Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts Series 2 Review
Label: Manga UK
Certificate: 15
Release Date: 11th February 2013
Release Type: DVD
Fumizuki Academy is an obscure school which sees all students divided into classes due to their initial test score. Starting at class A – who are inevitably the smartest in the school – pupils are ranked all the way down to class F. We follow this class as they attempt to challenge classes above them to battles in exchange for classroom equipment. Each student has their own avatar which battles for them – their strengths lie in their highest test score so let’s just say class F have a long way to go!
After a long break, Baka and Test is back for its second series. If you watched the previous collection then this one is really no different. The story focuses on the group of class F students, their antics and not much more.
The first episode starts off on the beach – this sort of episode is usually saved for filler but Baka and Test introduces us back into the series with bikinis and pervy boys. In case you forgot the main theme behind Baka and Test, you will remember it pretty quickly within this episode.
The focus of this anime is no doubt the relationships between the main characters. Strange love triangle-octagons are always a point of conversation and because many of the characters don’t actually talk to each other, many of these relationships are not resolved. Baka and Test is your classic slice of life in a high school with plenty of moe characters, bouncing boobs and pervy – yet easily relatable boys.
Although this sort of comedy should be taken with a pinch of salt, it does get very old, very fast. The female characters have no respect for themselves, which is clear when in almost every episode they complain about their lack of cleavage or weight gain.
This series has no real plot to follow compared to the previous. The characters don’t develop their relationships, they don’t really do anything and their school work is virtually non-existent.
Having said this, there are a couple of episodes in the series that really shocked me. After sitting through many episodes of fan service, some real character development comes along to smack you in the face. It proves that the writers of Baka and Test are capable of showing emotion through animation and provided an extra layer to the series.
Baka and Test Series Two may not be the deepest anime, it may not have a complicated story line, but it provides entertainment for those who love fan service.
More posts by Anna May
I love Baka and Test, and you’re right about the second season being quite entertaining.