Review of Symphogear G

When people usually think of idols, the first thing they might come up in their mind is someone who is talented, skilled, and viewed as a symbol of icon. Well, this usually applies to superstars in the music industry. In fact, people who become famous in the real world are often idols that others worship and follow as a legion. However, the concept doesn’t just stop there, not in Symphogear G at least. The superstars in Symphogear G aren’t just armed with talent but also with super powers as they take the fight against a mysterious force that threatens to wipe out their existence. The journeycontinues with Hibiki Tachibana and her friends in this sequel known as Symphogear G. Taking place approximately two months after the first season, she is joined by new characters along with her partner and friend Tsubasa Kazanari. As the second season blasts off, we get to see more of that explosive atmosphere in the world of Symphogear that shines brightly. Or does it...

By this point now, it’s clear that Hibiki and Tsubasa have become great friends and comrades. But we also can’t forget about Chris Yukine, a mysterious girl with an even more mysterious ability. The trio stands as a hope against the alien force known as the ‘Noise’. Similarly to season one, they try to save people and fight off the Noise in order to protect their home. However, there’s a problem: the ‘Fine’.

Unlike the previous antagonists from the previous series, ‘Fine’ stands as a primary terrorist group with unknown motives. What we do know is that they have the weapons. They have the intelligence. But most importantly, they have the ambition to carry out their twisted goals. While mostly remaining in the shadows with little background, we get to witness how far they go to follow their ambitions in this season. As far as weapons go, Symphogear takes on a more magical girl battle theme with duels between magical girls. This is because Fine not only possesses Noises but also Symphogear users of their own. It puts Hibiki’s team at an unusual rivalry as they are forced to battle skilled users with abilities that matches against their own, if not greater.

As far as character goes, they largely remain the same with little change. It isn’t very refreshing to witness their relationship either as the trio contrasts greatly with their personalities. In essence, they are a team but their character dynamics aren’t very compatible. It also stretches towards Fine as well with our new characters such as Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika. This trio poses as a serious threat in this season but often times gets irritating to watch. Why? Well, that’s because it seems like these girls are in this organization to carry out their tasks but often seems regrettably doing so. At the same time, these girls may look normal but are treated abnormally as in the state of test subjects. It’s difficult to be sympathetic with them either because the deeds to carry out with the actions as their proof. Oh, and the trio’s relationship isn’t very heartwarming either.

Season 2 does start out with an explosive atmosphere though. It doesn’t drag out in the beginning and gets straight to the point. Their powers also offers an intense challenge for our main protagonists. From there and out, the series bounces between an endless struggle as we also get to witness a mastermind behind the scenes manipulating various events to get what he wants. It’s about as cliched as it comes with the mastermind giving off its mad scientist outlook, ambitions, and his psychopath-like laughter. What doesn’t create much delight though is why Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika continues to follow their orders. They are test subjects so essentially, they are living weapons of war. However, they are also girls with a future especially with Maria and her idol status. At any rate, the frustration of putting up with these girls’ absentminded actions is quite a turnoff.

If you want action though, there is action and plenty of that. It wastes no time with it as the majority of the main cast displays their variety of abilities from the get go. And just like the previous season, the girls all go through their transformation scene presented with doses of fan service. For whatever reason, the character also yell out their attacks for some aesthetic purposes. I guess in a way, it shows off their flashy tactics but at the same time becomes bothersome to witness after having to do so on a basis.

Perhaps what’s most awkward and twisted is the number of plot twists going on in the series with seemingly no concrete purpose. Well, the purpose is there but hard to justify in a rightful manner. This can apply to several of the characters and even the antagonists themselves. The plot twists doesn’t stop there though as we also learn about Fine’s master plan and what they have in stored for the world. But the catch later comes with the organization’s core members. In many ways, I find it nonsense and revelations spawning out of nowhere. Additionally, it’s hard to sympathize with the antagonists after everything they’ve done.

The artwork fits within the science fiction them at least. The girls are designed with battle gear with their armor giving off a dangerous vibe. Unfortunately, most of the characters are designed to look generic and just the way you might expect them to be. It doesn’t stop there with the transformation scenes plastered with fan service. There’s even a case where our mastermind uses fan service itself as a weapon that’s laughable. The Noise themselves also doesn’t look very appealing but does give off that otherworldly look.

Soundtrack wise, Symophogear easily demonstrates the strength of this show as one of its more defining features. After all, the girls infuses their battle skills with their voice. The main opening song Vitalization" by Nana Mizukiin has that feeling of intensity as well as some foreshadowing of the events. Throughout the series though, there’s many other songs played during the action scenes reflecting a core theme of this show. In terms of voice acting choices, I would give Ayahi Takagai with her role as Chris Yukine. She demonstrates that feeling of both hope and despair throughout the series that balances her role well. On the other hand, I find Hibiki’s voice to be irritating with her overzealous cheerfulness.

Overall, this series is far from great but at the same time not a total disaster. The planet the characters inhibits though are in a disaster so be prepared for some battle tendency. However, with the plot being all over the place, the word ‘disaster’ could also be factored in with that as well. Symphogear G is just another sequel of connecting series together to conclude a brand new story. As far as sometimes sequels go, not everything always works out.