1. 

   Jobrill
   November 21st, 2007 - 00:33

   You know, I enjoyed the character interaction of Shana I too, but I’m still pretty restless with this season. It’s not that there’s no action, it’s that the last 4-5 episodes have essentially been the same thing: Yuji’s Oblivious, Hecate-thing is Moe, Shana and Yoshida are jealous. Even the Wilhelmina/Shana dynamic seems like repeats from past episodes. I just plain don’t see the character development. I mean, they even actively rolled back a lot of the Shana/Yuji development from S1 with the whole “Oh no, I didn’t say anything back at that time when we summoned Alastar! Shut up Shut up Shut up!” thing.

   At least Ogata and Eita have had some pretty nice character development, I have enjoyed their scenes!

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2. 

   Owen S
   November 21st, 2007 - 00:37

   The ongoing supernatural battle for Guze-Earth supremacy was made interesting only because it was founded upon such solid characters.

   Congratulations, this makes you better than the 7961236 fanboys bashing it. I’ve had similar sentiments for a long time, to say nothing of how this reminds me of the StrikerS bashing all around.

   Like you, I’m not really bothered about the lack of action right now. It’s going to be great to sit back and gloat at the end of the season about how our reactions to the slow start were right, though, because I’m sure Shana II will turn out awesome in the end.

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3. 

   Impz
   November 21st, 2007 - 00:41

   Being one of the fanboys somewhat bashing it (I miss my urusai), I kinda wish that they will return back to the action scenes more. I do like my character development but it feels just a bit stale at times as the characters do not seem to flesh out as well as it should. Shana II feels like a bad reenactment of shoujo…and i love shoujo.

   Nevertheless, I am still watching it hoping that there’s a change eventually. I still love my lolis.

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4. 

   Kabitzin
   November 21st, 2007 - 01:05

   Konoe better turn out to be really important though, because she is getting a ton of screentime. I agree with Impz about the poorly done shoujo-esque arc, and I feel that in general the Shana series often suffer from a meandering plot. Yeah character development is important, but SnS suffers from extremely inefficient character development. And as Jobrill mentions, the characters have grown extremely slowly, and really only Yuuji is much different now from his season 1 self.

   I’m not one to immediately drop the series, especially since season 1 ended so well and had some really riveting moments. However, I think it a disservice not to mention that there are some very boring sections in a series that presents itself as an action series with an intriguing storyline. Even if the ending is good, that doesn’t mean the middle didn’t still suck.

   But mostly I just can’t stand Konoe.

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5. 

   Stripey
   November 21st, 2007 - 02:15

   Jobrill: I think the roll-back is inevitable if they want to sustain the love rivalry and Shana’s tsundere status. Still all is not lost since it’s not like we are back in Square one with Shana getting a better grip on her feelings for Yuji with Kazumi aiding her to confront her emotional difficulties. That said I understand what you and Kabitzin mean about the inefficiencies of the character development. Actually those gaps meant to be filled by character charm which I’m probably more sensitive/susceptible to by virtue of my harem-anime training

   Owen S: I’m not sure about being better but I sure am with you on our unquenchable hope for Shana II’s inevitable awesomeness Go go Heka chan!

   Impz: Heh, maybe Shana II’s problem with many is it’s a shounen trying to tackle a harem scenario with a shoujo touch. As mentioned maybe my senses have been dulled by too many bad harems that I think the love rivalry here to be rather intriguing. Previously Shana is faced with a rival that is upfront and has the integrity to declare war on Shana’s ‘terrority’. The face-off is brutal but honourable. Much like 2 samurais on a deathmatch. With Konoe, the war changes. It’s a clandestine war. Insidious even. With ninja tactics, Konoe worms her way into Yuji’s heart right under the noses of the 2 supposed challengers. Shana and Kazumi are of course lost since they can’t finger Konoe for the conquest plans plus circumstances forces Yuji to be close to Konoe – an advantage Shana previously had over Kazumi but relinquishes them by withdrawing from Yuji and the training sessions. There are actually many interesting facets of the Konoe-Shana-Kazumi rivalry that makes it interesting. I only hope I’m not just extrapolating too much from the series

