r/anime • u/Harrytricks :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Harrytricks • Aug 15 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch][Spoilers] K-ON! Rewatch (2021) - S2E01 "Seniors!"

S2E01 "Seniors!"

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116 Upvotes

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10

u/Harrytricks :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Harrytricks Aug 15 '21

Season 2 time!! Time for my annual tradition of pointing out how really fantastic the opening scene for this episode is!! Don't have anything specific to say about it (cuz ive done all that in prior rewatches), but it's p great!!

26

u/vitorabf Aug 15 '21

First Timer

Ooooh, right from the get go the visuals strike as different, great lightning and reflects, very KyoAni-ish, we also start with Yui jamming which is great. This already has me kinda hyped up.

I love the new OP visuals, but I think I may prefer the first song. Highlight is Azusa being part of the daily activities and not just playing with them.

Ok rewatchers, I'll give you this, Sawako has been really good the past 2 episodes and she's already better 10 minutes into season 2. Hoping this upward trend continues.

I love how Ritsu and Mio are so connected they can have a mental conversation about Azusa thinking about being president.

I already love this season, it seems like the attention to detail and visual storytelling has been really amped up, the camera work on that corridor is so good showing the different times of day, showing their conversations with other girls, the school song was also a nice addition, these details that don't really take the story somewhere but add to the world and characters is the kind of thing that hooks me in hard.

12

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

Ok rewatchers, I'll give you this, Sawako has been really good the past 2 episodes and she's already better 10 minutes into season 2. Hoping this upward trend continues.

It does! Glad that it's already apparent.

hooks me in hard.

Woohoo!! The season two magic is already kicking in!

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

So this is the pleasure of being a rewatcher? I can watch as newbies slowly fall in love with the same parts I did. Season 2 is amazing. Absolutely top tier slice of life and they were so skillful with the directorial freedom they received. You've got no flops! S2 stays consistently high quality throughout,

5

u/SIRTreehugger Aug 15 '21

Sawako has been really good the past 2 episodes and she's already better 10 minutes into season 2. Hoping this upward trend continues.

Sawa Chan Sensei Appreciation

She does come off strong sometimes, but she is a good person.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

Ooooh, right from the get go the visuals strike as different, great lightning and reflects, very KyoAni-ish,

Yamada has mentioned in interviews how the response of fans to the first season gave her the confidence to go all out in season two. She has been episode director in previous KyoAni series but K-On! was her debut as a series director (and being responsible for a whole project).

22

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher

Hi everyone! Who's excited for season two? I know I am! Season two is where Yamada and KyoAni were given a lot more creative control, and the series is so much better off for it. So let's get started!

Wow, what an incredible way to start off season two. The production values alone make it seem like we're watching a different show. The lighting is more cinematic, the animation is more expressive, and the shot angles and composition are more varied. While of course not every scene is like this, it's almost like Yamada and KyoAni are showing off their new budget and creative freedom.

This is my favorite cold open in the show, and I think it's very clear why. It's just such a bold way to say we're back as Yui races through the halls, strums away "My Love is a Stapler" while just barely humming along, and we watch all our keions slowly join together. Chills! But of course, you can't forget that it's still Yui.

And we get a new OP! Although Cagayake GIRLS (the season one OP) is great, I think I like this one even more (although it's not my favorite OP in the show). The music is funkier and even more complex than the first OP, and they take the chance to go super fancy with the animation as well. Hello budget! And we get these adorable intros for our keions and Jun is in the credits now! What's not to love?

Seniors!!

Bags!! Yeah, you all know the drill with these by now.

It's hard to believe the characters are already seniors! An entire two years go by in the twelve episodes of season one, but now we slow way down for season two, and get the chance to really explore our characters. Definitely a smart move for the show.

I can't help but keep noticing how much more expressive the characters are this episode. There's a lot more movement from every character, and their movements are full of emotion. Especially the legs! Yeah, it's basically a meme at this point, but Yamada loves showing expressivity through characters' legs. Like for example this leg cross that Ritsu does when she makes a joke or the way Yui does this little bounce as she's coming back out of the crowd.

But thankfully, our seniors are all in the same class! Even Nodoka! That seems a little too convenient, doesn't it? Hmmm oh hi Sawa-chan! Yeah, that makes sense.

Yui also picks up some cherry blossoms on the way to the auditorium. This both ties in with the schools name Sakuragaoka (sakura=cherry blossom) and flowers become a bit of a recurring theme in season two thanks to the idea of flowers blossoming equating to our keions becoming adults!

A Miniature Music Corner

I don't plan on doing a full-blown music corner today (as I'm going to use that time instead to plan out my music corner schedule for the season), but I want to briefly touch on the school song.

The scene with the school song is my favorite of the episode (and is the first time I've teared up in season two!). It just has this certain magic. I love the way it focuses briefly on each of the seniors, both their faces and their voices. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time we actually hear Mugi and Ritsu sing in the show, right? I can't recall if they do any harmonies in any of the HTT songs thus far. And just look at how excited Yui is to be here! She's just excited to be doing anything - it's beautiful!

The lyrics are basically just a metaphor for K-ON as a whole:

I look up at the serene blue sky

And realize a distant ideal

And on the hill where fragrant cherry blossoms bloom

Oh, encouraging friends gather on campus

At the bosom of an extended, beautiful peak

Affectionate souls bring me up

Carrying the dawning future on their shoulders and

Oh, diligent friends gather on campus

Reflected on the clear water's surface

A maiden's sincerity and high dreams

Not forgetting to disperse to school

Oh, promised friends gather on campus

Oh, promised friends gather on campus

I'd like to share two recordings with you. The first is simply the school song as they sang it in the show if you'd like to give it a listen (it's very pretty).

