{"id":8473,"date":"2013-03-23T21:01:20","date_gmt":"2013-03-24T02:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/?p=8473"},"modified":"2013-03-23T21:01:20","modified_gmt":"2013-03-24T02:01:20","slug":"shakugan-no-shana-season-ii-anime-dvdbd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/2013\/03\/23\/shakugan-no-shana-season-ii-anime-dvdbd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Shakugan no Shana Season II&#8211;Anime DVD\/BD Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/image\/stars\/3o5.gif\" alt=\"3 Stars\" \/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Juliet-and-Romeo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Juliet-and-Romeo-550x311.jpg\" alt=\"Juliet and Romeo\" width=\"550\" height=\"311\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Juliet-and-Romeo-550x311.jpg 550w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Juliet-and-Romeo-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Juliet-and-Romeo-500x283.jpg 500w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Juliet-and-Romeo.jpg 848w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWay back during the Age of the Dinosaurs when I first decided to try writing an <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#anime\">anime<\/a> review I chose the original Geneon DVD release of <a href=\"\/fun\/2006\/09\/02\/shakugan-no-shana-review\/\">the first season of <em>Shakugan no Shana<\/em><\/a>. These days, with streaming video typically available on the day of the original broadcast, I don&#8217;t watch too many anime DVDs. However I recently got hold of BD set for the second season of <em>Shana<\/em> and decided to write an old-fashioned review of it.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ItemList\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Title<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\"><em>Shakugan no Shana Season II<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Original Title<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\"><em>Shakugan no Shana Sekondo<\/em> (Shana of the Blazing Eyes&#8211;Second)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Demographic<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Seinen<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Genres<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Fantasy, Horror, Adventure, Romance<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Based on<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">A series of <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#light_novel\">light novels<\/a> by Yashichirou Takahashi<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Director<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Takashi Watanabe<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Series Composition<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Yasuko Kobayashi<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Music<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Kou Ootani<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Original Character Design<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Noizi Itou<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Character Design<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Mai Otsuka<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Art Director<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Yoshinori Hirose<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Chief Animation Director<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Mai Otsuka<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Studio<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">J. C. Staff<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Contents<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">24 episodes on 4 DVDs\/BDs<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Laguages<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Japanese with subtitles; English dub<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">North American Publisher<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.funimation.com\/shakugan-no-shana\">Funimation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>General Impressions<\/h1>\n<p>Unfortunately this is the weakest of the show&#8217;s three seasons. The first half feels particularly weak. It seems slow-moving and directionless. Things pick up quite a bit in the second half, building up to a rousing though somewhat confusing conclusion.<\/p>\n<p>Rewatching it now, after having seen the third season, I find that I like the second season more than I did at first. The events of the second season lay the groundwork for what the characters do in the third. Still, a better writer might have handled the character development without letting the story drift.<\/p>\n<p>The first season started with Yuuji, a weak protagonist but decent and likeable, and Shana who was powerful but cold and unlikeable. By the beginning of the third season Yuuji has become much more powerful but cold and distant, while Shana has become the sympathetic protagonist we cheer for. The second season occupies a less satisfactory middle ground. Shana tries sincerely but clumsily to become more human while Yuuji wonders whether humanity is a luxury that he can no longer afford.<\/p>\n<p>I don&#8217;t recommend that anyone watch the second season by itself. However if you enjoyed the first season and want to watch the third (which is the best of the three) then you need to watch the second season because the third depends on it.<\/p>\n<h1>Parental Advisory<\/h1>\n<p>The second season doesn&#8217;t seem quite as dark as the first but there is still plenty of violence. It is fanciful violence but that probably wouldn&#8217;t make much difference to a young child. I would only feel comfortable recommending this for teenagers and up.<\/p>\n<h1>Translation Notes<\/h1>\n<p>The main problem for any translator is the poetic language, especially the strange but expressive Crimson World titles. In Japanese traditional poetic language tends to be concise, using enigmatic phrases with short words derived from Chinese. In English poetic language tends to be verbose, with ornate phrases and long words derived from Latin.<\/p>\n<p>Thus an attempt to accurately translate the titles will cause most of them them to explode, making them too long to fit in the subtitles, let alone for the English voice actors to say. The only thing I can recommend is to watch this with subtitles so that you can at least hear some of the poetry in the original Japanese soundtrack. <\/p>\n<p>At least the Season 2 translation does not call Wilhelmina Carmel &#8220;Wirhelmina,&#8221; as Geneon did on the Season 1 DVDs. This illustrates a good general rule: it&#8217;s all very well to consult with native Japanese speakers when deciding how something should be translated, but a native English speaker should make the final decision.<\/p>\n<h1>DVD\/BD Extras<\/h1>\n<p>Once again the Extras menu includes a series of \u201cNaze Nani Shana\u201d <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#omake\">omake<\/a> episodes in which <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews\/#chibi\">chibi<\/a> versions of Friagne and Marianne explain the underlying assumptions and backstory of the fantasy world. These are both entertaining and helpful.