Going into this season, I was both really excited and really scared. Excited that I finally get to see a second season of Shana, and scared after witnessing the train-wreck that was ZnT 2.
So far, everything looks good, and I'm praying that the extra time between seasons gave the storyboarders ample time to really plan things out. Now, for the episode itself...As a note, I haven't read any of the light novels aside from volume 1, so while everyone keeps hinting that something big will happen, I want to be kept in the dark as much as possible. So please, be liberal with your spoiler tags if you reference the novels.
1. I didn't mind the recap session at all, seeing that it's been over a year since season one ended, and I think they pulled it off without being overly boring. Yuji's analytical skills seem pretty sharp, which kind of carries over from last season. Being one month removed from ZnT 2, I was shuddering at the thought that Saito=Yuji. Thankfully, he's far less lecherous and a lot more intelligent (though he seems just as clueless about romance
). I liked how they reanimated everything too, rather than reusing the old stuff. Nice touch there.
2. One thing I did mind was Yuji not hearing the confession. Bad plot hole...
It was too convenient to go down this route, I think. I too would have preferred that they kept the relationship development going. Shana being flustered at Yuji's question was very cute, though.
3. Not that I'd knock the entire episode for this, but did Kugimiya Rie's English get a little worse?
I could've sworn she said that line a lot better in the first season...
4. The new Tomogara seems interesting. I'm wondering what she accomplished by sending Yuji off to his dreamworld. Also seems like a pretty powerful ability if she can use it on the Flame Haze as well.
5. Everyone's already mentioned this, but watching this in HD gives me nerdgasms...
All in all, I thought it was a good start to the season. I'm still a little scared, seeing that I thought ZnT 2 had a good start, only to have its plot fall apart at the seams. I honestly think that JC Staff will do a much better job with this, though.
I give it a solid 8 out of 10.