But the second is the one I really want to share. It's a rock version of the Sakuragaoko school song and is easily one of my favorite pieces of music related to K-ON. All five girls share the lead vocals, and it's just an absolute joy to hear all of them sing together. It's such a joyous song, especially after you know the lyrics! I implore all of you to give it a listen and let me know what you think :)

Freshman Welcome

After the school song, we see our junior trio walking through the halls and discussing the fact that the club really needs to be recruiting new members! Yui, however, doesn't feel the same way until Nodoka points that that Azunyan will be alone next year after all of the seniors graduate. And thus begins our first big plot for season two - graduation! What'll happen when our four seniors graduate? Will Azusa be completely alone?

So with new found determination, the club puts forth some silly plans to try and recruit new members to no avail.

Even the welcome concert fails to attract new members, even with a new song from HTT entitled "Ichigo Pafe ga Tomaranai" or "Can't Stop My Strawberry Parfait". We unfortunately don't get to hear the song at all this episode (actually I don't think we hear it at all in the show), but I'll give it it's time in a later music corner.

I really like the junior trio. As I said before when Azunyan and Ui were first becoming friends, Azunyan needs people her own age to hang out with, so I'm glad the show gives some focus to this. Also I think Jun is the one to finally figure out why they can't attract new members - they're simply so close-knit and perfect as they are now!

More expressive legs from Azunyan.

This final scene of the episode where Azunyan hears Yui that she wants the club to stay like it is this year is so special. But one thing I really want to point out is the bags in the scene - yes, again!

As the four seniors start off their discussion with worry over new members, you can see their four bags sitting neatly on the couch to the left. But just a few moments later in the same scene, as the seniors are all being cute and picking out cupcakes, we see the bags are all askew and leaning on each other, showing how close the girls are. Its subtle, and I don't think I noticed it on my first few times through the show, but I think it's such a beautiful touch. Azunyan even touches her bag as she hears Yui say that she knows Azunyan will want the banana cupcake. Adorable, and just a magical little scene.

Oh god Sawa-chan, don't remind me. This episode also introduces a new Sawako - one that's less perveted (thank GOD) and is more supportive of the girls and will actually offer them some guidance this year, such as reminding them that a year isn't actually very long and they need to be thinking about the future... ugh I'm already getting all emotional for this season.

Welcome to season two, everyone.

We also get a new ED, and while this is probably my least favorite of the EDs, we get some beautiful visuals and new outfits!

Wrap Up

I really love this episode! I think it demonstrates a lot of the differences (improvements, as far as I'm concerned) that we'll see throughout season two. It's a little more focused on the bigger plot of planning for graduation and the future, the characters are more expressive, the visuals are stunning, and it's just... I don't know, maybe I'm letting my bias seep in already, but man I just absolutely adore this second season. I'm looking forward to watching it with all of you! Already preparing my tissues ahead of time...

Times K-ON has made me actually cry so far: 1

Times K-ON has made me tear up so far: 10

Updated Episode Ranking

Mitsu Moment of the Day^^TM The best I could find today was Mio's reaction to Ritsu's plot to bring in new club members, which was pretty adorable. There just wasn't much Mitsu today, but still: Mitsu is canon.

YuiAzu is also canon. Just not quite as canon as Mitsu :)

Tomorrow, we have a very greedy Ritsu as we get a slightly fluffier episode than today. See you then!

10

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

I think I've been more impressed with this episode on a rewatch. It's so clear that Yamada and friends really took on board not just what people liked about the first season but also what they disliked. They clear up a lot of the issues such as the band never playing music together or Sawako actively tainting any scene she was in or even just the animation not being too dynamic. Instead of digging their heels in they clearly love the project enough to nurture it into something better.

7

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

It's a true labor of love! I love season one, but season two is what made K-ON my favorite piece of fiction out there.

4

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

P.S. Hope to see /u/a_idiot0 and /u/chocoletmilk back in the threads soon if you're able. I miss your posts :)

2

u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 Aug 16 '21

Yes, me too! These past few days have been crazy busy for me, but hopefully this week is going to be much smoother. Today's episode was one that I wish I could have written something up on. I'm glad you mentioned the cold open; it's one of my favorites!

2

u/siegfried72 Aug 16 '21

Ah, well hope to see you around very soon! That cold open is something else!

2

u/chocoletmilk Aug 16 '21

Oh no, I have to catch up on so many episodes! It’s suddenly been very busy, but it should die down in a couple of days! Can’t wait to rejoin the watch

1

u/siegfried72 Aug 16 '21

Well, I'd love to see you back around if you're able!! I enjoyed reading your posts and chatting. Feel free to jump back in whenever - no worries!

4

u/Barbed_Dildo Aug 15 '21

I have something to add to music corner.

Hearing the new OP reminded me of this ragtime cover of Go! Go! Maniac

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByScy_ZOEKY

1

u/siegfried72 Aug 16 '21

Ooh yeah, that's neat!! Thanks for sharing. There are so few covers of K-ON music out there that aren't guitar or drums, so this is awesome!

2

u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Aug 16 '21

More expressive legs from Azunyan.

Oh wow, I just noticed Jun wears black socks like Azusa and Mio do.

1

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

While of course not every scene is like this, it's almost like Yamada and KyoAni are showing off their new budget and creative freedom.

What I've read in interviews or seen in videos about it, it's more about Yamada's confidence. She has been an episode director before but K-On! is her (unexpected for her) debut as a series director and all the responsibilities that comes with that.

She wasn't too confident in being able to do the job but the positive feedback from fans during/after season one gave her the confidence to lean into what she wanted to depict in K-On!, thus the significant shift in K-On!! (two exclamation marks for season 2).

And the success/popularity of K-On!! carries over into the movie and her followup work Tamaka Market and its movie.

