Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 – A Deeper Dive into Quiet Mysteries

The highly anticipated second season of Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary premiered on April 6, 2025, continuing the slow-burn, introspective journey of Jougorou Kobato and Yuki Osanai, two high school students yearning for an unremarkable life. Based on Honobu Yonezawa’s acclaimed mystery novel series, this anime adaptation by Lapin Track has captivated fans with its thoughtful pacing, rich character development, and subtle yet gripping mysteries. Season 2 builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, introducing new arcs, deeper character conflicts, and an evolving narrative that challenges the protagonists’ desire for ordinariness. Here’s an in-depth look at what Shoshimin Season 2 brings to the table.

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A Recap of Season 1: Setting the Stage

Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary follows Jougorou Kobato, a high school student scarred by his past experiences with “wisdom work”—a term for his deductive activities that once led to bitter consequences. Determined to live a humble, drama-free life, Kobato forms a pact with his classmate Yuki Osanai, who shares his aspiration for ordinariness. However, their sharp intellects and knack for uncovering truths keep pulling them into mysterious incidents at Funato High School, from peculiar festival mishaps to a shocking kidnapping case.

Season 1, which aired from July to September 2024, adapted the first two novels: Shunki Gentei Ichigo Tart Jiken (The Spring-Exclusive Strawberry Tart Case) and Kaki Gentei Tropical Parfait Jiken (The Summer-Exclusive Tropical Parfait Case). The season’s 10 episodes were lauded for their atmospheric storytelling, reminiscent of Yonezawa’s earlier work Hyouka, and the chemistry between Kobato and Osanai. Yet, the finale revealed cracks in their alliance, with Osanai’s manipulative tendencies and Kobato’s struggle to reconcile his ideals with reality setting the stage for a more complex Season 2.

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What’s New in Season 2?

Season 2 dives into two new arcs from Yonezawa’s novel series: Shuuki Gentei Kuri Kinton Jiken (The Autumn-Exclusive Kuri Kinton Case) and Touki Gentei Bonbon Chocolat Jiken (The Winter-Exclusive Chocolate Bonbons Case). These arcs, adapted from the third and fifth volumes, respectively, shift the narrative to a new school year, where Kobato and Osanai are no longer friends. This development adds emotional weight to the story, as their fractured relationship becomes a backdrop for the unfolding mysteries.

The season introduces three new characters, voiced by talented actors:

• Takahiko Urino (Teppei Uenishi): A driven student journalist whose ambition to make a mark through the school newspaper pulls him into the central mystery.
• Tokiko Nakamaru (Yume Miyamoto): A character whose interactions with Kobato hint at underlying tensions and potential growth.
• Yuuto Hiya (Seiichirou Yamashita): A friend of Urino whose casual mentions of local fires spark a larger investigation.

These additions expand the ensemble, offering fresh perspectives while maintaining the focus on Kobato and Osanai’s internal struggles.

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Plot and Themes: A Slow-Burn Mystery Unfolds

Season 2 opens with A Warm Winter (Part 1), setting a contemplative tone. Kobato, still reeling from the dissolution of his pact with Osanai, attempts to embrace a truly ordinary life, while Osanai begins dating Urino, a move that raises questions about her motives. The central mystery revolves around a series of mysterious arson incidents in the area, which Urino investigates for the school newspaper. Kobato’s discovery that one of the fires involves a van tied to a past kidnapping case suggests a deeper conspiracy, pulling him back into the detective role he swore to abandon.

The Kuri Kinton Case arc, which spans the early episodes, explores themes of ambition versus restraint. Urino’s relentless pursuit of the truth contrasts with Osanai’s insistence on ordinariness, creating tension in their relationship. Osanai’s contradictory behavior—encouraging Urino’s writing while dismissing his achievements—hints at her complex motivations, possibly echoing her dynamic with Kobato in Season 1. Meanwhile, Kobato’s interactions with Nakamaru and his own investigation into the fires highlight his struggle to define “ordinary” without losing his sense of self.

