Date A Live II review: A fascinating story and character evolution

"Date A Live II": New developments brought about by a date with a spirit

"Date A Live II" is the second season of the TV anime series based on the light novel by Tachibana Koushi, and aired from April 12 to June 14, 2014. The appeal of this work is its unique setting in which the girls are saved by going on dates with otherworldly beings known as spirits, and the story unfolds as a fusion of fantasy and romantic comedy. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of "Date A Live II", as well as recommended points.

■Overview of the work

"Date A Live II" begins with Shido Itsuka, an ordinary high school student attending Raizen High School, awakening to the ability to seal the powers of spirits. Contrary to their beautiful appearances, the spirits possess immense power, and in order to save them, Shido opens up their hearts through dates and seals their powers. In the second season, the story becomes even deeper as Shido meets new spirits and delves into his own past.

■Broadcast information

"Date A Live II" was broadcast on the following stations:

• TOKYO MX: Friday, April 11, 2014 25:35
• BS11: Saturday, April 12, 2014 27:00
• AT-X: Sunday, April 13, 2014 7:30pm
• Chiba TV: Sunday, April 13, 2014 24:00
• tvk: Sunday, April 13, 2014 24:00
• Teletama: Sunday, April 13, 2014 24:00
• Sun TV: Sunday, April 13, 2014 24:30
• TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting: April 13, 2014, Sunday 26:30
• Gifu Broadcasting: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 24:00
• Mie TV: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 25:20

Each episode is 30 minutes long and there are 10 episodes in total.

■ Production staff

The following staff members are involved in the production of "Date A Live II":

• Original author: Tachibana Koushi
• Director: Keitaro Motonaga
• Animation production: Production I.G.S.
• Production: "Date A Live II" Production Committee (KADOKAWA Kadokawa Shoten, Clockworks, ATX, Glovision, Nippon Columbia, Docomo Anime Store, Sony Music Communications, Production I.M.S., Kadokawa Media House)

■ Story

Spirits are otherworldly beings in the form of innocent young girls, and despite their cute appearance, they possess immense power. There are two ways to neutralize them: to annihilate them by force, or to date them and make them fall in love with you. Shido Itsuka, an ordinary high school student attending Raizen High School, awakens to the ability to "seal the power of spirits" after his first encounter with a spirit, Tohka. Although they are feared because of their powerful fighting abilities, these spirits have only known battle and death, and they have always been alone. In order to save them, Shido throws himself into a life-or-death war (date) with the beautiful spirits.

Some seek to annihilate the spirits, others to save them. Some are driven by hatred, others to use them. As various motives intersect, those who truly control the world eventually emerge from the depths of darkness. And Shido also comes to know his true self. What lies beyond the conclusion of this accelerating story? "The Kingdom has been turned upside down. Now, humanity, stand back."

■Cast

The main cast of "Date A Live II" is as follows:

• Shido Itsuka: Nobunaga Shimazaki
• Touka Yatogami: Marina Inoue
• Tobiichi Origami: Misuzu Togashi
• Kotori Itsuka: Ayana Taketatsu
• Yoshino: Iori Nomizu
• Tokisaki Kurumi: Sanada Asami
• Yamayaya: Maaya Uchida
• Yamai Yuzuru: Sarah Bridcutt Emi
• Tempting Night Miku: Minori Chihara
• Murasame Reion: Endo Aya
• Kyohei Kannazuki: Takehito Koyasu
• Mana Takamiya: Ajiri
• Tamae Okamine: Kaori Sadohara
• Hiroto Tonomachi: Anri Katsu
• Ellen Mira Mathers: Shizuka Ito
• Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott: Ryutaro Okiayu

■ Main staff

The main staff of "Date A Live II" are as follows:

• Original author: Tachibana Koushi
• Original illustration: Tsunako (serialized in Dragon Magazine: published by Fantasia Bunko)
• Planning: Takeshi Yasuda
• Director: Keitaro Motonaga
• Visual Director: Hisashi Saito
• Series Composition: Hideki Shirane
• Character design: Satoshi Ishino
• Chief animation director: Kazuki Aizawa
• Chief Mecha Animation Director: Kobe Yoko
• Mechanical design: Mika Akitaka, Yasuyasu Moriki
• Prop design: Goichi Iwahata
• Art Director: Kei Ichimura (Atelier Platz)
• Art setting: Hiroki Matsumoto (Atelier Platz)
• Color setting: Atsushi Furukawa
• 3DCG Director: Tetsuya Watanabe
• Director of photography: Tsubasa Yokoyama (T2 Studio)
• Edited by: Yoshiaki Kimura (IMAGICA)
• Setting research: Takaaki Suzuki
• Sound Director: Yasunori Ebina
• Sound effects: Kiyotaka Kawada
• Music: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Music Production: Nippon Columbia
• Sound Production: Glow Vision
• Executive Producer: Takeshi Yasuda
• Producer: Chiaki Kurakane
• Animation producers: Kiyoshi Oki and Ryuji Karasu
• Animation production: Production I.G.S.
• Production: Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Tsuneo Takechi, Tetsuya Dobashi, Nobuyuki Okada, Hirokuni Maeyama, Nobukazu Kumagai, Tsutomu Kashimura, Yoshiyuki Matsuzaki, Masahiro Kiba, "Date A Live II" Production Committee (KADOKAWA Kadokawa Shoten, Clockworks, ATX, Glovision, Nippon Columbia, Docomo Anime Store, Sony Music Communications, Production I.M., Kadokawa Media House)

■ Main Characters

Here is a detailed introduction to the main characters of "Date A Live II":

Shido Itsuka

A second-year student at Raizen High School in Amagyou City. During a past incident, she awakened to the ability to "seal the power of spirits within her body." Since then, she has cooperated with Ratatoskr, commanded by her step-sister Kotori, and has continued to save many spirits. As her parents are busy and often away from home, she is the breadwinner of the family, doing all the housework and cooking.

Yatogami Tohka

The first spirit that Shido saved. Cheerful, lively, innocent and unsuspecting. Thanks to Ratatoskr's arrangements, she is now Shido's classmate. She is a big eater, and has a particular weakness for kinako bread and Shido's home cooking. She just can't help but love Shido. The angel she manifests is "Sandalphon, the Massacre Master."

Itsuka Kotori

Shido's step-sister, who became a spirit after being born by "someone". When she wears her trademark white ribbon, she is an innocent and cute little sister - but once she puts on a black ribbon, she becomes the commander of the secret police, Ratatoskr, who are trying to solve spacequakes by communicating with spirits. She loves lollipops so much that she always carries one in a special case. The angel she manifests is "Kamael, the Scorching Demon".

Tobiichi Origami

Shido's classmate and (self-proclaimed?) lover. Possessing the best athletic ability at Raizen High School and a mysterious beauty, she is a talented high school student who belongs to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's anti-spirit unit, AST. Having lost both parents in an attack by spirits, she has vowed to take revenge. Her expression of love for Shido is quite carnivorous, a stark contrast to her cool impression.

Yoshino

The second spirit that Shido saved. She is quiet and withdrawn, but her best friend, Yoshino, who is in her left hand, is cheerful and loves to joke around. Among the many spirits with strong personalities, Yoshino's presence seems to be an oasis for Shido's heart. The angel she manifests is the "Frost Puppet, Zadkiel".

Tokisaki Kurumi

The "Worst Spirit" is the only one Shido has encountered and failed to save. Among the spirits that often appear in the human world by chance, this is a unique being that can appear of its own volition from the neighboring world, and has even intentionally killed people. There is no doubt that it acts with some kind of purpose in mind, but that purpose has yet to be revealed. The angel that manifests is "Zafkiel, the Momentary Emperor".

Murasame Reion

A crew member and analyst of the Ratatoskr's airship, the Fraxinus. He has insomnia and looks sleepy all the time. Although he speaks and acts in a rather strange way, he is an extremely skilled analyst.

Takamiya Mana

Shido's younger sister, who was separated from him at a young age, is always concerned about him. She is also an excellent magician, and was once seconded from DEM to AST. However, during that time, she was seriously injured by her sworn enemy, Kurumi. At DEM, she received some kind of "treatment" that has dramatically improved her talent, and Ratatosk seems to be concerned about the side effects of this.

Temptation Miku

A spirit with an enchanting voice that seems like it is not of this world. Some say that she has built a foundation for life in the human world, but her true nature remains a mystery. The angel she manifests is "Gabriel, the Destroyer Diva."

Yamayaguya

These spirits move at a speed faster than the wind, making them difficult to encounter, let alone come into contact with. Accompanied by typhoon-like winds, after "they" pass by, a pitiful scene unfolds... The angel that manifests is the same "Hydrome Knight (Raphael)" as Yuzuru.