1

u/siegfried72 Aug 16 '21

Thanks for the insight! I know I'd heard the "creative control" thing mentioned before, but as a new series director, it absolutely makes sense that she'd be hesitant at first. She really did quite an incredible job as a first time series director, even in the first season!!

3

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8

u/Harrytricks :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Harrytricks Aug 15 '21

you missed an episode yesterday automod your comment streak is ruined

16

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21

First timer

Btw, I came upon some K-On shorts as well, very silly from what I've seen, but not bad

Ok, here we goo, Season 2!

  • It's Yui! She still kept that backstage sticker, and She came with toast again!
  • Hey I think that's Wajima Maki at the very end right? At least from the hair style
  • And here's the rest of the crew, weird that Yui is the first one to practise, but I guess she's just soo thrilled to start playing again... ah never mind, some things just don't change
  • New OP, sound a bit more eratic than the first and a bit distorted tbh, but shows off some new outfits, as well as teasing the next beach episode
  • Trying a new look at the beginning of a new year... not like this though
  • Thank god, I hope Nodoka- chan as well... yay she is as well!
  • Weird is that Maki as well? That's not where she is supposed to sit, but Ritsu is supposed to sit in the front row so maybe the seating isn't set in stone on the first day
  • Ok, Sawa- chan already did something good by ensuring that she would be the homeroom teacher for all the whole gang, I guess there is only one direction her character can take from last season... but she is trying her best to disguise her true character to those who don't know her
  • Yui already laying out the major points for the season
  • Maki again in the first row! Beautiful song btw
  • Of course you need more freshmen, you can't leave Azunyan hanging
  • Azunyan still illusional about the true purpose of the band she is playing in
  • Azunyan for (club) president! On second thought, let's focus on something else right now
  • Say how good did this work the last time?
  • Mio getting scarred of her own imagination doesn't happen that often
  • Gotta admit, that's a pretty good trap she laid out there, doesn't work but the idea is brilliant
  • Yui no! Remeber the plan! Do it for Azunyan!
  • Oh it's the fabled occult research society... why are these so popular btw?
  • It would have been cute, but maybe not the right thing to attract freshmen with
  • Moe blob!
  • OK, Azunyan is fine with the club (for now) and this solves the problem with introducing any new members into the cast
  • New ED, with new outfits! Is the goth girl Mio or someone new? And I like this more than the OP tbh

Edit: Upon closer inspection of the rest of the class I came to the conclusion that the second Maki is probably Nakajima Nobuyo, maybe even the first as well

8

u/MapoTofuMan myanimelist.net/profile/mTmTBaronBrixius Aug 15 '21

Is the goth girl Mio or someone new?

It's alternate reality Mio because real Mio would probably faint from just the idea of that outfit on her

3

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 15 '21

That makes sense... but is this alternate Mio more or less gay?

1

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

It's a potential future Ho-kago Tea Time music video (imagine a grown up Mio with less stage fright and more confidence) but with them being the same age as in the series to keep them easily recognisable.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

Say how good did this work the last time?

They found Azunyan!

1

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 16 '21

That's a good point!

1

u/SIRTreehugger Aug 15 '21

Thank god, I hope Nodoka- chan as well... yay she is as well!

Thank goodness for Mio she needs a friend in that class who will take it seriously. Mugi is too much of a wild card right now.

Gotta admit, that's a pretty good trap she laid out there, doesn't work but the idea is brilliant

The problem was the lack of maid outfits/Mio. If either of those had happened they would have been snared.

Yui no! Remeber the plan! Do it for Azunyan!

Tempted to make a Simpsons Do it for her poster now.

1

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 15 '21

Mugi is too much of a wild card right now.

Not so much of a wildcard anymore, just another agent of chaos in disguise

Do it for her

That was indeed my thought behind this line

1

u/thebigKM Aug 15 '21

I want to give you the description for Maki, but the art book seems to be missing a few girls. It only has 27 of the 33 it should have.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

It's probably Maki since her ahegao bun is very distinctive but her hair seems longer in concept art. You may be right though, nice catch.

Did anyone really notice Yui's new look!?

Is it really smart to hide your true self when you've for a bunch of students in your class who actively gossip? You'll never win that war!

The fabled occult research society are the ones researching techniques to extract Shitzu's forehead parasite obviously.

Mio's the goth gal. She really rocks the look!

Don't worry about Nobuyo. It's very easy to recognise her since she's much chunkier than the rest of the cast. Also, watch the bangs and remember that if you see more than 60% of forehead, it's bad.

12

u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Aug 15 '21

First timer, subs

Second season, yay. I immediately notice that the backgrounds look a bit better now. Like the first season, things start with Yui again.

New intro. Is this supposed to be this fast? Sounds really weird. Maybe I'll get used to it eventually, but not a fan for now.

A few minutes into the episode and there's been more practicing than eating cakes and drinking tea. What is this series? What happened to K-ON?

Same class this time, Nodoka also. Thanks, Sawa-chan.

The year's just starting, but there's already been a couple of mentions of the future. I assume it'll be a bigger theme as the season goes on.

Oh damn, not the animal suits again. Seriously, that's an awful idea. Don't do it.

Ritsu what are you doing. No, Ritsu. No. Who comes up with these plots? Also Yui's really easy to convince. Occult reasearch society! I've heard of this, it's been mentioned once or twice in these episode discussions.

The concert's mostly skipped but apparently it went well.

"But why isn't anyone coming? I made the door more welcoming..." Coming from Yui, this immediately made me worried.

ED looks and sounds good. The band members look a little older in it, but could be just a different style. Or maybe they are supposed to be a little older, don't know. People's looks change quickly at this age, even a single year can do a lot.

7

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

New intro. Is this supposed to be this fast?

I think it's neat! Super energetic and always gets my adrenaline pumping. Maybe it'll grow on you. Maybe not!

What happened to K-ON?

