With 2013 upon us and the new anime season arriving, I’m getting myself into the otome game mood ready for the première of AMNESIA.
Name: Hiiro no Kakera Dai-ni-Shou
Japanese Name: 緋色の欠片 第二章
Air Date: September 30 2012 – December 23 2012
Studio: Studio DEEN
Episodes: 13
PLOT
As the monster within Takuma begins to rise, Tamaki realises that she loves him. However, Logos and allies they once trusted will do anything they can to separate the two. Everything from the past is revealed and all that’s left is to clear the way for a bright future. That is, if it’s still possible.
[via Anime News Network]
I have returned my beautiful bishies! Why am I watching this when I said that I won’t watch any anime during the holidays? Because I can’t wait that long to watch anime again after a long period of time. Plus I have nothing better to do in this holiday period. I may as well do something to relieve my boredom and torture. Yeah, I did say torture. My family are driving me crazy! I’m almost up to that point where I may run up the wall in a fit of madness!
Well I can’t live without anime, it’s a huge part of my life! The sad child I am. My reason for watching Hiiro no Kakera again is because I wanted to see Yuuichi, Takuma and Ryou again and hear their wonderful voices as quickly as possible… they move me.
First Impressions
Gah, she’s back! She’s back! The girl with the worst haircut on the planet has returned! I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see her face again but I stand corrected… I have to bear with it for another twelve episodes. Yeah, I’m talking about you Tamaki and your bowl cut fringe. Seriously I thought her hair would have grown out a bit but nope, it decided to stay that way ( ಠ_ಠ) thanks a lot. And her voice. Don’t get me started about her voice. It’s even more annoying than the first season! What on earth has happened?! Can I still cut her hair? The offer is still there if you want Tamaki. *Evil grin*
Don’t look at me like that. I’m not happy to see you (-_-)
My darling Ryou has returned ヽ(*´ー`*)ﾉ oh I love him with a burning passion and it’s quite evident that he’s one of my favourites with the amount of photos on my phone! Ryou shows up in episode 2 for a brief moment when Shinji Inukai goes for a walk. When Ryou does appear, he sniffs Shinji Σ（ﾟдﾟlll）eh? Did I miss something here? But then he calls him a traitor and walks off. Keeping it real Ryou. However, Ryou is correct. Whilst Shinji is talking to Vier, it’s revealed through flashbacks that he has been working for Logos all this time; it was him who admitted the locations of the artifacts to Aria. Then Suguru Oomi appears as he heard the whole conversation between the two. Suguru then defects to Logos and is no longer a part of the Guardians protecting Tamaki. Oh my god. WHAT?!
Tamaki, Takuma, Mahiro and Yuuichi are shocked at the revelation of Suguru’s betrayal. It’s unlikely that Suguru would do something like that when they need him most so the question is why? Why did Suguru leave? What was his reason? These are the questions that taunt them. They are no longer the five Guardians that protect the Tamayori princess and keep the Onikirimaru sealed. I will not ramble on anymore and just go straight to the point… TAKUMA AND YUUICHI ARE STILL HOT o(≧▽≦)o they’re both kinder and gentle towards Tamaki which causes me to rage with jealousy. Why can’t I have them? 。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。I deserve them more than you! I still have my hatred for Tamaki and that will never change! Grrr. Maybe I’ll like her if she changed her hairstyle, anything but that fringe would make me happy!
Yuuichi, you’re breaking my heart 。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。
Oh yeah, turns out that Onikirimaru wasn’t sealed properly. It’s just sleeping. So now the world is doomed again… that reassures me a lot. Nothing calms me down like knowing that the world is coming to an end because of a dumb headed twit! Thanks Tamaki for making me feel at ease ( ಠ_ಠ)
Midway Impressions
At the end of each episode, one of the main male characters talks directly to the audience saying romantic things to please the ears of many girls. I’m glad they continued this from the first season because it was like seeing another side of the characters. My favourite at the moment has to be Yuuichi’s from episode 4:
Yuuichi: “I can fall asleep anywhere, but I sleep most at ease… when I’m by your side”
“That’s how comfortable it is to be next to you”
Oh Yuuichi, you know how to make a girl blush! I fangirled so much that I got a fever… again. I really shouldn’t fangirl too much, this is the millionth time that it’s happened and I’ve probably reached my limit by now. I can’t help it, it’s those sweet words they say to you; it’s like they have no shame of saying them! But knowing me, I won’t even bother trying to control my inner fangirl. It’s a part of me. There’s no helping it ＼(^o^)／ I would love to fall asleep to Yuuichi’s and hearing it again first thing in the morning. I’d be in heaven. Now that sounds pretty good to me! A drama CD would be nice…
On second thought, another one of my favourites was Ryou’s from episode 5. My heart skipped a beat and I found my temperature rising a little bit as well as being slightly embarrassed too. No shame, no shame at all:
Ryou: “My owner smells lovely as always. I want to always be able to enjoy your scent”
“All right?”
