Maken-Ki! Tsuu

Maken-Ki! Battling Venus 2

Aired: 2014-01-16

Status: FINISHED

Ratings: 58/100

Genres: Action, Ecchi

Tags: Female Harem, Episodic, School Club, Nudity, Bondage, School, Super Power, Primarily Female Cast, Martial Arts, Male Protagonist, Shounen, Large Breasts, Nekomimi

Total Episodes: 10

Duration: 24 min

Studio: Funimation

Source: MANGA

Format: TV

Season: WINTER

Release Year: 2014

Season No: 1

Director: Hiraku Kaneko

Watch:Official Site, Hulu, Crunchyroll

Synopsis

Takeru continues his education at Tenbi Academy as part of the newly formed Security Committee. As a team with the other members they battle unscrupulous individuals who use their Maken for evil purposes. In the meantime, his libido and the conflicting romantic interests of the girls surrounding him complicate matters considerably.

Trailer

Characters

Haruko Amaya

MAIN

Kodama Himegami

MAIN

Takeru Ooyama

MAIN

Inaho Kushiya

MAIN

Furan Takaki

SUPPORTING

Kimi Satou

SUPPORTING

Yuuka Amado

SUPPORTING

Chacha Akaza

SUPPORTING

Aki Nijou

SUPPORTING

Uruchi Minaya

SUPPORTING

Minori Rokujo

SUPPORTING

Rudolf

SUPPORTING

Azuki Shinatsu

SUPPORTING

Gen Tagayashi

SUPPORTING

Kengo Usui

SUPPORTING

Akaya Kodai

SUPPORTING

Maken-Ki! Two: A Deep Dive into the Ecchi-Filled Second Season

Maken-Ki! Two, the second season of the anime adaptation of Hiromitsu Takeda’s manga Maken-Ki!, aired from January 16, 2014, to March 20, 2014, and was produced by Xebec, a shift from the first season’s studio, AIC. This 10-episode season, along with a special OVA, leans heavily into the ecchi and harem elements that define the series, but it takes a markedly different approach from its predecessor. While Maken-Ki! Battling Venus (Season 1) attempted to balance fanservice with a loose narrative about magical combat and a villainous plot, Maken-Ki! Two largely abandons the overarching story in favor of episodic, fanservice-driven content. This article explores the key aspects of Maken-Ki! Two, including its plot (or lack thereof), characters, animation, reception, and its place in the ecchi anime landscape.

Plot and Structure

Maken-Ki! Two continues to follow Takeru Ooyama, a first-year student at Tenbi Academy, a former all-girls school turned co-ed, where students wield magical items called Maken to enhance their combat abilities. Takeru, a self-proclaimed pervert with no Maken of his own at the start, is now part of the newly formed Security Committee, tasked with maintaining order and battling those who misuse their Maken for nefarious purposes. The season introduces new challenges, such as a bra-stealing pervert, a magical kitten transforming students into catgirl hybrids, and a manga festival with shrinking costumes, but these scenarios are largely standalone and prioritize comedic and risqué situations over narrative depth.

Unlike the first season, which adapted parts of the manga’s first five volumes (including arcs like Welcome to Tenbi and Clash With Venus), Maken-Ki! Two features mostly original, self-contained story arcs that deviate significantly from the source material. The shift to filler-heavy content disappointed some fans expecting a continuation of the first season’s plot, particularly the unresolved threads involving the Kamigari organization and Takeru’s untapped powers. The season’s only canonical episode is arguably the finale, which briefly touches on the manga’s broader storyline, but even this feels like an afterthought. The included OVA, Takeru Turns into a Woman!? Naked in a Southern Island!, released on September 30, 2013, before the season’s premiere, is another fanservice-heavy addition with little narrative weight.

Characters

The core cast returns, with Takeru Ooyama (voiced by Tomoaki Maeno in Japanese, Ian Sinclair in English) at the center of the harem. His childhood friend Haruko Amaya (Noriko Shitaya/Monica Rial), self-proclaimed fiancée Inaho Kushiya (Iori Nomizu/Tia Ballard), and fiery Kodama Himegami (Sayuri Yahagi/Brittney Karbowski) continue to vie for his attention, often leading to comedic and romantic misunderstandings. Supporting characters like Azuki Shinatsu (Misuzu Togashi/Elizabeth Maxwell) and Aki Nijou (Hitomi Harada/Jamie Marchi), the buxom school nurse, get more screen time in episodic adventures, such as Haruko’s memory loss or Aki’s faux-romance stint with Takeru. New characters, like the villainous Kikyo Yamato, appear briefly but fail to drive a cohesive plot. The season also introduces a handful of minor antagonists and side characters, but their impact is minimal, serving mostly as plot devices for fanservice.