The Bonbon Chocolat Case, introduced later in the season, promises to delve into darker territory, with the second half of Season 2 confirmed to adapt the sixth novel, Case of the Wintertime Limited-Edition Chocolate Bonbons. This arc is expected to escalate the stakes, tying together threads from earlier mysteries and challenging the characters’ emotional limits.

The series continues to excel in its character-driven approach, using mysteries as a lens to explore youth, identity, and the tension between standing out and blending in. Fans of Hyouka will appreciate the familiar blend of low-stakes sleuthing and profound introspection, though Shoshimin leans into a more serious tone, with high-stakes moments that flirt with danger.

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Production: A Visual and Auditory Treat

Lapin Track, known for Undead Murder Farce, delivers another visually stunning season. Directed by Mamoru Kanbe (Elfen Lied), with series scripts by Toshiya Ono, character designs by Atsushi Saito, and music by Takahiro Obata (The Promised Neverland), the production maintains its high quality. The animation captures the quiet beauty of everyday settings—cafes, school hallways, and winter streets—while clever transitions and framing enhance the deductive sequences.

The soundtrack elevates the atmosphere, with Obata’s score blending mystery and melancholy. The opening theme, Kaseijin (Martian) by Yorushika, sets an ethereal tone, while the ending theme, SugaRiddle by Nagi Yanagi, adds emotional depth. Both songs have been praised for complementing the series’ introspective vibe.

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Reception and Expectations

Early reviews of Season 2, particularly episodes 1–4, commend its intentional pacing and layered storytelling. But Why Tho? noted that the arson arc “builds on the extraordinary circumstances” of Season 1, with Urino’s investigation adding fresh intrigue. However, some critics, like Anime News Network, argue that the “glacial pacing” may not suit all viewers, though they acknowledge the series’ visual beauty and potential for deeper intrigue.

Fans on platforms like Reddit have drawn comparisons to Hyouka and even Sherlock Holmes, interpreting Kobato as a Holmes-like figure, Osanai as a Moriarty-esque counterpart, and Kengo as a Watson stand-in. Discussions highlight the arson arc’s high stakes and the anticipation for the Bonbon Chocolat Case, with some speculating it could rival Hyouka’s festival arc in complexity.

With 12 episodes planned, Season 2 is poised to balance its two arcs carefully. The Kuri Kinton Case concluded around episode 7, leaving ample room for the Bonbon Chocolat Case to unfold. Fans hope the pacing will allow the final arc to breathe, given its significance in the novel series.

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Where to Watch

Shoshimin Season 2 airs on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation block and its 24 affiliates, with broadcasts on BS Asahi and CS TV Asahi Channel 1. In Japan, episodes stream on ABEMA simultaneously with their TV airing. Internationally, Crunchyroll offers the series with English subtitles, while Southeast Asian fans can access it on Ani-One Asia’s YouTube channel. The release schedule aligns with weekly Sunday airings at 1:30 AM JST, with episodes 1–7 already available as of June 22, 2025.

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Why Shoshimin Season 2 Matters

Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 cements the series as a standout in the mystery genre, offering a refreshing alternative to action-heavy anime. Its focus on character growth, psychological depth, and understated storytelling appeals to fans of introspective narratives. For those who enjoyed Hyouka or Monogatari, Shoshimin delivers a similar blend of wit, heart, and intrigue, with a unique emphasis on the paradox of seeking ordinariness in an extraordinary world.

As Kobato and Osanai navigate new mysteries and fractured bonds, Season 2 challenges viewers to question what it means to be “ordinary” and whether such a life is truly attainable. With its compelling arcs, stellar production, and growing fanbase, Shoshimin is on track to become a modern classic in the mystery anime canon. Stay tuned for the Bonbon Chocolat Case and the answers it may hold for our enigmatic protagonists.

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Sources:

• MyAnimeList.net
• Anime News Network
• Shoshimin – How To Become Ordinary Wiki
• Sportskeeda
• Reddit discussions
• Official X account (@shoshimin_pr)