Kuroko no Basket 2nd Season
Kuroko's Basketball 2
黒子のバスケ
With the Interhigh Championship finally over, Seirin's basketball team refocuses their efforts, training harder than ever to get the chance to participate in the Winter Cup. Both Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami see old friends walk back into their lives, providing a challenge both on and off the court. As new skills are developed and new alliances created, enemies from various teams—giants of high school basketball such as Yousen, Shuutoku, and Touou—stand in the way of Seirin's steadfast attempts to get to the top. All of these schools prove to be formidable foes whose abilities progress exponentially, while Kuroko struggles to find a balance between his resolve to play as part of a team and his desire to win. With old wounds reopening, new challenges to face on the court, and a new set of foes—the "Uncrowned Kings"—vowing to defeat the new hopefuls, will Seirin ever be able to achieve their dream of beating the Generation of Miracles? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Synopsis
With the Interhigh Championship finally over, Seirin's basketball team refocuses their efforts, training harder than ever to get the chance to participate in the Winter Cup. Both Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami see old friends walk back into their lives, providing a challenge both on and off the court. As new skills are developed and new alliances created, enemies from various teams—giants of high school basketball such as Yousen, Shuutoku, and Touou—stand in the way of Seirin's steadfast attempts to get to the top. All of these schools prove to be formidable foes whose abilities progress exponentially, while Kuroko struggles to find a balance between his resolve to play as part of a team and his desire to win. With old wounds reopening, new challenges to face on the court, and a new set of foes—the "Uncrowned Kings"—vowing to defeat the new hopefuls, will Seirin ever be able to achieve their dream of beating the Generation of Miracles? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Reviews(20)
Stark700
June 4, 2014
Sports have always been a popular topic for debate. Every game is different that shows new elements and surprises. Some of these include plays that will be memorable for years while other includes players that makes in impact in the business. In order to make an impact in basketball, one must have the passion and desire to not only win but play for everyone including themselves. The fundamental concept is that sports should also be played not just for competition but also to develop one’s own character. In Kuroko no Basket 2, we witness characters in a different light as they step up to thefield and deliver basketball plays like never before. It’s more than just about winning a game but to earn the respect of everyone they hope for. Taking off from season 1, Kuroko no Basket: Second Season is the direct sequel of season 1. It chronicles the lives of two basketball players, Kuroko Tetsuya and Kagami Taiga as part of a team from Seirin High as they take on opponents that tests the limits of their abilities. Among these opponents include the infamous “Generation of Miracles”, famed players from a previous generations known for their prestigious talent and skills that strikes fear into anyone’s mind. Kuroko is known as a former member of this prestigious team by the nickname “Phantom Man”, for his ability to remain undetected on the field. On the other hand, we have Kagami Taiga, a man born with integrity and mind to aim for the top. Together, there is hope for them to become a legend themselves. Becoming a legend is easier said than done. Throughout the second season, there are many obstacles and challenges that tests our players in ways like never before. It stretches beyond just physically but also on mental levels as opponents they face are willing to do anything, and I mean absolutely anything to win a game. It becomes not just a burden but a fact of unprofessional-like behavior that aims to take down Taiga and Kuroko’s dreams. Dreams aren’t easy to achieve of course. Season 1 presented the struggles of what’s it is like to be a basketball player on the field. Season 2 brings that struggle to a new level as the players compete in the highly competitive “Winter Cup”. As a tournament, many other players becomes part of the game as in the form of walls. It’s difficult for Seirin to overcome these walls because of various circumstances. Among these walls also includes members of the Generation of Miracles including Aomine, Midorima, and Murasakibara. Their playing style is unique among other players that are well known even in the current generation. Despite this, there’s a sense of strength that draws the audience in watching Seirin take them in the Winter Cup. This is because the way this show characterize their style by not telling but showing. The show not only have that but is also known for both its successions of slow moving and rapid movements during nearly every play. Almost every intense play is coordinated to a very fine detail of degree that analyzes itself with dialogues and reactions. Whether they come off as being narrative or in the open, every play gets down straight to the point and presents it as what’s there. It doesn’t hide any facts or negate the way characters play with their style. Kuroko no Basket 2 defines its style as every character plays in their own way that makes them unique, dynamic, and in ways we can come to appreciate. While the series focuses more on competition, there are also room for flashbacks as we get to see how and why players became who they are today. Among these include supporting characters Hyuga and Kiyoshi as part of Seirin’s team. What makes the sequel stands out in this way is its explication of supporting characters. In other words, nearly every player on the main team gets a spotlight that reflects on their ambitions. We don’t just get to see how main characters always hogging the spotlight but also other teammates make their stand and achieve their own dreams. This is a similar case with season 1 that focuses a bit more on back-stories. Perhaps one main drawback is the lack of exploration focused on Kuroko. While we do know a bit more about him, the guy is still a mystery known to many by the name “Phantom Man”. Season 2 doesn’t explore his character any better and viewers may feel a bit lost in the dark. And speaking of dark in a different manner, Kuroko no Basket 2 also debuts the final member of the Generation of Miracle known to many as Seijuro Akashi. He is the captain that led his team to three consecutive victories and is known by his philosophy of ‘Since I always win, I'm always right.” Really though? When you play with that sense of goal in mind, it kills the fun out of a game. To make matters worse for Seirin, Akashi displays fierce integrity and wants absolute authority over those who he encounters. His first meeting with Kagami demonstrates a dangerous situation that catches the latter off guard. Intimidating is just one word to describe his character but in the tournament meets so much more with his dangerous nature. Unfortunately, this season only focuses a minimal amount of time on his background story. The reason might relate to its adaptation as the manga is far ahead of the anime. Likewise, the story itself of season 2 also seems to move slowly with dragged out dialogues and plays. Some games seems to be repetitive, predictable, and often seems to be forceful in terms of execution. The artwork of Kuroko no Basket lives up to its standards. The main characters and Generation of Miracles are categorized as being prominent in the scenes so their designs stands out more. In particular, Akashi’s character design gives him a menacing presence that shows why he is the captain of his team. Other characters also displays an impressive stance on the field that are credible. Even female characters such as Momoi and Riko are presented with integrity rather than as a cheerleader in the background. The action of Kuroko no Basket also remains intense as ever as the camera captures the style of each play. On the other hand, backgrounds are hardly noticeable and some characters’ expressions can be described as vigorous yet redundant. There are also some occasional fan service although is credible but can get distracting. Soundtrack wise, KnK goes beyond the expectations with its OST. It captures the mood of each game regardless which teams are playing. The momentum is always kept in pace with the way characters move while coordinating with their style of play. The OP and ED songs demonstrates the principles of its characters with their intensity. All characters’ voice acting also fits with their roles that displays their personalities. Whether their voice mannerism is intimidating, honorable, or commanding, it makes sense with their characters. Needless to say, energy level is all time high during climatic scenes and thanks to the soundtrack, it doesn’t waste a second in delivering just that. I wouldn’t this sequel of KnB as the next big thing but it suddenly made an impact as a sports theme anime. While it neglects some realism with players’ playing styles, it makes it up with its back stories and momentum. There are the morals and principles in playing the game that doesn’t focus exclusively just on basketball. Instead, it also relates to the characters and how they came to be as they are in present day. On the other hand, the Generation of Miracles is a refreshment to the series that presents an atmosphere of competitiveness. Sports are about competitions and you’re in the right place for that. Even more so, Kuroko no Basket 2 sets its bar high to the point as a series of more than just a game.
