Season 2 of Tonikawa (トニカクカワイイ) is the 12 episode continuation of the anime slice of life romantic comedy based on the manga of the same name by Hata Kenjiro. Season 2 aired originally during the Spring of 2023.
If you are not familiar with the original season from 2020, here is the previous review. Nasa and Tsukasa have settled into their lives living in the guesthouse of the public bath run by their friends, the Arisugawa's. Things seem to be going quite well for the newly weds except that Tsukasa starts to become needy for attention. She struggles to express herself in a way that the analytical Nasa can easily comprehend leading to him not fully understanding his wifes' desires. Nasa also struggles with his lack of experience and apprehension regarding his wife, unsure how to proceed with activities that are more inline with their relationship. Even with help from those around them, usually in straightforward ways, the couple has a hard time being lovey let alone intimate with each other. Are they really married adults or middle school kids in their first relationship. In the end....both may be equally true.
As soon with the brief synopsis not a lot really transpires in this season. Its started to get a little tedious honestly that we have an entire plot line that refuses to move forward, for little more than extension of the story. So much emphasis is put on the idea that they are to timid to consummate their relationship with sex that it overshadows more interesting aspects of the story. Particularly what is the truth behind Tsukasa's origins and identity. There are brief looks at her past in regards tot he relationship with the woman that acts as her guardian, the elderly Tsukuyomi Takiko. Takiko has begun to inject herself into their life as a way to ensure Nasa is right for her and to entrust her desires to him. We are introduced to a few more odd ball characters who make random cameo's but in the end almost all of the story is devoted to continuing their 'will they won't they' plot line. Season two does spice it up a bit as they become more bold in their interactions but in the end its still juvenile and unreasonable their level of modesty.
That said, Tonikawa is still an sweet and enjoyable show. The characters are simple and fun and the pairing of Nasa and Tsukasa is quite pure. Yet, the way the narration drags through the same tired routine gets old quickly. There is so much more potential to have a more developed story and greater complexity with there two lovable characters, but instead it continues to fall back on worn out obstacles. I can only hope that we start to see some actual progression in season three which, at the time of this review, is about halfway through its broadcast.
Tonikawa is currently available in sub and dub formats on Crunchyroll.
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