   Kabitzin: I think it’d really be hard to enjoy Shana II if one dislike Konoe. I’m sure she plays an important role in the story after all she’s the lynch-pin for the Bel-Mask plot. I think you have rightly pointed out why many found Shana disappointing in that it’s marketed as an action series with intriguing plot. But as mentioned, I enjoy the harem element in Shana most XD And so far I think it’s quite well-done and firmly believe the said development would serve as a strong foundation for the plot later on. I guess my positivity towards Shana II stemmed from my faith in JC staff and my penchant for intriguing harem situations

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6. 

   holyman282
   November 21st, 2007 - 04:02

   Yeah I enjoyed Shana 2 as well. Didn’t find the character development boring, although I do admit ep 5 was quite pointless. A good show must have a good foundation, considering that Season 2 has several new characters, their foundation and relationship with the existing cast must be developed in order for the story to make sense in the future.

   I’ve noticed that alot of people’s chagrim with Season 2 is Yuji’s inconsistency in character, with reguards to not noticing Shana’s confusing method of displaying affection.. I mean looking through the eyes of Yuji, I would be confused also as to whether Shana likes you or dislikes you… One minute she’s complimenting you and the next she’s not showing up for training. Many people expect Yuji to somehow discern Shana’s feelings from those confusing actions but I just feel people dislike these few ep because Konoe is making Shana “sad”.

   Also as much as I would like to view Konoe as moe stripey, she’s slowly pushing the boundaries that separates clueless moe to simply a mentally incapacitated sheltered girl (retard for short)…. As much as I like Konoe, her actions are wearing thin..

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7. 

   Sarv
   November 21st, 2007 - 04:44

   Thank you. Everyone else in the universe keeps bashing Shana II when I really don’t see any significant departure from the first season. Shana was always about the characters.

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8. 

   Stripey
   November 21st, 2007 - 06:54

   holyman282: I have to admit I found ep 5 slower than the rest but not pointless. I’ve only read a few posts about their disappointment with Shana II but was kind of filled in by Zyl. I didn’t find Yuji inconsistent in fact I was rather glad he’s leveling up as a mystes and as a harem lead. I found that scene where he was looking into Konoe’s eyes (at the tree) particularly sweet. And I’m sure all these patient build up will pay off when Konoe turns Hecate and come back to bite Yuji in the butt (figuratively I mean). Ah the drama! The horror and pain! I’m so looking forward to it. XD

   Sarv: You’re welcome. Just doing what I can to help that Shana flame going.

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9. 

   Ashram
   November 21st, 2007 - 07:33

   Great post! I didn’t realize so many people were whining about the dearth of action, but you echoed exactly why I loved the first season, and (so far) the second. Yuji’s confusion can be understood, but after Ike’s multiple proddings, he’d better catch on soon to how his fawning over Konoe has been looking to Shana or then it’ll become inconsistent. His keen sense of observation and ability to come up with tactics on the fly in past confrontations would lead us to assume he’s not a total retard!

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10. 

    Neo Horizon
    November 21st, 2007 - 21:40

    I didn’t realize Shana fans were so unhappy, but I guess it would have made sense if I thought about it. XD I, on the other hand, am perfectly content with season 2. I prefer character development over action (especially since the action in season 1 was a little bland and forgettable -_-) so season 2 currently has everything I’m looking for. I hope things continue in this way for as long as possible. ^^

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11. 

    Stripey
    November 22nd, 2007 - 21:24

    Ashram/Neo Horizon: Heh glad to see many whose Shana flame still burns brightly in spite of the haremesque developments. I’d enjoy Konoe while we can. Since once the Bel-Mask plot reaches fruition, she’d be on opposing sides with Yuji. Although I hope we can go the DragonBall or Nanoha route and assimilate enemies, esp cute ones into the good guys’ camp permanently

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12. 

    sixten
    November 22nd, 2007 - 23:03

    From the first season, I was aware that Shana was a love-love show disguised as a fantasy action show. And I thought Shana II was awesome until Episode 4 hit. I’m fine with Shana becoming more blatantly a love-love show, but I feel they’re not doing it properly.