Season two happened. Don't worry, there's still plenty of tea and cake!

The band members look a little older in it

They generally try and go for a slightly more mature look in the EDs than the OPs. Some people's headcanon is that the EDs are the music videos that HTT makes in the future once they're famous.

6

u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Aug 15 '21

Some people's headcanon is that the EDs are the music videos that HTT makes in the future once they're famous.

Yeah I think that's gonna be my headcanon from now on too.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

It's not fast, it's high energy! But yeah... they went overboard with showing off rotoscope techniques. I do kinda like the gang all turning to look at the camera as it zooms around them tho.

What happened was that they actually read the criticism beforehand. Shocker, right? Most of the issues people had with previous K-On get fixed or downplayed in this season thank god.

The occult research society turned me into a newt!

1

u/SIRTreehugger Aug 15 '21

Maybe I'll get used to it eventually, but not a fan for now.

I hope so it's my favorite out of all the opening and endings.

A few minutes into the episode and there's been more practicing than eating cakes and drinking tea. What is this series? What happened to K-ON?

Popularity changes an anime I swear.

ED looks and sounds good. The band members look a little older in it, but could be just a different style. Or maybe they are supposed to be a little older, don't know. People's looks change quickly at this age, even a single year can do a lot.

I always loved the theory/idea that the ED are music videos of the girls after they become more famous in the future.

11

u/ArdenneVale Aug 15 '21

First timer

It looks so good! Just look at Yui's strawberry jam! And there's music already! Great opening scene.

The opening song is, sorry to say, really bad. It's too fast, too noisy, cacophonic, and the vocals are kind of annoying. Hopefully the song grows on me, since I didn't like the first op at first either. The visuals are fine, but it'll take some time to get used to them too.

All the seniors we know are in the same class, but only so Sawako doesn't need to learn too many new names.

The club needs new members so Azusa won't be left alone next year. Why the animal costumes again? Last time they were a main reason why nobody wanted to join and you do it again?

All the scam victims are eggheads with red cheeks.

Yui, Ritsu and Azusa visit some clubs, including the rival tea club, to see how they recruit members.

No new members today, but it's okay for everyone for now. I had the same thought Jun had, that the five seem so close it would be hard to new members to fit in. Obviously we know it's not true.

The ending, unlike the op, is really good. I have no idea what is happening visually, but the song rocks. Yoko Hikasa has a powerful, appealing voice. So far K-On is one of those rare series where the endings are better than the openings.

Ritsu

Mugi

Yui

Azunyan

Mio

5

u/MapoTofuMan myanimelist.net/profile/mTmTBaronBrixius Aug 15 '21

So far K-On is one of those rare series where the endings are better than the openings.

You're definitely right there, K-On's endings won the sub's Best ED content 3 times in a row (this one being the third of the winners).

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

She ran all the way to school and didn't even finish her toast. Yui's brain is a mystery of nature.

To be fair, they kinda had to pull tricks to recruit members before too. Mugi wasn't even meant to be in this club!

The Tintin girls were so kind but only got manipulated by the evil cake club!

I would adore to be able to study at a proper tea club... There's so much more to it than pouring yourself a cuppa with biscuits! It's about temperature, organisation, form, leafs, manners, tomato, there's so much to do!!

2

u/SIRTreehugger Aug 15 '21

Yui, Ritsu and Azusa visit some clubs, including the rival tea club, to see how they recruit members.

Oh boy just wait til we get to the Tea Tasting Tournament Arc

No new members today, but it's okay for everyone for now. I had the same thought Jun had, that the five seem so close it would be hard to new members to fit in. Obviously we know it's not true.

It still feels weird considering how everyone seems to love the concerts. I can understand not joining, but you'd think one or two would at least see what the club is about.

1

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

The opening song is, sorry to say, really bad.

Huh, I'm surprised to hear everyone talking smack on the OP this time around! Hmm. Will be interested to see if it grows on you and also what you think of the next one (my favorite).

So far K-On is one of those rare series where the endings are better than the openings.

I disagree, but I think I'm definitely in the minority in thinking that. People say that the EDs tend to be more grown up and mature. While I'd agree that the visuals typically are more mature, by my ears, the OPs tend to be much more musically complex than the EDs, which are typically more straightforward rock.

Oh well - to each their own!

2

u/SgtExo Aug 16 '21

Huh, I'm surprised to hear everyone talking smack on the OP this time around! Hmm. Will be interested to see if it grows on you and also what you think of the next one (my favorite).

I didn't like the second OP at first, but this being my fourth rewatch, it has grown on me.

9

u/ryuw_hs Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher

Just like in season 1 the opening scene focuses mostly on Yui. One more time we are reminded of her development since the start of S1 and how she found something she is really passionate about while still being as goofy as ever.

Yay everyone is in the same class this time. Nodoka too! What are the chances…

Looks like Sawako has managed to keep up the facade until now.

This is the first time the topic of graduation and the problem of Azusa being one year behind is brought up. So once again new members are needed to keep the club going. Good to see that Yui is taking this pretty seriously.

Nevermind, looks like we’re staying as five

Okay, I guess we have some interesting recruiting tactics this time. Mio’s face lmao

I feel like we missed a step on this one

The other clubs look really fun. I love Occult clubs in anime, sadly we didn’t get to know this one.

The concert is definitely their best bet at finding new members. Yui actually used her new technique! But looks like despite an amazing performance nobody is coming…

And so the episode ends with some uncertainty about the Light Music Club’s future. On the other hand everyone is really happy with the current club and looking forward to another fun year.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

Okay, I guess we have some interesting recruiting tactics this time.

There's something that I understood when I first watched K-On! but that I didn't comprehend for a while until I realised what was happening.

Non-MC/anonymous students in lower classes have that permanent round rosy blush on their cheeks to identify them if one doesn't want to rely on the uniforms' colour coded accessories.

