Because this is a season review, there will be spoilers. Do not read if you want to avoid them.
The fact that I have to discuss spoilers in this review when I managed to completely avoid them reviewing Season 1 is telling of the show's commitment to improving itself. The characters do make progress during this season, and in interesting ways. Marinette/LB continues to develop as a leader both in and outside the mask, Adrien/Chat gathers up the courage to tell Ladybug his true feelings, and Hawk Moth not only gets a sympathetic backstory, he actually becomes a credible threat in several episodes. And beyond the main trio, we also have development for Alya, Nino, and Chloe as they become better people and take on their own heroic identities, the supporting cast is becoming better defined, and we got some of Master Fu's backstory. With all of that, you'd think this would be a great second season and an incredible improvement over the first.
Unfortunately, that isn't quite the case. The show became smarter, but only in some areas. The school plots continue to be rather hokey, and Chloe remains awful. In fact, it seems like the Reset Button was rather abused when it came to her development up until the end of the season. It didn't help that her 'tragic backstory' turned out to be having an even worse Mom who completely ignores her. And as for Adrien's confession to Ladybug, while it's good that LB at least knows Chat is into her, it doesn't actually go anywhere.
The ultimate problem with this season is that while it's trying to become more sophisticated, it's approach is rather scattershot. Certain elements are improved, but the show doesn't seem to realize that it's still very cheesy. The result is a tonal whiplash that often took me out of the moment. With Season 1 it felt like the cheesier elements were easier to swallow because the show was simply a cheesy romp and nothing more. Now that it's trying to be more than that it's struggling with how to accomplish that goal.
That being said, the show has taken a few major steps forward. The animation has received a noticeable buff from Season 1, Marinette is now capable of holding conversations with Adrien and even managed to kiss him on the cheek, and the villains have really increased in threat level.
That last one in particular is significant because by and large, the villains of Season 1 were not threatening. The heroes had a couple of near-misses, but for the most part their victory was never in doubt. In contrast, this season opens with a highly effective plan on Gabriel/Hawk Moth's part. He realizes that with the tome missing it's only a matter of time before someone realizes his identity, so he makes an akuma, gives up his Miraculous, and lets himself be akumatized. Even if he fails to capture the Miraculous, he's ensured that no one will believe he's Hawk Moth. Either way, he wins. Then he tops that with an absolutely brilliant plan in the season finale. My only problem with that one is that it felt so epic in scope that it probably would've been better as either the series finale or at the very least the end of his story arc. Combine that with several of the regular Akumas this season managing to come only a hairsbreadth away from victory, and the villains really stepped up their game.
Overall, this season is objectively an improvement over the first one. However, most of the series fundamental flaws are still there, and the improvements make them even more obvious in contrast. The show is getting better, but it's also getting harder to watch without cringing. Hopefully Season 3 will be able to find a better way to continue to raise the show's sophistication while still allowing its core appeal to remain.
Season 2: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Because this is a season review, there will be spoilers. Do not read if you want to avoid them.
The fact that I have to discuss spoilers in this review when I managed to completely avoid them reviewing Season 1 is telling of the show's commitment to improving itself. The characters do make progress during this season, and in interesting ways. Marinette/LB continues to develop as a leader both in and outside the mask, Adrien/Chat gathers up the courage to tell Ladybug his true feelings, and Hawk Moth not only gets a sympathetic backstory, he actually becomes a credible threat in several episodes. And beyond the main trio, we also have development for Alya, Nino, and Chloe as they become better people and take on their own heroic identities, the supporting cast is becoming better defined, and we got some of Master Fu's backstory. With all of that, you'd think this would be a great second season and an incredible improvement over the first.
Unfortunately, that isn't quite the case. The show became smarter, but only in some areas. The school plots continue to be rather hokey, and Chloe remains awful. In fact, it seems like the Reset Button was rather abused when it came to her development up until the end of the season. It didn't help that her 'tragic backstory' turned out to be having an even worse Mom who completely ignores her. And as for Adrien's confession to Ladybug, while it's good that LB at least knows Chat is into her, it doesn't actually go anywhere.
The ultimate problem with this season is that while it's trying to become more sophisticated, it's approach is rather scattershot. Certain elements are improved, but the show doesn't seem to realize that it's still very cheesy. The result is a tonal whiplash that often took me out of the moment. With Season 1 it felt like the cheesier elements were easier to swallow because the show was simply a cheesy romp and nothing more. Now that it's trying to be more than that it's struggling with how to accomplish that goal.
That being said, the show has taken a few major steps forward. The animation has received a noticeable buff from Season 1, Marinette is now capable of holding conversations with Adrien and even managed to kiss him on the cheek, and the villains have really increased in threat level.
That last one in particular is significant because by and large, the villains of Season 1 were not threatening. The heroes had a couple of near-misses, but for the most part their victory was never in doubt. In contrast, this season opens with a highly effective plan on Gabriel/Hawk Moth's part. He realizes that with the tome missing it's only a matter of time before someone realizes his identity, so he makes an akuma, gives up his Miraculous, and lets himself be akumatized. Even if he fails to capture the Miraculous, he's ensured that no one will believe he's Hawk Moth. Either way, he wins. Then he tops that with an absolutely brilliant plan in the season finale. My only problem with that one is that it felt so epic in scope that it probably would've been better as either the series finale or at the very least the end of his story arc. Combine that with several of the regular Akumas this season managing to come only a hairsbreadth away from victory, and the villains really stepped up their game.
Overall, this season is objectively an improvement over the first one. However, most of the series fundamental flaws are still there, and the improvements make them even more obvious in contrast. The show is getting better, but it's also getting harder to watch without cringing. Hopefully Season 3 will be able to find a better way to continue to raise the show's sophistication while still allowing its core appeal to remain.