Reviews for Muv-Luv Alternative 2nd Season

God, just when I thought they couldn't defile the corpse of Muv Luv any further... Being a Muv Luv fan is just a continued painful existence. TDA 4 being delayed forever, every attempt at an anime adaptation ends up in failure, and the constant NFT shilling... I am just filled with complete envy at other franchises having a more successful lease on life, then I look back and see this looking like a dog needing to be put down. I have a considerable huge tolerance for a lot of things. I didn't mind that they shoved in some OC only for her to be absolutely useless. Ididn't mind that they changed the seiyuu. I didn't mind the loss of chin straps. Or the rushed pacing to get to the fight scenes. Or messing up the PTSD arc. Or the shitty animation. It's been a year since the ill fated MLA anime project, one that skips 2 whole games worth of content, to advertise(?) an 18 year old VN, and to shill NFTs (which I don't really hear about anymore anyway). I'm old. I'm content with whatever they're doing with the franchise so long as I get to enjoy the admittedly decently done action sequences.

Then the final episode hits, something felt off. It's the final episode and they've just barely done the Sadogashima hive. Why are all the seiyuu's names popping up? W-wait...? Why is the tagline of the series showing up? That's it? You've gotta be kidding me...

They've fucking blue balled us...

No Yokohama

No twizzlers

No CARRY ON MY WAY

No Kasumi crying at the end

No conclusion

The whole anime just stops.

Not even a goddamned anime original ending.

They couldn't be FUCKED to make a proper conclusion for the anime series.

One that is supposed to bring in new fans and to revitalize the whole franchise.

And they fucked it all up near the end.

No news of Season 3 either. Just a vague "If S2 sells better than S1 then we'll make S3!" crap.

I just wonder what the point of all this is. Clearly someone must know the series by heart since you do have minute details like the lasers being distorted by the G-bomb, or hell Sayoko's existence. But no one cared enough unfortunately.

There was no love.

3/10

(2 points for bringing in Jam Project and Kuribayashi Minami in)

Dear all VN readers - don't be swayed by false reviews in other side of the internet that claims that this is a blasphemy of an adaptation. Those saying that are just losers who quits the anime when it's in the lowest, just like people who quits the VN trilogy because of Extra. This adaptation is just as decent as it could be, and it's really good. S2 has managed to bring some of the crucial part of the series to another level, despite setbacks that I can say forgivable due to the reality of the anime ground. Especially the most anticipated battle where half ofthe season is dedicated to it - and that's despite speculation that it would be sped up horribly as claimed by those false reviewers. It's doing fine by itself - very good battles and epic drama in it.

Yes, I could admit it can be better, but the anime is fine, I repeat, fine to watch it if you enjoyed the VN enough. No need to be shy and hesitative just because you hear things are wrong. It done its justice to the VN its own good way.

For anime adaptations based off of visual novels, Muv-Luv Alternative stands out as one of the better ones. This is no train-wreck adaptation like Chaos;Head and Chaos;Child. The MLA anime is legitimately good, season 2 especially. I'd honestly put season 2 above the anime of Robotics;Notes and Higurashi DEEN. Anyways, let's get into the pros. As was the case in season 1, the mecha animation was absolutely phenomenal. It's eye candy to look at. It's what makes the anime worth watching for anybody. Moreover, the pacing is pretty good for the most part. They didn't try to do a rush job and adapt the whole thingin one go. They paced the whole story out such that if they were to adapt everything, it'd be done in 3 cours. Hopefully, we get that 3rd season some day.

That being said, season 2 had some unfortunate issues. As was we all know from season 1, the MLA anime demands prior VN knowledge from its audience via Extra and Unlimited. But because they didn't adapt Extra earlier, season 2 made some... interesting adaptation decisions. They rushed through one of the most impactful parts of the VN in chapter 7 because it was very reliant on its audience having gone through Extra. Episode 3 in particular was just unbelievably disappointing. Instead, however, they lengthened chapter 9, opting to adapt the manga at 2 chapters per episode for Sadogashima, meaning 4 episodes spent on what only took 2.5 hours in the VN. While this did mean that Sadogashima was handled superbly, parts of chapter 7 were handled very poorly. Additionally, as was also the case in season 1, we still have the rather stale and lifeless character designs and colour palettes. The 2D animation did improve between the two seasons but it was still not exactly the greatest thing in the world.

Anyways, if you've already played through the trilogy, the Muv-Luv Alternative anime is absolutely worth watching. Don't let the cynicism of the fandom fool you. Honestly, if it weren't for how poorly they handled episodes 3-4, I think this would definitely deserve a higher score.