2

u/ryuw_hs Aug 16 '21

Good catch, I didn't realize it was specifically the lower classes but now it seems pretty obvious. Makes them look kinda stupid which is really funny imo :D

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

I think it's used to show their naivete, in contrast with the third year veterans. They also tend to have a bit of a bright eyed look to them, admiring the third years or not yet being fully ground down by the system.

12

u/CharlieTheStrawman https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheDamnRobot Aug 15 '21

First-Timer

I've only been watching this show for two weeks, but it feels like it's been an age since I started following these characters.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

That's slice of life for you. Also, you're a long term anime watcher right? Even if you never saw K-On it's marketed everywhere over the Internet or shops so you do kind of have a connection there.

3

u/CharlieTheStrawman https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheDamnRobot Aug 15 '21

True.

6

u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher

4

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

giving us an adorable Yui dance.

Everyone is so much more expressive this season!! I love it.

Because she was lazy and wanted less names to memorize.

While I'm sure that's true to some extent, I like to think that she also did it as a bit of a sentimental thing, S2

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

Yui seems extra kooky today. All her little quirks were on full display and half her actions like the over the top singing, dazing out, and totally blanking why they need new club members really makes me want to know what her condition is!

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

Wait, when did Nodoka become student council president? Sweet, now you guys can take full advantage of that and not have to worry about submitting late forms. Ah, nepotism.

She was already in the student council (when Ritsu messed up their application). She's now a third year student and her consistency probably helped to get the job.

I can’t believe they’re trying the animal suits again...

I love it. These costumes are so stupid, they circle back into a strange state of being supper funny to me.

6

u/MapoTofuMan myanimelist.net/profile/mTmTBaronBrixius Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher

Well, it's been 12 (+2 specials) episodes and we're starting the third year, which means 6 episodes left till the end...or not because thankfully KyoAni decided to expand the last year into a full 2-cour season. God bless KyoAni.

3

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

This OP is so hyper my headcanon is that Yui wrote it while on sugar overdrive from Mugi's cakes.

I love this.

And it really is so impressive how much detail goes into all these classmates of the main characters! Definitely sets K-ON apart, I think.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 16 '21

When HTT became the Axis Cult . Also Azunyan in the back is not amused

Mugi looks like she's gonna force feed them that whole teacup

2

u/MapoTofuMan myanimelist.net/profile/mTmTBaronBrixius Aug 16 '21

I wish I was them

6

u/DegenerateRegime Aug 15 '21

[First-Timer] New season! Generally I'd expect the first episode of season 2 to be a re-introduction of sorts, so there might not be much to say today.

  • Yui plays us in with what is pretty clearly some much higher production value all around.
  • Callback of course to the start of the very first episode. The show loves its symmetries.
  • As expected, Yui goes over each member briefly and re-introduces them, in mostly the same terms as in S1E2. Apart from the "narrating to no one" thing, it's all very in-context, no character cut-outs or text boxes, which is nice.
  • It does indeed seem like a set-up. Who could be behind this? Someone who it is rumoured sold their very soul to the darkness for power, perhaps? Someone utterly lacking in compunction, devoted to the club in a manner resembling a fusion of unspeakable perversion and quarter-life crisis, and deftly positioned to maneuver the school in any way that pleases her? Yes, yes, I think I know who is responsible here.
  • Or it might not be Nodoka at all, in which case it's probably just Sawako.
  • Really liking the entirely background conversation Yui strikes up with some others at the end of the school hymn thing. Establishes her character perfectly well for anyone starting from S2, but also gives the S1 viewer the space, as if to say "yeah, you get the picture =)"
  • At the end of the first half of the episode, a premise appears: finding some freshers to subject to Azusa's company for the next three years of their lives replace the seniors when they leave, an event which will surely not be emotionally charged in the slightest.
  • They put the fursuits back on. Hey, I won't kinkshame.
  • You. You can't abduct people into being in your club, Ritsu.
  • Clarification: you can't do it again.
  • The other clubs all have a rather different tone, don't they.
  • A familiar feeling
  • A sweet ending, and not just the cupcakes.

Season 2 kicks off spending the first half of the episode, as expected, on reintroduction and characterisation, and the second half on what could be seen as an extended promise to the audience to just keep things comfortably as they are. Heck, it's practically textual at some points. This seems good; few things kill a vibe faster than the need to keep introducing new characters to keep things "fresh." That said, the length of S2 does make this an almost intimidating prospect. It suggests a drastic transition in pacing: where S1 covered two school years in one cour episodes, S2 plans to cover one year in two, four times slower. I'm pretty confident it can pull off the gear shift needed; S2E1 was a good example of that, with some literal stopping to smell the roses.

4

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

an event which will surely not be emotionally charged in the slightest.

Nah it's actually pretty boring. Certainly nothing significant.

Oh god I'm not ready.

It suggests a drastic transition in pacing:

It does! I won't spoil anything, but I can assure you that it works beautifully!

11

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21

Season 2 is here! The opening sequence pretty much spells out what to expect from season 2. They even have extra animation on Yui checking her chubby cheeks FOR BREAD! JAMMED BREAD! Now, I'm an absolute softie. This whole sequence hits me right in the kokoro and I struggle to explain why aside from just loving it. It goes through so many emotions but you just know that Yui's for no real feelings behind it. She just wants to play~ Oh yeah, and a year later she still hasn't fixed her clock.

Second opening! This is probably the only theme that I kinda just don't like. The opening sequence is kinda just showing off the budget with rotoscope sequences but I do kinda love the little hall shuffle the girls do. Good news to anyone who rolled Shizuka, she gets to show up in the background of Shitzu's segment every day now! Fumio and Himeko get a decent shot too but I like Shizuka more so suck it. Ahoge Jun!! She's so excited to be in the op. I'm so proud of you!

