seki108

Finally, I've caught up with all of Kemono Friends 2, which is only six episodes right now.   Overall feeling: mixed but somewhat optimistic about it.  It's still a CGI (though better this time) children anime that at least is trying to recapture the hidden depths of the first one.  Also, the OP is still great, though not as catchy as the first anime's OP

Considering the fallout of Tatsuki's (the director/salvage of the first anime/franchise)  wrongful firing, many weren't really expecting much from this......and I can't say I was either.  Even with the new director's earnestness in staying near Tatsuki's vision of a S2, the whole thing.  Even with this trepidation, it's my personal ideal to at least watch a series fully before judging it.

Overall, it's very similar, with a few borrowed episode structures from S1 so far, and is somewhat trying to pull of the mystery aspect......just not as subtly.  Then again, fans would expect the subtle I suppose, especially after season 1, so maybe it will be a complete curve......already got one in Episode 5.  So far, the differences are enough to set it an appropriate distance apart, though.  A different enough main character with a completely different conflict is enough to help in that regard (even if their designs are a bit too similar), while the sketchbook plot device adds a character distinction Kaban never really got in S1. 

I was going to not how they seemed to have dropped the light educational aspects from the first one (with their informative transition scenes), but it seems they had to cut from non-Japanese distribution because they licensed National Geographic footage.  Commercial rights, continuing to be an ever present pain.

While episode 11 was the first major emotional shock of the Season 1, this one basically had it for Episode 5 assuming you watched S1.  Then Episode 6 hints at how this sequel came about..........even if the episode was a bit underwhelming from the expectations.  It was understandable in terms of plot I suppose, and the fanart from episode alone is enough.  Spoilery screenshots:

I'm definitely sticking through, even though I still have my expectations tempered.