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Naze-Nami-Shana.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Naze-Nami-Shana-489x367.jpg\" alt=\"Naze Nami Shana\" width=\"489\" height=\"367\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Naze-Nami-Shana-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Naze-Nami-Shana-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Naze-Nami-Shana-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Naze-Nami-Shana.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nOn the other hand the &#8220;Shana-tan&#8221; omake episodes fall flat. During the first season it was pretty funny to see a miniature Shana berating and abusing Yuuji, since that wasn&#8217;t too far from her actual behavior. However in the second season, when she is clearly working hard to conform her behavior to human norms, this just seems unfunny and unfair.<\/p>\n<p>Even more misguided are a couple of episodes with alternate soundtracks with commentary by the American voice actors. A commentary by the Japanese director might be enlightening but the American VAs are too far removed from the source material to provide any useful insights.<\/p>\n<h1>New Concepts<\/h1>\n<p>Another idea with a totally arbitrary English name: An <strong>Outlaw<\/strong> is a meeting place where Flame Hazes and their human friends can get together to trade information and form working alliances. Such places exist in most of the world&#8217;s major cities. They are all loosely affiliated and in times of crisis they can put together a substantial fighting force.<\/p>\n<h1>New Characters<\/h1>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mare.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mare-150x84.jpg\" alt=\"Mare?\" width=\"150\" height=\"84\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mare-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mare-550x311.jpg 550w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mare-500x283.jpg 500w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mare.jpg 848w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Mare the Village of Playful Sleep<\/strong> is a relatively weak Crimson Denizen, but she has the potentially dangerous ability to put humans in a dream state in which they relive past events.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fumina.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fumina-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Fumina\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fumina-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fumina-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fumina-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fumina.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Fumina Konoe<\/strong> is a new transfer student who somehow looks just like Hecate the Supreme Throne. However Shana should be able to tell the difference between a Denizan and a human, and Fumina certainly seems human. She&#8217;s a very annoying human though, a spoiled rich girl incapable of doing even the simplest things for herself.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\nA flashback sequence takes us back to New York City in the late 1930s.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Yuri.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Yuri-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Yuri\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Yuri-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Yuri-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Yuri-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Yuri.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"display:none;\"><a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#yuri\">yuri<\/a><\/span><strong>Yuri Chvojka the Summoner of the Power of the Mountain Spirits<\/strong>, the Flame Haze of Valac, was an idealistic young recruit to the cause. Margery thought he lacked the necessary toughness.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Valac.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Valac-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Valac\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Valac-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Valac-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Valac-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Valac.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Valac the Poisonous Lizard Commander<\/strong> (Crimson Lord) speaks through a short sword. She sounds like a world-weary woman.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/East-Edge.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/East-Edge-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"East Edge\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/East-Edge-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/East-Edge-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/East-Edge-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/East-Edge.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>East Edge the Milky Way Summoner<\/strong>, the Flame Haze of Quetzalc\u00f3atl, is a tall laconic Native American who tends bar at the Outlaw in New York City. He has a very minor role in the second season but is a major character in the third, so I will have more to say about him when I get around to reviewing that.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Anneberg.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Anneberg-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Anneberg\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Anneberg-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Anneberg-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Anneberg-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Anneberg.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Annaberg the Cavern that Pierces to the Core<\/strong> (Crimson Denizen) plotted to speed up human technological advancement by starting a major war.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Kantarou.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Kantarou-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Kantarou\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Kantarou-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Kantarou-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Kantarou-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Kantarou.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Kantarou Sakai<\/strong> is Yuuji&#8217;s father who has been working overseas since before the start of the first season. He chooses this time to come home. He is a calm, confident man with an impish sense of humor. His bond with Chigusa is obviously very strong.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Harumi-and-Hayato.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Harumi-and-Hayato-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Harumi and Hayato\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Harumi-and-Hayato-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Harumi-and-Hayato-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Harumi-and-Hayato-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Harumi-and-Hayato.