Blue Miburo Season 2

Watching the outcome with the Choshu soldier was incredibly dividing and brutal on the Miburo's end. The reveal of identity with the traitor within their ranks was shocking, but it feels kinda led up towards. Everything happens at once.

The story behind Niimi and Serizawa humanized Serizawa a lot. Both seem to have respect for one another, but pride that distracts from their personal relationship. Serizawa is also very unpredictable in his temperament and behavior. Both factors take away from a meaningful bond.

Serizawa's characterization goes back and forth between caring and unreasonable. He never explains himself nor tries to come to an understanding with the other characters. His unpredictable nature is a driving point for the plot at this point.

The girl who Hijikita encountered seems like she will be a pivotal character in the upcoming stories, or an excuse for lighthearted scenes amongst the upcoming chaos. This episode explored the start of what seems like a battle between factions caused by Hijikita's hierarchy.

This episode gave the series a tonal change and served as a turning point for the plot! As it takes a turn to be more political and faction-focused, the story is more serious for its first half, that later softens itself with the ending.

After this episode, I find Serizawa a really bad character. The back and forth between "good" and "bad" as a personality, despite his own guilt for his actions in this episode, feel really hard to follow and distances myself from sympathizing with the character.

Serizawa's cruel condition to Taro is shown to be effective in pushing him further. Personally, I find Taro's determination and unwavering focus really admirable, as it has shifted my impression of him from annoying to determined.

The episode focused on Okiku, giving us incredibly wholesome scenes with the Miburo, showing their humane side to the Yagi family. Those scenes gave the audience a well deserved break from the intense sequence so far..

The second half was a fun watch! Samurai ideals are challenged, but instead of being violent, Hajime tries to understand Sakamoto a little. The two seem like an unexpected duo, and Sakamoto is much less intense than how he is described.

I did like Serizawa prior to this episode.. but the story around him, and other characters thoughts about him keep shifting in a way that makes me confused. He is the most complex character though, hoping for more exploration with him and Niimi!

This episode took time to slow down and allow characters to digest all that has been going on. Hijikita's decision was unexpected but well thought out as to avoid more issues in the future.

Kenran was such a fun character! His arrogance and determination towards the end showed his possible solid character. Watching him be humbled while starting to admire the MC was great. Hoping he comes back in later episodes.

The addition of the Choshu Samurai added new stakes to the series with the Choshu potentially in the same area as the Mibu! Despite it not being a dramatic encounter, it seems like the future plot will involve them closely.

I personally found it really hard to keep up with all the new faces and different personalities of their recruits.. the central theme of the series is also watered down in this episode, as theu focus less on the new faces later despite focusing on them earlier.

The trial was so informal and could've been done way better to show the injustice of Uchiyama + the magistrate from a political standpoint, but in turn it did offer a simple way out for the characters.

The lighthearted nature of the second half really did well to balance out the bloody battle and misunderstandings between the duo of Kondo and Serizawa. Their honesty and respect for one another indicates a growing, strong bond between the Mibu!

Serizawa is really shady, like why didn't he just tell Kondo about his innocence himself. He seems extremely prideful and ruthless in battle at the same time. Curious to see how his character develops across the season.

It is a little hard to keep up with the main cast being more than like, 10 characters.. but I'm slowly getting the hang of their names. Each of them have distinct personalities. I'm most curious about Serizawa, as he seems ruthless but merciful at the same time.

Good episode, but the animation was a little clunky and not as smooth as I'd personally like, We get to see Nio and Kondo's generous personalities right at the getgo, with them helping a character that seems to be pertinent in the storyline later on.

Characters and atmospheres are on point with season 2 continuing to show off the Miburo's charm! The opening was cold, with Nagakura telling his disciple a story. This episode was promising and I'm looking forward to the next!