    The reason for this has been given already by others in this thread: The characters seem inconsistent and their development has been rolled back. I can understand how Shana would hesitate to repeat her confession from the previous season once she and Yuji were no longer in immediate danger of being permanently separated. But once Konoe showed up, even if Konoe didn’t declare her love for Yuji straight up like Kazumi, I would’ve thought that was enough threat for Shana to declare that she liked Yuji again, if not to Yuji, then to Konoe. Either declaration would’ve made the reasons for her displeasure very clear, and Konoe wouldn’t be able to use her underhanded tactics without looking like she didn’t care about Shana’s feelings. Shana was willing to go head to head with Kazumi, so why not Konoe? It seems like all the buildup to making Shana realize her love and confess it in the last season was torn down.

    I can also understand how Yuji would not be aware that Shana likes him. Tsundere love is mixed with enough abuse for it to be confusing. But he definitely couldn’t have missed Kazumi’s confession. Knowing that Kazumi likes him, can’t he see what showing special attention to Konoe would do to Kazumi? He could’ve been diplomatic and told Konoe to lay off with the sleeve grabbing and the lunch mooching because he was concerned about Kazumi’s feelings. How can Yuji not see what he’s doing to Kazumi? It would be believable if he were an idiot or a jerk, but it’s been shown many times that he is pretty smart and genuinely nice.

    If I were in charge, I would have Yuji fully aware that Shana and Kazumi like him. Sure, that would mean less opportunities for Shana to be tsundere, but aren’t tsunderes supposed to eventually grow out of it and come to terms with their feelings? Yuji would make it clear to both that the crisis they’re in, coupled with his own indecision, makes it impossible for him to choose between them. He requests a truce between them until the crisis is resolved. They’d still compete, but subtly and behind his back. And Hecate? She’d start out pretending to like Yuji just to keep an eye on the Midnight Lost Child (Reiji Maigo) and drive a wedge between him and Shana, but then after living as a human for long enough, eventually comes to like him for real. This would be the “corruption” that Sydonay was worried would befall his “daughter”, and lead to Hecate turning to the good side and helping defeat (or at least drive away) the Ball Masque.

    Hecate then reveals to Yuji that while she was absorbing his memories at the end of the first season she uncovered memories that didn’t seem to belong to him. Those memories turn out to belong to the original Midnight Lost Child, and come bubbling to the surface when a very special new Denizen appears…

    As you know, my soul belongs to J.C.Staff and I have an irrationally large positive bias toward any series that comes out of their studio. For me to drop Shana II means I think they have failed, and badly. If I want to watch a slow-paced love-love drama from J.C.Staff this season, I can get the same fix from Kimikiss, without all the boring fantasy action.

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13. 

    Stripey
    November 23rd, 2007 - 01:17

    Sasuga sixten. Great thoughts! Heh allow me to contribute my 2 cents.

    On roll-back of Shana X Yuji relationship. Actually I felt the roll back was minor. It’s hard for JC Staff since they need to keep Shana’s tsundere charms yet maintain a sense of progress for their relationship. Imagine if Shana suddenly had the maturity to set Yuji straight. There wouldn’t be much haremic tension after that. It’s a tough balancing act and JC Staff is just not ready to let Shana grown up and lose a major attraction of the show.

    I see progress actually. Yuji and Shana are continuing to hammer out their communication channels though the trigger is different this time – an insidious attack by Konoe instead of the upfront Kazumi. The Kazumi-Yuji-Shana impasse was getting old so introducing the needy Konoe throws everyone off balance. Now Shana cannot just wage a side war with Kazumi. She need now to deal with Yuji directly over Konoe. As for telling Konoe off, Shana knows that to be useless since Konoe is either very clueless or very good at feigning it. Her ninja tactics whether knowingly or not has effectively gotten Yuji’s attention and Shana is helpless at these unhanded methods since a Shana-Konoe confrontation is unlikely to be fruitful with Konoe getting distracted by flora and fauna.

    As for Yuji’s insensitivity to Kazumi, that stems from Yuji not seeing his interaction with Konoe as romantic. He sees it as help for a friend, nothing more (though he’s starting to perceive more Konoe charms) but the girls know better. So I don’t blame Yuji even if he might be embarking on the inital phases of denial. He’s just being knightly and unassuming even though from the girls’ point of view, he’s behaving like a jerk.

    And yeah I’m looking forward to the Reiji Maigo parts. Thanks for the tidbits. Can’t wait for the new denzien either. I will periodically report Shana II’s progress and I hope you’d be convinced to rejoin the ride soon.

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