Saki: Achiga-hen (I'm not going to write the full name as it is just too long...) is sort of like a sequel to the original "Saki" anime. However rather than calling it a sequel, I would much prefer to call it a side story. For viewers who have not watched the original "Saki", I will try to keep the spoilers to a minimum, but however since you are already watching a sequel, the viewer will obviously know some spoilers for the original. As the girls of Kiyosumi High battle their way through the national mahjong tournament. A small group of friends of the moe, popular sidecharacter Hanamura Nodoka saw Nodoka winning the middle school championship on television. They got motivated to revive their childhood mahjong club in hopes of someday meeting and playing again with Nodoka. Hence starting the Achiga Girls' High School Mahjong Club, and aims for the national championships as well.

For viewers who have not watched or finished the original "Saki". Since there were so many participating schools, the national tournament groups were split into two. Kiyosumi High drew the brackets for "side B" of the tournament group, and the story of the Achiga Girls tells the story and battles that were occuring through "side A" (hence the title)

I am going to draw some comparisons to my earlier review of the original "Saki" anime, which you can check out here:

http://myanimelist.net/profile/Fate25/reviews

Most of the good points from the original anime were carried into this side story/sequel. First is the introduction of a huge cast of characters. Each equipped with fully distinct colourful looks and personality. So much so that you will never notice that the story surprisingly does not have a main character. Since every single character is so interesting in this anime, there wasn't a need for a main character to carry the story.

Second is that the anime dedicates a huge amount of time to developing the stories of its side characters, even the opponents that the Achiga girls face. So much so that you even feel sorry for the opponents when they lose to the heroines.

The anime is dedicated to creating an emotional bond between the viewers and all its characters. Even if the opponents initially appear cold and ruthless in their attempted destruction of the Achiga Girls tournament hopes, in the following episode you will see the emotional story from the opponent's viewpoint. Seeing that in the end, every one of them are just sweet high school girls who fight hard to keep the hopes and dreams of their precious teammates and friends alive. Every single girl has deep emotional bonds with their supporting family and friends, and doesn't want to let them down, which creates a valid reason for them to fight so hard.

In my opinion this is the greatest appeal of this anime, all those moments which make you feel "awww.... she's just such a sweet girl....". So much so that you actually feel really sad when the girls lose their tournament matches and breaks down crying, as they get overcome with emotion from letting their precious friends and family down.

The third plus point is in the "special moves". Ever since the days of Dragonball Z and their super saiyans, good shonen anime has always followed the example of exaggerating their special or finishing moves with added animation and silly over-the-top names. It continues to work in this anime. With the new characters come new special moves, with the highlight being that you get to see Saki's undefeatable sister, the last boss Miyanaga Teru, in action.

The sequel also does well to remove what I consider to be a slightly negative part of the original "Saki". Lesbian, aka "yuri" themes resound strongly in the original "Saki". Even though there no hentai girl on girl scenes, I do feel that the lesbianism in the original went overboard and this sequel tones that part down considerably. Making the viewing experience more smooth and enjoyable, as you don't get sudden, uncomfortable lesbian moments interrupting the development of the emotional character backstory, and makes the anime more acceptable by the mainstream viewing audience.

In summary, Saki: Achiga-hen is a enjoyable anime, especially if you have watched the original. A huge cast of varied, adorable and sincere high school girls trying their best. The shonen-esque animations and special moves. The emotional connections you feel for these girls, as they battle their hearts out on the mahjong table, will keep you waiting eagerly for every next episode.