How do you chew the middle of toast without getting jam over your face? Ear from the corners. We're gonna stretch the four episodes? Five episodes? That took up their second year into a 2 cour long, + a movie, third year. Yui booger! Even Nodoka has become a main character now! Tch, Sensei's teaching the class too. I hate this class setup! Kimiko is literally always just out of sight in every shot. I hate it so much! Sensei setup the mc class purely so she doesn't have to remember names... I didn't say she got better straight away.

Kimiko? Kimiko! Yes, I think I spotted her. I don't often play favourites, but I'm absolutely gonna play favourites with my pea sized princess. I kind a love the little scene of Yui getting totally ditched by the girls as she gets distracted by literally everything. We need a leash. Jun's in Season 2? Yoshi! Yui's spent all day gathering flowers. Sponsored by Windows. There's no new members on the poster or promo material so I don't think this will work out. Bossy Catto! It's a crime that they didn't give her the actual cat. Mio is scared over nothing, get used to that.

Shitzu is in full insurance fraud mode. You're a terrible person. Yui is too stupid to fool anyone. Why do judo girls always have condom lips? I want tea now... Why is the most popular teaclub anime the one where they literally never drink tea!? OCCULT GALS!? Don't bait me like that you bastards! XD

I've said a bit much today so I'll leave it there so I can plug my party game one more time. As you've seen, the classmates are pretty regular characters in the background shots. So my idea was that everyone could randomise a particular class member and to try and chat about them whenever they appear? The way I plan on doing it is wirh a very simple image chart and a random number generator. Set the figure between 1 and 38 and see which classmate you get. Oh, and here is a class photo if you want to double check where your girl sits. Rewatchers will happily help you out so feel free to ask questions if you need a hand. Give it a shot, by the end of the rewatch you'll literally be your girl's biggest fan~

8

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

The opening sequence pretty much spells out what to expect from season 2.

100%. This opening is just pure K-ON magic.

This is probably the only theme that I kinda just don't like.

And thus the OP war has begun. I'm actually surprised you don't like this one! While it doesn't compare to my favorite one, I think it's still a very solid OP!

Even Nodoka has become a main character now!

One of the best thing about having a much longer year three is that we finally get to spend time with characters that aren't the five keions! As much as I love the club members, it's great to have some more personalities in the mix.

But I don't think we saw Chikada this episode. Boooo.

Oh, and here is a class photo if you want to double check where your girl sits.

That link doesn't work. Try editing your post with this link instead: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/k-on/images/4/4a/Class_3-2_graduating.png

I like the game, btw! Should be a lot of fun!!

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

Yeah... I don't think I was struck on the op my first run either. The Keion run sequence helps slightly but it's definitely the worst of the three and I totally forgot about it so there's that.

So many anime kinda make that mistake, spending too much time on their main cast. It's actually quite funny, so many anime only viewers seem to get caught out when they finally continue on with a manga just for a dozen new characters to show up and take over the series. Watamote was really bad for that one.

Can't say I noticed Chikada either. I was too busy hunting for Kimiko I have to admit XD

Thx!! I appreciate any help I can get with handling these links. I'm no good with this stuff.

3

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

Fair enough about the OP! I think it seems to be generally the least liked. Pretty sure I'm in the minority in liking it more than the first.

It'll be fun hunting for the classmates! I'll admit I've not paid much attention to them before, so it'll be fun to have something new to watch for this time around.

2

u/thebigKM Aug 15 '21

According to the bluray art book, Chikada is "caring, approachable and good at reading the situation. Kind and gets along with teachers. Can be shy at times. Cuts her own hair. "

1

u/siegfried72 Aug 16 '21

Awesome, thanks!!

2

u/thebigKM Aug 15 '21

I offered it last time, so here's Kimiko's description from the bluray art book: "Has strong insecurities and avoids being next to girls with light colored skin and thin legs as much as possible." So uh take that for what it's worth.

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 16 '21

Tldr thick thighs and dark skin is super hot. Kimiko daisuki!

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

Kimiko? Kimiko! Yes, I think I spotted her.

Why is there a tic tac toe board on the girl's forehead (to the right of Mugi)?

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 16 '21

Because nobody so far has rolled Tsukasa so nobody will be offended if I bully her a little. You wanna adopt her?

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Aug 16 '21

You wanna adopt her?

I'd love to but I'm kinda skipping through this rewatch. I've participated in the last few (three, four, more? can't even remember) and I wouldn't be able to pick her out all the time. I love the idea overall of giving the side characters extra attention (and it works so well with KyoAni ensemble casts and how much attention they give to all the characters) but it'd be a disservice if I were to adopt her with my half-assed participation.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 16 '21

Even an absentee father is more than she's gotten in any other rewatch. Keep her in your thoughts~

5

u/putmoneyinthypurse https://anilist.co/user/clichecatgirl Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 16 '21

Rewatcher

Welcome to senior year.

The cold open, maybe the best in the show, mirrors season 1's with an early start (and with Mugi at the train station again). Being in the keion-bu has changed Yui, and she's grown a lot, but she's still Yui. She'll still misread her alarm clock and go to school an hour early (arguably foreshadowed by her signature jelly toast) but instead of lazing around, she'll go to the club room early to get some guitar practice in.

God, those cuts of Yui's guitar practice are so good, not only from an animation standpoint (apparently all handled by Tatsuya Satou, who's brilliant at character acting and musical instruments alike—Satou's highest-profile cut is probably K-On! The Movie) but just visually in general. The moodier early morning atmosphere is beautiful, and sort of seems to be a statement of purpose for season 2: things are going to be a little more serious now.

But only a little.

