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Yozakura Family Episode 2 just drops yesterday (14th April for me). Despite fans dread of how the quality of the episode would plummet (because outsourcing), it turns out pretty great.
I would be discussing this episode in a more detailed manner than usual so here we go
General Plot
The overall plot of Yozakura Family episode 2 is adapted from chapter 2 of the manga. Mainly it adapt Taiyo first mission of protecting Mutsumi from bomber.
Yes, i miscalculated a bit.
I thought with the pacing of the first episode, the 2nd episode will adapt chapter 2 and chapter 3. However, Silver Link somehow slowing down the pacing a little bit this episode.
What comes unexpected is how Silver Link decide to add Anime original scene. There is many of that, so let’s talk about it
Additional & Changed Scene
The reason that Silver Link manage to slow down the pace and inflatting chapter 2 into a whole 1 anime episode is because of the additional scene. There is also some scene Silver Link decide to change. Let’s delve in detail about it.
1. Taiyo Sleeping
There is some difference in this scene compared to the manga. In the anime taiyo is sleeping in his school uniform, when in the manga he is sleeping in his casual outfit.
2. Mutsumi in Taiyo House
There is additonal scene of Mutsumi prepping food in Taiyo house. This is different from the manga where Mutsumi just come to Taiyo’s Room.
3. Out of House Scene
After Taiyo house blow up, there is a small aditional scene of interaction between Mutsumi and Taiyo. This is anime original, compared to the manga which skips to the car scene.
4. Car Chase scene
The car scene has so much additional scene. It is more or less a 2 minutes additional scene.
In the manga, the car scene is only explaining Mutsumi background as the head and how Mutsumi is targeted by a bomber. On the other hand, the anime is adding a car scene.
I think this car scene is more or less serve to adds more punch to the latter scene where Taiyo realize how Mutsumi is always in danger
Some nice additional scene is that Goliath driving scene. When i first watch it i was like, WTF That Dog can actually drive???
5. Infirmary Scene
There is a small scene where Taiyo catch a glimpse of somebody on Infirmary. We know somehow that the silhouette is Nanao.
Also in the infirmary Taiyo meets other person. Which, i don’t really know at first who it is (It is actually Kengo).
6. The Gang is here
The next additional scene is that Kengo, Nanao, Shion, and Shinzo is actually on the school watching over Taiyo. Why are they there though? Well, for catching the bomber. This is however is also the difference from the manga.
7. The Bomber defeat
How the bomber defeated is different in manga and anime.
In the manga, Kyoichiro simply throw back the bomb to the bomber. Where in the anime, after the bomber being catched by the Yozakuras, the bomber is thrown by Kyoichiro (Team Rocket style).
Even though my first thought was “is there a point for almost all the Yozakuras to be there?” I realize the scene serves as to empower that the Yozakuras is basically always protecting Mutsumi.
Animation & Art
The Animation and Art of Yozakura Family episode 2 is actually an improvement from episode 1.
I have seen again and again the animation of episode 2 and haven’t find any memeable bad animation. So it is a good sign.
Even though it doesn’t have that beyond amazing level like Ufotable animation, Yozakura Family episode 2 animation is well animated by Silver Link.
Opening Comments
Having heard the opening for the past week and finally see the TV-version and the animation i have to say that Silver Link does a pretty well job on this.
Some people who like shonen may debate the fact that “why it doesn’t feel action packed enough?”. Well, suprise surprise the early arc is full of comedic and slice-of-life moment.
By that only, having a calming opening while still being catchy enough really does a good job at capturing the slice -of-life and the comedic aspect of the early arc.
Ending Comments
Usually it takes some episode for an ending song to grows on me. However, i like this the moment it comes out.
The song is catchy, yes. Is it warm? yes. More than all, what i must highlight is the presentation. I absolutely love, how it has a game theme. I mean look.
For me, it brings uniqueness to the overall presentation of the ending song. Also i must add that the fact Silver Link recreate Volume 20 cover at the ending is the adorable part. All in all, this ending is good.
Conclusion
Despite the initial pessimistic discussion about how episode 2 will flop, it turns out to be well beyond my expectation.
The additional scene helps to set the setting faster and makes the scene where Taiyo contemplates about how Mutsumi is always at his side even though she has much on her plate, heavier.
Overall, is it a good episode? yes it is. I easily give it 4.5 out of 5. I totally recommend it even for manga-reader.
Don’t forget to watch episode 1 too. If you are too tired to watch episode 1, you can always read my episode 1 review.