Ascendance of a Bookworm (2020)

[本好きの下剋上〜司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません〜]

Part 2

Director: Mitsuru Hongo
Studio: Ajia-Do Animation Works
Starring: Yuka Iguchi, Show Hayami, Megumi Nakajima
Episodes: 12

Synopsis:
Myne begins her novitiate as a blue-robed priestess under the supervision of the Head Priest, but her common origins make her an object of jealousy and contempt.

Impressions:
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous season and the followup is just as good. Rather than focusing on the task of making a book, now Myne has to adjust to life in the temple and among noble society. Ferdinand the Head Priest becomes much more prominent as Myne's primary mentor. He's an interesting character, being fairly bound by the strictures of the social hierarchy but also fairly broad-minded and seeking reform, though in a more measured way than the reckless Myne. Myne shows a decent level of maturity when it comes to adapting and learning from Ferdinand while also taking on increasing responsibilities. Most of the conflict stems from how she's regarded both by the lowborn grey robes and the highborn blue robes in the temple. I do appreciate her approach to conflict resolution. Some fans may not like the change of focus from the commercial ventures of the previous season. Myne does still continue her operations in some capacity, but most of it has been relegated to Lutz, who gets less screentime (so people who really enjoy the Myne-Lutz dynamic may be disappointed). For my part, I felt no less invested in the story and am certainly hoping for a continuation. Give this a watch at the very least.

Rating:
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