Summary
B: The Beginning returns with Season 2, and it is oddly underwhelming.
This review of Netflix anime series B: The Beginning season 2 — Succession — contains no spoilers.
After my review of season 1 back in March 2018, I expected more from this anime series; three years to wait for a follow-up is a long time, and to then produce six episodes and called it “Succession” seems like an odd move. I can only assume that there will be a thematic approach from here. Maybe Season 3 will be titled “Reign”. B: The Beginning returns with Season 2, and it is oddly underwhelming.
It’s strange because the story has all the potential not to be underwhelming; it has all the hallmarks in producing something impressive. The story has so much potential, yet it’s sideswiped by a flurry of complications that are not necessary. I said this in Season 1 — B: The Beginning has a writing problem. You can sense the story wants to say more, but the format reduces it, and that’s not how anime works — usually, the format is good enough to translate the story; going from 12 episodes to 6 does not help the scope.
B: The Beginning season 2 is not a direct continuation, but it progresses the story; when Keith is abducted, and a Koku comes across a friend from the past, “Killer B” returns, which constructs a conspiracy that involves the crown.
Noticeably, Koku is more conflicted than he was in season 1; with the RIS, an old friend, and the crown making a whole host of problems, the character is less sure of himself than he was in Season 1. The second installment delves more into the future — how Reggies and Canons are becoming a co-existing threat. The theme of “greater good” appeals to the story; this element of the story works — it really taps into the viewer’s mind.
But with only 6 chapters, this anime comes and goes very quickly. I’ve got nothing against shorter anime series; in fact, I welcome it. However, the ending to B: The Beginning season 2 ends with a whimper, and I am not sure that fans will be delighted if they have to wait until 2024 to wait for a continuation of events. Let’s hope not.