After that, he gets closer towards the camera and then…the episode ends. Wait. Does that mean you’re my pet Ryou? And I’m your owner? *Faints* haaa~ that was…unbelievably romantic if not a bit perverted at the same time. What are you playing at Ryou? Naughty boy eh? I like that about him *･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･'(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)’･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*
Tamaki’s grandmother is really winding me up. She puts a protective barrier around Tamaki’s room, forbids her from leaving and tells Takuma he is not allowed to see Tamaki anymore. Why are you keeping these two apart?! Can’t you see that they’re in love? Star crossed lovers, they’re like Romeo and Juliet who were tragically kept apart because of their differences. I can see the similarity because Tamaki is the Tamayori princess and Takuma is a demon. It’s not meant to be. It’s not fair. It’s too sad! Stupid old woman, why do this? (-_-) well stuff you! Love will prevail, Tamaki and Takuma will be together no matter what anybody says even if it’s against my wishes. I’m not giving up on Takuma that easily; I will not give up without a fight Tamaki! Prepare yourself!
Takuma, what are you angry about? It’ll be a fair fight don’t worry (^^)
Overall Opinion
This is the second season of Hiiro no Kakera. I’ve already written a review for the first one so if you would like to read it, click here.
The second season continues the story of Tamaki – the Tamayori Princess – and her Guardians. Where as the first season had no real plot and barely contained any action, season two makes up for the lack of plot and action that was missing from the first season. It’s still a slow paced anime and feels like forever to get to the ending, but overall, this season was much better. The first season is very slow and you have to be extremely patient with it if you actually had the time and patience for it.
The plot was good but in my opinion, it could have been put into one season only instead of dragging it out into a second season. It took too long for Tamaki to reach the potential of being the Tamayori princess and have the power to seal away the Onikirimaru. However it did give enough time to fully develop the characters. Tamaki was still as useless as ever but she’s grown a bit in terms of mental strength; she’s not as thoughtless as the first season where she hurried herself into being the Tamayori princess. Instead, Studio DEEN made her grow into a stronger character and the words she speaks to inspire the Guardians were encouraging. Even the antagonists pasts were developed, mainly Eins, and that was what I really liked about this series.
The animation was beautiful as always. Settings were realistic and magical with the red leaves indicating the season which the story takes place in. Every little detail was immaculate and nothing looked out of place. It truly was a wonderful thing to see for my eyes and it left me with a good impression. You could almost certainly recognise this as a shoujo anime with the handsome bishies lurking around!
The opening theme song for the second season was as good and soothing as the first one which I totally like. It was the perfect choice for this series and fitted very well with the image that Hiiro no Kakera originally portrays. I loved it so much that I’ve already downloaded it! It was more fast paced than the opening from the first season but still relaxes me whenever I hear it. The ending theme song was also as good with a more upbeat feel to it as expected from Shuhei Kita.
SPOILER: Ryou reveals that he is the true Guardian of the Inukai household. His mother hid him away when he was young so he wouldn’t have to go through the pain so Shinji was taken in and made the Guardian. Oh the lies! So where did Shinji’s power come from then?
Oh Ryou…you make my heart beat faster every time I see you ❤
SPOILER 2: Drei is in possession of the Onikirimaru and plans to destroy humans who are inferior to the power of the gods. In an ensuring battle, Eins sacrifices himself to protect Aria which results in his death. Drei transforms into a hideous creature and proclaims himself a god. With Tamaki giving them strength, the Guardians set out to end Drei’s dastardly plan and manage to kill him. Tamaki then wishes Onikirimaru to disappear to which it does. Onikirimaru is no longer within the reach of humans and no one can sought out the demonic power ever again. The world is in peace at last. Thank the lord for that. Amen.
I definitely enjoyed the second season more than the first one because there was more plot and characters to build a story on. The plot was really developing and you could see the anime’s potential. Although the ending lacked a little bit, everything was improved on and I couldn’t of asked for a better season 2. I will definitely be re-watching Hiiro no Kakera many times because of the animation, music and characters. I’ve grown to love them very much! I’m gutted that Eins’ sacrifice was overlooked by the Guardians victory over Drei but it wasn’t meaningless or anything! I’m proud of Eins and he will live on in my memory. He deserves to be remembered!
Hiiro no Kakera Dai-ni-Shou exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more. What I ask now is, what is going to happen next? At the end of the final episode, Ryou says their duties as Guardians are not over yet as the Bureau of Medicine will become active. With my judgement, if a possible season 3 were based on what Ryou said, then that would be something I’d watch. I would hate to see Hiiro no Kakera end when it’s just improved. It just seems abrupt and sudden in a way. What do you guys think? Let me know by comment!
Happy New Year’s Eve! Enjoy the last moments of 2012 and I shall see you all in 2013. I’m off to watch the New Year celebrations on my TV, yay for fireworks! I hope that you’ll continue reading my blog too (^_^)
Seven Coloured Compass 