The appeal and reviews of "Kagejitsu! Second": A sequel that exceeds expectations

"Kagejitsu! Second" - The shadowy powerhouse who reappeared from the darkness of the abyss

"Kagejitsu! Second" is the second season of the anime series based on the light novel "I Want to Become the Powerful in the Shadows!" by Daisuke Aizawa, which aired from October 5 to December 21, 2023. It was distributed on KADOKAWAanime's official YouTube channel and captivated viewers with its 12 short episodes, each lasting just two minutes, but packed with content. Animation is by Studio PuYUKAI, production is by Shadow Garden, and the director is Minoru Ashina.

Story and Characters

"Kagejitsu! Second" depicts the story of the main character, Shigeo Kageyama, who acts as a "shadowy power". In the first season, we see Kageyama establish his position as a "shadowy power" and face various difficulties with his friends. In the second season, we see his subsequent exploits and new challenges.

Shigeo Kageyama is an ordinary high school student on the surface, but behind the scenes he is a powerful man in the shadows. His goal is to protect the world from the shadows, and to do so he fights various enemies with his friends. In the second season, a new enemy, the "dark organization," appears, and Kageyama and his friends will face a new battle.

The main characters include Alpha, Kageyama's right-hand man, Beta, a combat expert, and Gamma, an information gathering professional. They each play their own role and fight alongside Kageyama. New characters include the Dark Lord, leader of a dark organization, and his subordinates, adding tension to the story.

Animation and performance

The animation by Studio PuYUKAI is short but of high quality. The battle scenes in particular beautifully depict Kageyama's skills as a "shadow warrior," making for a visually impactful performance. The characters' expressions and movements are also meticulously drawn, realistically expressing the changes in their emotions and psychological state.

In terms of directing, director Minoru Ashina skillfully advances the story. It is difficult to depict the development of the story and the growth of the characters in the short time of two minutes per episode, but Director Ashina does it skillfully. In particular, the scenes depicting Kageyama's conflict and determination as the "power behind the scenes" strongly move the viewer's heart.

Music and voice acting

The music brings out Kageyama's sense of loneliness as the "power behind the scenes" and the tension of the battles. In particular, the background music in the battle scenes has the power to draw the viewer in. The character songs also bring out the individuality of each character, adding depth to the story.

The voice cast is also impressive, with the voice actor who plays Kageyama Shigeo continuing from the first season. His voice expresses Kageyama's calmness as the "power behind the scenes" and his fiery passion. The voice actor who plays Alpha skillfully portrays her strength and kindness. The voice actors for Beta and Gamma also deliver performances that bring out the individuality of their respective characters.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Kagejitsu! Second" is a short but dense work that draws viewers in. It depicts Shigeo Kageyama's growth as a "power behind the scenes," the bond between him and his friends, and the battle against a new enemy, deeply moving the viewer's heart. The animation, direction, music, and voice acting are all of a high standard, making it a high-quality work overall.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

• The story depicts Kageyama Shigeo's growth and struggles as a "shadowy power," and is sure to deeply touch the hearts of viewers.
• Though short, the content is dense, and the story progresses skillfully within the two-minute length of each episode.
• High quality animation and visually impactful battle scenes.
• The music highlights Kageyama's sense of loneliness and the tension of the battle, and the character songs bring out the characters' personalities.
• The performances by the gorgeous voice actors skillfully express the individuality of the characters.

"Kagejitsu! Second" is a work that can be recommended to those who have already seen the first season, as well as those who are watching it for the first time. This work, which depicts Shigeo Kageyama's activities as a "shadowy power" and the bond between him and his friends, will leave a deep impression on viewers.

Related information

The original work for "Kagejitsu! Second" is "I Want to Become a Shadow Power!", a light novel series written by Daisuke Aizawa and published by KADOKAWA. The original novel details Kageyama Shigeo's exploits as a "shadow power", and includes many episodes that are not depicted in the anime. By reading the original work, you can enjoy the story even more deeply.

Official merchandise for "Kagejitsu! Second" is also on sale, with popular character figures, T-shirts, key chains, etc. In particular, the figure that recreates Shigeo Kageyama's appearance as the "powerful man behind the scenes" is a must-have item for fans.

In addition, events for "Kagejitsu! Second" are also being held, including talk shows with voice actors and screenings. At these events, fans can hear behind-the-scenes stories and behind-the-scenes information about the work, making it a valuable opportunity.

summary

"Kagejitsu! Second" depicts the growth of Kageyama Shigeo as the "power behind the scenes" and the bond between him and his friends. Although short, it draws viewers in with its dense content, and the animation, direction, music, and voice acting are all of a high standard. There is also the original novel, official merchandise, and events to enjoy, making this a work that fans cannot miss. Be sure to watch this work and enjoy Kageyama Shigeo's exploits as the "power behind the scenes".