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><b>Harumi Fujita<\/b> serves along with Hayato Ike as Class Representative. She obviously likes him but he considers her much too bossy.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character2\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fecor.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fecor-150x84.jpg\" alt=\"Fecor\" width=\"150\" height=\"84\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fecor-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fecor-550x311.jpg 550w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fecor-500x283.jpg 500w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Fecor.jpg 848w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Fecor the Mountain Storm Hoof<\/strong> looks like a conventional bat-winged demon in a business suit. He has a mournful countenance and a pessimistic manner but he should not be underestimated. He is one of the Bal Masqu\u00e9&#8217;s most powerful fighters. He acts as gatekeeper of the Seireiden and is in charge of its defenses.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Pheles\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Pheles the Colorful Wave<\/strong> is a powerful Denizen Lord who stopped devouring humans after falling in love with one.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-and-Johan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-and-Johan-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Pheles and Johan\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-and-Johan-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-and-Johan-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-and-Johan-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-and-Johan.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Johan the Eternal Lover<\/strong> was a human boy raised by Pheles. After he grew up they fell in love and he became an accomplished wizard. In order to remain with her he created the Reiji Maigo (Midnight Lost Child) and became a Mystes.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\nThe story of Pheles and Johan is well-known among the Denizens and Flame Hazes who call them &#8220;The Promised Pair&#8221; and &#8220;Engage Link.&#8221;\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zarovee.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zarovee-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Zarovee\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zarovee-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zarovee-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zarovee-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zarovee.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Zarovee the Fourth Rank of Apportionment<\/strong> is a very weak Denizen with a timid and unctuous manner. He has the ability to split off 4 copies of himself.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bifrons-upright.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bifrons-upright-150x112.jpg\" alt=\"Bifrons upright\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bifrons-upright-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bifrons-upright-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bifrons-upright-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bifrons-upright.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Bifrons the Howling Maw<\/strong> is a Denizen who resembles a giant cannon. He can move stealthily and attack with a devastating blast.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character2\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Sabrac.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Sabrac-150x84.jpg\" alt=\"Sabrac\" width=\"150\" height=\"84\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Sabrac-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Sabrac-550x311.jpg 550w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Sabrac-500x283.jpg 500w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Sabrac.jpg 848w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><strong>Sabrac the Destroying Blade<\/strong> is the most frightening villain since Friagne. A cold-blooded assassin, he hides and strikes without warning with overwhelming force. His sword leaves wounds that defy the self-healing powers of a Flame Haze, growing ever wider and deeper. Sometimes he attacks riding a tsunami of flame.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<\/div>\n<h1>Other Random Observations<\/h1>\n<div class=\"Character2\">\nThe first season gave us a series of bad, destructive or tragic romantic relationships: Friagne&harr;Marianne, Sorath&harr;Tiriel, Wilhelmina&rarr;Merihim&rarr;Matilda&rarr;Alastor, not to mention Sydonay&rarr;Hecate. On the other hand the second season shows us several beneficial romantic relationships which ultimately strengthen the participants: Chigusa&harr;Kantarou, Pheles&harr;Johan and ultimately Eita&harr;Matake.\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-Johan-kiss.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-Johan-kiss-489x367.jpg\" alt=\"Pheles Johan kiss\" width=\"489\" height=\"367\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-Johan-kiss-489x367.jpg 489w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-Johan-kiss-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-Johan-kiss-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Pheles-Johan-kiss.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I interpret it this way: one of the main questions of the story is what kind of relationship Yuuji and Shana will have. In the first season they encounter bad role models; in the second season they encounter better role models; in the third season they get to choose for themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Another theme that appears repeatedly in the second season is that various people are not what they appear to be. I&#8217;m not sure if this has any overall significance. Perhaps the point is that Yuuji and Shana, and for that matter Kazumi and Eita, still have to figure out who they really are.<\/p>\n<h1>Links<\/h1>\n<p>My original review of the <a href=\"\/fun\/2006\/09\/02\/shakugan-no-shana-review\/\">first season<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Way back during the Age of the Dinosaurs when I first decided to try writing an <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#anime\">anime<\/a> review I chose the original Geneon DVD release of the first season of&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/2013\/03\/23\/shakugan-no-shana-season-ii-anime-dvdbd-review\/\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[56],"class_list":["post-8473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-anime","tag-shakugan-no-shana"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8473"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8599,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8473\/revisions\/8599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}