Review of Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S

Never have I seen a show so intent on attempting to ruin my good will towards it. I really do like this show, I really liked the first season as well, it appeals to that aspect of me that for whatever reason really likes to sit down and consume "fantastical elements put into slice of life" in fiction. But I knocked it down a peg from the previous season for a few reasons: Firstly, I watched the first season a while ago and I don't intend to go back and double check to see if it matches up how I would rate it. Secondly, my god, justremove Saikawa from the anime. Every time Saikawa showed up on screen, I was filled with an inordinate amount of dread because I knew exactly what was coming. And either remove Shota, or make Lucoa's interactions with him not creepy. Lucoa would be a great character, but she's basically a nonce in this. I'm convinced that if you cut out Lucoa's creepy moments with Shota and Saikawa out entirely, then the show would be elevated a couple points higher for me, to an 8 or even a 9. Lucoa and Kanna are both wasted on terrible and pretty much creepy dynamics.

Ilulu's presence suffered a little bit in this show too, they introduce her and she feels like the moment her bit at the beginning is over, she's just basically in the background to make way for scenes that are a thousand times less worthy.

But, that being said... The show, when it's not souring you or seeking to make you uncomfortable (there's some commentary to be made here about the writers/original manga, but I do not want to get into that), it's pretty, heartfelt and gives plenty of good laughs. When characters aren't being wasted on terrible dynamics, they excel. When it really wants to showcase some gorgeous animation, it pulls out all the stops. When it goes for a comedic tone, it gets it pretty dead on.

If Dragon Maid gets another season, I know full well that the issues that I have will not be addressed, because people lap this show up no matter the "problematic" aspects of it that it showcases. I truly do not believe that this show deserves all the 10/10s in receives. I'll watch it and I'll slog through the parts I don't like, which I suppose is another mark of quality, that I'm willing to continue to get to the gems that Dragon Maid likes to taunt you with.