Monster Strike 2

Monster Strike the Anime 2nd Season

Aired Date:2017-03-25

Status:FINISHED

Ratings:56/100

Genres:Action, Fantasy

Season:2

Total Episodes:24

Duration:12 min/ep

Studio:SANZIGEN

Source:VIDEO_GAME

Format:ONA

Director:Takayuki Hamana

Review:50/100

Watch Online: Official Site Crunchyroll YouTube

Synopsis

The second season of Monster Strike. Monsters are just a daily fixture of life these days. Ren, Aoi, Akira, and Minami have taken it upon themselves to clear the neighborhood of violent monsters. Days pass, until a transfer student from America, Mana Livingston, appears in their class. Mana quickly becomes a friend as the gang bond over their monsters. But a creeping shadow begins to lurk in the darkness, a harbinger of the danger to come. A new chapter of Monster Strike is about to be written! (Source: Crunchyroll) Includes episode 0.

Trailer

Characters

Mana Livingston MAIN

Minami Wakaba MAIN

Oragon MAIN

Aoi Mizuwasa MAIN

Akira Kagetsuki MAIN

Ren Homura MAIN

Male Daikokuten SUPPORTING

Miroku SUPPORTING

K SUPPORTING

Suihanjar SUPPORTING

Monster Strike Season 2: A Deeper Dive into the Monster-Filled Adventure

By SON HAK (Admin)

The second season of Monster Strike The Animation, which premiered on April 1, 2017, builds on the foundation laid by its first season, escalating the stakes and expanding the universe of this mobile game-based anime. Animated entirely in CG by Yokohama Animation Lab, Monster Strike Season 2 delivers a thrilling blend of action, mystery, and character-driven storytelling, centered around the phenomenon of monsters manifesting in the real world. With a new character, a darker narrative, and ties to the wildly popular Monster Strike mobile game, this season captivated fans with its high-energy battles and emotional depth. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes Season 2 a standout continuation of the franchise.

A New Chapter in Kaminohara

Monster Strike Season 2 picks up after the events of the first season, where protagonist Ren Homura and his friends—Aoi Mizusawa, Akira Kagetsuki, and Minami Wakaba—successfully defeated the War Gods and regained a semblance of normalcy. However, their peace is short-lived as a mysterious girl named Pandora appears, carrying a box that unleashes chaos when opened. This sets the stage for a new arc where monsters from the Monster Strike game begin manifesting in real life, causing havoc across Japan. The season focuses on the group’s efforts to seal energy points that attract these creatures, guided by the enigmatic CEO Madarame, whose true intentions remain shrouded in mystery.

The narrative is split into two parts, with the second half, titled Monster Strike The Animation: The Fading Cosmos, premiering on October 7, 2017. This arc introduces cosmic stakes, hinting at a larger threat to the world’s existence. The shift from localized battles in Kaminohara to a broader, world-altering conflict adds a layer of intensity, making Season 2 feel more ambitious than its predecessor.

Introducing Mana Livingston

A key addition to Season 2 is Mana Livingston, a transfer student from America voiced by Hisako Kanemoto (Sailor Moon Crystal). Mana quickly integrates into the main cast, learning about the Monster Strike game and acquiring her own ring and partner monster. Her signature monster, Cherry Spirit Sakura (voiced by Ikumi Hayama), adds a vibrant dynamic to the team’s battles. Mana’s outsider perspective brings a fresh angle to the story, as she adapts to the group’s dynamics and the escalating dangers of their monster-hunting missions. Her inclusion also broadens the show’s appeal, connecting the Japanese setting to a global audience.

Themes and Character Development

Season 2 delves deeper into the personal struggles of its core cast. Ren Homura (voiced by Yusuke Kobayashi) continues to grapple with his fragmented memories of Kaminohara, a thread that ties into his growth as a leader. Aoi Mizusawa (voiced by Lynn) remains the group’s emotional anchor, driven by her desire to reunite her friends as a cohesive Monster Strike team. Akira Kagetsuki (voiced by Kengo Kawanishi) and Minami Wakaba (voiced by Juri Kimura) face their own challenges, with Minami’s family café becoming a focal point for some episodes. The group’s camaraderie is tested by external threats and internal doubts, particularly as they uncover Madarame’s hidden agenda.

