We Never Learn: BOKUBEN Season 2 – A Deep Dive into Its Heart, Humor, and Harem Dynamics

We Never Learn: BOKUBEN Season 2, also known as Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai, builds on the foundation laid by its first season, diving deeper into the lives of Nariyuki Yuiga and his eclectic group of genius pupils. This romantic comedy anime, adapted from Taishi Tsutsui’s manga and animated by Studio Silver and Arvo Animation, aired from October to December 2019. While it retains the charm and humor of its predecessor, Season 2 stumbles in its narrative ambition, offering a mix of heartfelt moments, character-driven comedy, and frustrating indecision. This article explores the season’s strengths, weaknesses, and unique elements, providing a fresh perspective on its place in the harem genre.

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The Premise: Tutoring Geniuses, Tugging at Heartstrings

Season 2 continues the story of Nariyuki Yuiga, a diligent high school student tasked with tutoring three prodigies—Fumino Furuhashi, Rizu Ogata, and Uruka Takemoto—to secure a VIP scholarship for university. Each girl excels in one area but struggles in another: Fumino, a literary genius, flounders in math; Rizu, a STEM prodigy, grapples with humanities; and Uruka, an athletic star, battles academics in general. Joining them are Mafuyu Kirisu, a strict teacher with a hidden soft side, and Asumi Kominami, a former student aiming for medical school. As graduation looms, the pressure to succeed academically intertwines with growing romantic tensions, creating a delicate balance of comedy, drama, and character development.

What sets We Never Learn apart from other harem anime is its premise of intellectual mentorship. The tutoring sessions provide a natural setting for character interactions, allowing relationships to evolve organically through shared struggles and triumphs. Season 2 leans into this dynamic, emphasizing the emotional stakes of the characters’ academic and personal journeys.

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The Good: Character Depth and Emotional Resonance

One of Season 2’s strongest assets is its focus on character development, particularly for the female leads. Each girl’s personality shines through distinct arcs that explore their insecurities, dreams, and feelings for Nariyuki.

• Fumino Furuhashi: Often hailed as the series’ standout, Fumino’s level-headedness and emotional intelligence make her a refreshing departure from typical rom-com clichés. Her ability to read situations and avoid misunderstandings adds nuance to her character. Season 2 delves into her internal conflict between pursuing astronomy—a field tied to her late mother—and her fear of failure. Her subtle, restrained affection for Nariyuki feels authentic, making her a fan favorite for her maturity and relatability.
• Rizu Ogata: Rizu’s arc is compelling for its exploration of emotional awakening. As a socially awkward math genius, she struggles to understand her feelings for Nariyuki, often approaching them with the same analytical mindset she applies to equations. Her innocence and gradual self-discovery add a layer of charm, making her growth one of the season’s highlights.
• Uruka Takemoto: Uruka’s blatant crush on Nariyuki leans into classic rom-com tropes, but her athletic background and childhood connection to him give her a unique edge. Season 2 gives her moments of vulnerability, particularly as she faces the pressure of balancing swimming with academics. A standout scene—kept spoiler-free here—showcases her determination and emotional depth, hinting at her potential to stand out in the harem dynamic.
• Mafuyu Kirisu and Asumi Kominami: The addition of these two characters livens up the group. Mafuyu, the stern teacher with a messy personal life, provides comedic gold through her contrast between professional rigor and private chaos. Her backstory as a former figure skater adds depth, though her romantic subplot feels forced at times. Asumi, the playful medical student working at a maid café, brings a teasing energy that keeps Nariyuki on his toes. Her arc, while less developed, hints at her own struggles with academic and financial pressures.

The animation quality remains consistent with Season 1, with vibrant visuals and expressive character designs that enhance the comedic and emotional beats. The voice acting—featuring Ryota Osaka as Nariyuki, Haruka Shiraishi as Fumino, Miyu Tomita as Rizu, and Sayumi Suzushiro as Uruka—is stellar, bringing each character’s personality to life. The opening theme, “Can now, Can now” by Study, and the ending theme, “Hōkago no Liberty” by Halca, capture the series’ upbeat yet introspective tone.