This anime is not as bad as the VN purists would like you to say. As a matter of fact it is actually a much superior product that the disappointing gundam AUs of the 2010s. This is definitely the mecha show of the season and it certainly feels that way vs that new Gundam show that is more like a parody. What people expected to be the berserk 2016 of VNs due to low funding, actually had phenomenal mecha action and sound mixing. I promised you the action does feel like it has proper build up, and you can really feel the tighter stakes and thrills.The sound doesn't feel like background noise and endless beam spams like the Gundam shows, but actually has the rhythm as they are building up to larger and larger stakes. It makes you feel like you are actually playing a video game vs watching a cutscene. The CGI rarely has blemishes like the regular 2d mechs where you can pause and see the bad drawings. Overall very well done for such a niche studio

The plot is definitely top notch and doesn't suffer from being proedictable. There is great surprises and you can really feel the trauma. There is definitely a ton of highs. They really did flesh out Takeru. Kouzoki for the most part does most of the talking for the series.

Overall, this is still definitely worth watching even if you haven't played the VNs. I do recommend watching Total Eclipse and Schwarzesmarken for more background knowledge.

At the risk of being ridiculed, I’ll make a confession. I like the Muv Luv Alternative anime. Yes, it may not be a perfect adaptation of an 80 hour long VN series, but it doesn’t need to be. No anime can be. The purpose of these types of adaptations is to drive up interest in the VN and to give you just enough of the story for it to be a competent story on its own, but enough that you want to seek out the VN to play. MLA anime, particularly season 2, did that perfectly for me and was one of the most enjoyableshows this season.

I will admit, season one of this anime had some rushed pacing and subpar direction at times. Even as an anime only I felt it was missing something. Season 2 has corrected a lot of those mistakes and from the very first episode it was apparent that pacing had been fixed, direction was fixed and that we would be in for a treat this season. The biggest improvement over that first season is for sure the pacing. There were times last season when it was hard to really care about what was going on because of how fast everything was going and how much was being omitted from the story. MLA S2’s pacing is much slower and allows you to get fully invested in the characters and their situations. I feel like this really benefited Takeru and other characters like Sumika, Meiya and others who play large roles in this season.

The story on its own is also just much better in this season than in season 1. There’s some genuinely “wtf” plot twists that we got in this season that legitimately stayed with me for weeks. I think we really got a much more candid look at the brutal nature of the war between humanity and the beta in this season. In season 1, we often just got descriptions and heard kind of an idealised version of things, but it’s very apparent in this season that this is not just some heroic everyone comes home at the end type of war. People are dying and sacrifices are being made and because of how well paced and directed the season is, you feel the weight of every loss.

Speaking of the brutal reality of war, it’s hard to discuss a war anime without discussing the action scenes. While not on the level of 86 or other top tier mecha anime, I think the production qualities of MLA S2 were substantially improved upon from the first season and there’s some pretty solid looking fight scenes particularly during that last little arc of the season. I was pretty impressed.

So, what’s the deal? Should you watch MLA or read the VN? I can only go off of what I am doing which is both. I believe that anime and VNs are different mediums and have their own strengths and weaknesses. Yes, the anime omits things, any anime adaptation of a VN will, but at the same time the voice acting, updated character designs and the fact that some episodes of the anime actually surpass the VN make the MLA anime worth a watch as well. Here’s to hoping we get more of the anime going forward.

MLA S2 gets 8 out of 10.

Muv-Luv Alternative 2nd season has ended a few days ago, and as usual let's get down to business. Story- Well, just like the Muv-Luv franchise this was still set in an apocalyptic future , where mankind is still under treat from extra terrestrial species called "BETA" and just like the franchise, mankind was still nowhere near of exterminating those invasive spices.....But , just like the usual, the story plot wasn't with them "BETA's" but with the human characters whom were in the fore front of the fight if earth is to survive and the socio political conflict that occurs within mankind itself. Now I won't be discussingthe art, sound and enjoyment cu'z there just no need when the story plot of the franchise was still depended as to how the franchise started.

Character- For the male MC, Shirogane, Takeru, to show his fear and despair is good cu'z it show his human side, beside he wasn't suppose to be in that world in the first place, he simply was just isekaied in another world that is under treat from Extra Terrestrial Species called "BETA", but given that he has stayed in that world simply intertwines his relationship with his world to the world where he got in.....so even if he does go back to his world who ever dies from the world he came from will happen to the one he know in his home world.

Yuuko Kouzuki- Now she another character here to which it wasn't know if she's the good girl or the bad one given her willingness to get her hands dirty. Then again without her having such oxymoronic role then this would have been a bore.

