Mission: Yozakura Family Season 2

So, not the best ending to a season I've ever seen. I mean, it wasn't necessarily awful, but I just think that my biggest problem this season was how everything seemed to focus on (what felt like) random, nonsensical powers that just appear when the plot needs them to, and that carries in to the finale - at least, for me. Also, that dad needs to leave and never come back because what is his problem? Absolutely insane and for what, exactly? Like, we did close out this arc and set up another one to follow, so it is what it is. I'll still watch the next season, but maybe I need to lower my expectations a little.

Maybe I'm emotionally still reeling from last episode's calamity, but I feel as if everything is becoming so much more complicated than it needs to be, and the past two episodes have kind of lost me on what Yozakura Family is really about. I mean, we have the first part being a comedic little section regarding Futaba and Shion (which was okay, but not the best comedy in the series), then the second half adds in new elements to the confusion - as if we didn't already have enough at this point. Next episode seems like things may slow down a little and put us back on pace, so I'll hope for that, because I need a mental break from the intensity.

So, the conclusion of the test was really nice and, in a way, unexpected. Obviously, this episode follows neatly on from last one and has Taiyo face off against Kyo, and Taiyo really does put up a great fight - honestly, it can make one wonder how the others even got this far. Taiyo just keeps evolving and pulling out new tricks, and this trick he pulled out is something we're undeniably going to see more of, even though it kind of makes me nervous as to how it ends up affecting Taiyo and/or everyone around him. The overarching plot of this part right now also seems to be progressing forwards, and it's only raising more questions than answers at this stage.

So, we obviously properly commence the silver spy licence exam, and what an exam it turns out to be. I won't say how far we got in the exam itself, but I appreciate the varying tactics that we got to see undergone by the exam takers, and the way in which an adjudicator would attempt to best an examinee. The note we left the episode on was an interesting one, especially because we don't know how Taiyo - or any other candidate, for that matter - could approach the current problem they need to deal with. Very curious to how dynamics will play a part in this one as well, since what we've seen also had an element of that, and it may arguably be strongest in the next little bit Taiyo has to face.

I figured the explanation would be something along the lines of which it was, so props to the writers for writing something figure-out-able instead of just making things up like no one's business (AKA, what episode six felt a little bit like). Aside from trying to track down Kyo and get some sort of explanation as to why he's doing in this episode, we got introduced to yet another character (they just don't stop, honestly) whose relevance I'm not too sure of as at this moment, but I'm sure they'll come into play later down the line. The place we ended the episode on was a good cliff-hanger, and I'm very interested in seeing how exactly the family are going to deal with the issue at hand.

So, while that ending was far from clear in terms of telling us what happened, I have questions that I would like answered, hence meaning that I'm properly invested for the first time in this season. Unfortunately, though, I don't think that this series will ever manage to make Kyo more than a rather straightforward character. I know they try, and this episode is yet another attempt at that, but it simply doesn't work - at least, for me - which sucks because he obviously has layers but they're all cheapened by him being a siscon. Undeniably, he is the strongest sibling and this episode shows that off a little, and I hope we get a good explanation in the next one.

Okay, now that I understand what's happening (because they didn't throw fifty things at us at once), I can be happy with the plot. Tsubomi is just a psycho, as well, as we see demonstrated in this episode - not that we didn't have any idea beforehand. I had an issue two episodes prior with Ninomae existing still, but we get clarification on that here, so I'm a lot less pressed about that now. I still don't fully accept what's happening plot-wise because of its slight convoluted nature, but I'm growing to accept it slowly but surely. This episode was a blend of plot and comedy, which was a good way to go about it, and I hope they can improve on or at least continue with what they're doing now.

It seems like, even if it was only for an episode, we got to relax a little and go back to the original core of this series is, and I enjoyed that. The first half focused on Ai, which is a delight because I've wanted to see her properly for a while, and just included a crazy storyline regarding her - nothing too serious. The second half - while entertaining and enjoyable, focusing on Mutsi - did end up perpetuating some less than ideal ideals towards the end, so I can't fully enjoy it because it did, unfortunately, leave a small, sour taste in my mouth. We're going back to real plot next episode, so let's hope they handle that well.

Frankly, I'm just a little confused. This episode was basically just speaking important plot details at the viewer for twenty minutes straight, so it ended up getting a little hard to follow and process fully while watching it. It's as if you're trying to focus on one thing and understand that, and they add in another aspect while you're still processing the first bit, and that happens for the whole episode. I mean, it was still enjoyable, but my brain feels fried is all. I hope that they kind of explain things more one at a time in following episodes, and give me time to digest everything which I've just seen. I'm just confused. Something like this won't stop me from watching, not at all - I've continued watching things when they were at much worse quality than this - but I need time to process.

So we got into plot-related things earlier than I thought we would - second half of this episode to be precise. While the first half was just a Shinzo focus where we get to see more of him and how he acts, the second half explained one or two details a little bit, then prompting Taiyo to make advancements in his spy career. I think next episode is going to be really funny, especially given how the dynamics and personalities of certain people are most definitely going to come into play. Shinzo is so truly, very sweet, by the way; I love him.

Really fun episode. Still haven't got into any meaningful plot yet, and I suspect we won't for at least two more episodes, but I don't mind considering the vibes that the past two episodes have brought us. First half of this one introduced us to a new character and, even though they're a bit weird and most definitely not everyone's cup of tea, I can't help but find them a little endearing in some ways. Second half focuses on Shion just trying to blend into society, I guess, and a bit of back and forth from other characters trying to do so in a way which produces funny and crazy moments. I'm enjoying this a lot so far, and I trust I'll keep enjoying myself.

What a wonderful way to open up the new season. We have a new addition to the family, which I already suspected based on the events of last season, but it's so sweet to see all their interactions with the Yozakuras (I almost cried at one point). The second half of the episode is sort of a Kyo focus which explores aspects of him you wouldn't really expect to see from him, but that's because of extraneous circumstances which is why it makes sense. It looks like we'll be in for a lot of interesting things this season, so let's hope it's as good as the last.

I liked this finale episode for the season. The way it was laid out as a setup for the next season was really good. Though, Kyoichiro's situation was resolved a little too quickly, which made it feel somewhat anti-climactic in the end. I still liked how it ended, though. It really made things exciting for the upcoming season.

It was a little underwhelming how Kyoichiro's situation was resolved. Or maybe I was just expecting a little too much. Though, honestly, the ending scene really made things more interesting for the next season. The lore is just getting so good!

I can't believe this season has ended already. This episode was really good, and it built up great anticipation for the next season. I can't wait to see more of this!

Watching this didn't feel like a season finale at all, but then I found out it was only the first cour. Taiyo's fight with Kyoichiro felt anticlimactic, and the same goes for the fight against Momo. The animation during the fights was also pretty rough, although it noticeably improved once Momo appeared. Overall, this season has a weaker production quality than the first, and a lot of moment felt anticlimatic, but the series still retains its charm. Can't wait for the next cour.

Tsubomi being the one behind the Kurozakura poison is so messed up and poor Kyoichiro has been carrying that weight all alone

It was hard watching Futaba fall to her knees after Kyoichiro escaped, but Taiyo showing up with those glowing purple eyes really changed the energy.

Mutsumi staying so calm on the bus while her brothers were fighting in the cave showed she is the only one who can lead this family right now

I was so shocked when the custodian turned out to be the Chairman and his description of having a brain flooded with information sounded like a total nightmare