Shakugan no Shana Second 9

Fair bit of fighting in this episode but for me, as usual, it's the chara and plot development that intrigued me. Annaberg was one of the more interesting tomogara; his project involving the acceleration of civilization through destruction, rather than the usual spiel of accumulating power for power's sake, reminded me of Ommadon's agenda in an old Western anime, The Flight of Dragons, though that was to cause humanity to become disillusioned with science which was becoming a threat to belief in magic.

Also interesting was how Sydonay did arubaito by playing bodyguard to other tomogara. I wonder if the Bal Masque had been formed yet. And did the client tomogara pay Sydonay with Hecate photos?

Shana II – A filler-esque trainwreck?

I enjoyed Shana I but probably not in the way that most did. I found the Tomogara battles bland and the alternate interlacing universes premise old. No doubt, the music was good but visually the fights were generic. Rather, it was the characters and their interaction/development (an aspect that JC Staff typically excelled in) that intrigued me. Shana's perception of Yuji as a tool, Yuji struggling with his new 'inhuman' existence (both perceptions ironically reversed in the final eps much to my delight), Shana struggling with young love/jealousy over Kazumi, Margery grappling with the demons of her past and so on. The coherent, well-paced character growth in Shana I was what I deemed to be the true strength of the series. The ongoing supernatural battle for Guze-Earth supremacy was made interesting only because it was founded upon such solid characters.

2 years on and 6 eps in, I see the same JC Staff magic in Shana II. The lack of battles didn't bother me. Those who complained about missing villains and diabolical schemes that drove Shana I are forgetting that Kono-Heca-e chan has gained the trust of the group she infiltrated including the cautious Shana and even managed to induced fissures in the key Shana-Yuji relationship. The seed has been planted and will take root. A good storyteller does not rush such growth but nurtures the tale steadily with character growth or plot movement.

Every character is growing not only in depth but in breadth with regards to their liaisons. Wilhemina struggles with her maternal duties to Shana, feeling the heat from Chigusa. Shana fights against competition not only from Kazumi/Konoe but also her pride and uninitiated heart to discover/manage her young love for Yuji. Margery appears with words of wisdom that many in RL (including adults) need to know on managing jealousy. Konoe continues to ooze massive sleeve-tugging charms and Kazumi is forced to reassess the rivalry dynamics with Konoe's entry. Even peripheral characters such as Ogata and Tanaka are progressing well as a couple. Indeed, there's a great deal going on even though the developments may have taken a harem tinge.

Frankly it feels like the Sky girls episode all over again. Although I don't quite blame Shana fans since many enjoyed Shana I for the fast action/frantic initial pacing and are now understandably disappointed with the dearth of both elements. But if we are to examine the goodness of Shana I, one would realise it was enjoyable because the characters were engaging. And the 6 eps of Shana II are reinforcing/building on that foundation so that we may hurt/rejoice more intimately with the characters as the story unfolds.

I know, after the Zero no Tsukaima II trainwreck, confidence in JC Staff's ability with regards to sequels is at an all-time low. But if Shana's 6 eps is any indication of the series' destination, I'd rest easy and enjoy the ride.