I think I’m getting a soft spot for this series…
What They Say:
Broken but not defeated. Now even broken arms can stop Asta! But when his injuries are beyond healing magic, this could mean the end of his journey. Except his magic is never giving up! Together, with his friends, they head to the Witches Forest to find a cure – or more trouble.
The Review:
Audio:
The audio has a 5.1 release in English and a 2.0 in Japanese for the series– I watched the first disc in English and the second disc in Japanese to compare, despite not saying 5.1 the Japanese release was high quality to the point there was no adjustment to the volume, there were no other issues regarding sound quality, echoing, synching with subtitles, etc – the quality is high overall.
Video:
Originally airing in 2019 (so one of the most recent releases that has made it to the UK in quick time) the video is set in 16:9 – 1.78:1 aspect ratio via NTSC transfer to PAL format – with DVD releases nowadays the effect definitely seems more grainier compared to HD and with me doing a ton of Blu-ray reviews recently this is a good way to remind you how the times have changed. That said, the animation was good overall, and despite the use of CGI during a lot of the attack sequences, it isn’t horrendously noticeable compared to other series I’ve reviewed in the past so that’s fine, albeit with the animation style it is a bit more noticeable. A lot of the scenes with magic (Noelle’s in particular) seem to have been improving so it feels like with other long running shounen series (One Piece in particular I mention) that the animation is getting better/
Packaging:
There was no packing for this test release however the special editions will have collector’s packing.
Menu:
The menu on both discs pretty basic – both discs have the same set image of Vanessa in her witch gear on a mystical book like background, a similar menu selection of Play All, Set Up (audio and subtitles), Episodes and on disc 2, Extras. The menus and images are unremarkable and standard, menu is quick and does its job with no glitches and can quickly return back to the main menu when watching the series, just uninspiring.
Extras: the main menu) – nice to look at but very basic.
The only extra is on disc 2 which is the Clover Clips Special Edition – which is a longer clip based on the comic SD style clips before the next episode preview that happens at the end of every episode. It is a funny one though of Vanessa, Noelle and Asta as Vanessa indulges in drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic, and gives a throw back to an old school magical girl anime (Creami Mam…er I mean Vanessa :P) – remember, it’s totally original idol magic…not copied.
Black Clover has been an interesting series for me – at first, it was a very slow version of a Shounen Jump show which followed a lot of the typical clichés but without much of the charm. About halfway through the first season though, via character development, some fun moments and some interesting lore, this show has slowly crept up on me as a guilty pleasure. It was originally announced as the next big thing but putting up against ongoing (One Piece), current (My Hero Academia) or past (Naruto) favourites people seemed to be very hit or miss about it. And whilst it certainly isn’t a masterpiece, it is definitely growing on me…
We are at the end of the Witch Queen arc, and she is in control of Asta to kill the Black Bulls, but this is Vanessa’s moment to shine as we see her past, why she is in love with Yami, and awakens her Grimoire’s best magic, a familiar cat named Rouge, a.k.a. the red thread of fate, which can manipulate time/destiny, reverse Asta killing his teammates, and because Rouge is immune to damage from the queen (as she can’t manipulate fate) she is defeated, and the Queen surprisingly accepts it and heals everyone including Asta (giving him a stone as well which may have more influence later) as she knows more about the Midnight Sun and also Asta’s anti-magic swords (both have significance towards elven magic so you know that’s going to be applied somewhere in the future) – they also get some of her blood for healing which will soon be used to good use…
We get a recap episode with Yuno, Mimosa and Claude narrating but we now get to some fun as we enter the Star Festival where Julius, the Wizard King, will rank the Magic Knight squads in their stars – and with the Black Bulls if you remember being on negatives before Asta and Noelle joined, this should be fun…but what is also fun is the return of Kahono and Kiato from the underwater temple who are given the Witch Queens Blood, making their voice and leg restored respectively. I loved these two (especially Kahono) in their arc as Kahono is perhaps a rare true friend for Noelle whilst Kiato is both a fun buddy for Asta and a hopeless suitor for Noelle…which Kahono completely exploits for funsies as we see her clinging onto Asta, fully aware Noelle has a tsundere style crush on him and trying to get her to confess. Of course, being able to sing and dance again makes them happy and they demonstrate it at the festival to great acclaim. The 4 have kind of a double date which is a nice change of pace and seeing Noelle’s character development condemning some nobles ridiculing a lost child is great to see…of course she’s still tsundere so has to smack Asta for no real reason so…it’s a work in progress.
We get a lot of fun as clashing captains with Yami and Jack (with the Wizard King interrupting them) and Charlotte also appearing in regal attire and looking absolutely stunning ….which of course she gets embarrassed when Yami sees her – unsurprisingly Vanessa also gets in the act as both of them have a crush on Yami so we get some fun with a cosplay contest and a drinking contest in the two (and we see why Charlotte likes Yami, similar to why Vanessa does earlier) but the real meat is the reveal of the stars.