Overall- Even though this was still your usual apocalyptic theme anime, it was still worth it, so the question is , will there be another Muv -Luv spin-off???? Well if there is then it's probably worth waiting.

So, my judgment for this sequel.....it's a good, and that's that.

The first season of MUV-LUV Alternative gave me a lot of mixed feelings how it adapted it source material. I thought some elements were ok at best from its music and animation. When you watch this and the first season as a standalone mech anime its a very run of the mill human vs alien conflict. If you're familiar with the source material that being the visual novels then this season is gonna make you feel like a kick to the jaws. Where do I even begin? To describe my disappoint would be like if it the Harry Potter books were getting a film adaptation butinstead of adapting from Sorcerer's of Stone to Deathly Hallows. It would be just be adapting the first two books and end it right there rather then of the rest of the story. Skipping all potential story arcs, conflict and end results. Which what this second season feels like.

On a positive side of things, Sadogashima is the biggest highlight for me. All the action and drama that ensues is probably my favorite part of the whole thing. Everything else after that just sort of ends. You could argue that this potentially setting up for a third season and I'd be ok with that and I hope this is not the final season.

But if you're going to adapt the entirety of Alternative. What about Takeru going back to the other world? The BETA threat and the main HIVE? Sumika and the sudden revelations of why she's traumatized about Takeru? The prevention of ALTERNATIVE 5!?!?

Is all of this going to be resolved? No, then what's the point? That aside. While trimming down and changes to adaptations are very common place in these things it will either work out fine or it won't work at all. It feels like there's a lot of stuff that's missing that to those who're watching this will be pretty lost.

There's a ton of exposition in the VN and while it may seem like a drag it does however tell you important things on why this is a big deal. I didn't think 12 episodes could even convey all the important key plot points.

I dunno if I can really recommend this if you're not familiar with MUV-LUV at all. If you enjoyed this adaptation, more power for you I'm glad you got something good out of it. I won't judge you even if you don't know MUV-LUV at all.

Before I end, what's even the point of adding a new character to the story if they have little to contribute to the plot? Not the worst thing I've watched in my life but one of the more disappointing things I've watched in my life.

In conclusion spend your money in the name of love and buy yourself the VNs.

I gave it a 6 because most of the story is there BUT... they completely sacrificed all character development. The VN spent a great deal of time describing each character but the anime writers just threw it all away leaving an empty husk behind. But why? Why not just do it well? I still have voice acting issues as well, especially the guy who voiced Takeru. He's the MC yet they picked a guy who basically just finished acting school and in fact this is his first gig. Granted he's a bit better than in season 1 but that's not saying much. He still lacksthe authority to be Takeru.

I also feel the VN spent a bit of time talking about the meaning to be Japanese. Again, the anime pretty much threw it all out.

Overall I'm very disappointed with the anime. Just stick to the VN and pretend the anime never existed, let's say it only exists in a parallel universe haha.

Let's see. As a VN reader, it' pretty much impossible to write an unbiased review. So I'll just rant about this anime instead. Season 2 is (and season 1 I suppose) is pretty hard to judge. As an anime, it's mediocore. Some things are amazing like the battle animations. Others leave much to be desired. And some others is just agony and disappointment. I guess you could enjoy the anime for the BETA and the politics (it's what pulled me into this franchise too). They do the battle sequence excellently. But once you read the VN, you'll realize that they are not what thisseries is about. It's about the character. This anime doesn't really show it. "Oh no, side character #2 got his head bitten off. That's so sad, anyway. " VN medium can afford the luxuries of developing said character to the point that event will put you on depression for days. You stared hallways for dozens of hours never expecting that coming. Anime medium can't do that. If you ask whether this is a good adaptation, I'll say that it's not. This adaptation has no good stories or closure. It might have it if it got S3 but seeing how muvluv projects are burning down left and right, I wouldn't count on it. There might be a timeline where the Extra anime sponsors didn't back out, but too bad this timeline isn't the one. Though in the bright side, in line with the tradition of muvluv stories, you finish this series with depression. One way or the other.

The adaptation has improved from the last season but it leaves something to desire and after I finished the anime , there were things I couldn't understand about this adaptation. 1-What they were thinking about addimg a new character , yes , She is cute but it dosen't get along to well with the history. 2-For VN readers the Chomp part is one of the most important ones , although this version of Chomp is a good adaptation it dosen't give you the shock in the same way the VN manages to do , and is quite a less graphic 3-The operation 21 adaptation although is oneof the best parts in the anime , there were some things they could have donde better , such as , the parts with the new characters gives you the impresion that the anime slows in some way , and the way that in the most part of those 3 or 4 chapters only 2 captains appear and not all of them

Those were all my complains , and there were some parts thr anime got better than the VN , such as the mech battles , or the battle in the way the gave mote attention to the ships and feels more real the battle , with all the scenes on the battleship that covers the Valkyries while they retreat.