The introduction of antagonists like Taiyou Shirahama, the top-ranked Monster Strike player in Kaminohara, and his possession by the War God Nirvana (voiced by Takehito Koyasu) adds complexity to the narrative. The season also explores darker themes, such as the American military’s attempts to weaponize Monster Strike monsters, exemplified by Colonel James Styles and his monster Oceanus. These elements ground the fantastical premise in real-world stakes, raising questions about power and control.

Animation and Sound Design

A significant shift in Season 2 is its full transition to CG animation, a departure from the 2D/CG hybrid of the first season. While some fans initially found the change jarring, the CG allows for dynamic, fluid battle sequences that capture the frenetic energy of the Monster Strike game’s billiards-like mechanics. Studio Hibari and Ultra Super Pictures, under the direction of Kazuya Ichikawa, deliver visually striking monster designs by Masayuki Kondo, with character concepts by Tatsuro Iwamoto. The animation shines in large-scale battles, particularly in The Fading Cosmos arc, where cosmic visuals amplify the stakes.

The sound design is equally impressive, with a soundtrack composed by Satoru Kosaki, Keiichi Hirokawa, and Kuniyuki Takahashi of MONACA. The ending themes, including a cover of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” by Gloria and multiple tracks by White Ash (“Strike,” “Knock On Doors In You,” “Mad T.Party (1865-2016),” “Drop,” and “Monster”), enhance the show’s energetic vibe. These songs, particularly “Monster” composed for the MS Grand Prix 2016 Championship, tie the anime closely to its gaming roots.

Connection to the Monster Strike Game

Monster Strike Season 2 remains deeply tied to its source material, the mobile game developed by Mixi. The game’s unique mechanics—flicking monsters like billiard balls to trigger Bump Combos and Strike Shots—are reflected in the anime’s battles, where characters summon monsters like Oragon, Loki, and Dark Usurper Zeus. The season introduces new monsters and scenarios that mirror in-game events, appealing to players familiar with the franchise. By June 2017, the anime had garnered over 200 million views on YouTube, a testament to its popularity among game fans.

The season also ties into the broader Monster Strike universe, with references to the Monster Strike The Movie (released December 10, 2016) and spin-offs like A Rhapsody Called Lucy -The Very First Song- (May 3, 2017) and MSonic! D’Artagnan’s Rise to Fame (June 14, 2017). These side stories, set in separate continuities, expand the franchise’s lore while keeping the main series focused on Ren’s journey.

Reception and Streaming

Season 2 was well-received for its engaging plot and character development, though some fans noted the CG animation took time to grow on them. Crunchyroll streamed the series with English subtitles, making it accessible to a global audience. A special 15-minute episode, “Katsubō no Hate no Risōkyō” (Utopia of the End of Longing), aired on March 25, 2017, as a prelude to the season, building anticipation. The season concluded with The Fading Cosmos arc, and Crunchyroll announced a “Season 2.5” continuation in Fall 2017, keeping fans hooked.

As of December 2024, Monster Strike Season 2 is not available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu, but fans are encouraged to check Crunchyroll or YouTube for availability.

Final Thoughts

Monster Strike Season 2 is a bold evolution of the franchise, blending high-stakes action with deeper character exploration and a visually distinct CG style. The addition of Mana Livingston and the cosmic scope of The Fading Cosmos arc elevate the series beyond its mobile game origins, offering a compelling narrative for both fans and newcomers. While the shift to full CG animation may divide viewers, the season’s engaging story, vibrant battles, and catchy soundtrack make it a worthy continuation of Ren Homura’s journey. Whether you’re a Monster Strike player or an anime enthusiast, Season 2 delivers a monster-sized adventure that’s hard to resist.

For more details on Monster Strike or to explore its availability, visit Crunchyroll or the official Monster Strike YouTube channel.