Once again, the Golden Dawn have come first (Yuno’s squad) but the shock is that the Black Bulls are now in second place. Yuno and Asta are brought forward as key candidates and despite their peasant nature revealed show their powers much to the applause of the crowd (also bonus seeing the snobby Silver Eagles getting angry that Noelle’s squad did better than theres) – it leads to the Wizard King announcing an exam to bring a group of Royal Knights to defeat the Midnight Sun but fortunately we get my absolute favourite other group back in the fire…literally.
I have loved the Crimson Lions since their debut, their leader Fuegoleon was one of the rare nobles who liked the more common Asta and also helped Noelle out, and sadly is still out on the shelf, with his younger brother Leopold is a fantastic alternative rival for Asta, being far more hot-headed but still likable. In this arc, we get introduced to the older sister, Mereoleona and she combines both of their traits…a strong leader but VERY temperamental as she gets angry with her squad for their disappointing rank, however, said intensity and power seem to actually inspire her squad, with Leopold and even Asta seemingly to like her ways, and in an amusing moment, she ‘kidnaps’ Asta, Noelle, Yami, Charlotte and Charlotte’s second in command Sol to join her squad for training in a volcano area of mana with the promise of an amazing hot spring there as well. With Yami and Charlotte there also inspiring her men, Mereoleona also has a history with Noelle’s mother and inspires her to do her best, whilst she also gives a subtle hint for Asta who can’t rely on his anti magic here to get there and he is able to manage to do it (albeit in an amusing way)…and when everyone succeeds to get to the hot spring, of course we have the obligatory guys trying to peep on the girls moment (bar Asta and Yuno ^^) but also a bit of Mereoleona’s history with Acier, Noelle’s mother, and inspires Noelle to somehow become even stronger than her late mother….
It stops at the perfect point before the Royal Knight Exam and gets the show moving but has a bit of fun with it. Whilst there is still the class stigma that Yuno and Asta have as being commoners (the actual King even threatens to execute them after Asta rightly points out he hasn’t done anything to help the people out and Julius should be the one to arrange this) the fact that there are definitely tears in the seams between the nobles who aren’t OK with this (like the Silvas) and the ones who don’t give a damn and just want to kick butt (hello Crimson Lions) means with the noticing of Asta and Yuno means that this can definitely set up the next arc either as the two having targets on their head, or said nobles making mistakes because of pent up anger.
This arc isn’t really a serious one or anything, it ends with Vanessa getting a moment in the spotlight and gaining her most powerful spell, but it’s almost a breather set of episodes – not quite filler (though there is a recap episode) but still not necessary. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it though, the return of Kahono and Kiato was a pleasant surprise (and Kahona trying to play matchmaker for Noelle and Asta, but Asta is a typical shounen protagonist and Noelle is a typical tsundere character), the fun moments with Charlotte and Vanessa, Yami mocking most of the other leaders when the Black Bulls shockingly become 2nd in the rankings (and everyone automatically assumes they must have cheated or threatened someone ^^) and of course, the debut of Mereoleona meaning the Crimson Lions are back and as fiery as ever.
Sure, it’s not thought-provoking, it is a bit dumb, a bit predictable, and most of the other Black Bulls are relegated to on screen cameos for this bit, but for some reason I can’t say it’s bad. I will say of the head to head shows I like Academia more in terms of shounen jump, but considering I really didn’t like this at first, it is truly growing on me. Yuno getting a bit more personality in this arc, Asta being his usual self, and the fun seeing the super-serious Charlotte getting dolled up and being super embarrassed around Yami gives the characters a bit more personality and energy, and I definitely appreciate it, and with the exams coming up, I think we’ll resume action next time, let’s just have some fun in the hot springs for this part….
In Summary:
Black Clover Season 2, Part 2 actually changes from the quests and action, and after ending the Witch Queen arc and getting closure for Vanessa, it takes a fun turn and with the Star Awards, we get a lot of fun with a lot of the cast, with some pivotal moments in between just to make it more interesting. Whilst at times quite predictable, it has a lot of charm, sweetness, and comedy whilst also some underlying story and character development to set up the next arc. Not the best one by far, but certainly fun enough for me to enjoy with a big old smile on my face.
Features:
Clover Clips: Special Edition
Content Grade: B-
Audio Grade: B+
Video Grade: B
Packaging Grade: N/A
Menu Grade: B
Extras Grade: C
Released By: Manga Entertainment UK
Release Date: May 25th, 2020
MSRP: £18.99 (Both)
Running Time: 288 minutes
Video Encoding: 1080p AVC
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen
Review Equipment:
Playstation 4, Sony Bravia 32 Inc EX4 Television, Aiwa 2 Way Twin Duct Bass Reflex Speaker System.