Yamai Yuzuru

A spirit that reaches a critical state along with the raging wind. She is no doubt a spirit called a Berserker, but the details remain a mystery. The angel she manifests is the "Hurricane Knight (Raphael)" just like Yaguya.

Ellen Mira Mathers

DEM Company, Second Executive Division, General Manager. She usually follows Westcott and acts like a secretary. Her loyalty to Westcott is second to none within DEM, and she holds the power of being the No. 2 in DEM Company. Another nickname for her that is whispered about in the shadows is "The World's Strongest Magician"...

Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott

He is the Managing Director and de facto head of DEM (Deus Ex Machina) Industries, headquartered in the UK. He is a world-famous figure and should be exposed in the media, but even within the company, only a few people know his intentions and goals.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Date A Live II" are as follows:

• Episode 1: Daily Life
• Episode 2: Son of the Hurricane
• Episode 3: Two Wishes
• Episode 4: Manifestation
• Episode 5: Diva
• Episode 6: Girls Music
• Episode 7: The Battle Queen (Gabrielle)
• Episode 8: A promise to keep
• Episode 9: The truth about Miku
• Episode 10: Inversion

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs for "Date A Live II" are as follows:

OP1

• Song Name: Trust in you
• Lyricist: Shio Watanabe
• Composer: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Arrangement: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Sung by: sweet ARMS

ED1

• Song Name: Day to Story
• Lyricist: Nobutaka Ishii
• Composer: Nobutaka Ishii
• Arrangement: Yujiro Okano
• Vocals: Kaori Sadowara

IN1

• Song title: monochrome
• Usage: 6, 7
• Lyricist: Komatsu Rena
• Composer: Tetsuya Shitara
• Arrangement: Tetsuya Shitara
• Sung by: Yuiyoi Miku (Miri Chihara)

IN2

• Song Name: My Treasure
• Usage story: 10
• Lyricist: Shio Watanabe
• Composer: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Arrangement: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Sung by: Yuiyoi Miku (Miri Chihara)

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Date A Live II" continues from the first season with its unique setting of saving spirits through dates. In the second season, the story becomes even deeper as Shido encounters new spirits and delves into his own past. In particular, the episodes with Izayoi Miku and the Yamai sisters provided viewers with new emotions and excitement. Additionally, the quality of the character designs and battle scenes is high, highlighting the technical capabilities of animation production company Production I.G.

In terms of the story, Shido's growth and the backgrounds of the spirits are carefully depicted, and there are many developments that make it easy for viewers to empathize. In particular, do not miss the scenes where the relationship between Shido and the spirits changes and the individuality of each spirit stands out. In addition, music is also an important element in livening up the atmosphere of the work, and the selection of opening, ending, and insert songs is excellent.

However, some viewers have commented that the story development is a little predictable. Also, the excessive depiction of date scenes with spirits may make the story feel slow. Nevertheless, the charm of the characters and the depth of the worldview make this a work that can be fully enjoyed, and it is especially recommended for those who like fantasy and romantic comedies.

■ Recommended points

Here are some reasons why we recommend Date A Live II:

1. Charming characters

Each spirit has a strong personality and leaves a strong impression on the viewer. In particular, the charm of each character stands out, such as Tohka's innocence, Origami's coolness, and Kurumi's mysteriousness. In addition, Shido's growth and Kotori's dual nature are also points not to be missed.

2. Unique setting

The setting of saving the girls through a date with a spirit has a unique charm not found in other works. This setting drives the story and draws the viewer in.

3. High-quality animation

The quality of the character designs and battle scenes is excellent, and the technical capabilities of the animation studio Production Iams shine through. The visuals of the angel spirits are particularly impressive.

4. A moving story

The changes in the relationship between Shido and the spirits, as well as the background of each spirit, are carefully depicted, making it easy for viewers to empathize. In particular, the scenes in which Shido grows and the spirits are saved are very moving.

5. The appeal of music

The selection of opening, ending, and insert songs is excellent, and is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In particular, Miku Iyase's singing voice enhances the worldview of the work.

Conclusion

"Date A Live II" is an appealing work with its unique setting of saving spirits through dates, its charming characters, and its high-quality animation. In the second season, the story becomes even deeper as Shido encounters new spirits and delves into his own past. This is a work that is especially recommended for fans of fantasy and romantic comedies, and will surely provide viewers with excitement and emotion.