The characters’ lack of development is a frequent criticism. While Season 1 hinted at growth for Takeru and deeper backstories for the girls, Season 2 leans into their one-dimensional traits—Haruko’s jealousy, Inaho’s clinginess, Kodama’s tsundere attitude—without adding depth. Episodes like the catgirl transformation or the manga festival focus on physical attributes over personality, which, while fitting the ecchi genre, leaves little room for meaningful character arcs.

Animation and Sound

The switch to Xebec brought noticeable changes to Maken-Ki! Two’s visual style. Directed by Hiraku Kaneko, known for ecchi heavyweights like Seikon no Qwaser and Manyuu Hikenchou, the season boasts improved art quality, particularly in character designs, with a focus on exaggerated physical features. Kaneko’s signature “realistic” breast animation and detailed designs are evident, though some fans noted a decline in overall animation quality as the season progressed, likely due to budget constraints. The fanservice is relentless, with frequent panty shots, wardrobe malfunctions, and suggestive camera angles, often accompanied by convenient censoring to maintain a TV-MA rating.

The soundtrack, composed by Cher Watanabe, remains serviceable but unremarkable, with upbeat tracks for action scenes and playful tunes for comedic moments. The opening theme, “Cherish” by Sweet ARMS, and the ending, “Reach for Light” by Saeko Zogo, capture the show’s lighthearted tone but lack the memorability of other ecchi anime OPs. The English dub, produced by Funimation (now Crunchyroll), is a highlight, with a self-aware script that amps up the humor. Voice actors like Ian Sinclair and Monica Rial deliver performances that embrace the show’s absurdity, making the dub a favorite among fans of the genre.

Reception and Criticism

Maken-Ki! Two received mixed reviews, with a 6.21 rating on MyAnimeList, reflecting its polarizing nature. Fans of ecchi and harem anime appreciated its unapologetic fanservice and comedic moments, with episodes like the catgirl-themed one earning praise for their absurdity. The Funimation dub was lauded for its witty dialogue, often considered funnier than the original Japanese script. However, the season’s lack of plot progression frustrated viewers who enjoyed Season 1’s blend of action and story. Reddit discussions and Anime-Planet forums highlight this divide: some fans embraced the “shameless ecchi filth,” while others called it “filler boobs” and lamented the abandonment of the manga’s narrative. Critics, like Anime Herald’s Anthony Simpson, noted that the studio change didn’t improve the product, describing it as a step down from Season 1.

The season’s focus on filler content—episodes centered on bras, manga festivals, or random transformations—drew comparisons to other ecchi series like Highschool DxD or Freezing, but Maken-Ki! Two was often deemed inferior due to its lack of substance. Some fans argued that the show’s self-awareness and over-the-top humor redeemed it, while others felt it squandered potential for a more compelling story. The five-episode Maken-Ki! Secret Training specials, released from March to July 2014, added more fanservice-focused content but did little to address narrative complaints.

Cultural and Genre Context

Maken-Ki! Two sits firmly in the ecchi-harem genre, a niche that thrives on exaggerated fanservice and comedic romance. In 2014, it competed with shows like Highschool DxD and Trinity Seven, which balanced similar elements with stronger narratives or character development. The season’s heavy reliance on fanservice reflects a trend in mid-2010s anime, where studios often leaned into titillation to appeal to a dedicated audience, sometimes at the expense of storytelling. While Maken-Ki! Two delivers for fans seeking unapologetic ecchi, its lack of ambition limits its appeal compared to contemporaries that blended plot and perversion more effectively.

Where to Watch

Maken-Ki! Two is available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video, with both subbed and dubbed options. The Blu-ray release, distributed by Funimation, includes the season and its specials, though some fans noted its high price for what’s essentially a niche product. For those interested in the manga’s story, the source material offers a more cohesive narrative, though it concluded its final arc in 2019 without a third anime season to adapt it.

Final Thoughts

Maken-Ki! Two is a polarizing chapter in the Maken-Ki! franchise. For fans of shameless ecchi and harem antics, it delivers a barrage of fanservice, bolstered by Xebec’s polished art and a hilarious English dub. However, its shift to filler-heavy, plotless episodes disappointed viewers hoping for a continuation of Season 1’s story. While it embraces its identity as “breast-in-class” entertainment, it falls short of the genre’s best due to its lack of narrative ambition. If you’re here for the laughs and the “bouncy brawlers,” Maken-Ki! Two is a guilty pleasure worth a watch. For those seeking depth or closure, the manga or other ecchi series might be a better bet.

Note: This article draws from various sources, including MyAnimeList, Anime News Network, and fan discussions on Reddit and Anime-Planet, to provide a balanced perspective on the season’s reception and content.