There’s been a definite change in focus in the second season of Hoozuki no Reitetsu, though I would argue not necessarily in tone.  We’ve seen previously minor characters get a lot more face time – like the zashiki warashi twins, and especially in the last couple of episodes, Uzu and Yomogi (and there’s at least one more character in the OP that hasn’t shown up yet).  This has been accompanied by an overall trend in looking back at the past more, especially that of Hoozuki.  And in that respect, Uzu and Yomogi are a natural fit.

• I’m not familiar with Giza Giza Heart no Komoriuta or indeed the Checkers, but apparently it was a big hit in Japan.  They love these sorts of nostalgic story songs about banchou days.
• I think it’s safe to say that song was considerably cuter when Shiro was singing it.
• Last week we saw Hoouzki-kun and his running mates as children – this time we see them as “angsty” 15 year-olds.  Like Enma-sama says, the less someone talks about their past the less you want to know about it (and he’d know).
• There was never a doubt who that club’s rightful owner is, was there?
• These “lesser Hells” seem infinitely scarier than the greater Hells to me.
• Did Hoozuki-sama get his friends jobs in the engineering department?  He does seem like the sort who’d take care of his own, even as he bickers with them constantly.
• “Dung Beetle Returnees” indeed.  I think Uzu-san’s crime is that he never backs down from Hoozuki – and when you think about it, we see very few characters to whom that applies (and Hoozuki is generally antagonistic with the few that do).
• Yomogi as an otaku?  Yeah, I could see that.  The breast size argument for the bishoujo doll was full of cultural subtext, as so many gags in this series are.
• I want to see Uzu build a Death Star, too.
• Lastly, a bit of empathy and insight from Ichiko and Niko.  It’s interesting to see the little scamps showing kindness and concern from others – who can they possibly be learning it from?