BASTARD!! - Džigoku no činkonka

The second season started off strong, with more than half of it maintaining a pleasant momentum. There was a sense that the story was continuously progressing, with something always happening. However, it remained true to its exaggerated nature, filled with silly jokes, excessive fan service, and melodramatic moments. Yet, amidst all this, there's a certain B-grade charm to the series that keeps me entertained. Even the climactic battle, spread over several episodes, managed to avoid feeling drawn-out, unlike the end of the first season. However, I found myself irked by moments where secondary characters would chatter incessantly during key fights, disrupting the flow. Despite this, the series still had its moments of tension, albeit lacking the intensity I had hoped for. One glaring issue was the lack of consequences for characters; it became evident that no one dies in this series. If a character had a name and wasn't just a background figure, they would inevitably reappear, even after seemingly meeting their demise. The characters here have plot armor greater than the entire Lord of Destruction Anthrasax. This sense of invincibility detracted from the impact of the finale, despite its epic appearance. While the ending hinted at darker times ahead, I found myself questioning my curiosity about the next continuation, given the predictable patterns from both seasons. As the second season progressed, it began to unravel, plagued by familiar issues and some new ones. Overall, my impression remains much the same as the first season, so the rating will be consistent. 6/10 (01.08.2023)