Now let's go to all the characters that die , first let's say that none of the scenes were characters die ate better than the VN , the one that in a way adds something to the PTSD is Marimo's one , were she encounters the characters that died throughout the story and how the ending kicks in , Kashigawi's dead gives something to desire , and Marimo's well , it's at the beginning

TL;DR: It's almost like this show is really goddamn enjoyable and peak hype when the focus is on the Mechs and humanity's desperate battle against this unstoppable, existential threat Story: This is what we've been edging for! When it comes down to it, this whole thing is about retaking Sado back from the BETA after losing the island in the first episode of Season 1. It's a simple premise, but up until the latter half of Season 2, the plot and the pacing felt whack and derailed. Sure, the whole thing about alternate realities and jumping between timelines to save the world is interesting, but if Iwant to watch something like that, I'd watch Steins Gate. I get that it's a melodrama still, but a lot of times it feels like I'm watching a different show. It's things like this why Season 1 was such a massive let down, and at worst, felt incredibly misleading. Muv-Luv has a great worldbuilding, has these really cool Mechs based on real fighter aircraft, and the BETA. Why are they not the focus?!

When we do eventually get to the part about retaking Sado though, everything picks up and the show instantly becomes much more enjoyable. There's still melodrama that would get people a NJP, court martial or even killed should it happen in real life, but it's not detriment to the story and actually adds more. This is how the show's melodrama should have been handled.

The climax of the battle is exactly something that you would expect from a show with a premise like this. It's perfect, it's bittersweet and the emotional impact felt deserved than forced.

Characters: More enjoyable this time around

The MC in Season 1 was not likeable, like at all. Seeing him suffer in the first half of Season 2, his shit getting kicked in and suffer some more was honestly quite satisfying and lowkey funny. But, because of what he went through, he was able to overcome and grow up as a character. He's still an angsty anime teenager, but he isnt as insufferable that you are actually able to root for him to succeed during battles.

The original 207B cast and the addition Sumika are still meh, but putting more focus on the Valkyries, in particular the squad lead and the rest of the leadership is such a welcome one. Despite not having as much screen time, the aforementioned Valkyrie characters are enjoyable. They act their part as the seniors and as combat veterans without feeling like bland, generic military characters. If anything, the Valkyries should have been part of the main cast instead of being the supporting ones.

Visuals & Audio: Hype, hype and even more hype?!

Evan Call, the music composer for this show is a peak hype machine. The battles wouldnt be as impactful if it were not for Evan's music, and that new track that plays during the Sado battles for a few episodes simply out-hypes "Not Yet Dead" from Season 1. The new Opening is also hype and hopeful, which fits the show a lot more than Season 1's Rinne by VWP. The ending music though, also by VWP is simply beautiful and bittersweet, it perfectly captures the vibes and emotions when it's played on screen.

The animation and CGI are about the same as Season 1 when it comes to "quality". There is no sense of weight and realism, it's fast paced and a spectacle, but it is very enjoyable. There is a very short scene in Episode 8 where we get a cockpit view POV inside the Mech during combat, it's delicious, it's hype and it gives us a tiny glimpse of just how fast faced and how much reaction time is such a big thing when it comes to close ranged TSF fights.

Personal Enjoyment: Stop teasing and give us the goods!

I say this as a Muv-Luv fan, the setting is wonderful, the worldbuilding is intriguing, the TSF / TSA designs are fantastic, and the BETA are disgusting and uncanny. The show is at its peak when we get these. For the casual viewer, these are what they probably expected, so give it to us! I don't care if the adaptation is faithful / unfaithful to the VN, dont waste our time by giving us these filler stuff that feels deralied to the main story.

When a good portion of the show are anything but the mentioned above, it feels like we're being teased in a bad way. It takes away from the atmosphere, the urgency and when you literally forget that there is an alien invasion going on where billions are already dead, that's not a good thing.

Summary: Stick to the premise!

If Season 1 was a cold unseasoned bagel, Season 2 is like eating left over cake for lunch. It could be better, there are more nutritious food to eat, but you'll get by for the rest of your day. You could skip the cold stale bread and only eat the frosting and the toppings and still enjoy it, but that alone could leave you wanting for more. The latter half of Season 2 is a fantastic example of the show's premise being fully utilized as humanity's desperate struggle against an unstoppable, existential threat - they really should focus on this way more.

Should a Season 3 exist, it can only get better from here.