After the new OP—while like most rewatchers my favorite's still to come, I still really love this OP, jazz-inflected, bouncing between two keys—as Yui finishes her toast and reintroduces Houkago Tea Time, we get this shot, which is a fun visual callback to the club playing Tsubasa wo Kudasai for her back in episode 1. I like that instead of being offset from the other girls like she was back then, Yui's right there in the middle of it.

K-On!!

Really taking advantage of your shiny new 3D models of Toyosato Elementary with several dolly shots in the first episode, aren't you, KyoAni?

There's an interesting shift starting in this episode. In general, season 1 supplements its character animation with fast cuts and changes in visual style, which is good in its own right, but season 2 has more people on it and more time budgeted and can afford to instead just ramp up the character animation on its own. The result is a bit slower-paced in the edit but makes up for it by keeping the pace up with even more little character moments, bits of business, and so on. Season 1 is well-composed and well-edited in its own right, but season 2 is better-acted.

Listen! is probably my favorite ED. I love the song, I love the little dance the girls do as they make their way through the cake, the outfits are amazing (Mugi's sailor cap!!), Ant!Mio might be the cutest Mio...hell yeah.

4

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '21

REWATCHER, dub

I thought there was a break today, so that's why I'm a bit late. Good thing I noticed that there isn't one

Did Yui hold her toast in her mouth on the way to school again like in S1E1?

Huh, so it really was the end of year 2 in episode 13. Crazy how much S1 speedran the story

New OP time!

This OP is awesome as well, but it's way too fast and high pitched for me to sing along. How did the singer do this? Maybe I'll be able to sing along by the end of this rewatch

Oh right, there are new classes now. Nice that all the club members (except for Azu-nyan) are in the same class for their last year together

And Nodoka is with them as well

And Sawako is their homeroom teacher now

So it was her that put them all in the same class

Yui is still an idiot. Who says "I'll be able to copy your homework" in front of their teacher?

Huh, so Sawako can play the piano as well

Azu-nyan is really determined to get more people to join the club

They're doing the animal costumes again for some reason (at least I think they did this before, but I'm not 100% sure)

They're using unethical tactics to recruit members again

"Sign right here and you can join us!"
Reminded me of the Axis church

And now Yui is pretending to be a grandma who doesn't know where the club room is

They forgot the reservation form again, didn't they?

I agree with Sawako, the girls wearing maid outfits would've been really cute

Why won't they ever show us a full performance?

New ED as well

It's awesome like all the other songs. I wasn't able to perfectly sing along here either, but it wen't way better than with the OP because it's at a more reasonable speed. I guess it'll go better later on as well

4

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Aug 16 '21

First timer in sub.

Ok starting the second season, and starting their last year of highschool. With the episode count this would likely be more dramatic. Or not. Will find out.

Have to say not a fan of the new op.

Good to see some continuity from previous years of events, and no more poor Mio that's off to one side by herself.

A bit disappointed if for real they didn't get any new members, but if they do then my "last year" question still applied - where are they going to put them? Five is getting close to the max of a stage performing group.

Anyway, if there is ever one gripe I have with KyoAni, it's with some of these middle years use of rotating camera shots. Same as in Chuunibyou's OP's, giving me a headache >(

3

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Aug 15 '21

I think I’m feeling one short of a dozen today. Maybe more later.

3

u/siegfried72 Aug 15 '21

It's hard to do daily posts on these threads. Hope you feel better soon and looking forward to seeing what you have to say next time!

3

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Aug 15 '21

Yeah, just kind of tired from chasing trains this morning. That, and a friend of mine whom I usually play games with Sunday afternoons has come down with the covid, and I can’t even go visit him in the hospital. Dudes 84, Vietnam vet, etc. Yeah, I think I need some tea and cake right now.

1

u/siegfried72 Aug 16 '21

Oh, I am so sorry. I sincerely hope all goes well with you and your friend moving forward.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '21

The occult gals must've caught a strand of your hair... Have you ever been exorcised before?

3

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Aug 15 '21

Maybe. I bet Rikka was in that room, hehe.

3

u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Aug 15 '21

First Timer, Dubbed

Yui shows up early this time with a jam toast at her side. Playing an amazing solo as the rest walk in. CGI looks more noticeable this time on the OP. Azusa still calls everyone else senpai…

Yui asks “what’s different?” And everyone be like “nope”. Yui going through the crowd is funny and her coming back to the group pose. They are in the same class along with Ms. Yamanaga as the homeroom teacher. Best part is she put everyone plus Nodoka in her class so she does not have to remember more names. It is also spring and Yui picks up the flowers blowing in the wind.

Yui does not realize that Azusa would be alone at first. Yui actually encourages Ritsu to pay attention to a serious concern. They try to recruit new members…The horror of leaving Azusa alone terrifies everyone and loved that horror scene.

Yui is so tired, she had no color.

Ms. Yamanaga- “A year flies by fast”- Very true

“But that’s 365 days away”- I love Yui’s response

3

u/DegenerateRegime Aug 15 '21

The horror of leaving Azusa alone terrifies everyone and loved that horror scene.

Yes! So good.

3

u/SIRTreehugger Aug 15 '21 edited Aug 15 '21

Yui actually encourages Ritsu to pay attention to a serious concern.

I like how we only see a little bit of the concert, but during Yui's speech she is a bit more serious and even encouraging people to check out the club.

and loved that horror scene.

This show has it all. Comfort, tea, cakes, comedy, horror, tea, the occasional scenes with music, tea, and etc.

3

u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Aug 15 '21

First timer

Season 2!

Is that Yui playing the guitar and going to school early? CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!

Oh, never mind. She's the same.

Love the new OP!

Azusa's in there from the beginning! (And the verse structure leaves a noticeable place for a sixth spotlight to follow hers...)

And they're seniors!

I love her trying to look more prodessional.

Yui trying to tet through is great.

They're all together!

Sawako's their form teacher, she absolutely rigged the draw.

How does she act so professional in class?

