Overview: Kotestu (Wally Wingert), Barnaby (Yuri Lowenthal) and the rest of the heroes combat new threats that endanger the lives of Stern Bild’s citizens and all the while do their best to lead new heroes into the fray.
Our Take: After many years since their movie, Tiger and Bunny: The Rising, Apollon Media’s titular superhero duo finally make their return to the small screen. And for the most part, it feels like they never left due to how much the series is business as usual with resuming from where the 2014 movie left off. Kotestu and Barnaby are back at it protecting Stern Bild City. However, this time around there are some fresh, new faces in the mix.
Kotetsu and Barnaby are the lovable odd couple of superhero buddies. Their chemistry is tried and true in a goofy seasoned veteran with a calm and cool up and coming hero with it continuing to be a charming and defining part of their bromance. However, it is also great to see them continue to evolve in their roles as heroes, rather than run in place, with them attempting to guide the next generation of heroes into the future and seeing them work out how to inspire and become beacons for them. Even better is how they demonstrate this through their heroic deeds and actions. Those aforementioned new faces are that of Subara known as Mr. Black, Thomas as the hero, He Is Thomas and Tomori as Magical Cat.
Each young new hero gets their own spotlight with each having deeply personal plights that connect to the core of their characters like Subara trying to live up to his partner or Tomori dealing with a scornful mother. Thomas also deals with his trauma in having trust issues but this feels contrived in how it influences his ideology that will hopefully benefit from a deeper dive in the latter half of the season. Other established heroes also get their time in the sun like Origami and Rock Bison as they work on establishing respect for one another along with Dragon Kid trusting a slightly younger partner in Magical Cat while also tutoring her along the way. Also thrown in the mix are the occasional slice-of-life episodes, like the previous season, that are lighthearted and make for some great character moments between heroes, whether their partners or not. Also there is so much progression, there are side plots that haven’t moved forward like that of Karina’s feelings for Kotetsu.
Besides the villains of the week that flesh out the rest of the supporting cast, there is a new threat in Ouroboros rearing their ugly heads continuing their manhunt of heroes. They unleash the powerful NEXT twins, Mugan and Fugan led by a member of the organization, an older gentleman known as Brahe. The twins are charismatically childish with them being fun villains for Stern Bild’s heroes whenever they are on screen. Brahe’s paternal role in their lives is also an endearing layer to their upbringing and makes for a heartfelt familial chemistry between the three that is so well-executed that it allows you to emotionally connect with them even in their most tragic moments. However, with that being said, Brahe’s ties with the cult, Ouroboros and overall antagonistic role feels cut short and never fully developed and living up to its potential.
Character designs have been beautifully refined, with them being solid throughout with only the occasional shoddy frame every now and then. CG is solid enough on nonhuman models like Tiger and Bunny in their power suits, but it can look janky at times when the human characteristics of heroes are on display like that of Dragon Kid and Magical Cat. The animation is generally stellar throughout as well with only some stagnant shots dampening certain moments. Most of the incredible English dub talent returns sans the acting duo, Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham, as Dragon Kid and Rock Bison, respectively. However, Cassandra Lee Morris and Aaron LaPlante lend their talents, nailing them to a T with Willy Wingert, Yuri Lowenthal, Kari Wahlgreen, John Eric Bentley and Patrick Seitz all making exceptional returns. Robbie Daymond, Josh Keaton and Corina Boettger are also welcome additions to the cast, filling out the young new heroes well and in their own interesting ways.
In big, bold fashion, Tiger, Bunny and the rest of the heroes are back in full force with nicely modernized character designs and animation that is mostly great with it only dragging every so often. It truly is a return to form for them as they continue their duty to protect Stern Bild City with various intriguing plotlines and great development of new characters with only one needing more time in the oven. And while not all stories are developed to their maximum potential, there is enough intrigue, world-building and engaging characters to create much anticipation for the latter half of season 2.