moments are slightly obvious by now, it never fails to entertain one way or another.
Not that much of a change in the dialogue. The script's definitely above average -- Koko is loco for sure, and getting even her personality across isn't an easy feat, not to mention including a bunch of as deep, if not as crazy, side characters. The voice acting only helps it along as well.
The opener and ending tune to me fit better during the first season, but especially the opening song once again has that ‘getting stuck in your ears all day’ quality, so I’m not about to complain. No change in the background music, no particular changes in the animation.
I just have to mention the artwork again--it's eye-catching. Comparing it to how it looked at the beginning, I can say there have been changes in the art -- not the scenery alone, but also the way it’s coloured, the lighting, the intensity of the art. Blame me for over-interpreting even anime, but IMHO it relates well to Jonah’s changing view of the world.
Though I'm still not into guns and the like, and I probably never will be, there's still meticulous detail in the weaponry as much as in the overall scenery and anything else. Character design is still the same old, and mostly plausible if compared to a lot of other anime out there (… alright, just ignore Jonah’s constantly red eyes…)
So what can I say in the end? I did reduce the first season a little too much to its blood and guns. Maybe it’s plausible to be a bit shocked at Jormungand’s violence if you do expect something the action level of about Fairy Tail (blame me for taking the rating at face value, I didn’t read the summary until later *sweatdrops*); after re-watching the first season along with watching this one though, I can say that if you have any idea of what to expect, it’s entertaining. Hardcore it is; but fresh, with unusual takes on quite a few things, from something as rare in anime as professionalism to something as much done as the good and the bad to something as mundane as human relations… you know how it goes. Original, quite well thought-out, and the characters only help it -- badass; constantly bumbling around on that line between good and bad; their development is believable, and some good drama with some comedic instances only make it better. That it’s comparably realistic all in all also helps it, though Koko and her schemes… well, not saying any more! :P
In terms of criticism, regarding both seasons all in all, I still think they could have given at least a few more hints at the bigger scheme a little earlier; and the overall end is just that bit disappointing. It’s not like there were any particular doubt to what happened, but if you ask me, it could have gone on just that bit longer. I’m not changing that, however, and these faults are tiny anyways.
Still requesting for the first archive’s rating to be aligned with this one’s. (Any admin around?) As long as you stick to that ‘mature’ tag, however, it’s well worth the time if you’re into some well thought-out action and an actual original plot with some quite fresh takes. Hellishly strong and quite realistic characters only help it, and the group dynamics and psychology at least in the main characters are really well done. The animation’s recent quality, some or another part of the music -will- get stuck in your ears, and although the violence’s hardcore, this show probably wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you haven’t known this before but are interested now, remember to start with the first season. The grander scheme might take a while to kick in, but it’s worth the wait. Just: Being free of squeamish-ness is pretty much a requirement.
Cheers.~
|
