Date A Live is the second season based on the light novel series. It is a bit shorter than the first season at only ten episodes long, plus an OVA. The anime is set in Eurasia where a natural disaster known as the spatial quake regularly happens. It is similar to an earthquake with effects that is more akin to a bomb or explosion. It is able to be detected right before it happens which allows everyone to evacuate underground. However, these quakes are revealed to be caused by the appearances of Spirits, who are from another world. They take on the form of teenage girls.
The protagonist is Itsuka Shido, and the anime begins by setting the tone in showing off a typical day of his life. He lives with the two spirits, Tohka and Yoshino. We immediately see that he has his hands full just looking after them. He cooks, cleans and has to keep them happy lest they become emotionally unstable and unleash another spatial quake. Shido has the unique ability to seal the spirit’s powers and stabilize them, allowing them to live normal human lives. The way to seal a spirit’s power is to make them fall in love with him and then kiss them, although the falling in love part doesn’t feel like it is enforced. It is constantly hinted that Shido may be more than a normal human but it is left to be addressed at another time.
Being such a popular guy, Shido has complications with his other romantic interests. The biggest one being the stoic Origami. She’s pretty aggressive in her advances towards Shido but also in a funny literal way. Her presence takes a backseat in this season. While she still appears in almost all of the episodes, it feels she’s just there for a gag or fight scenes. In terms of plot, it’s pretty much the same that it’s always been. Shido remains a magnet for any new spirits that randomly turn up just as he is in the area. He is central to any problems that needs to be resolved involving them. The season contains two main arcs and the second arc is longer than the first, so that can feel like it is dragging on a bit.
The anime begins to introduce spirits with unique characteristics. This makes it slightly more interesting compared to the first season because Shido has to think outside the box and deal with unexpected circumstances to seal their powers. Shido will encounter twins who have different personalities to a spirit who hates guy, making it near impossible for Shido to make her fall in love with him. The frequent battle scenes end up diluting its impact. They’re a little more involved this time around but still weak. They’re not exciting at all, feeling unrefined and as a result, like it is filler material.
The introduction of yet another faction is causing the relationships between each other to be confusing. It’s surprising how they don’t seem to be fully aware of each other, and how the public still does not know what is happening despite all the fights and explosions in broad daylight. Adding to the bucket of overused techniques, the running gags, which were amusing in the beginning, has now been run to the ground. The same phrases occur too frequently and at times, don’t even make sense in that context. Thus, instead of being funny, it’s tedious and lame. The frequency of fan service has been drastically increased and the anime is not shy about it. It’s a lot bolder too in what it is showing and suggesting.
Tohka often misunderstands Shido’s actions and constantly worries about Shido getting sick of her and not loving her anymore. Everything seems so melodramatic and predictable. Most of the characters are bland and uninspiring. Kurumi is the best character in the anime because she has a wicked power, as well as being severely overpowered. It’s refreshing that doesn’t instantly fall head over heels for Shido without a good reason. So when the OVA focuses on Kurumi, it’s interesting in that it shows off a more melancholy side of the events. We see Kurumi’s abilities with a bit more clarity even if it is still confusing at times on how it works.
Overall, Date A Live II is more of the same. Whether that is a good or bad thing will depend on whether you enjoyed the first season. Shido will continue to build his cast of female characters that love him no matter what; all the while the plot stalls on exploring the more intricate and intriguing parts.
----------------------------------------------
For other anime reviews, have a look at this page.