Arakawa Under the Bridge Review Part 2 https://i.ur.com/ND6ywaF.png Quick Note: I dont like repeating what I said from my last review for the first season unless for comparison sake. Feel free to check out my Arakawa Under the Bridge Review Part 1 https://anilist.co/review/6833 if you havent. Arakawa Under the BridgeXBridge continues where the series left off. The animation and art style still retain the same quality and consistency from the previous season. How you experience the weird atmosphere is still carry over in the sequel. The cinematic techniques use in illustrating the narrative are the same with some added improvement. Some innovations in the comedy are the shifting perspective to other characters viewpoints. Instead of the standard where the protagonist is the main focal point of the story. This time side characters have the same role as Kous in giving off some satire commentary on bizarre situations. The show provides more character exploration and exposition. It showcases a combination of interaction between the supporting cast thus giving more interesting outcomes. https://i.ur.com/8rsdS4R.gif Its Good as the First Season The fact in the matter its no longer about Kous meeting each resident from the bridge anymore. The story focuses attention on the daily lives of each resident coexisting with each others weird behaviors. The show is becoming more of a wellwritten slice of life comedy which is a little bit different from the initial romcom with social satire commentary the first season focus on. The show comedy is becoming more of a risktaker by partly exploring some experimental and referential style on its humor. Characters become more lovable. We got the chance to learn more about the residents personal interest. This gives depth to character ideas and motivation. Providing a far more relatable cast and adds some variation. It makes the show have a uniform theme on each characters core personality that doesnt feel random and out of place. In the first season the story focus is more on Kous character development and internal conflict. The second season on the other hand reveals a marginal fraction of Ninos background story as a Venusian. Though they gave some hints on Ninos past it wasnt explored enough to be considered a consistent plot progression. Ninos past serves more as a soft catalyst to progress the story. Well for once we got a real plot but it was not the main focus of the story in general. The comedy is still good as the first season and characters are still fun and for me thats what matters for now. When you think the OP of the first season is weird enough. COSMOS vs ALIEN by Etsuko Yakushimaru will blow you away out of orbit with its outrageous shenanigans. Though it took me some time to love it. But as I continue to watch the anime I learn to love it more than the 1st Opening Venus to Jesus. Akai Coat by Suneohair just becomes of one my alltime favorite guitar poprock in the entire franchise. Smoking with a vibrant and relaxing atmosphere it blends to the feelgood slice of life aspect of the show. A welcome edition in the show and a solid piece to remember for years to come. https://i.ur.com/Affofb2.gif Music of the Soul Whats new about the Characters?https://i.ur.com/LOl8qr0.gif We got to know more about Pko Whitey Jacqueline Big Brother Billy and Last Samurai. A nice dose of exposition is always welcome in my taste for it provides more content in the show. Last Samurai was a normal person after all with some awesome sword skills. Billy and Jacquelines relationship by far is the most convincing romantic relationship in the series I have ever seen in a comedy show. Whitey is a capable athlete that is supported by his own family who knew right? And Exploring Pko background interest is indeed a respectful type of fan service for me. She also took a role similar to Kou for representing to the girl side which is lovely while Kous represent for the boys. The Amazoness is a great addition in the show bizarreness. Kobayashi Yuu did a good job of expressing two different voices from the intimidating muscular warrior womens voice to the cocky and quite annoying ganguro like Japanese highschool girl mannerism. Thought the Captain is the complete opposite. I never liked his style of humor but I admire his talent as a manga artist. Hes just too normal for Arakawa Under the Bridge standard and hes doesnt contribute much to the comedy and main plot. For me hes an unnecessary edition unlike Amazoness that did something fresh in both comedy and plot. Speaking of character development. When it comes to Kous and Ninos Relationship. They do slowly progress as a solid couple with some little love quarrel here and there. The serious romance is at the minimum but their cute and funny bonding is still enjoyable to watch. SPOILER SECTION COMEDY HIGHLIGHTS These are the specific scenarios that I enjoy in the entire series. Here the Following. Quick Note: If you dont want to get spoiled proceed to final thought section. The Isolation Chamber The Clash of Titans FINAL THOUGHTS Arakawa Under The Bridge X Bridge did a very good job as a sequel to an already successful series. I like how it becomes more creative when it comes to comedy and extending the story. The sequel also shed light on characters that didnt get enough spotlight from the first season. I love how some character development in this show took an unexpected turn. The OSTs remain the same and good as ever. The new OP and ED are a good thing to have in the show. Though to be honest I did get a little bit disappointed in the shows final episodes not because the comedy was bad or the characters are getting boring but the fact that this anime didnt end in a closed conclusion. I understand that the manga is still ongoing from the time they made the second season but I wish these anime get pickup again for the series finale. Arakawa deserves the 3rd season. Studio Shaft did justice in the adaptation of the show. It is always nice that the studio put some effort into retaining the visuals intact and the overall theme. The best thing the sequels offer that it tries to innovate and come up with new ideas to keep the show fresh and engaging. My Final Verdict for the Sequel OVERALL SCORE 7.9/10 GOOD SEQUEL STORY 7/10 GOOD COMEDY LACK PLOT CHARACTERS 8/10 GOOD LOVABLE ART VISUAL 8/10 CONSISTENT ENTERTAINING MUSIC AUDIO9/10 CUTE OP ED AMAZING https://i.ur.com/ET1J8l3.png Looking Forward to Season 3 Someday