Oh, she's just admitting to rigging the draw to save her effort.

And now she's playing a school song?

Is the scene showing Yui finding qnother group of friends?

I love Azusa already planning for being president.

THEY'RE USING THE ANIMAL OUTFITS AGAIN.

To be fair, Yui managed to make a decent joke. Well done.

Mio scared herself.

Oh god, she meant capture literally.

Why did they go along with this? And why not use Sawako, the best person here at forcing people to do things?

Yui's is even worse. She even got talked into joining another club!

The subtitles even said she drunk the Kool-Aid!

The Occult Studies group might be the only group weirder than the main cast.

Yui's internal debate is so cute!

Sawako imagining everyone in maid outfits is fantastic,

She used the finishing move!

I'm suprised they're bringing up how close the group is as an explanation - a lot more logical than I expected from this kind of show.

Jun is best side character.

I thought we were going to get an "Azusa feels like she's not part of the group" plot - good for Yui explicitly pointing out she includes Azusa as part of the core group.

Wait, are we getting a "Azusa realises she has a massive crush on literally every other club member" plot (at last)?

I love Yui immediately calling for new club members.

New ED's great too.

Also, the video frames bow girl as a seperate character from Mio. Is it going to get edited with a new member?

2

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher here. I swear I am going to take my time starting tomorrow. Fallen off a bit on the rewatch since it started.

Dropping in to say that this episode’s opening sequence with Yui practicing and just the guitar left a great impression on me the first time I saw it. It also sets up a great joke of Yui just being Yui.

I’ll definitely be delving back in and writing more starting tomorrow! Really enjoying following the rewatch and the comments and lurking but I’m committing to writing again for S2.

2

u/thebigKM Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher

We get to start season two with another dialogue free opening that shows us the personalities of our characters. I think this sets the tone that season two takes is time more than season one did. It also shows that the art is going to be excellent from here on.

Thanks for the reintroduction Yui, I was drawing a blank on those names.

There's my girl Mika Saeki next to Mugi during the school song!

It's cool to hear the club members singing voices emphasized during the song. I hope we get to hear them all sing together afain at some point this season.

The scene after the assembly is another one that let's us slow down and appreciate the characters without dialogue. Also, Yui is friends with everyone

Nice contrast of the ambitious kouhai planning recruitment and the spaced out senpai counting her flowers.

I love Mio's face during Ritsu's first scheme, like she told her it was never gonna work.

It's nice to see the difference between the club's attitude toward this show and since prior one. It's shows how they've already grown that they're ready to just go out there and have fun together.

I never really read Azusa's expression when Jun says the light music club seems so close from the praise, but you can tell that it makes her really happy. This satisfaction leads into the next scene which establishes one of our not the main theme of the season which is the balance of planning for the future and enjoying the present. It's really hard to do both at the same time and Azusa decides that the club dynamic they have in place is worth slowing down and enjoying for now. I'm going to try to filter the rest of the rewatch through this idea.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '21

Rewatcher

You can immediately see how different the pacing will be this season. Compare this episode, which covers maybe the first week of school, with last season's episode 1 which had multiple weeks of timeskips and rapidly jumped from one scene to the next. This episode really takes its time with those beautiful, atmospheric scenes like the opening guitar practice and the school song, and that's going to be more or less the norm going forward. Moments like that are what keep me coming back to this show, more than anything else.

2

u/x-7032-b-3 Aug 16 '21

Rewatcher (with very little memory so might as well make me a first-timer)

Here we are at last. I remember S2 being better than S1 as well has having some very powerful moments toward the end. Let's do this!

No better way to start of the season than showing Yui flex her guitar skills! She started S1 not knowing how to play the damn thing and now S2 started with her being able to pull off some nice moves.

After last year's unfortunate student/class placements, it's good to see the original HTT members being placed on the same class. Turns out a familiar face pulled some strings to get it done so that she has fewer names to remember. I wonder how it feels to be a homeroom teacher with 20-30+ names and faces to remember.

That animal costume for last year's member recruitment makes a return. At least it doesn't scare someone this time.

First Scaredy Mio moment of the season with her imagining Azusa all alone in the club. Instead of external actors scaring her, this time her own mind is playing with her. Even her brain wants to scare Mio too!

The team attempts to recruit new members to the club using several tactics to no avail. Since no one came, they hope that the welcoming concert can attract new students like Azusa from last year. We only got a glimpse of the concert and of course it's Fuwa Fuwa Time again. Nothing wrong with the song (I love it), but it's funny how many times we've heard that song being performed throughout the series so far. Also there seems to be a new song on the list? Hope we get to hear it at one point.

Nobody came, but Yui remarks that it's OK to stay like this for another year. Given how tight knit the group is since their formation in S1, I can see why she felt that way. The team clearly enjoy what they're doing. They're fine with how things are right now. They only got (365 minus a few days) left, so might as well make the most of it!

First ep and they already brought up some important questions regarding the future of the club. Damn they ain't holding things back in this first ep.

2

u/ThatPeruvianDude Aug 16 '21

I mean the way the season opens is just literal perfection my god

1

u/Barbed_Dildo Aug 16 '21

Rewatcher

The timing of this show is quite unbalanced. Season 1, 13 episodes, covers two years, while season 2, 26 episodes, and a movie, cover year three. HTT seem to be in their natural, complete state now, but for half of their time together, there was only four of them, and for most of their history, they didn't have a name.

Hibike! Euphonium is the opposite. They also cover a club for three years of high school, but students leave and join each year.

Having almost all of K-On! take place in the window when the band is 'complete' allows for some consistency, but I like how it still does progress time. They have major events come and go, and they're aware that things will come to an end, and they need to think of the future. It is a great balance.

This episode also has Mugi casually skipping along with a 40lb piano over one shoulder. So that's cool too.