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The Flaws: A Lack of Narrative Purpose

Despite its strengths, Season 2 struggles to carve out a distinct identity. Critics have noted that it feels like a continuation of Season 1 rather than a bold new chapter. The first season established the characters and their romantic tensions, but Season 2 often retreads familiar ground, relying on sitcom-style scenarios—such as mascot costume mix-ups or beach trip mishaps—without advancing the overarching story significantly.

The harem genre’s reluctance to commit to a definitive romantic resolution is a double-edged sword. Season 2 teases the possibility of Nariyuki choosing one girl, but it ultimately keeps all options open, leading to a sense of narrative stagnation. This indecision is particularly frustrating given the manga’s later experimentation with multiple endings for each girl, a bold move that the anime doesn’t fully embrace. The season’s climax, while emotionally satisfying, feels hollow due to its abrupt resolution and lack of closure, leaving viewers wanting more substance.

Comparisons to The Quintessential Quintuplets, another 2019 tutoring harem anime, are inevitable. While We Never Learn distinguishes itself with its focus on academic mentorship over familial ties, it lacks the narrative momentum and character depth that made its counterpart stand out. The timing of its release, just months after Quintuplets, didn’t help, as it struggled to escape the shadow of its more popular peer.

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What Makes It Unique: A Subtle Critique of Harem Tropes

Season 2’s most intriguing aspect is its subtle self-awareness of the harem genre’s limitations. Unlike many harem anime that revel in fanservice or exaggerated tropes, We Never Learn tempers its male gaze with moments of genuine emotional connection. Nariyuki is a refreshingly respectful protagonist, avoiding the accidental groping or peeping clichés common in the genre. The comedy often stems from the girls’ agency—whether it’s Uruka’s bold confessions or Mafuyu’s unintentional chaos—rather than Nariyuki’s actions, which keeps the dynamic balanced.

The series also explores the tension between personal dreams and romantic feelings, a theme that resonates with its high school setting. Each girl’s academic struggle mirrors her emotional journey, creating a parallel between their studies and their hearts. This thematic depth, while not fully realized, hints at a more ambitious story that could have elevated Season 2 beyond its rom-com roots.

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Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag

Reviews of Season 2 are polarized. Fans on platforms like MyAnimeList praise its humor and character moments, with some calling it a “wholesome romance harem” that balances comedy and emotion. However, others echo the sentiment that it fails to innovate, with one reviewer noting, “It’s nowhere near the caliber of Nisekoi, but it’s not as awful as some harem anime.” The season holds a solid but unspectacular rating, reflecting its status as an enjoyable yet unremarkable entry in the genre.

Critics like LofZOdyssey from The Outerhaven and Comic Watch expressed disappointment, citing the season’s lack of narrative progression. They argue that while the characters are engaging, the story doesn’t capitalize on the first season’s promise, ending on a note that feels more like a pause than a resolution.

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The Verdict: A Charming but Inconclusive Chapter

We Never Learn: BOKUBEN Season 2 is a mixed bag of heartfelt character moments, solid animation, and missed opportunities. Its strength lies in its well-developed cast, particularly Fumino and Rizu, whose emotional arcs add depth to the harem formula. However, its reluctance to take risks or commit to a clear narrative direction leaves it feeling like an extension of Season 1 rather than a standalone story. For fans of romantic comedies, it’s a fun, lighthearted watch with enough charm to warrant a recommendation. For those seeking a transformative harem experience, it falls short of its potential.

Ultimately, Season 2 excels in its character-driven humor and subtle critique of genre tropes but struggles to find its own voice. It’s a reminder that even in a crowded genre, a story’s heart lies in its characters—and We Never Learn has plenty of that, even if it doesn’t always know where to go with it.

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Sources:

• The Outerhaven: We Never Learn Season 2 Series Review
• Comic Watch: We Never Learn Season 2 Series Review
• MyAnimeList: Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai! Season 2 Reviews
• Anime News Network: We Never Learn Review
• AIPT: We Never Learn’s Surprising Ending
• ComicBook.com: We Never Learn Season 2 Announced
• Wikipedia: We Never Learn